The Great Leap

See it if Fascinating contrast of Chinese vs American values in sports, family, and politics. Excellent characters, funny moments, and plot twists.

Don't see it if You would not enjoy a non-linear basketball themed show with Chinese chatacters, history and themes.

See it if Yee's homage to her father is really a tale of two countries (includes a Dicken's reference) Well acted w/ solid dramaturgy yet lacks punch

Don't see it if Using game strategy (basketball) as metaphor for life; drama only ignites around Tiananmen Square events B D Wong's efforts help greatly

See it if you enjoy plays dealing with both basketball & an important historical event in China. BD Wong is giving an extraordinary performance.

Don't see it if you don't like plays dealing with historical events or other cultures.

See it if You want to see an incredibly well balanced cast of amazing actors.

Don't see it if You are not interested in a play that deals with basketball and more importantly the crazy history of a communist country

Also I have been excited to see this play for a long time and I was not disappointed. All of the acting writing direction and blocking were spot on. It means so much more to me as an audience member when the director can make incredible use a very small space with no props. Even though there are only four actors the Play is so intense near the end or you actually feel like you’re watching a five on five basketball game... Read more Read less

See it if Family and team bonds amid international diplomacy, set in Communist China 1971 & 1989. BD Wong as a basketball coach v USA.

Don't see it if You expect an elaborate set, action-packed sports, and perfect endings. No one has a reason to miss the messages in this play.

Also This play follows the story of a young Chinese-American player trying to find his roots.
Backdrop is the student dissension in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
BD Wong leads an excellent ensemble cast, including Ned Eisenberg as the USA coach.... Read more Read less

See it if you have a soft spot for sports/underdog stories; different takes on the American Dream; history that's not widely taught anywhere.

Don't see it if you expect analysis of current events. Chinese nationalists will have bones to pick here. Would be a mistake to think this tells all sides.

Also I was really touched in the end. The actors are fun to watch, BD Wong leaves a mark, and it’s well directed. Somewhat contrived in a way you’d expect from a script about sports and barrier breaking, but I love that stuff. The aftershocks of the Cultural Revolution aren’t typically taught in China (or anywhere else). Some parts stilted by the need to explain unfamiliar history.

The play is oddly progressive and dated at the same time. Progressive because expressly Chinese American perspectives don’t often come to the stage or screen. Dated because it’s set in the 1970s-80s so it doesn’t take into account modern China’s growing superpower status and some of the attitude changes of the last 30 years (on both sides of the Pacific). But the personal & collective responses to cultural crisis resonate. I recommend it to those who don’t mind a sentimental approach. The play is more interested in being understood than in impressing audiences with obscurity and edginess.... Read more Read less

See it if Interesting drama of political history of US recognition of China to Tiananmen Sq -- overlain with sports diplomacy and family relations.

Don't see it if Tony Aidan Vo is the new BD Wong. You get to see both of these charismatic Chinese-American actors in the same play

See it if Political events affect basketball & individual lives, cast during 1989 Chinese upheavals. Muliple stories mashed into the play create a

Don't see it if frenetic first act, disjointed from second; too many coincidences make entirety Implausible, but able performances & clever staging win out.

See it if BD Wong's tear-jerking act of a man surviving in Communist China decides to take a stand. Explores the love of a sport vs loved ones/family.

Don't see it if Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 / Communist China in the 70s/80 are triggering. Can't stand profanity.

Also Ticket from TodayTix app for $54. Last row, but view was fine in the small theater.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a huge fan of actor B. D. Wong. He is brilliant in this production.

Don't see it if small intimate plays about larger life issues doesn't ring true to you.

Also small production with a HUGE HEART! My friend saw a production of the play in San Francisco and told me to not miss it and she was TOTALLY RIGHT!!!!... Read more Read less

See it if using a sports metaphor to stand in for the shifting power dynamics between the U.S. and China intrigues you.

Don't see it if a somewhat heavy playwriting hand will interfere with your enjoyment.

Also A slightly draggy, repetitive first act explodes in the second. While there are no surprises, the nuanced performance of a couple of the leads will keep you emotionally involved. A poignant, thought-provoking last line is sticking with me.... Read more Read less

See it if you know or are curious about events at Tianamen Square. This complex drama is about that & ever so much more.

Don't see it if you don't care for complex story lines or only like musicals.

See it if you want to see a unique story with unanticipated twists & turns; you want to see BD Wong on stage at his best; you enjoy drama with humor

Don't see it if you don't like small, intimate theaters; you only like musicals; excellent writing doesn't impress you; you're offended by 4 letter words

See it if For fast paced excellently acted play based on unusual subject matter- regardless of whether it's tcompletely historically accurate.

Don't see it if Don't like small theate experiences or small venues.

See it if You enjoy plays based upon true stories and that are well done and engaging with unexpected twists in an intimate setting.

Don't see it if You prefer musicals and large theater productions.

See it if you want to take a step back in time to 1989 and see the Tiananmen Square protests woven into a human interest story.

Don't see it if you have no interest in Chinese culture.

See it if You enjoy excellent theatre based on history

Don't see it if You dislike politically based theatre regarding historical events

See it if / a great example of a micro story told well to get you to care about a macro story (in this case, the unrest in China in 1989).

Don't see it if you're in the mood for something splashy. This is actually kind of a quiet show, lots of two-person scenes.

Also Good performances all around, with special props to BD Wong and Ned Eisenberg.... Read more Read less

See it if interesting as it is based on a true story with Wang excellent

Don't see it if somewhat predictable and shallow but still worth seeing.

See it if you love twists on historical events. All four actors were incredible, and the directing was really top-tier.

Don't see it if you're not highly interested in human stories revolving around historical events. This was incredible, but don't come looking for a comedy.

See it if You have a strong interest in modern Chinese history' like BD Wong

Don't see it if You have a real problem when actors voices are unclear

Also I normally have a real problem with preposterous plots trying to pose as naturalism but the feelings were so real it overcame this. I know many Chinese immigrants and the feelings he faced, how China crushed the souls of so many, are so real I was truly able to "suspend disbelief" at the plot devices.
Problem was that Manford and the Americancoach were not always entirely easy to understand; they both could have used mikes although BD Wong, with the heavy Chinese accent, was crystal clear.
Superior acting of BD Wong.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a good story that is well written about recent historic events

Don't see it if you're looking for a fancy production with big scenic design

Also The only thing I felt like could be stronger was the acting. Sometimes the actors were on auto pilot, didn't really respond to each other, just hurried to their next line. Other than that - very moving show, I like historic dramas like that. It has a lot of humor as well.... Read more Read less

See it if If you like new works that play with conventions, and want to learn about a side of China you not familiar with.

Don't see it if If you don't like characters who are mouthpieces for a playwright.

Also This is a good effort from Lauren Yee. I got to see King of the Yees in Chicago, but she juggles too many balls here. BD Wong is in top form.... Read more Read less

See it if you like little known historical stories; wonderful acting, staging and design; taught, stylized and emotional. Built around sports.

Don't see it if you don't like stories built around sports; you demand linear storytelling; you demand naturalistic acting and directing styles.

See it if you like historical fiction and brilliant story telling

Don't see it if you are abrasive to anything sports related or are racist.

Also Saw this at Steppenwolf in Chicago. SO GOOD. The cast, projections and overall feel of the show was so unique and worked so well!... Read more Read less