The Great Leap

by Lauren Yee

When an American college basketball team travels to Beijing for an exhibition game in 1989, the drama on the court goes deeper than the strain between their countries. For two men with a past and one teen with a future, it’s a chance to stake their moment in history and claim personal victories off the scoreboard. American coach Saul grapples with his relevance to the sport, Chinese coach Wen Chang must decide...

When an American college basketball team travels to Beijing for an exhibition game in 1989, the drama on the court goes deeper than the strain between their countries. For two men with a past and one teen with a future, it’s a chance to stake their moment in history and claim personal victories off the scoreboard. American coach Saul grapples with his relevance to the sport, Chinese coach Wen Chang must decide his role in his rapidly-changing country and Chinese American player Manford seeks a lost connection. Tensions rise right up to the final buzzer as history collides with the action in the stadium. Inspired by events in the life of the playwright’s own father.

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The Great Leap

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  • Artemis Montague: The Great Leap by Lauren Yee
    “

    Both a window and a mirror, in different ways. Beautifully written, moving, and complex.

    Both a window and a mirror, in different ways. Beautifully written, moving, and complex.

    ”
  • Fin Coe: The Great Leap by Lauren Yee
    “

    Strikes a perfect balance between so many seemingly irreconcilable elements: Sports on stage and the history of an international political incident; lost family and found family; resonant character work and a commitment to (and transcendence of) multiple genres. Really enjoyed the show at the Steppenwolf but this is a script that's powerful no matter where it's done, on whatever kind of budget.

    Strikes a perfect balance between so many seemingly irreconcilable elements: Sports on stage and the history of an international political incident; lost family and found family; resonant character work and a commitment to (and transcendence of) multiple genres. Really enjoyed the show at the Steppenwolf but this is a script that's powerful no matter where it's done, on whatever kind of budget.

    ”
  • Chas Belov: The Great Leap by Lauren Yee
    “

    (Updated March 2019) I saw a production of this at American Conservatory Theatre (San Francisco) and was drawn in by its refusal to make its very real characters "Model Minorities," its sense of history and its balance of humor and seriousness.

    (Updated March 2019) I saw a production of this at American Conservatory Theatre (San Francisco) and was drawn in by its refusal to make its very real characters "Model Minorities," its sense of history and its balance of humor and seriousness.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations