A Hmong mountain village of thatched houses in a misty valley, ridges fading into fog behind it

Lee Lue The Musical

A musical inspired by the Secret War — of love, loss, legacy

November 12–14, 2026 · The Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, MN

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What Audiences Are Saying

Words from our premiere audiences, shared on Facebook

“I'm so thankful for how powerful, healing, validating, comforting this musical is. Where our community can sometimes cry silently, this connected our hearts together and reminded us to not lose courage and where we come from.”
— P.N.S.
“Absolutely breathtaking production! The talent, creativity, and hard work that went into bringing this to life are truly incredible. I was captivated from beginning to end!”
— M.L.
“I was in attendance tonight with 10+ friends and family, and this show shifted me in some really powerful ways.”
— C.V.
“This was an incredible production and performance! Not just bridging generations of history but also families alike — on one stage, in one night!”
— P.X.
“I cried 4x and two of them were almost full blown ugly cries. What a wonderful, special show for peb cov Hmoob.”
— N.N.
“I went in with lashes and came out without lashes.”
— M.D.L.
“It is so worth the travel! And be sure to bring tissues!”
— S.T.
“We came from MN for opening night and it did not disappoint! We LOVED it!!”
— S.H.
“I'm very impressed. No words could explain how lovely this show is. Very well blended.”
— A.V.
“Absolutely loved it. So many emotions.”
— C.V.
“I so want to come from Arkansas to watch again! It is just so good!”
— C.M.
“Very impressive! Took my breath away!”
— A.V.
“We had such an amazing time! So incredibly proud of everyone and all the hard work that went into this!”
— K.V.
“Incredibly moving and emotional.”
— B.L.
“This was fabulous!”
— L.N.
“The show was amazing. … The music was very moving and good.”
— S.H.
“I simply can't get enough of all of you… bravo!”
— T.V.
“I would rewatch over and over again. … Everyone did such an amazing job.”
— Y.T.
“This touched a lot of hearts! Women and men.”
— A.V.
“It's so worth it! Bring tissues to wipe your tears and blow your nose.”
— J.Y.
“I highly recommend it.”
— K.D.
“I'd pay to see the show again.”
— V.T.
“Trust me — it's soooo worth it.”
— P.N.S.
“I would watch it again and again!”
— K.Y.
“This was an amazing show.”
— B.T.
“It was amazing!”
— A.W.
“Amazing job, everyone! You all did such an incredible job; it was amazing!”
— P.C.
“You guys did an amazing job!”
— B.T.
“Thank you for touching everyone's hearts.”
— P.N.S.
“Oh my heart! Thank you for bringing our Hmong history onto a stage for the world to witness.”
— P.D.T.

Dates & Tickets

November 12, 2026 (Thu)8:00 PMDoors 7:00 PM
November 13, 2026 (Fri)8:00 PMDoors 7:00 PM
November 14, 2026 (Sat)3:30 PMDoors 2:30 PM8:00 PMDoors 7:00 PM

The Fitzgerald Theater 10 East Exchange Street, St. Paul, MN 55101

Running time: About 2 hours 10 minutes, including a 25-minute intermission

Get Tickets

Tickets are sold through the venue's box office (First Avenue / AXS).

The Story

Lee Lue's Journey

A young Hmong teacher is pulled from a peaceful life and his dreams into a war the world refused to name.

Hmong

High in the mountains of 1960s Laos, the Hmong lived a world of their own — peaceful, and apart. They farmed the land their families had worked for generations, asking little of anyone beyond it. Guided by their shamans, they lived beside the spirits of their ancestors, who remained close in every field and home.

Lee Lue teaching children in the village schoolhouse.

A Teacher with a Dream

Lee Lue teaches the village children by day, but his own hunger for knowledge reaches far beyond the mountains. He dreams of the capital city — of universities and books, of a future built on learning. Young and restless, he is certain his life is meant for something larger, though he cannot yet name what that something is.

Lee Lue and Jou stand together, pointing toward the horizon.

Jou, His Heart

Before the war reaches them, there is Jou — and in her, everything worth protecting. Their love is quiet and certain, the kind that does not need to be spoken aloud. She becomes the reason he comes back, and the cost of every mission he survives.

The ensemble shields themselves as the war reaches the mountains.

A War Not Their Own

The musical depicts the CIA's recruitment of the Hmong into a secret war, built on promises of food and land. Lee Lue becomes one of the first Hmong pilots — a hero to his people, flying more missions than any man should survive. The story explores what follows when America withdraws and those promises go unkept, leaving the Hmong abandoned — and Lee Lue flies on until his very last second.

The Mekong

Survivors flee on foot toward the Mekong River — the last border between Laos and safety. The crossing is desperate and not everyone makes it. The river carries away those who do not survive. Their souls remain in the water and the land left behind.

Production photography by Mickey Her-Vang (MaNee Portraits)

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