Vuthy Vichea is sixteen years old, Cambodian American. He loves hip hop and Dungeons and Dragons. He has thick-ass glasses. He is a weird kid in a place where weirdness can be fatal: Long Beach, California. And since his best friend moved and his mother died, the only person he can talk to is a human skull he keeps hidden in a cookie jar.

Year Zero is a comedic drama about young Cambodian Americans — about reincarnation, reinvention, and ultimately, redemption.

Year Zero began life as Heartbreaker, a ten minute play. After being expanded to a full-length, Year Zero was first publicly read in March 2008 in New York City with Second Generation.

Year Zero was developed at Chicago Dramatists through its Many Voices Project, and was selected as its 2008 Grand Prize Winner. It was also a finalist for the 2009 Eugene O’Neill Theater Conference.

Year Zero world premiered at Victory Gardens in September 2009 and had its New York City premiere at Second Stage Theater in Spring 2010.

In September 2010, Year Zero was nominated for a 2009-2010 Jeff Award for New Work. Year Zero is set to be published in full in 2010 by Samuel French.

“[A] tenderly observed play… These characters are cut from familiar molds, but Mr. Golamco and his appealing cast bring fresh nuances, tempering the earnestness with unassuming charm.” “A very smart, sweet, honest and uncommonly moving new play… Michael Golamco is a significant new dramatic voice.” “Often surprising, invariably touching… Captures the emotionally complex lives of children of survivors who never quite feel “worthy,”… And the lure (and price) of assimilation.”

“A delicate portrait of lost souls attempting to discover their roots and navigate awkward relationships with one another… Incisive, both dramatically and thematically, leading to a haunting and hopeful climax.” [Critic's Pick!] “Keenly observed… Golamco has crafted a strong, character-based piece that has moments that sparkle with originality.” “Year Zero is an incisive, deeply moving play that gets a ten in my book.”

Jeff Recommended.