Asolo Rep Presents The Great Leap

Posted: January 31 / 2022

By Lauren Yee

Directed by Vanessa Stalling

Feb. 9 – April 2, 2022

(SARASOTA, FLA) — Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly presents the third and final show of its 2022 winter repertory season – Lauren Yee’s THE GREAT LEAP. Vanessa Stalling returns to direct the comedic drama, which was days away from its first performance when it was cancelled because of the pandemic in March of 2020. THE GREAT LEAP begins previews on Feb. 9, opens on Feb. 11 and runs through April 2, in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

The play’s title refers to both the athleticism of basketball and the Communist Party of China’s Great Leap Forward campaign in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born in the United States but inextricably tied to far off and forbidden China, Manford Lum finds his home on the basketball courts of San Francisco’s Chinatown. As fast-talking as he is athletically skilled, Lum wisecracks and dazzles his way onto a college team headed for a “friendly” exhibition game in Beijing. As the story bounces between 1989 and 1971, past relationships collide with present day revelations right up to the final buzzer. Smart, feisty and hilarious, THE GREAT LEAP is about family, history and learning that every game is a second chance. 

“Thanks to Lauren Yee's driving and bitingly funny dialogue, THE GREAT LEAP is a thrilling theatrical experience whether you are a fan of basketball or don't follow the sport at all,” said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “The ideas competing in her work: how where we come from shapes what we become, how it is possible to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles, and how family is one of our most powerful and complicated resources, are ideas that speak to us all. Director Vanessa Stalling brings a brilliant physical life to the play, infusing it with energy that will have audiences leaning in from start to finish.”

THE GREAT LEAP marks Stalling’s first directing role at Asolo Rep. She is the Area Head of Directing and Associate Professor at UC San Diego’s Department of Theatre and Dance and is the director and adaptor of the Jeff Award winning play United Flight 232. She was the Associate Artistic Director of Redmoon Theater in Chicago, a Michael Maggio Fellow at The Goodman Theatre, has been recognized as one of The Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago and was an honored finalist of the Women in the Arts & Media Coalition Collaboration Award.

“As much as THE GREAT LEAP is a story about basketball, it is a story about American families,” said Stalling. “And through this family, we are able to see a picture of the United States, a country that is and always has been created by immigrants and third culture kids. It's a sophisticated, funny, fast ride that illuminates the distance that sits between us, second chances to redirect our lives, and the glory of being our biggest selves. In a time where we are witnessing violence in the United States targeting people of Asian heritage, THE GREAT LEAP rebels against those actions by celebrating Chinese Americans as beautiful, loving, unique and strong.”

Manford is played by Glenn Obrero, who previously played the role at Steppenwolf Theatre. His theatre credits include In to America (Griffin Theatre), Scientific Method (Rivendell Theatre) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Lookingglass Theatre), and he has appeared on television in Chicago Fire and neXt.

Gregg Weiner (Saul) returns to Asolo Rep after appearing in Murder on the Orient Express. Other regional theatre credits include The Price, 7 Deadly Sins, The Whale, Red, Speed the Plow and Every Brilliant Thing. His film and television appearances include It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Transporter 2, War Dogs and Magic City, and he made his filmmaking debut, ReBoot, during quarantine.

Asolo Rep newcomer Greg Watanabe (Wen Chang) made his Broadway debut in Allegiance, and his off-Broadway credits include Ballad of Yachiyo and Golden Child. Regionally, he performed in Romeo and Juliet (OSF), The Summer Moon (A Contemporary Theater, South Coast Rep), Extraordinary Chambers (The Geffen Playhouse), The Happy Ones (South Coast Rep) and most recently in Hold These Truths (Virginia Stage Company). He can also be seen on television in shows including Madam Secretary, Criminal Minds, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Reno 911.

Helen Joo Lee (Connie) made her Asolo Rep debut as Mary Debenham in Murder on the Orient Express. Some of her favorite roles in Chicago are as a permanent replacement at the famed Second City in Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno and Kentucky at The Gift Theatre. She has appeared on screen as Dr. Oh in Showtime’s Work in Progress and Val on CW’s Black Lightning.

The understudies for THE GREAT LEAP are Eric Cheung, Bryan Lewis and Jaine Ye.

THE GREAT LEAP contains mature language and is recommended for age 16+.

THE GREAT LEAP runs Feb. 9 – April 2, 2022. Previews are Feb. 9 – 10. Visit asolorep.org for a full performance schedule. Orchestra and Mezzanine seats start at $52 and Balcony seats start at $29. Tickets are available now in person at Asolo Rep's Box Office at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, by phone at 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, or online at asolorep.org.

Also part of the repertory season are OUR TOWN (Jan. 12 – March 26) and GRAND HORIZONS (Jan. 19 – April 1), which will both run concurrently with THE GREAT LEAP.

Asolo Rep is proud to be a part of #SafeArtsSarasota. Learn more about our Health and Safety Protocols.

THE GREAT LEAP is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

CAST

(in order of appearance)

Glenn Obrero*……………………………………………….Manford

Gregg Weiner*………………….………..………………………Saul

Greg Watanabe*……………………………….………..Wen Chang

Helen Joo Lee..….……………………………...…………....Connie

*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

SELECT CREATIVE TEAM

Director.............................................................Vanessa Stalling

Scenic Designer................................................Arnel Sancianco

Costume Designer.................................................Theresa Ham

Lighting Designer...................................................Keith Parham

Sound Designer…………….................................... Jeffrey Levin

Projection Designer...................................................Paul Deziel

Hair/Wig & Make-up Designer................................Michelle Hart

ENHANCED EXPERIENCES

Tuesday Talkbacks (FREE)
Tuesday, March 8

Attendees can enhance their experience with this post-show discussion.

THE GREAT LEAP IllumiNation Event

Saturday, March 12, at 2 p.m.

Pre-show reception and post-show community conversation
For series package information and single performance tickets, contact the box office.
IllumiNation explores the social, political and cultural themes threaded throughout the show, while examining issues of race, gender, identity, and cultural intersection.
The IllumiNation series is made possible, in part, with support from lead sponsor, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, as well as the Koski Family Foundation, Observer Media Group and catering sponsor Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering.

OUT@AsoloRep: THE GREAT LEAP

Wednesday, March 30
Pre-show reception
For subscription and ticket information, contact the box office.
OUT@AsoloRep is Sarasota’s premier cultural event connecting local LGBTQIA+ communities with fantastic theatre.
OUT@AsoloRep is sponsored by Sabal Palm Bank, CAN Community Health, Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering and Project Pride.

*All activities are subject to change or modification based on CDC recommendations.

SPONSORS

Asolo Rep is able to present THE GREAT LEAP because of the generosity of its sponsors. The corporate sponsors for THE GREAT LEAP are Cool Today, SRQ Media, Observer Media Group and Williams Parker, with additional support from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

Asolo Rep 2021-2022 Major Season Sponsors are Florida State University, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Huisking Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Designing Women Boutique, The Exchange, and Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton. Asolo Rep’s artistic programs are paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.

ABOUT ASOLO REP

Now in its 63rd season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep’s highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 10 productions each season, including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations. Visit asolorep.org to learn more.