The Products that 'The Great Leap''s Tyler Simahk Can't Perform Without

Regular Boston theatergoers will remember Tyler Simahk for a string of memorable performances, such as in "Company" and "Peter and the Starcatcher" at The Lyric Stage, and in "Allegiance" and "Fun Home" at SpeakEasy Stage. Following a short hiatus, Simahk is finally back on the Boston stage in Lauren Yee's "The Great Leap," which runs through March 19.

"The Great Leap" tells the story of an American basketball team that travels to Beijing for a "friendship" game in 1989 where both personal and political drama bubble up. It's inspired by playwright Yee's father's own life, and as anyone who caught Yee's sensational "Cambodian Rock Band" will tell you, anything by Yee is worth checking out.

Simahk plays Manford, a neighborhood superstar that talks his way onto the American team and finds himself in China having possibly bitten off more than he can chew. Here, he tells EDGE what he can't perform without:

Puma Tsugi Shinsei Trainers

"The first thing is not really a preparation before a show, but really something that makes me confident and comfortable as well as putting me in a good space mentally. Sneakers are a really big part of my life, and when I come into the building I like to be wearing a nice pair of kicks! My sneakers give me a certain level of confidence throughout the day, and when I arrive at the theater I want to walk in feeling happy and confident." Puma.

Nickel Creek's 'A Dotted Line'

"Next is music: I'm a musician, and I also love to listen to music. Usually, it's music that puts me in a nice, relaxed state of mind. I'll generally have Crosby, Stills and Nash or Nickel Creek playing through my headphones."

Bicycle Playing Cards

"Any form of a fidget! Whenever I'm about to go on stage the nerves start to creep up on me and my hands will start to shake a little bit. Most of the time I'll use a deck of cards, but for this show specifically I'll more than likely be messing around with a basketball to keep my mind occupied." $6, Amazon.

Honey

"I love putting honey in tea, or simply having a small teaspoon of honey helps when I need to suppress any coughing. Plus, it's sweet, and I definitely have a bit of a sweet tooth."

Orbit Gum

"Gum, mints, or any breath freshener. I'm half Thai, which means I love Thai food... which also means that my breath can do lethal damage to anyone I'm speaking to in close proximity. Regardless of the type of food I'm eating, I always try to be mindful of that fact. You never want to take your scene partner out of the scene if they're too distracted by your bad breath." $10, Amazon.

Foam Roller

"Once I sign in, I like to stretch a little bit on stage or foam roll any tight muscles. No matter how much movement I do in the production, I always want to make sure I'm not going to hurt myself or pull a muscle." $9-$23, Amazon.

iPhone

"Whether it's mindlessly scrolling through Facebook or getting any last minute 'Break a Leg' texts from friends, I'll always do a check of the phone before a show. Getting those messages from friends and family reminds me of all the love support I have." Varies, Apple.

Connecting with Cast and Crew

"Finally, the most important thing is connecting with my cast and crew. We all love doing check-ins with each other and making sure we're all feeling okay. You'll often find us bonding over food or cooking."

"The Great Leap" runs Feb. 24 – Mar. 19 at The Lyric Stage Company of Boston. Tickets available here.