TheatreWorks stages relevant ‘Heart Sellers’

It’s 1973 in a midsized U.S. city. Luna (Nicole Javier), who’s Filipino, welcomes Jane (Narea Kang), who’s South Korean, into her studio apartment. Both women are married to medical residents who can’t be with them.

At first Jane, whose English is limited, is leery, while Luna seems to talk nonstop.

As they wait for the frozen turkey to roast, they drink cheap wine, which fuels their conversation and interactions. Along the way, they reveal more of themselves and their backgrounds, gradually forging a friendship.

The play’s title comes from the Hart-Celler Act, aka the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.

Signed by President Lyndon Johnson, it gave priority to highly skilled immigrants, those who had family living in the United States and refugees. Before that, only Western and Northern Europeans had priority.

Although the play is set during Richard Nixon’s administration, it has resonance with today’s immigration policies and issues.

Thus the personal and political undertones make for intriguing theater.

However, the women’s accents are so difficult to understand that some of the meaning is lost despite fine acting by both women and adept direction by Jennifer Chang.

Also benefitting the production are the set by Arnel Sancianco, costumes by Lisa Misako Claybaugh, lighting by Wen-Ling Liao and sound by Ed Lee.

This Northern California premiere is a co-production with Capital Stage in Sacramento and Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley.

Running about 90 minutes with no intermission, it will continue through April 27 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.

For tickets and information call (877) 662-8978 or visit theatreworks.org.