Reviews of The Great Leap
What Critics Are Saying
"We started the show laughing, ended in tears, and couldn’t stop talking about it after. If that’s not reason enough to buy tickets, I don’t know what is." - PDXParent
"The stakes are high and the consequences dire for all of The Great Leap’s players." - Portland Mercury
"The Great Leap brings together basketball, politics and history to explore personal identity, cultural ties and relations between the U.S. and China." - Portland Tribune
"Cultural divides and father-figure issues ensue, along with the looming cataclysm of the Tiananmen Square student protests." - Oregon ArtsWatch
"It’s not just a story—it’s an invitation to watch all the pieces of these living characters surface and fall into place." - Willamette Weekly
"Lee succeeds in communicating the full spectrum of human emotion without saying a word." - BroadwayWorld
"The Great Leap is worth your time. It's full of the kind of drama we've missed for so very long." - The Crippled Critic
Audience Raves
"A lot to take in here with Tiananmen Square Rioting and the basketball game all happening at the same time. Wonderful acting and lots to learn about life that you will reflect on long after the performance. I loved it!" - Audience Rave
"Such a great show! Not just about basketball, much more than I expected!!" - Audience Rave
"One of the best productions I have seen at Portland Center Stage. The actors were outstanding in their roles. I have always been interested in other cultures and The Great Leap told the story of an important time in the history of China from the perspective of Chinese Americans and Chinese." - Audience Rave
"Strong examination of cultural differences through moving personal stories" - Audience Rave
"We thought it was funny, well written, perfectly paced- with amazing use of light and space/set design!" - Audience Rave
"Blown away. Funny, deep, and well-paced. It hits you in all the ways you want and in many ways that you aren't expecting." - Audience Rave
"Impactful story touching on so many important themes - immigration, values, history, culture, family. Very well done!" - Audience Rave
"It was wonderful! The story was captivating and the actors were great! As usual, the set and direction were superb. It pulled me into the story as if I were there." - Audience Rave
Current & Upcoming
Improvisation Classes for Beginners
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Winter Teen Academy: Scene Work
Calling all teens! Are you looking to expand your acting skills and be the best scene partner you can be for your fellow actors? In this class, we will dig deep into scene study, character motivation, and active listening, while learning the necessary questions to ask in every rehearsal situation. You'll develop fuller characters and deeper relationships on stage by partnering in scene work — and have lots of fun too!
Acting Shakespeare: Monologues
Dive into the world of the Bard and explore the excitement of performing Shakespeare!
An Evening with Storm Large
Join us for a very special Portland Center Stage benefit concert, featuring the legendary Storm Large.
Foundations of Improvisation
Looking to expand your knowledge and skills of improvisation? Whether you did theater in high school and want to jump back in, are looking to find creative connections with others, or are a theater professional looking to deepen your training, this course is perfect for you!
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