June is the First Fall NYC Reviews and Tickets

78%

(38 Reviews)

Positive

89%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Relevant, Great staging, Thought-provoking

About the Show

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?

Member Reviews (38)

Profound, Moving, Absorbing, Thought-provoking, Relevant

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. Read more

Relevant, Slow, Thought-provoking, Great acting, Cliched

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

Critic Reviews (5)

“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. Gut-wrenching moments spill out at the end...Though the exploding catharsis feels somewhat disconnected from its rather clean resolution, it also does achieve satisfaction through its crumbles of drama.”
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"Going to the West Village to see a show touted as 'a queer play about mooncakes' has all the promise in the world, but this one falls short on ingenuity... As Don tries to reconcile his culture with his identity, he's increasingly squelched by the island (resulting in increasing whining)... I could do with fewer by-the-numbers lines…The scenes that feel the richest involve the whole family sharing anecdotes about Chinese traditions…It's our familiar stories that connect us."
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“Memories are scattered throughout this endearing study of culture, family and personal growth...While the situations explored in this play are not unique, the relaxed pace gives this material a fresh smell...A good cast of actors...’June is the First Fall’ addresses the ghosts of the past which linger in our heads...Well directed by Leibenluft, this story is smoothly paced to unravel this family’s secrets and hopes and learnings.”
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“While the role of Asian culture is certainly present in this play, the theme that lies at the core of the plot is the complex emotions and strong tensions that many parents and their LGBTQ children face even to this day. That’s something that...is explored in-depth and on a very human level in this play...The ensemble of actors do a flawless job bringing these emotionally and psychologically complex characters to life...A strong contender for the best play I’ve seen so far in 2019.”
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"Exceptional among all the cast was Chun Cho playing the mother Yu Qin. Every time she appeared, magic happened. All her lines were delivered in Chinese which made her scenes musical and ethereal. The climactic scene which revealed the heart of the story was in both Chinese and English. It seemed a poignant dance that was breathtaking and beautifully directed by Michael Leibenluft. A worthy play that addresses immigrant, LGBTQ and cultural issues."
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