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Vietnam Refugee Looks Back On Life In 'Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam'

Trieu Tran has overcome immense challenges in his life as a refugee from the Vietnam War. His journey to America was sustained on the hope and promise of freedom. But when he arrived, his life was not nearly as glamorous.

Meanwhile, Tran struggled to understand his identity as a refugee in America. He took up acting, eventually landing roles in movies like “Tropic Thunder” and the award-winning TV series “The Newsroom.”

Tran recently developed a one-man play called “Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam,” in which he reflects on his life and the complicated relationships with his parents. Trieu Tran, co-writer and actor, and Robert Egan, co-writer and director, of “Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam” speak to host Frank Stasio about their collaboration

Host Frank Stasio talks to Trieu Tran, co-writer and actor, and Robert Egan, co-writer and director, of “Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam.”

The production, from PlayMakers Repertory Company, runs through Sunday at the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theater on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill.

Trieu Tran in 'Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam,' performed Sept. 17-Oct 6, 2013 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles.
Craig Schwartz /
Trieu Tran in 'Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam,' performed Sept. 17-Oct 6, 2013 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles.
'Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam' is a one-man play by Trieu Tran and co-written by Robert Egan that tells the life story of Tran.
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'Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam' is a one-man play by Trieu Tran and co-written by Robert Egan that tells the life story of Tran.

Copyright 2015 North Carolina Public Radio

Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.
Andrew Tie