Soft Power
soft pow·er (noun)
a persuasive approach to international relations, typically involving the use of cultural influence.
A contemporary comedy explodes into a musical fantasia in the first collaboration between two of America's great theatre artists: Tony Award winners David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Flower Drum Song) and Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home). Soft Power rewinds our recent political history and plays it back through a Chinese lens: a future, beloved East-meets-West musical. A Chinese executive visiting America finds himself falling in love with a good-hearted US leader - Hillary Clinton - as the power balance between their two countries shifts following the 2016 election. As original as it is topical, Soft Power overflows with the romance, laughter, and cultural confusions of the golden age of Broadway. Hwang and Tesori have created one of the most eagerly anticipated new works of the year.
Schedule
Running Time: Two hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission
Twitter watch
by BWW News Desk
- Sep 9, 2019
The Public Theater has announced that Soft Power has extended through November 10.
by Marianka Swain
- Sep 6, 2019
How theatre should, or should not, be addressing Brexit is a constant topic of conversation. But while Lucy Prebble's phenomenal new work - a combination of horror, espionage thriller, love story and satire, with dazzlingly theatrical framing - doesn't centre around the B world, it is, unquestionably, the play for the present moment.
by BWW News Desk
- Sep 30, 2019
Get a first look at The Public Theater's production of SOFT POWER, with play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang, music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, choreography by Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton, and direction by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman.
by Maxamoo
- Sep 26, 2019
Aurin, David, and Ben come together to talk about shows New York coming up in the next few months. Productions discussed include HALFWAY BITCHES GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN, FIRES IN THE MIRROR, IS THIS A ROOM, SOFT POWER, SCOTLAND, PA, THE UNDERLYING CHRIS, and more.
by BWW News Desk
- Sep 19, 2019
Curran and Book Passage announced today that they will present two new special events as part of Curran's SHOW & TELL series. On Sunday, October 20, 2019, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton will celebrate the women who have inspired them as they discuss a?oeThe Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resiliencea?? at Temple Emanu-El (2 Lake Street, San Francisco). On Monday, October 21, 2019, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Ronan Farrow will discuss his new book, a?oeCatch and Kill,a?? sharing his experience of exposing serial abusers and a cabal of powerful interests hell-bent on covering up the truth, at the Calvary Presbyterian Church (2515 Fillmore Street, San Francisco). Tickets for each event are available online at SFCURRAN.com. In partnership with Book Passage, tickets for both events come with the book.
by BWW News Desk
- Sep 12, 2019
The Public Theater announced today the Public Forum and Public Shakespeare Initiative fall line-up that will explore the intersection of art, ideas, and action and illuminate the study and performance of Shakespeare's works.
by BWW News Desk
- Sep 11, 2019
The Public Theater presents SOFT POWER, with play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang, music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, choreography by Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton, and is directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman.
by BWW News Desk
- Sep 11, 2019
The Public Theater announced a one-week extension of the New York premiere of SOFT POWER, with play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang and music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, with choreography by Tony nomineeSam Pinkleton.
by BWW News Desk
- Oct 4, 2019
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon and Tony Award-nominated director-choreographer Sam Pinkleton (Soft Power and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) announced open auditions for the company's upcoming production of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, performing at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater April 23-May 17, 2020. The auditions will be held on Thursday, October 31 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) (701 Mission St., San Francisco).
by BWW News Desk
- Oct 4, 2019
Constance Wu came to the new musical Soft Power at The Public Theater last night. She posed backstage with the cast, along with her guests, Thea Brooks and Mia Katigbak.
by Stephi Wild
- Oct 17, 2019
Today's top stories: The Sound Inside and Little Shop of Horrors officially open tonight!
by Michael Dale
- Oct 17, 2019
A version of American, and of American musical theatre, as seen through a Chinese lens as inaccurate as Rodgers and Hammerstein's lens when focused on Siam.
by Stage Tube
- Oct 16, 2019
The Public Theater presents Soft Power, with play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang, music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, choreography by Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton, and is directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman. Get a first look at footage from the production!
