Ascent at Skylight Theatre

Ascent, the final play by the late Henry Ong, receives its world premiere at Skylight Theatre, directed by Diana Wyenn. Based on the true story of Qian Xuesen, the aerospace engineer who co-founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and helped advance America's space program, the play traces how Cold War paranoia led to his deportation—and ultimately propelled China's nuclear and space capabilities. The cast features Trieu Tran, Iris Liu, Russell Edge, and Jorge-Luis Pallo. The production also serves as a tribute to Ong, a significant figure in Los Angeles theatre for over thirty-five years, bringing his last completed work to the stage for the first time.