2022-23 Season
The Great Leap
1989. An American college basketball team travels from San Francisco to Beijing for a “friendship game” against a Chinese squad.
Far from friendly, the matchup quickly becomes a high-stakes battle, as the American coach fights for his reputation and his Chinese counterpart fights for his life. Both countries try to tease out the politics behind this newly popular sport.
Cultures clash as the Chinese coach tries to pick up moves from the Americans and Chinese-American player Manford, spies on his opponents.
Caught in the middle, Manford must prove his mettle on the court while unraveling a long-kept secret. Cultures and generations clash in this kinetic, darkly comic sports drama.
Inspired by events in her own father’s life, playwright Lauren Yee applies a devilishly keen satiric eye to…her generation (and its parents).
"Full-court banter and intensity mark a gripping 'Great Leap!'" - The Washington Post
"'The Great Leap' scores with a mix of hoops and heartbreak." - Los Angeles Times
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Creative
Director Helen Young (she/her)
Cast
Manford Ming Wu (he/him)*
Wen Chang Richard Manera (he/him)*
Saul Jason Grubbe (he/him)*
Connie Zhanna Albertini (she/her)
News
THE GREAT LEAP featured on WKZO
Jan 25, 2023 / WKZO
Farmers Alley Theatre Executive Director Rob Weiner went on WKZO's morning hour to talk about our upcoming production of The Great Leap by Lauren Yee. This brilliantly witty and fast-paced drama opens January 27 and runs through February 12th.
Check out the Digital Program for The Great Leap
Jan 20, 2023 / BroadwayWorld Stage Mag
Read the Article
Trailer for The Great Leap
Jan 17, 2023
This is not a game. Tickets are on sale now for this kinetic, darkly comic sports drama. Visit bit.ly/greatleaptkts or call our box office at (269) 343-2727.
1989. An American college basketball team travels from San Francisco to Beijing for a “friendship game” against a Chinese squad. Far from friendly, the matchup quickly becomes a high-stakes battle, as the American coach fights for his reputation and his Chinese counterpart fights for his life.
Both countries try to tease out the politics behind this newly popular sport. Cultures clash as the Chinese coach tries to pick up moves from the Americans, and Chinese-American player Manford, spies on his opponents. Caught in the middle, Manford must prove his mettle on the court while unraveling a long-kept secret.
Cultures and generations clash in this kinetic, darkly comic sports drama. Inspired by events in her own father’s life, playwright Lauren Yee applies a devilishly keen satiric eye to…her generation (and its parents).
"Full-court banter and intensity mark a gripping 'Great Leap!'" - The Washington Post
"'The Great Leap' scores with a mix of hoops and heartbreak." - Los Angeles Times
*proud member of Actor's Equity Association
**proud member of Society of Directors and Choreographers