Oklahoma City Repertory Theater’s (OKC Rep) Artistic Director Kelly Kerwin is producing the first full scale theatrical production of her tenure: The Great Leap by Lauren Yee. This fearless contemporary play is a fast-paced and relevant work that explores the experience of being a first-generation Asian-American through the lens of basketball.
The Great Leap made its Oklahoma premiere on November 10 at the Te Ata Theater at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th Street in Oklahoma City.
Jenelle Chu (Connie) is so excited to make her Oklahoma Rep debut. Broadway: Junk (Lincoln Center Theater) and Bernhardt/Hamlet (Roundabout). Regional: Grand Horizons (People’s Light) Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare & Co), Vietgone (American Conservatory Theater), Beauty and the Beast (Papermill Playhouse), and Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Playhouse Christmas Show (Bucks County Playhouse). Other credits in NYC include shows at The Flea Theater and 52nd Street Project. Film/Television Includes: “Elementary,” “Instinct,” “Madam Secretary,” “New Amsterdam,” “Prodigal Son,” and short film White Flags with AC Productions. Training: BM in Vocal Performance (University of Missouri – Kansas City); MFA in Acting (Yale School of Drama). Website: jenellechu.com, IG: @Jenelle.c
William Langan (Saul): THEATER: Oregon Shakespeare Festival (8 years), The Shakespeare Theatre (D.C.), Studio Arena, Huntington Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Pioneer Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, McCarter Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Rubicon Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, Guthrie Theatre (3 years). NEW YORK: The Public Theatre, Vineyard Theatre, Abingdon Theatre, Soho Rep. FILM: Reagan (2021), A Thousand Little Cuts (2019), Ghosts (2022), Faculty Lounging (2021). TV: “Criminal Minds” (CBS), CSI: “CYBER” (CBS), “NCIS” (CBS), “Numb3rs” (CBS), “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (NBC), “The Prosecutor” (NBC), “Sweet Nothing In My Ear” (CBS). Yale School of Drama
Brian Kim McCormick (Wen Chang) makes his Oklahoma City Rep debut. Off-Broadway credits include The Emperor’s Nightingale (Pan Asian Rep) and Dinner with Georgette (New York Theatre Workshop). National credits include Chimerica (Quantum Theater), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (South Coast Rep), Interstate: the Musical (Mixed Blood Theatre), Aubergine (San Diego Rep), Labour of Love (Olney Theatre), Caught (Full Circle Theatre), and Fast Company and The Korean Drama Addict’s Guide to Losing Your Virginity (Theatre Mu). Voiceover credits include “Squid Game,” “The King’s Affection,” “Pokémon: Sun and Moon” (Netflix), “Kingdom” (Funimation), “Naughty Nuts” (Amazon Prime), “Regal Academy” (Nickelodeon), “Last Man” (VRV), and Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain (Playstation/Steam). He holds a BA in Psychology, PreMed and Statistics from St. Olaf College.
James Aaron Oh (Manford) is excited to be in his first outside-of-California production! Regional credits include Berkeley Repertory Theatre and San Jose Stage Company. When not on stage, he enjoys drawing and playing Dungeons and Dragons. Much love and thanks to his family and partner for their love and support. BA Theater and Performance Studies, UC Berkeley.
The Great Leap features movement direction by Hui Cha Poos, scenic and projection design by Edward T. Morris, costume design by Noël Huntzinger, lighting design by Christina Watanabe, sound design by Michael Costagliola.
The Great Leap begins its regular schedule of performances on Thursday, November 10, 2022 and runs through Sunday, November 20, 2022. Tickets can be purchased online at www.okcrep.org for $20-$60. OKC Rep also offers a pay-what-you-can option to ensure theater is accessible to all members of the Oklahoma City community.
ABOUT THE GREAT LEAP
When an American basketball team travels to Beijing for a “friendship game” in the post-Cultural Revolution 1980s, both countries try to tease out the politics of this newly popular sport. For two men with a past and one teen with a future, the game is a chance to claim personal victories on and off the court. Tensions rise right up to the final buzzer as a pivotal moment in history collides with the action in the arena. Driven by rapid-fire dialogue, this perceptive new play explores the cultural and political risks of raising your voice and standing your ground.
ABOUT OKC REPERTORY THEATER
OKC Rep is dedicated to championing new ways of making theater, supporting innovative artists, and growing the cultural ecology of Oklahoma City. An award-winning, nationally recognized professional regional theater, OKC Rep produced its first play in 2002 and has produced more than 77 productions. www.okcrep.org
Backstage Pass with Lia Chang 