Stephon Marbury Will Play Himself In A Theatrical Play In China
CBS - Stephon Marbury is getting his own play. Tickets for “I Was Marbury,” which will chronicle his championship-winning season with the Beijing Ducks in 2011-2012, are already on sale, and Marbury will play himself. From Sports Illustrated:
The play’s director, Zhou Wenhong, told Chinese media that the main theme of the play will be “never give up” and will incorporate choreographed basketball moves with dance. Marbury, however, describes the play’s story in grander terms, saying in a press conference the play focuses on “Sino-US relations”.
Marbury will play himself in the production, but will only appear in a few scenes — the story apparently focuses on other Chinese characters who have been inspired by Marbury.
According to the production’s official website, the show will have a different guest star each night, including Yao Ming and former NBA journeyman Wang Zhizhi.
Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi! This sounds delightfully weird. While this will likely draw some laughs in North America, Marbury is a legitimate star in China. He averaged 21.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists last season in Beijing, winning his second CBA title in three seasons. People will actually watch this play, which will run for 11 nights starting on Oct. 1 at Beijing Wukesong Stadium, per SI.
Listen everyone knows my stance in China. I have a steadfast, hardline, Do Not Go To China rule. I want absolutely no part of that place. Up until now there has never been a reason I would break that rule. Never been a reason I would ever go to China.
But a theatrical production chronicling the life of Stephon Marbury as a Chinese basketball player with guest appearances from Yao Ming may have done it. This may be the one. If someone offered me airfare, a hotel and 2 tickets to see I Am Marbury, I think I’d go. Dance interpretation of basketball. Wang ZhiZhi. This absolutely has it all. As long as they include the scene where Steph has a mental breakdown and eats vaseline, this has potential to go down in history along side the tragedies of William Shakespeare.