Events: August 22, 2026

This August, their remarkable story takes the stage in SOUP The Musical, based on the memoir Mango & Peppercorns, which tells the true story of Tung Nguyen and Kathy Manning.

After arriving in Miami as a refugee from Vietnam, Tung found an unexpected home with Kathy. Together, they built a family, a future, and eventually Hy Vong, the intimate Vietnamese restaurant that became a treasured part of Miamis cultural and culinary history.

For generations of diners, Hy Vong was more than a restaurant. It was a place where meals unfolded slowly, strangers became friends, and every dish carried a story. Tung and Kathy became beloved figures in the community, known as much for their warmth, personalities, and unforgettable partnership as for the food they served.

Though inspired by real people and real events, SOUP The Musical tells a universal story about finding home, building family, and discovering that the strongest bonds are often formed around a shared table.

Through an original score filled with humor, heartache, hope, and joy, SOUP The Musical celebrates the resilience of the human spirit while honoring the rich cultural fabric that has shaped Miami.

Produced by The Mandelstam Theater, the world premiere runs August 14 through August 23, 2026.

The musical features an original score and lyrics by award-winning Miami composer, recording artist, and singer-songwriter Jim Camacho. Known for his distinctive storytelling and a career spanning albums, film, television, and theater, Camacho is the composer of the South Florida holiday tradition Mouse King. His score for SOUP The Musical captures the humor, humanity, and emotional depth of Tung and Kathy's journey while celebrating the energy and character of Miami itself.

This is an immigrant story, but more than that, it's an American story. It's about someone who loses everything, leaves a war torn country with little more than hope, and through hard work, determination, and the kindness of others builds a new life. Along the way, she shares the flavors, traditions, and recipes of her homeland, creating a restaurant that brings people from every background together around the same table, Jim Camacho shares. Hy Vong became more than a restaurant. It became a place where cultures met, friendships were formed, and a community grew. I hope audiences leave inspired by the courage it takes to start over, the compassion that makes that possible, and the belief that the American dream is still alive for those willing to strive for it.

The book is written by Gil Kaufman, who also directs the production. The creative team includes choreographer Stefanie Roos and musical director John Camacho.

PLEASE NOTE: Saturday August 15 and August 22 offers a 1:00 PM show time

• Mabel / Dianelys Brito
• Alberto / Rolando Tarajano
• Daniela / Elizabet San Miguel
• Alejandro / Daniel Panebianco
• Emilio / Roly Guardado
• Obras de Arte Reynier LLanes
• Diseo Grfico /Pilar Fermelo
• Publicista / Edwin Perez
• Realizador de Imagenes / Ricardo Vega
• Disenador Sonoro / Ricardo Vega
• Produccion / Niurka Noya
• Texto y Direccin / Rolando TarajanoPhoto

Credit: Gisselle Delgado Edades apropiadas: 12 aos en adelante.

Boletos: $30

The workshop will conclude at the Freedom Tower, where participants will share their works and reflect on how to create visual records of people and places that define Miami.

Participants may use either their cameras or cell phones to take images.

Matias J. Ocner is a Miami-based photojournalist born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and raised in Miami. Ocner works for the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald. His work is featured in Journeys of Freedom and Reflections, two exhibitions at the Freedom Tower. Matias is often on the front lines of history, documenting pivotal events through his photography. His coverage spans natural disasters, immigration, protest movements, sporting events, and more. Through his images, he aims to capture South Florida's communities, elevate their voices, and inform readers.

Ocner is a Miami Dade College alumnus and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications, with a concentration in photography, from Florida International University.

Admission to the Freedom Tower is included with your RSVP.

Event attendees may park for free in the MDC garage at 500 NE Second Avenue, between NE Fifth and NE Sixth Streets.

The Museum of Art and Design (MOAD) at MDC may document the event, including its attendees. By entering the area, and/or participating in the event, you consent to the recording and its use in any form.

This exhibition is not meant to be exhaustive but intended to highlight the breadth of painterly abstraction in the United States. Following the 1950s, it became clear that the art world turned to the U.S. for ingenuity and boundary-breaking abstract art forms. From trends that arose in Havana and made it to the U.S. through exile to experiments developed in New York and Los Angeles, the legacy of American abstraction evolves as rich and varied. The featured artists include Young-Il Ahn, Sam Gilliam, Carmen Herrera, Hans Hofmann, Virginia Jaramillo, Lloyd Kiva New, William de Kooning, George Morrison, Noemi Ruiz, Zilia Sanchez, and Vaughn Spann.

On July 4, 2026, the U.S. commemorates and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic milestone offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on this nation's past, honor the contributions of Americans, and to look ahead toward the future we aspire to create for the next generation and beyond. The legacy of painterly abstraction in the U.S. offers a distinctive way to celebrate the creativity and innovation that defines the American spirit.