18 Plays and Musicals We Can’t Wait to See This Fall / August 30, 2024 by David Hwang

YELLOW FACE

Roundabout, Todd Haimes Theatre, September 13–November 24

David Henry Hwang became the first Asian American playwright to win the Best Play Tony with M. Butterfly in 1988. Now Leigh Silverman directs the Broadway premiere of his sharp-fanged, semi-autobiographical farce about the tricky forging of art and identity. In Yellow Face, a beleaguered Asian American playwright (Daniel Dae Kim) speaks out against the titular toxic casting trend in a production of Miss Saigon… and then proceeds to inadvertently cast a white actor as the Asian protagonist in his own play. What could possibly go right? — S.H.

Playwright David Henry Hwang Signs With M88 / August 29, 2024 by David Hwang

EXCLUSIVE: David Henry Hwang, the Tony and Grammy Award winning playwright, librettist, and screenwriter whose play Yellow Face begins performances on Broadway next month, has signed with M88 for representation.

The signing comes during one of Hwang’s most prolific years, with Yellow Faceon Broadway, his musical Soft Power currently playing at Signature Theatre in Washington DC, his opera Ainadamar opening in October at the Metropolitan Opera, and his classic M. Butterfly set to receive a concert version at London’s Barbican.

Broadway 2024-2025 / August 18, 2024 by David Hwang

Daniel Dae Kim in Yellow Face.

Daniel Dae Kim returns to Broadway with Yellow Face, starting previews September 13 at the Todd Haimes Theatre and opening October 1. Written by David Henry Hwang and directed by Leigh Silverman, the semi-autobiographical play addresses race and identity, drawing from Hwang’s own experiences.

Theater Night / August 18, 2024 by David Hwang

In the Spotlight
Soft Power, Signature Theatre
Showing Aug 6 – Sep 15
www.sigtheatre.org

In late 2015, playwright and librettist David Henry Hwang was walking home from a grocery store in Brooklyn when a stranger leapt out and plunged a knife into his neck. Little did Hwang know at the time that this horrific incident would provide the inspiration for Soft Power, one of his most celebrated musicals-within-a-play and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist in 2020.

Signature Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director Ethan Heard, who is also the co-founder of NYC’s Heartbeat Opera, explains why he felt a particular affinity for this profound piece of theater. “I saw Soft Power back in 2019 at The Public Theater in New York and really admired it. I’m Chinese American so I have a very personal connection to some of the questions in the show and some of David’s family’s experience really mirrors mine.” Think of Soft Power as The King and I, but reflected in a funhouse mirror, so that truth and reality are recognizable but weirdly distorted. The premise: DHH, a playwright (notice the similarities to David Henry Hwang) is attempting to translate a Chinese movie for American audiences, but is encountering several unexpected difficulties. After a vicious knife attack, he is plunged into a feverish hallucination where America stands on the precipice of a critical presidential election, Hilary Clinton is a superhero, and rose-colored glasses are a transformational fashion accessory.

Goings On Fall Culture Preview / August 18, 2024 by David Hwang

What’s happening this season in art, theatre, TV, music, dance, and movies.

Broadway sheds its summer lassitude with a season of starry double acts: Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow cohabitate in Jen Silverman’s “The Roommate” (Booth; starting previews Aug. 29); Ayad Akhtar’s “McNeal” stars Robert Downey, Jr., and his “metahuman digital likeness” (Vivian Beaumont; Sept. 5); Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher swoon in Delia Ephron’s romance “Left on Tenth” (James Earl Jones; Sept. 26); Helen J. Shen and Darren Criss play love-struck robots in the musical “Maybe Happy Ending” (Belasco; Oct. 16); and, in David Henry Hwang’s Obie-winning “Yellow Face” (Todd Haimes; Sept. 13), Daniel Dae Kim stars as the playwright’s own conflicted doppelgänger.

Celebrity-Birthdays-Aug 11 / August 10, 2024 by David Hwang

Playwright David Henry Hwang is 67.

Actress Cynthia Dale is 64.

Actor Miguel A. Nunez Jr. is 60.

Actress Viola Davis ("How To Get Away With Murder," ''The Help") is 59.

Actor Duane Martin is 59.

‘Particle Fever’ Musical In Development For Broadway, Based On 2013 God Particle Doc / August 10, 2024 by David Hwang

Physicist Fabiola Gianotti and producer David Kaplan at the Large Hadron Collide as featured in 'Particle Fever' 2013
Abramorama/courtesy Everett Collection

A new musical inspired, in part, by the Higgs boson and the discovery of the so-called God Particle is heading to Broadway, with David Henry Hwang and Suffsdirector Leigh Silverman as part of the creative team.

