Secret Warriors by Rick A. Shiomi
History Theatre
"The production is propelled by two brilliant breakout performances from the central soldiers, each of them undergoing a fascinating transformation. Clay Man Soo brings subtle shadings to Koji as he blossoms into a brilliant diplomat, empathy his superpower. …The play’s second half is a magnificent piece of theatrical storytelling. One of the two has become an instrument of peace as he negotiates hard-won surrenders" - Pioneer Press
"Clay Man Soo, fresh from a compelling turn in Sanctuary City, lets us feel Koji's determination to find and follow the right course, whether it is accepting his role as a secret warrior or in acting on his attraction to Natsuko. In a scene in which Koji must negotiate with a Japanese officer taken prisoner, Soo conveys the desperation and intelligence with which Koji devises arguments in a language he has barely mastered, that can turn the tide of the war and save an untold number of lives. It is powerfully written and beautifully performed by both actors." -Talkin' Broadway
"Neither shy California farm boy Koji Kimura nor lippy smart aleck Tamio Takahashiwould fit the typical profile of a champion of freedom. Yet these brave men — based on real-life Japanese American warriors Roy Matsumoto and Walter Tanaka — prove their mettle in battle in World War II. Clay Man Soo’s Kimura also comes beautifully out of his shell. Bertumen also choreographs the show and she and Man Soo deliver a gorgeous duet." - Star Tribune
"The story really focuses on two of the soldiers, Tamio played by Dagoberg, and Koji played by Clay Man Soo. While they seem to clash when they first meet, Tamio being a cocky and aggressive personality compared to Koji’s more reserved demeanor, they soon become friends. Soo is good, particularly once he enters the war and uses his skills as a translator to get the enemy to surrender or talking officers of the Japanese army into providing information that will save lives on both sides." - The Stages of MN
History Theatre
"The production is propelled by two brilliant breakout performances from the central soldiers, each of them undergoing a fascinating transformation. Clay Man Soo brings subtle shadings to Koji as he blossoms into a brilliant diplomat, empathy his superpower. …The play’s second half is a magnificent piece of theatrical storytelling. One of the two has become an instrument of peace as he negotiates hard-won surrenders" - Pioneer Press
"Clay Man Soo, fresh from a compelling turn in Sanctuary City, lets us feel Koji's determination to find and follow the right course, whether it is accepting his role as a secret warrior or in acting on his attraction to Natsuko. In a scene in which Koji must negotiate with a Japanese officer taken prisoner, Soo conveys the desperation and intelligence with which Koji devises arguments in a language he has barely mastered, that can turn the tide of the war and save an untold number of lives. It is powerfully written and beautifully performed by both actors." -Talkin' Broadway
"Neither shy California farm boy Koji Kimura nor lippy smart aleck Tamio Takahashiwould fit the typical profile of a champion of freedom. Yet these brave men — based on real-life Japanese American warriors Roy Matsumoto and Walter Tanaka — prove their mettle in battle in World War II. Clay Man Soo’s Kimura also comes beautifully out of his shell. Bertumen also choreographs the show and she and Man Soo deliver a gorgeous duet." - Star Tribune
"The story really focuses on two of the soldiers, Tamio played by Dagoberg, and Koji played by Clay Man Soo. While they seem to clash when they first meet, Tamio being a cocky and aggressive personality compared to Koji’s more reserved demeanor, they soon become friends. Soo is good, particularly once he enters the war and uses his skills as a translator to get the enemy to surrender or talking officers of the Japanese army into providing information that will save lives on both sides." - The Stages of MN
Sanctuary City by Martyna Majok
Frank Theatre
"Actors Stephanie Anne Bertumen and Clay Man Soo will almost certainly make you care a lot about them. And Soo skillfully fuses warmth and cool as B before things boil over in Act Two" - Twin Cities Pioneer Press
