June is The First Fall

by Yilong Liu

What compels people to cross mountains and seas to another country, another continent, and another culture to find their true selves? What are the journeys we take to find home and belonging? In JUNE IS THE FIRST FALL, Don, a gay Chinese man, returns home to Hawaii to rediscover missing memories of himself and his family that he moved away from. His week-long stay opens wounds with his father and sister that...

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June is The First Fall

Recommended by

Cheryl Bear: June is The First Fall by Yilong Liu

“

A beautiful and eye opening journey towards oneself and their family as one searches to belong. Well done.

A beautiful and eye opening journey towards oneself and their family as one searches to belong. Well done.

”
Jack Horton Gilbert: June is The First Fall by Yilong Liu

“

Heartbreaking and beautiful. June Is The First Fall paints a portrait that reveals itself piece by piece; drawing you closer with each revelation. Wonderfully crafted and tender in its treatment, not to be missed.

Heartbreaking and beautiful. June Is The First Fall paints a portrait that reveals itself piece by piece; drawing you closer with each revelation. Wonderfully crafted and tender in its treatment, not to be missed.

”
Nick Malakhow: June is The First Fall by Yilong Liu

“

I loved the simple beauty of this piece. Don is a compelling character who goes through a nuanced journey of coming to terms with family-related grief and guilt, as well as a desire to reconnect with distant family. Through Don's humorous and haunting mother and Don's funny and well-observed interactions between him and his other family members (and Scott), Liu paints the portrait of a young person grappling with who they are in relation to their family. A few gorgeous theatrical moments and specters from the past take the story to a whole other sublime, beautifully theatrical level.

I loved the simple beauty of this piece. Don is a compelling character who goes through a nuanced journey of coming to terms with family-related grief and guilt, as well as a desire to reconnect with distant family. Through Don's humorous and haunting mother and Don's funny and well-observed interactions between him and his other family members (and Scott), Liu paints the portrait of a young person grappling with who they are in relation to their family. A few gorgeous theatrical moments and specters from the past take the story to a whole other sublime, beautifully theatrical level.

”

View all 4 recommendations

Development History

Type Workshop, Organization East West Players, Year 2017
Type Reading, Organization Queens Theatre, Year 2017

Production History

Type Professional, Organization Yun Theatre, Year 2024
Type Professional, Organization Yangtze Rep of America/New Ohio Theatre, Year 2019
Type Community Theater, Organization Kumu Kahua Theatre, Year 2018

Awards

Paula Vogel Playwriting Award

Kennedy Center

Runner Up

2017

Genre

drama

Subject Matter Keywords

Asian American,

Hawaii,

gay

Length

90 minutes to two hours

Cast Size

Age of Intended Audience

ages 18 and up

Narrative Attributes

Centers Characters of Color,

Centers Female Characters,

Centers LGBTQ Characters

Supporting Materials

Published Script

https://www.originalworksonline.com/juneisthefirstfall

Reviews

Joe Lombardi, BroadwayWorld

“
Endearing study of culture, family and personal growth.
”
Brandon Voss, Logo NEWNOWNEXT

“
Tradition and queerness clash in Yilong Liu’s poignant drama. One of the 5 Powerful and Provocative New Must-See plays in NYC.
”
Caroline Cao, Exeunt

“
Written with sensitivity toward all its players, the piece offers a compassionate window into the intersection of Chinese culture, queerness, and gender roles… June is the First Fall is a tight, compact evening of drama.
”