The atmosphere of Ryan Family Auditorium on Saturday night was charged with excitement and anticipation for the Vietnamese Student Association’s annual spring show, “The Summer I Turned Vietnamese.”
The show leaned into a playful coming-of-age theme inspired by hit series “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” using it to explore identity, culture and reconnecting with heritage. It consisted of various singing and dance performances, both traditional and modern, as well as short skits related to the show’s theme. Short emcee breaks preceded each segment, keeping the audience engaged throughout the production.
In my opinion, the various dance performances were the strongest aspect of the night. I loved how most segments incorporated accessories, such as quạt tays — decorated fans — and nón lá — conical hats — into traditional performances, tying back into Vietnamese culture.
These elegant and controlled dances felt like storytelling and were elevated by strikingly beautiful clothing options, including a long tunic called the áo dài. I know I wasn’t the only one in quiet awe of the traditional performances; the silence felt like a form of respect.
An exciting guest lion dance performance completely shifted the auditorium’s energy. With strong drumming, acrobatic stunts and even modern viral TikTok audio layered into the performance, it felt like a modern contemporary twist to traditional dance. The crowd reacted with rapturous cheers, and it was clear why.
Themed skits also helped tie everything together, featuring students playing into “The Summer I Turned Pretty” storyline. These segments balanced humor with relatability, especially surrounding themes of family expectations, cultural identity and awkward coming-of-age moments. The students playing Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah were particularly engaging.
Not everything ran completely smooth — in the middle, there was a technical issue where sound and lighting stopped for a few minutes. While the performers waited patiently on stage, the audience took over with loud cheers, encouragement and jokes to fill the silence, especially a group of VSA alumni behind me. The energy in the auditorium felt communal rather than awkward.
Beyond the performances themselves, several moments made the night especially memorable, such as a surprise ending video made by VSA students dedicated to the organization’s graduating seniors. Clips of past events and memories played on screen, as well as a mini-segment of “Who is most likely to…?” for each senior.
To finish the show, the outgoing and incoming presidents signed the nón lá in a symbolic “passing of the torch” moment. These cultural traditions woven into the show were especially riveting to watch for the first time as someone who knew little about Vietnamese culture before I imagine it must have been even more emotional for graduating VSA students and families who were in attendance.
Throughout “The Summer I Turned Vietnamese,” the sense of community was always present. A collection of emotional, chaotic, funny moments that came together to create an unforgettable experience for performers and audience members alike.
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