The Book of Mountains and Seas

by Yilong Liu

Two years after losing his son, a California dad teams up with his son's last boyfriend in New York on an impossible mission to visit all the restaurants reviewed on his son's Yelp page. When the son passed away, Yelp was the only thing left on his phone. What ensues is an adventure filled with clashing cultures, unlikely friendships, and the review of a lifetime.

Two years after losing his son, a California dad teams up with his son's last boyfriend in New York on an impossible mission to visit all the restaurants reviewed on his son's Yelp page. When the son passed away, Yelp was the only thing left on his phone. What ensues is an adventure filled with clashing cultures, unlikely friendships, and the review of a lifetime.

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The Book of Mountains and Seas

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Book of Mountains and Seas by Yilong Liu
    “

    A powerful and moving look at working through grief and coming to grips with loss through unlikely friendship. Well done.

    A powerful and moving look at working through grief and coming to grips with loss through unlikely friendship. Well done.

    ”
  • Chandler Hubbard: The Book of Mountains and Seas by Yilong Liu
    “

    A story about what stories we tell, who we tell them to, what we censor and what we reveal. A delicate and jarring exploration of grief.

    A story about what stories we tell, who we tell them to, what we censor and what we reveal. A delicate and jarring exploration of grief.

    ”
  • Shaun Leisher: The Book of Mountains and Seas by Yilong Liu
    “

    I don't many playwrights that write about the complicated relationships between fathers and sons as well as Yilong Liu. This play at times feels like your typical "opposites attract" buddy comedy but it's also really diving into some deep waters pertaining to identity, heritage and the sacrifices we make for family. The use of technology and social media in this play is pure genius and heartbreaking. Can't wait to see this produced.

    I don't many playwrights that write about the complicated relationships between fathers and sons as well as Yilong Liu. This play at times feels like your typical "opposites attract" buddy comedy but it's also really diving into some deep waters pertaining to identity, heritage and the sacrifices we make for family. The use of technology and social media in this play is pure genius and heartbreaking. Can't wait to see this produced.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

  • Archie
    Chinese, 20s, kind of dead, lives in a digital world; the kind of person everybody would remember talking to after a party but no one would actually know his name
    20s
    Asian
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Raymond
    college professor in California, Chinese, 50s, Archie’s father; the kind of dad who would watch at least two episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race before a party so he could talk to his son's gay friends
    50s, 60s
    Asian
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Andrew
    photographer in New York, American, any ethnicity, late 20s / early 30s, Archie’s old boyfriend; in a party he's most likely seen in a corner talking to the house cat
    30s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary

Development History

  • Reading, DVRF Playwrights Roundtable, 2019
  • Residency, WildWind Performance Lab/Kennedy Center, 2018
  • Reading, CAATA in partnership with Victory Gardens Theater, 2018
  • Residency, SPACE on Ryder Farm, 2018
  • Workshop, East West Players, 2017

Awards

  • O'Neill Playwrights Conference
    Semi-Finalist
    2018
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2018
  • The New Harmony Project
    Finalist
    2018
  • Paul Stephen Lim Playwriting Award
    Kennedy Center
    Winner
    2018