The musical Particle Fever is in the early stage of development. A production timeline and casting details have not been disclosed.

Based on the 2013 documentary film of the same name, Particle Fever will feature a book by Hwang (M. Butterfly, Yellow Face) with music and lyrics by Bear McCreary (TV’s Battlestar Galactica, the film Godzilla: King of the Monsters) and composer/lyricist Zoe Sarnak. Director Silverman was Tony-nominated this year for Suffs and will direct this season’s Yellow Face, also Hwang.

Can the Higgs Boson Shine on Broadway? / August 10, 2024 by David Hwang

A portion of the Large Hadron Collider of CERN in Switzerland, one of the main characters of the 2013 film “Particle Fever,” on which a new musical is based.Credit...Massimo Dallaglio/Alamy

A musical about particle physics is under development, with David Henry Hwang, the playwright behind “M. Butterfly.”

On a recent Friday afternoon in a basement room in Midtown Manhattan, a dozen musicians and actors stood behind a line of microphones and broke into song about particle physics. Urged along by a piano in the corner, their voices blended at times in a heavenly lament about cosmic ignorance and the search for the Higgs boson, a fleck of energy thought to be key to understanding the evolution of the universe.

If you think particle physics is an unpromising subject for a Broadway musical, you’re not alone. David Henry Hwang, the playwright of “M. Butterfly” fame, was unmoved when the idea was first pitched to him several years ago. “It was such an unlikely idea,” he said.

See Who's Joining Daniel Dae Kim in David Henry Hwang's Yellow Face / August 4, 2024 by David Hwang

The Roundabout production is the long awaited Broadway premiere of Hwang's semi-autobiographical play.

Roundabout Theatre Company's upcoming Broadway production of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwanghas found its complete cast!

Directed by Leigh Silverman, Yellow Face will star the previously announced Daniel Dae Kim as DHH. Newly announced to be joining him are Kevin Del Aguila as Actor A, Ryan Eggold as Marcus, Francis Jueas HYH and Others, Marinda Anderson as Actor B, Greg Keller as Reporter/NWOAC, and Shannon Tyo as Leah and Others.

Inspired by real events, the playwright's fictionalized doppelgänger DHH (Kim) leads protests against yellowface casting in Miss Saigon, but then mistakenly casts a white actor as the Asian lead in one of his own plays.

Yellow Face will begin previews September 13, with opening night set for October 1 at the Todd Haimes Theatre. The production is a limited engagement through November 24.

Casting finalized for Broadway premiere of ‘Yellow Face’ / August 4, 2024 by David Hwang

Francis Jue, Kevin Del Aguila and more will join Daniel Dae Kim in David Henry Hwang's drama.

Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed complete casting for the Broadway bow of David Henry Hwang’s “Yellow Face.” The previously announced production, directed by Leigh Silverman, will begin previews on Sept. 13 and open on Oct. 1 at Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theatre. The production is scheduled to play a limited run through Nov. 24.

Joining the previously announced Daniel Dae Kim as “DHH” will be Francis Jue as HYH and others, Kevin Del Aguila as Actor A, Ryan Eggold as Marcus, Marinda Anderson as Actor B, Greg Keller as Reporter/NWOAC and Shannon Tyo as Leah and others.

Jue received Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards, in addition to a Drama Desk Award nomination, for his performance in this same role in the Public Theater’s 2007 Off-Broadway production of “Yellow Face.” He made his Broadway debut in Hwang’s 1988 Tony-winning play “M. Butterfly.”

Ryan Eggold, Kevin Del Aguila Join Daniel Dae Kim In Broadway’s ‘Yellow Face’; Complete Cast Announced / August 4, 2024 by David Hwang

New Amsterdam star Ryan Eggold and Tony Award-nominated Kevin Del Aguilawill join the previously announced Daniel Dae Kim on Broadway this fall in David Henry Hwang‘s much anticipated Yellow Face.

Eggold will be making his Broadway debut.

Complete casting for the production was announced today by the Roundabout Theatre Company, and also includes Francis Jue, Marinda Anderson, Greg Keller and Shannon Tyo.

Yellow Face, directed by Leigh Silverman, will begin previews on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Roundabout’s at Todd Haimes Theatre, with opening night on Friday, October 1, 2024, 227 West 42nd Street) on Broadway. The limited engagement runs through Sunday, November 24.

Kevin Del Aguila, Francis Jue, Ryan Eggold & More Join YELLOW FACE on Broadway / August 4, 2024 by David Hwang

Yellow Face will begin preview performances on Friday, September 13, 2024.

