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The world premiere of the play Ascent at the Skylight Theatre is more than just a cultural event; it’s a powerful and timely investigation into how political paranoia can dramatically reshape history and mirror the social injustices we face right now. Running from May 9 to June 14, 2026, Ascent is the final work of the late, influential Los Angeles playwright Henry Ong and is directed by Diana Wyenn.
The production centers on the true, astonishing story of Qian Xuesen, a brilliant Chinese aerospace engineer who co-founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Arriving in America in 1935 on a scholarship, Qian Xuesen quickly became a pioneer of the US space age, helping the nation win World War II. Yet, in a chilling narrative twist, the surge of Cold War nationalism led to his unjust accusation of being a Communist and his eventual deportation back to China.
This grave error was one of the greatest technological missteps in US history. The former Secretary of the Navy, Dan Kimball, lamented, “It was the stupidest thing this country ever did”. Xuesen went on to become the “father of Chinese rocketry,” shaping the future of naval warfare for both nations and giving his native country nuclear capacity.
A Story That Resonates Today
Ong’s work, which often explores the immigrant experience, resonates powerfully with current events and the conversations central to The Hype Magazine‘s audience. The themes of injustice, division, and the erosion of truth are central to the play, as is the shifting status of highly skilled foreign workers in the U.S. This historical narrative is acutely relevant today in light of fundamental changes to the US H-1B visa program, a pathway for highly educated professionals. As detailed in a recent New York Times article, new rules include a possible $100,000 fee for new applicants and a prioritization of higher salaries, turning the established route into an increasingly high-stakes game of chance.
The production honors Henry Ong’s more than thirty-five years as a beloved and powerful figure in the Los Angeles theatre community. Producers Carrie Menkel-Meadow, Robert Meadow, and Stella Ong (Henry’s sister) aim to cement his place in theatre history.
The cast features Trieu Tran (Altered Carbon) as Qian Xuesen, alongside Iris Liu, Russell Edge, and Jorge-Luis Pallo. Director Diana Wyenn previously shepherded the play’s development with Ong from 2016 to 2018 and now helms its world premiere.
Don’t miss this powerful piece of theatre that connects a pivotal moment in global history with today’s urgent social dialogue.—–Ascent by Henry Ong, directed by Diana Wyenn, currently runs at the Skylight Theatre until Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Tickets: Available at skylighttheatre.org.
Location: Skylight Theatre, 1816-1/2 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Performances: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 3 pm.
The post ‘Ascent’: The Cold War Story of the ‘Father of Chinese Rocketry’ appeared first on The Hype Magazine.
