Tiger Parenting, Unpacked with Humor: TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s “Tiger Style!”

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley presents Mike Lew’s “Tiger Style!”—a quick-witted comedy that also cuts deep. Directed by Jeffrey Lo, the play follows siblings Albert and Jennifer as they reckon with a childhood of high expectations and the long shadow it casts on adult life. With beloved performers Francis Jue and Emily Kuroda in the mix, audiences can expect sharp laughs, big feelings, and a fresh look at success, identity, and family pressure. 🎭🐯

🎟️ What It’s About (and Who’s Onstage)

“Tiger Style!” is more than a comedy sketch—it’s a satire with heart. Albert and Jennifer are Ivy-educated and résumé-ready, yet still unsatisfied. They blame their upbringing, pack their bags for an “Asian Freedom Tour,” and chase reinvention in China—cue culture clashes, wild detours, and punchlines with purpose. Onstage, Francis Jue and Emily Kuroda portray the parents with warmth and bite, joined by a dynamic ensemble including Jenny Nguyen Nelson, Will Dao, and Jeremy Kahn. ✈️📚

What It’s About (and Who’s Onstage)

🎬 The Team & Why It Lands

Playwright Mike Lew—a Guggenheim Fellow—crafts a script that balances zingy humor with questions about belonging and achievement. Under Jeffrey Lo’s direction, the show moves briskly while leaving room for reflection. Since its early run at Alliance Theatre, “Tiger Style!” has earned praise for blending laugh-out-loud moments with smart commentary on culture, family, and autonomy. ⭐

💡 Why It Matters Now

The play opens a timely conversation about “tiger parenting,” ambition, and the difference between external wins and inner contentment. It nudges viewers to consider how family scripts shape adult choices—and how to rewrite them. Come for the comedy; leave with talking points for the ride home. 🗣️💭

🧭 Bottom Line

“Tiger Style!” entertains first, then lingers. Through the siblings’ misadventures, the show invites us to rethink what achievement means—and how to pursue it without losing ourselves. Expect a lively night out that doubles as a mirror. ✨