Roundabout Theatre Company just announced complete casting for the new production of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang directed by Leigh Silverman.

Yellow Face will feature Daniel Dae Kim as “DHH,” Kevin Del Aguila as “Actor A,” Ryan Eggold as “Marcus,” Francis Jue as “HYH & Others,” Marinda Anderson as “Actor B,” Greg Keller as “Reporter/NWOAC,” and Shannon Tyo as “Leah & Others.”

Inspired by real events, the playwright’s fictionalized doppelgänger protests yellowface casting in Miss Saigon, only to mistakenly cast a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play. This Obie Award-winning and Pulitzer finalist play is a laugh-out-loud farce about the complexities of race.

Go Inside Rehearsals & Learn About Signature Theatre's Revised SOFT POWER / August 4, 2024 by David Hwang

Performances run August 6 – September 15, 2024 in Signature's Max Theatre.

Go inside rehearsals and learn more about Signature Theatre's DC premiere of Soft Power. Soft Power is a musical fantasia with music by Jeanine Tesori (Kimberly Akimbo, Fun Home) and book and lyrics by David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Yellow Face).

David Henry Hwang speaks a bit about the history of the production, stating "My original idea was that there would be this Chinese person who would come to America and, Anna-like, teach an American ruler something important about civilizing their country. I thought that this Chinese person would teach President Hillary Clinton to solve the problem of gun violence. We did a reading of that version on election day in 2016, and the next morning, I remember calling our director, my frequent collaborator Lee Silverman, and saying, 'Okay, I think this is going to be bad for the country, but it could be good for our musical.'"

New Amsterdam's Ryan Eggold Will Make His Broadway Debut in New Play with Daniel Dae Kim! / August 4, 2024 by David Hwang

Ryan Eggold is heading to Broadway!

The 39-year-old actor, best known for starring in NBC shows like New Amsterdam and The Blacklist, will star opposite Daniel Dae Kim in the new play Yellow Face.

Inspired by real events, playwright David Henry Hwang’s fictionalized doppelgänger protests yellowface casting in Miss Saigon, only to mistakenly cast a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play.

Also starring in the play are Tony nominee Kevin Del Aguila and Drama Desk nominee Francis Jue.

Kamala Harris’s Fund-Raising Machine Cranks Into High Gear / July 28, 2024 by David Hwang

Vice President Kamala Harris at a campaign rally on Tuesday in Milwaukee. Since President Biden dropped out and endorsed her, money has been rushing into her campaign and allied Democratic groups.Credit...Kenny Holston/The New York Times

The high-dollar fund-raising world is whirring to life for Vice President Kamala Harris after weeks in which Democratic donors were dejected, demoralized and utterly battered.

Since the announcement of her presidential campaign, Ms. Harris has not only raked in $130 million primarily from small donors, but also gathered big check after big check from billionaires and millionaires as they stockpile money into the newly renamed Harris Victory Fund. Her fund-raisers, armed with a new Harris logo, went to work.

Major fund-raisers — one of whom told President Biden’s campaign just days ago that he thought the campaign could count on only about 25 percent of its allied donors to support Mr. Biden — are now swamped with a flood of interest from donors.

In mid-August, the playwright David Henry Hwang will put on a performance of his musical “Soft Power,” which will serve as a Harris fund-raiser in suburban Washington, and Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia is scheduled to attend another event on Martha’s Vineyard.

Video: Get a Sneak Peek at Signature's Soft Power as Grace Yoo Performs 'I'm With Her' / July 28, 2024 by David Hwang

Ethan Heard will direct Jeanine Tesori and David Henry Hwang's musical fantasia at the Arlington, Virginia, venue.

Rehearsals are underway for Signature Theatre's upcoming production of the D.C.-area premiere of Soft Power, the musical fantasia from Tony winners Jeanine Tesori (Kimberly Akimbo, Fun Home) and David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Yellow Face).

The newly revised production, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Ethan Heard, will play the MAX Theatre August 6–September 15.

The cast is set to feature Steven Eng as DHH, Daniel May (Flower Drum Song) as Xue Xing, and Yoo (Hadestown) as Hillary Clinton with Eymard Cabling (Miss Saigon national tour) as Randy Ray and others, Andrew Cristi (A Christmas Story) as Chief Justice and others, Jonny Lee Jr. as Bobby Bob and others, Quynh-My Luu as Waiter and others, Christopher Mueller as VEEP and others, Ashley D. Nguyen as Jīng and others, Wereley as Betsy Ross and others, Nicholas Yenson as Holden Caulfield and others, and Sumié Yotsukura as Flight Attendant and others. Olivia Clavel-Davis, Brian Dauglash, Emily Song Tyler, and Joey Urgino are swings.

