Inspired by events from her father’s life and (short-lived) basketball career, playwright Lauren Yee ('The Hatmaker’s Wife') makes her Atlantic debut with this new cross-cultural drama. More…
San Francisco, spring 1989. Manford Lum, locally renowned on the sidewalk basketball courts of Chinatown, talks his way onto a college team, just before they travel to Beijing for a “friendship” game. When they arrive, China is in the throes of the post-Cultural Revolution era, and Manford must juggle international politics and his own personal history.
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 dis... 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 ... 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 ... 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 s... 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 ... 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 Ei... 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 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 i... 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.