South Coast Rep Announces 10-Show Season for 2018-19: M. Butterfly / April 5, 2018 by David Hwang

COSTA MESA, CALIF.: South Coast Repertory has announced its 2018-19 season, which comprises 10 shows, as well as 3 offerings for young audiences and the annual Pacific Playwrights Festival.

The slate ranges from Jane Austen to Karen Zacarías, from Anna Ziegler to David Henry Hwang, from Culture Clash to Mo Willems.

“We’re enthusiastic about what next season has to offer,” said SCR managing director Paula Tomei in a statement. “The range of work is both compelling and entertaining and we look forward to the experience that our audiences and artists will have when they join together.”

At the theater, eager anticipation for 'Soft Power' / April 5, 2018 by David Hwang

The biggest opening in L.A. this spring is a work by two veterans that defies categorization — playwright David Henry Hwang and composer Jeanine Tesori’s “Soft Power,” which blazes its own trail between musical and dramatic genres.

The State of the Art: David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori / March 20, 2018 by David Hwang

Show and Tell Series welcomes two of theater’s most unique and contemporary artists join us in a conversation about creating, collaborating, and the genesis of their exciting new work, SOFT POWER. They provide a rare peek behind the curtain that will show us what it really takes to get plays and musicals from Idea to Opening Night.

This Month In Theatre History; M. Butterfly / March 15, 2018 by David Hwang

BD Wong and John Lithgow in the original 1988 Broadway staging of "M. Butterfly."

30 YEARS AGO (1988)
M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang opens on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre (after bowing at Washington, D.C.’s National Theatre). The play is inspired by the true story of a French diplomat’s affair with a young male Chinese opera singer, whom he believed to be a woman. The production, directed by John Dexter and originally starring John Lithgow and BD Wong, will run for more than 700 performances and win the Tonys for best play, best featured actor in a play (Wong), and best direction of a play.

Cast Announced for SOFT POWER / March 10, 2018 by David Hwang

The cast has been announced for the upcoming world premiere of "Soft Power" by David Henry Hwang (play and lyrics) and Jeanine Tesori (music and additional lyrics). This play with a musical will be produced by Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre from May 3 through June 10, 2018. Directed by Leigh Silverman and choreographed by Sam Pinkleton, the opening of "Soft Power" is set for May 16. Following its run at the Ahmanson, "Soft Power" will play San Francisco's Curran from June 20 through July 8, 2018.

Guggenheim Museum hosts Opera Theatre of Saint Louis: An American Soldier: David Henry Hwang and Huang Ruo / March 3, 2018 by David Hwang

March 18, 2018, 7:30–8:45 pm

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Excerpts are performed from this new two-act opera based on the true story of Danny Chen, proud American and son of Chinese immigrants residing in Manhattan’s Chinatown. After enlisting in the U.S. Army, Chen is welcomed in boot camp, but in Afghanistan, his own base becomes enemy territory as military hazing turns deadly, posing powerful questions about what it means to be an American. Librettist David Henry Hwang and composer Huang Ruo discuss their collaboration with Nancy Yao Maasbach, president of the Museum of Chinese in America, prior to the opera’s premiere in Saint Louis.

The Return of the Artistic Company / February 20, 2018 by David Hwang

The Oskar Eustis Troupe | The artistic director of the Public Theater creates productions that are the result of ongoing workshops that can continue for years. On its set for ‘‘Hamlet,’’ designed by David Zinn, in downtown New York are, clockwise fr… — The Oskar Eustis Troupe | The artistic director of the Public Theater creates productions that are the result of ongoing workshops that can continue for years. On its set for ‘‘Hamlet,’’ designed by David Zinn, in downtown New York are, clockwise from left: actor Oscar Isaac, composer Jeanine Tesori, actor Elizabeth Marvel, playwright David Henry Hwang, writer and director Alex Timbers, director Lear deBessonet, actor John Leguizamo, Eustis, playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and playwright, composer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Photographed on Sept. 1, 2017.CreditPhotograph by Jason Schmidt. Location: The Public Theater’s Anspacher Theater on the “Hamlet” set designed by David Zinn.

