Yangtze Repertory Theatre's production tells a story of a gay Chinese man who comes back home to Hawaii and begins a journey of reconciliation between his chosen identity and the heritage he left behind.
His week-long stay opens wounds with his father and sister that never healed, aggravating Don’s struggle to find love and belonging in his life. "June is the First Fall" asks: 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?
See it if Beautifully interwoven themes of estrangement, identity, culture & family. A modern take on the son who leaves home and later returns.
Don't see it if You won't enjoy a complex family drama about people trying to get to know each other in ways they could not when they were younger.
Also I grew emotionally attached to this group of people with a difficult p... Read more Read less
See it if Liu's coming-out drama as much about cultural identity as about queerness Well acted by ensemble despite author's lean towards cliche Set A+
Don't see it if Scenes tend to be slighty overwritten giving piece an unwanted slowness "Ghost" mother as catalyst underused Fervent tone throughout helps
See it if you like family drama set in current times with current issues, well acted on an impressive set with some humor, good lighting and sound.
Don't see it if you have no appreciation for other cultural differences or family dynamics.
See it if Interested in Chinese-American playwright, support Asian artists, enjoy gay stories with family secrets & tropical setting
Don't see it if don't like plays with gay characters or family struggles involving gay issues, don't like 'coming home after many years' plots
See it if Interested in gay acceptance stories (or lack thereof) within a family/culture that struggles with it. About family dynamics/understanding.
Don't see it if Want satisfying resolution to disparate story threads. This feels like the writer is still working thru a personal drama of their own.
See it if You want a private view of a family blown depart by the death of the matriarch. Very compelling side stories that come together.
Don't see it if You are looking for a light and breezy evening.
See it if you want to explore conflict of stereotypical young gay urban male lifestyle with first gen Chinese immigrant low middle class family values
Don't see it if you cringe at gay male humor, imagery, and contact and trite coming out stories, or do not care about immigrant Chinese American experiences
See it if Moving well-written drama that will leave you in tears. I loved it!
Don't see it if No reasons not to go.
See it if your apartment is being exterminated and you needed to hang out someplace for two hours.
Don't see it if you were looking for a well crafted drama about an Asian father dealing with the acceptance of his gay son against a family death memoriam.
See it if you like family dramas about cultural traditions and LGBTQ issues
Don't see it if you're not comfortable with LGBTQ characters or are looking for lighter material
See it if You’re into LGBTQ theme or American immigrant stories; esp. relatable to Chinese in America; great set design;
Don't see it if Unbalanced acting.. the father-son relationship looks a bit superficial; some actor aims for laughter and misses the subtlety between lines
See it if You want to see a play that deal with lgbt, family dynamics, emotional dialogue wt parents, flashback wt memories of the past unraveled
Don't see it if You have no interest in gay community, dont care about Chinese Culture, family drama, estrangement from family. Dont like small venues
Also Really beautifully written play with amazing cast and interesting subj... Read more Read less
See it if you like a well-produced family play that breaks no new ground
Don't see it if you expect anything out of the ordinary
See it if You want to see some good acting about a family dealing with both the death of the matriarch and the acceptance of a gay son.
Don't see it if You may not enjoy a different culture's reaction to issues of acceptance of a gay son. You are expecting a happy ending with problem solved.
Also The actors were all very good and intense. I was left with some questi... Read more Read less
See it if you like intimate setting/venue/staging that puts you close & almost personal for effective theater/drama immersion. Family drama w/ a heart
Don't see it if you want a feel-good play/musical- as this will bring you to dark emotions of despair, longing, heartache, regret- as well delivered by cast
See it if Family values are under attack when you don’t know how to cope or conform. Quite moving performance with many complex cultural issues
Don't see it if Snippy sarcastic humor with slightly awkward chemistry between the actors.
Also The more I think about this play, the more impressive it feels. Throw ... Read more Read less
See it if you are interested in a story about a young gay man's coming to terms with his traditional Chinese family's acceptance.
Don't see it if you are looking for an engaging play with an original perspective.
See it if you are interested in issues of identity across generations, immigrant narratives, gentle and thoughtful explorations of changing memory
Don't see it if you can't sit through 90 minutes without intermission
See it if You are interested in the complexities of being gay in a Chinese American family.
Don't see it if If you’re not interested in family acceptance of a gay son.
See it if like layered, emotional family dramas or memory plays well staged, acted, and designed. Many of the scenes have a beautiful sadness to them.
Don't see it if you don't like LGBT themes.