Lily

by Yilong Liu

Inspired by the story of the world's first genetically edited babies in China, whose genes have been altered so they could not contract HIV. Lily tells the story of a girl who has to face her past when her future has never been certain in this world of myth, science, and loneliness.

Inspired by the story of the world's first genetically edited babies in China, whose genes have been altered so they could not contract HIV. Lily tells the story of a girl who has to face her past when her future has never been certain in this world of myth, science, and loneliness.

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Lily

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Lily by Yilong Liu
    “

    A fascinating look into science and creation as a girl sorts out her world. Beautiful work.

    A fascinating look into science and creation as a girl sorts out her world. Beautiful work.

    ”
  • Claudia Barnett: Lily by Yilong Liu
    “

    LILY is a play about science, but it's also a poem, modern in subject matter but ancient in themes. Its language evokes jarring visual effects: "i give you my word / i give you / my hands." Here it's the scientist who says "everything happens for a reason" and "i made something. and it's beautiful": He's the believer, the artist. But it's his creation, Lily, who truly captures our imaginations.

    LILY is a play about science, but it's also a poem, modern in subject matter but ancient in themes. Its language evokes jarring visual effects: "i give you my word / i give you / my hands." Here it's the scientist who says "everything happens for a reason" and "i made something. and it's beautiful": He's the believer, the artist. But it's his creation, Lily, who truly captures our imaginations.

    ”
  • Maximillian Gill: Lily by Yilong Liu
    “

    An astonishing short piece that expands big enough to encompass vast creation myths but contracts enough to tell an intimate story of a girl and how she relates to her world. Time is malleable, following a logic of dream and cyclical myth. The dialogue is poetic, resonant, and beautiful. A piece to contemplate and sit with. This one would be fascinating in a staged version.

    An astonishing short piece that expands big enough to encompass vast creation myths but contracts enough to tell an intimate story of a girl and how she relates to her world. Time is malleable, following a logic of dream and cyclical myth. The dialogue is poetic, resonant, and beautiful. A piece to contemplate and sit with. This one would be fascinating in a staged version.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Commission, Ensemble Studio Theatre/Sloan Foundation , 2019