Reviews

North Coast Repertory Theatre Produces San Diego Premiere of “The Heart Sellers”

A Story that Goes Beyond the Immigrant Experience

(L-R) Marielle Young & Jin Park – photo by Aaron Rumley

North Coast Repertory Theatre starts the new year with Lloyd Suh’s The Heart Sellers. A play set in 1973 that explores a new friendship between Jane (Jin Park) and Luna (Marielle Young), two women who came to the U.S. from Asia, Luna from the Philippines and Jane from South Korea, through the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, as one of the lines in the play defines “before it, everyone coming to the USA was pretty much from Europe and white people places but, after Hart-Celler, we can come here.” Their husbands are in medical school, and the housewives find each other in a supermarket on Thanksgiving after having spotted one another. During the evening, they share experiences about leaving their home countries to be in the U.S. and what is next, along with ideals.

Kat Yen directs the one-act piece with the two actresses attempting to cook Thanksgiving dinner at Luna’s studio. The play is slow, which is not bad, as Suh’s writing is nicely complemented by metaphors, and Yen allows each breath to have time and space for the audience to take in and let it simmer. Both Jin and Marielle are flawless, and I did not see a dialect/accent coach in the program, but each imprinted feeling, flare, and familiar references. They had a nice, sweet stage chemistry that was moving. It is funny how non-Americans, regardless of their country, often find an echo with others through pop American references like an actor, a famous Hollywood movie phrase, or a song. For example, as a kid, I learned to speak English by watching I Love Lucy…

Marielle Young on couch & Jin Park – photo by Aaron Rumley

It was also interesting to see this play in 2025 and about to start a new administration, with a story of two housewives finding friendship while their husbands are working all-nighters in a 1970s context with limited choices, having to settle and accept it. -I believe it to be a little nugget Lloyd Suh added on there as part of the seasonings-

Grace Wong’s costume design pins down the 70s fashion, especially with Luna in high-waisted jeans and a long-sleeved top. Jane has a button-up checkered dress with black boots, and both ensembles enhance the essence of each character. The hairdo choices are also fitting, as Luna has a back braid that she plays with while talking, and Jane embraced the Farrah Fawcett-like curls in a half-ponytail.

The set designed by Marty Burnett brought to life the small space and the focus on the kitchen and living room area where most of the plot develops, having Audrey Casteris’s props that went from unique mugs to wine bottles and dishes, making each action shine and be enjoyable, with Matthew Novotny’s lighting design that rounded out that cozy feeling and Daniella Hart’s sound making 1970’s airwaves come through as well as soul train like music.

The initial premise of Heart Sellers is about two immigrant women and the experience that comes in an attempt to assimilate up to the point of Americanizing a name. Hence, it fits better and is easier for the rest. But the story is also about belonging, community, and fulfillment. Something unique to each individual.

Currently playing until February 2nd. For more information, please click HERE.

Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti is a binational communications, public relations, and production consultant specializing in the performing arts. As the founder of Enciso Consulting, she has spent over a decade bridging media, Latin American audiences, and the theater scene across the Tijuana-San Diego border.