With music by Tesori and a book and lyrics by Hwang, the musical is set after the 2016 election, when a Chinese American playwright, attacked by an unknown assailant, hallucinates a Golden Age musical comedy about a Chinese theatre producer and Hillary Clinton falling in love. The political satire asks: Does American Democracy still work? And is it worth believing in?

Exclusive: 'I'm With Her' from Signature Theatre's Revised SOFT POWER / July 28, 2024 by David Hwang

Performances run August 6 – September 15, 2024 in Signature's Max Theatre.

BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the cast of Signature Theatre's DC premiere of Soft Power in rehearsal. Soft Power is a musical fantasia with music by Jeanine Tesori (Kimberly Akimbo, Fun Home) and book and lyrics by David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Yellow Face).

This newly revised production is directed by Signature's Associate Artistic Director Ethan Heard (Signature's The Bridges of Madison County, Pacific Overtures), with choreography by Billy Bustamante (Lincoln Center's Suites by Sondheim, Utah Shakespeare Festival's Gold Mountain), music supervision by Chris Fenwick (Kimberly Akimbo, The Public's Soft Power), and music direction by Angie Benson (Signature's HAIR, Pacific Overtures). Performances run August 6 – September 15, 2024 in Signature's MAX Theatre. Tickets start at $40 and are available at SigTheatre.org.

See Who's Starring in Signature Staging of Jeanine Tesori and David Henry Hwang's Soft Power / July 17, 2024 by David Hwang

Jeanine Tesori and David Henry Hwang Marc J. Franklin

Ethan Heard will direct the musical fantasia at the Arlington, Virginia, venue.

Casting is complete for Signature Theatre's upcoming production of the D.C.-area premiere of Soft Power, the musical fantasia from Tony winners Jeanine Tesori (Kimberly Akimbo, Fun Home) and David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Yellow Face).

The newly revised production, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Ethan Heard, will play the MAX Theatre August 6–September 15.

Signature Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team of Soft Power / July 17, 2024 by David Hwang

The production stars Steven Eng, Daniel May, and Grace Yoo.

Signature Theatre announced the cast and creative team for the DC premiere of Soft Power, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori (Kimberly Akimbo) and book and lyrics by David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly). This newly revised production is directed by Signature’s associate artistic director Ethan Heard, with choreography by Billy Bustamante, music supervision by Chris Fenwick, and music direction by Angie Benson. Performances run from August 6–September 15 in Signature’s MAX Theatre.

Soft Power is a musical fantasia that takes place after the 2016 election. When a Chinese American playwright is attacked by an unknown assailant, he hallucinates a Golden Age musical comedy about a Chinese theater producer and Hillary Clinton falling in love.

The production stars Steven Eng (Classic Stage Company’s Pacific Overtures) as DHH, Daniel May (Flower Drum Song) as Xue Xing, and Grace Yoo (Hadestown) as Hillary Clinton. The cast is rounded out by Eymard Cabling as Randy Ray & others, Andrew Cristi as Chief Justice & others, Jonny Lee Jr. as Bobby Bob & others, Quynh-My Luu as Waiter & others, Christopher Mueller as VEEP & others, Ashley D. Nguyen as Jīng & others, Chani Wereley as Betsy Ross & others, Nicholas Yenson as Holden Caulfield & others, and Sumié Yotsukura as Flight Attendant & others. Olivia Clavel-Davis, Brian Dauglash, Emily Song Tyler, and Joey Urgino are swings.

The creative team for Soft Power includes scenic design by Chika Shimizu, costume design by Helen Q. Huang, lighting design by Oliver Wason, sound design by Eric Norris, and wig design by Anne Nesmith. Danny Troob is the orchestrator, Russ Anixter is the copyist, Alexander Greenberg is the music assistant and keyboard programmer, Ka-Ling Cheung is the dialect coach, and Casey Kaleba is the fight choreographer.

Voices Rising: What’s Next for Asian Americans in the Arts? / June 14, 2024 by David Hwang

HOUSE SEATS | EPISODE |

A stirring conversation among Asian American luminaries interspersed with performances and stand-up comedy. Moderated by Juju Chang and featuring BD Wong, David Henry Hwang, Rosalind Chao, Jose Antonio Vargas, Qian Julie Wang, Mira Jacob, Naomi Funaki, Mikiya Ito and Pooja Reddy. In partnership with The Serica Initiative and Exploring Hate.

Watch the episode at Thirteen PBS