The troupe — a roving band of actors, musicians and directors who produce a variety of plays and entertainment — is centuries old. So why has this generation of stage, television and cinematic impresarios found new resonance in this old form of communalism?

How Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Joined Forces With Huang Ruo & David Henry Hwang To World Premiere New Version of ‘An American Soldier’ / February 17, 2018 by David Hwang

For the upcoming 2018 festival, the company will be producing the world premiere of Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang’s “An American Soldier.”

The opera follows the story of Private Danny Chen, a first-generation Chinese-American who enlists in the army in 2011 but soon finds himself at the center of deadly military hazing once he arrives in Afghanistan. The opera is based on a true story and brings up major themes of abuse and division in a time where the country is battling this very issue.

Soft Power will play at the Curran in 2018 / January 29, 2018 by David Hwang

A new play by David Henry Hwang, will run as part of the Curran’s 2018 lineup. Featuring music by Jeanine Tesori, Mr. Hwang’s “Soft Power” examines Chinese-American relations in the present and future. Leigh Silverman will direct the production, which is scheduled to run from June 20 to July 8 after a premiere in Los Angeles at the Center Theater Group in May.

David Henry Hwang and Daniel Dae Kim Developing TV Series Adaptation Of ‘First Rule Of Ten’ Book / January 15, 2018 by David Hwang

Daniel Dae Kim’s 3AD production company, which is behind breakout ABC drama series The Good Doctor, is developing First Rule of Ten, based on the successful books by Gay Hendricks and Tinker Lindsay, as a television series. Kim has partnered with Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) on the project, which is set at ITV Studios America where 3AD recently signed a two-year first-look deal.

The Dance and the Railroad at the Under the Sal Tree Festival / December 22, 2017 by David Hwang

The Dance and the Railroad was presented as part of Under the Sal Tree, a four-day annual theatre festival that takes place in the small, sleepy hamlet of Rampur in Goalpara, located some 200 kms west of Guwahati in India. The festival takes place outside, and The Dance and the Railroad was presented by the Inter Cultural Theatre Company of Imphal, directed by Joy Maisnam.

Read more about the festival at TheHindu.com.

Julie Taymor on the stage magic of The Lion King, the real shock of M. Butterfly & more / November 22, 2017 by David Hwang

Julie Taymor on Show People with Paul Wontorek — Julie Taymor on *Show People with Paul Wontorek*

It’s no secret that Tony-winning director Julie Taymor is a visionary icon. The talented creator is having a major moment: The Lion King, Broadway’s box office bursting king of the jungle that earned her two Tony Awards in 1998, celebrated its 20th anniversary on the Great White Way on November 13. She is at the helm of a resplendent revival of David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly, currently playing at the Cort Theatre. Taymor shows no signs of stopping her creative streak. Hear all about her days as a traveler full of wanderlust before hitting it big in show business, why she’s beyond ready to bring Across the Universe to Broadway and more on this week’s Show People with Paul Wontorek.

Clive Owen on Broadway starring in revival of 'M. Butterfly' / November 20, 2017 by David Hwang

Actor Clive Owen is usually recognized for his roles in TV and movies, but now, he is starring on Broadway in the show "M Butterfly."

See the video of his interview on abc7ny.com

Foreign Goods: Collection of writings by British East Asian Artists to be released / November 20, 2017 by David Hwang

The book marks the first collection of modern dramatic writing by British East Asian writers.

Foreign Goods features eight contemporary pieces including full plays, short plays and monologues. Its new material is relevant for actors and new plays are available for production.

Edited by award-winning playwright Jingan Young and veteran theatre writer David Henry Hwang, Foreign Goods contributes to the representation of British East Asian people in the theatre and beyond.

Jenn Colella-Led GROUP, Plays by David Henry Hwang, Enda Walsh and More Set for Drama League's 'DirectorFest' / November 16, 2017 by David Hwang

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The Drama League announced today the expansion of their annual event, DirectorFest, into a multi-week, city-wide festival focusing on the art of Contemporary Stage directing.