"Clay Man Soo who plays B, takes as a cue to his character one of the lines his character says at the beginning of the show, “I don’t know what to do.” I’m not saying Soo doesn’t know what to do, I mean that is the key to portraying this character and Soo picks up on it and uses it. Soo perfectly captures a sense of being lost, unsure what he should do, always looking to others for guidance". - The Stages of MN
"Much of the play is a two-hander with Stephanie Anne Bertumen and Clay Man Soo, and they both adeptly navigate the intense subject matter and complex narrative structure. Both give heart-breaking and heart-felt performances, and manage to make the repeated scenes different and interesting with completely different line readings". - Cherry and Spoon
"Excellent performances by Stephanie Anne Bertumen (as G) and Clay Man Soo (as B) go a long way to enabling us to piece the fragments together. One thing that is clear throughout is the tenderness they feel toward one another, and the feeling of safety each provides for the other in a perilous world". - Talkin' Broadway
Frank Theatre
"Actors Stephanie Anne Bertumen and Clay Man Soo will almost certainly make you care a lot about them. And Soo skillfully fuses warmth and cool as B before things boil over in Act Two" - Twin Cities Pioneer Press
"Clay Man Soo who plays B, takes as a cue to his character one of the lines his character says at the beginning of the show, “I don’t know what to do.” I’m not saying Soo doesn’t know what to do, I mean that is the key to portraying this character and Soo picks up on it and uses it. Soo perfectly captures a sense of being lost, unsure what he should do, always looking to others for guidance". - The Stages of MN
"Much of the play is a two-hander with Stephanie Anne Bertumen and Clay Man Soo, and they both adeptly navigate the intense subject matter and complex narrative structure. Both give heart-breaking and heart-felt performances, and manage to make the repeated scenes different and interesting with completely different line readings". - Cherry and Spoon
"Excellent performances by Stephanie Anne Bertumen (as G) and Clay Man Soo (as B) go a long way to enabling us to piece the fragments together. One thing that is clear throughout is the tenderness they feel toward one another, and the feeling of safety each provides for the other in a perilous world". - Talkin' Broadway
The Hatmaker's Wife by Lauren Yee
Ten Thousand Things Theater
"The story mashes up magical realism with fable as a young couple, Gabe (a light and earnest Clay Man Soo) moves with his partner, Voice, into a new place. …And for a show that really tackles some huge issues, including the idea of persistent surveillance, it feels intimate and human." - Star Tribune
"Clay Man Soo, as Gabe, is wholly believable both in his enthusiasm for the life he is entering with his partner as they set up a home together, and his pained disappointment when that turns out to be a façade." - Talkin' Broadway
Ten Thousand Things Theater
"The story mashes up magical realism with fable as a young couple, Gabe (a light and earnest Clay Man Soo) moves with his partner, Voice, into a new place. …And for a show that really tackles some huge issues, including the idea of persistent surveillance, it feels intimate and human." - Star Tribune
"Clay Man Soo, as Gabe, is wholly believable both in his enthusiasm for the life he is entering with his partner as they set up a home together, and his pained disappointment when that turns out to be a façade." - Talkin' Broadway
The Buddha Prince
TigerLion Arts
"The youthful and effervescent Clay Man Soo portrays HHDL in these years, playful and "naughty," preferring to spend time outdoors and with animals rather than at his studies. ...He takes us through all of these stages of his life, and shows us the human behind the iconic leader." - Cherry & Spoon
TigerLion Arts
"The youthful and effervescent Clay Man Soo portrays HHDL in these years, playful and "naughty," preferring to spend time outdoors and with animals rather than at his studies. ...He takes us through all of these stages of his life, and shows us the human behind the iconic leader." - Cherry & Spoon
Mlima's Tale by Lynn Nottage
Ten Thousand Things Theater
"Clay Man Soo takes the cake with nine roles, including small comic ones such as a waiter and a reporter and, memorably, a shades-wearing customs official and an ivory master carver. That he performs with relish helps give "Mlima" its edge".
