CATS Next Show – The Great Leap

CATS next show is The Great Leap, by San Francisco native and Harvard graduate Lauren Yee. This story was inspired by her father’s love of basketball, who played on the courts of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the 1960s-1980s. The show is directed by Scott Gilbert, who is a fan of basketball and a former college athlete. Rounding out our creative team are costume, hair and makeup designs by Paulette Sand-Gilbert; set design by Teresa Shea, lighting design by Les Solomon; and sound design by Danny McCammon.

The Great Leap is about the game of basketball. It is not a romantic comedy, nor a drama nor musical. Both sports fans and theatre fans will love it! It is about a “friendship” game between the teams from the University of San Francisco and the Beijing University in the 1980s in post Cultural Revolution China and, more importantly, what goes on in the minds of the opposing coaches.

The Great Leap depicts historical moments and student protests of the era. It is mystifying. You would have edge-of-your-seat moments as the game clock winds down, 3…..2…..1…. Buzzer! Everything comes together at the end. You would want to watch this play again and again for the “Ah-Ha!” moments. I did!