For its 34th year, the festival will include five fully-staged productions, a showcase evening of new musicals, staged readings, discussion panels, books signings, workshops and conversations with America's most notable directors.

Taking place over two weeks in venues across Manhattan, highlights of the festival include rarely-seen plays by David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), Enda Walsh (Once: The Musical), new works by Gabrielle Reisman, Alejandro Ricaño and more, all directed by the 2017 Drama League Directors Project Fellows: Laura Brandel, Bonnie Gabel, Matt Dickson, Flordelino Lagundino, and Rebecca Martinez.

BWW Interview: Celeste Den Conducts Dangerous Liaisons in M. BUTTERFLY / November 13, 2017 by David Hwang

Celeste Den, who plays Comrade Chin in David Henry Hwang's M. Butterflyrevival, was searching for a UPS truck after a recent matinee, a box tucked under her arm. "I was told a truck would be here but I guess that was bad information," she said with a laugh.

Den knows about passing on information.

Chin is the Communist Party liaison who meets with the famed actor Song Liling, played by Jin Ha. He is the Butterfly of the play. Song is having a torrid affair with a Parisian diplomat, Rene Gallimard, played by Clive Owen. Chin extorts sensitive military secrets from Song and, well, you know how it goes.

Read the full story at Broadwayworld.com.

11 Asian-American Shows to Watch For in the 2017-18 Season / November 13, 2017 by David Hwang

David Henry Hwang will be collaborating with Jeanine Tesori on Soft Power, to receive its world premiere in Los Angeles next year.(© Joseph Marzullo / Tristan Fuge) — David Henry Hwang will be collaborating with Jeanine Tesori on *Soft Power*, to receive its world premiere in Los Angeles next year.
(© Joseph Marzullo / Tristan Fuge)

"With Asian-American theater off to a fairly strong start in 2017, we put together a list of the productions (from New York to Los Angeles and places in between) to look for throughout the rest of the 2017-18 season."

Read the full story at Theatermania.com

Hale Centre Theatre debuts high-tech, $80 million stage with ‘epic’ production of ‘Aida’ / November 12, 2017 by David Hwang

Courtesy photo) Kandyce Marie as Aida, Casey Elliott as Radames, and Amy Shreeve Keeler as Amneris in Hale Centre Theatre's new production of "Aida."

On many levels, Hale Centre Theatre’s new production of “Aida” has a full-circle sensibility.

The Elton John/Tim Rice Broadway musical will be the first show performed on the company’s new high-tech, arena-style Centre Stage. The 900-seat house is one of two new theaters in Sandy’s $80 million Mountain America Performing Arts Centre. The show opens with a gala preview Nov. 16, and the run continues through Jan. 20.

Read the full story at the Salt Lake Tribune website.

This 30-Year-Old Play About Gender And Asian Identity Is More Relevant Than Ever / November 10, 2017 by David Hwang

Jin Ha as Song Liling. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

When M. Butterfly premiered on Broadway in 1988, audiences were stunned to discover that the central character, Song Liling, was actually a man. Nearly 30 years later, as the revival runs at the Cort Theatre, the cat is out of the bag.

The story of M. Butterfly, which won three Tony Awards including Best Play, is now more well known than the real-life story it was based on — the affair between French diplomat Bernard Boursicot and Peking opera singer Shi Pei Pu. The culture has also progressed, and with it our language and sensitivity surrounding gender identity: The reveal of a character’s gender as a surprise twist, once a feature of M. Butterfly, now seems like a dangerously regressive relic.

That’s something playwright David Henry Hwang was well-aware of when he set about revising his play for a new production directed by Julie Taymor. In revisiting his seminal work, Hwang undertook a heavy rewrite, one in which Song’s gender is addressed early on — and the themes of toxic masculinity and Asian gender stereotypes are as clear as ever.

Read the full story at Buzzfeed.

Photo Flash: David Henry Hwang and Julie Taymor In Conversation At Asia Society / November 8, 2017 by David Hwang

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On November 3rd, Asia Society presented an illuminating conversation with Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang and director Julie Taymor, moderated by Asia Society Director of Global Performing Arts Rachel Cooper.

Check out photos from the event at Broadwayworld.com