- Star Tribune
Ten Thousand Things Theater
"Clay Man Soo takes the cake with nine roles, including small comic ones such as a waiter and a reporter and, memorably, a shades-wearing customs official and an ivory master carver. That he performs with relish helps give "Mlima" its edge".
- Star Tribune
Zafira and the Resistance
The Guthrie Theater & New Arab-American Theater
“The co-directors have led the actors to elicit vivid moments of emotional truth...Clay Man Soo as a maintenance man brings a sense of humanity and urgency as secrets of the school facility’s shadowy holding ward emerges”.
- Lavendar Magazine
The Guthrie Theater & New Arab-American Theater
“The co-directors have led the actors to elicit vivid moments of emotional truth...Clay Man Soo as a maintenance man brings a sense of humanity and urgency as secrets of the school facility’s shadowy holding ward emerges”.
- Lavendar Magazine
Mother Courage and Her Children
Pangea World Theater
"Despite Brecht's challenges for the actors, the marvelous and diverse ensemble create a number of engaging characters. Standouts in the cast include... Clay Man Soo, as Mother Courage's son Eilif, [who] was virtually unrecognizable from his delightful character in Theater Mu's A Korean Drama Addict's Guide to Losing Your Virginity". -MN Theater Love
"Favorites for me included...Clay Man Soo as convicted recruit Eilif… They all find small details that breathe their characters into life and tackle this material with full humanity".
-Compendium Minneapolist
Pangea World Theater
"Despite Brecht's challenges for the actors, the marvelous and diverse ensemble create a number of engaging characters. Standouts in the cast include... Clay Man Soo, as Mother Courage's son Eilif, [who] was virtually unrecognizable from his delightful character in Theater Mu's A Korean Drama Addict's Guide to Losing Your Virginity". -MN Theater Love
"Favorites for me included...Clay Man Soo as convicted recruit Eilif… They all find small details that breathe their characters into life and tackle this material with full humanity".
-Compendium Minneapolist
The Korean Drama Addict's Guide to Losing Your Virginity by May Lee Yang
Theater Mu
"In a strong 10-person cast, standouts include Clay Man Soo as an acquiescent secretary who grows wings..." -Twin Cities Pioneer Press
"Clay Man Soo, as Benedict's assistant, is youthful and engaging. His portrayal of Secretary Kim is so delightful and lovable that even a surprising change of clothes produces a great laugh. He's another star to keep an eye on."
-Minnesota Theater Love
"Benedict's sidekick, Secretary Kim, is played by Clay Man Soo, and he's young, enthusiastic, and provides the perfect amount of vulnerability." -One Girl Two Cities
"...It is Clay Man Soo’s Secretary Kim that stole my heart and will remain the character I will think back to most. Lee-Yang writes him with humor and great clarity, building a character that gives Soo the ability to really chart Secretary Kim’s progression through the play. It’s a stellar performance by Soo, and worth the price of admission in its own right." -Minnesota Playlist Review
Theater Mu
"In a strong 10-person cast, standouts include Clay Man Soo as an acquiescent secretary who grows wings..." -Twin Cities Pioneer Press
"Clay Man Soo, as Benedict's assistant, is youthful and engaging. His portrayal of Secretary Kim is so delightful and lovable that even a surprising change of clothes produces a great laugh. He's another star to keep an eye on."
-Minnesota Theater Love
"Benedict's sidekick, Secretary Kim, is played by Clay Man Soo, and he's young, enthusiastic, and provides the perfect amount of vulnerability." -One Girl Two Cities
"...It is Clay Man Soo’s Secretary Kim that stole my heart and will remain the character I will think back to most. Lee-Yang writes him with humor and great clarity, building a character that gives Soo the ability to really chart Secretary Kim’s progression through the play. It’s a stellar performance by Soo, and worth the price of admission in its own right." -Minnesota Playlist Review
