Kelly Marie Tran (center) joined original castmembers of David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori’s SOFT POWER, Paul HeeSang Miller, Kyra Smith, John Yi, Austin Ku, Kristen Faith Oei, Raymond J. Lee, Francis Jue, Kendyl Ito, Billy Bustamante, Jaygee Macapugay, Jon Hoche, and Emily Stillings, to sing ‘Democracy’ in the Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert on September 14, 2021. Photo by Scott Suchman
In September 2021, the cast of the musical “Soft Power” performed their climactic song "Democracy" at the Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary celebration concert.
The performance was a reminder of the important role theater can play in bringing us together as Americans.
Tony Award winning playwright David Henry Hwang introduced the performance with these words:
“‘Soft Power’ takes a hard look at the role Asian and Pacific Islander Americans can play to address the challenges facing our nation today. In the show’s finale we rededicate ourselves to the grand experiment of democracy itself.”
Enjoy this moving performance and reflect on the diversity that defines who we are as a nation.