The Heart Sellers

Written By Lloyd Suh

Written by Lloyd Suh

Directed by Miranda Cornell

2025 January 31-February 23

Rochelle and Max Levit Stage

This production has ended

Overview

HOW DO YOU FIND FRIENDSHIP IN A NEW WORLD?

In this heartfelt comedic drama set in the backdrop of the ’70s, two recent immigrants, Jane and Luna, cross paths in a grocery store on Thanksgiving. Over wine and a somewhat questionable frozen turkey, they share laughs, tears, and their American dreams—disco dancing, learning to drive, visiting Disneyland—and discover a kinship that transcends cultural barriers. Filled with the hope and promise of new beginnings, the pair forge a bond from their shared experience of loneliness in a new country.

Written with tenderness by award-winning playwright and Guggenheim Fellow Lloyd Suh, this touching narrative explores the immigrant experience with humor and compassion, posing a poignant question: What does it mean to truly call a place home?

Director Miranda Cornell comes to Stages with many recent accolades for her work as associate director of The Outsiders—winner of four Tony Awards in 2024, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical—currently playing on Broadway to rave reviews.

Details

Performance Times

Wednesday–Friday | 7 p.m.
Saturday | 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday | 2 p.m.
PREVIEW PERFORMANCES
January 31–February 5, 2025

Run time

Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission

Good to Know

Recommended for ages 15 and older
Minimal adult language
Use of alcohol
References to adult entertainment

Plan Your Visit

Park in our attached parking garage for $15.
The Gordy lobby is open at 6 p.m. on evenings with performances. On afternoons with matinee performances, the lobby opens at 1 p.m.
Drinks are allowed in the theater! Make sure to grab your favorite drink from the Gordy Bar before the show and during intermission.

Feb. 2 | Sunday Sit-down

Sunday, February 2

Join the cast for a free, behind-the-scenes conversation following the 2 p.m. matinee.

Feb. 5 | Korean American Association

Wednesday, February 5, at 7 p.m.

Join us after the performance for conversation about immigration with Dr. Casey Youn of the Korean American Association and Community Center of Houston. Admission is free.

Feb. 13 | College Night

Thursday, February 13, at 7 p.m.

College students can purchase $15 tickets with a student ID. Use promo code COLLEGENIGHT.

Feb. 15 | ASL-Interpreted Performance

Saturday, February 15, at 2 p.m.

For the best views of ASL interpreters, add promo code ASLI when selecting seats online. Then select seats labeled “A.”

Feb. 15 | Asia Night

Saturday, February 15, at 7 p.m.

Join us for Asia Night, hosted in partnership with the Vietnamese Culture & Science Association.

Feb. 20 | Asia Society Night

Thursday, February 20, at 7 p.m.

6:00 p.m. | Reception with Asia Society and friends of Stages
7:00 p.m. | Performance of The Heart Sellers
8:30 p.m. | Post-show conversation

Enjoy a pre-show reception in the lobby. Then, following the performance, join us for an intimate conversation with award-winning journalist Miya Shay, Texas State Representative Gene Wu, and the cast of The Heart Sellers as they discuss the Hart-Celler Act and its influence on the play.

The post-performance program will begin with a poem, inspired by this production of The Heart Sellers, written and performed by Lucas Fang, the 2024–25 Houston Youth Poet Laureate.

The Houston Youth Poet Laureate program was created in partnership between Writers in the Schools, Houston Public Library, and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.

Cast

Mai Lê*

Luna
Alexandra Szeto-Joe

Jane
*Appearing through an agreement between Stages and Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.