by Review Roundups
- Oct 16, 2019
The Public Theater presents Soft Power, with play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang, music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, choreography by Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton, and is directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman.
by Monroe George
- Oct 16, 2019
The Public Theater presents Soft Power, with play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang, music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, choreography by Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton, and is directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman. Check out photos from opening night below!
by Review Roundups
- Oct 15, 2019
Roundabout Theatre Company's new Broadway production of The Rose Tattoo officially opens tonight! Read the reviews!
by Stephi Wild
- Oct 15, 2019
Today's top stories: The Rose Tattoo officially opens tonight, and more!
by Maxamoo
- Oct 13, 2019
Nicole, Ben, and newcomer Linda talk about 2 immersive shows and 2 shows Off-Broadway.
by Michael Quintos
- Oct 12, 2019
30 years after its stage debut, experiencing MISS SAIGON nowadays exposes just how outdated and out-of-touch it is with our increasingly diverse world view. The musical's original production---which first debuted in the West End in 1989 before transferring to Broadway in 1991---became a global hit despite some loud, very understandable controversy. Most audiences, however, ignored the accusations of orientalism, misogyny, and white-washing and instead focused on the show's epic melodrama and theatrical splendor, much of it powered by the lush music of Claude-Michel Schönberg and the lyrics by Alain Boublil and Richard Maltby Jr. The show continues at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through October 13, 2019.
by BWW News Desk
- May 9, 2019
Carole Shorenstein Hays announced today that Book Passage and Curran will present a special one-night-only event featuring a conversation with acclaimed novelist Margaret Atwood-moderated by best-selling author and host of "Foreword," Kelly Corrigan-at the Carol Channing Theater at San Francisco's Lowell High School (1101 Eucalyptus Drive) on Tuesday, September 24 at 7 p.m. The event is part of Curran's popular SHOW & TELL series, featuring topical and entertaining events, and will launch Curran About Town, a new series of Curran programming outside of the theater walls.
by BWW News Desk
- May 8, 2019
On May 6th and 7th, the Salt Lake Acting Company (SLAC), Utah's leading destination for brave, contemporary theatre, presented the Utah premiere of David Henry Hwang's 1981 play, THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD. The special event is being presented as part of statewide festivities organized by Utah's Transcontinental Railroad 150th Celebration Commission, also known as Spike 150, which was founded by the Utah State Legislature and Governor Gary Herbert.
by BWW News Desk
- May 7, 2019
Jason Ma and his company of Asian American actors are currently in rehearsal at different venues around Salt Lake City for the upcoming semi-staged concert presentations of his new musical Gold Mountain, which has sold out its Salt Lake City run. Those hoping to catch one of the Spike 150 celebration performances can see this original musical in nearby Ogden.
by BWW News Desk
- May 29, 2019
The Muny announced today its complete cast, design and production team for Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon, the sixth show of its second century, July 27 – August 2. Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon is proudly sponsored by Ameren.
by BWW News Desk
- May 29, 2019
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley announces a stellar cast of acclaimed Broadway and TV stars for The Language Archive, launching the Tony Award-winning theatre company's celebratory 50th Anniversary season. Written by Julia Cho, whose Aubergine captured rapturous praise and multiple awards, The Language Archive is balanced delightfully between affection and adversity. The quirky comedy tells the whimsical, life-affirming chronicle of a linguist fighting to preserve the dying languages of far-flung cultures, only to neglect the promise and passion of his own.
by BWW News Desk
- May 28, 2019
Meet with and have your script or play reviewed by Tony Award winner, playwright/screenwriter David Henry Hwang.
by BWW News Desk
- May 25, 2019
Zions Bank in partnership with Spike150, CRWDA and Ogden Musical Theatre presented Gold Mountain, written by 2017 ASCAP Foundation's Cole Porter Award recipient Jason Ma as a series of semi-staged concert performances at the Regent Street Black Box at The Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City and in partnership with Ogden Musical Theatre, at the historic Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden, May 8 - May 11.
by BWW News Desk
- Mar 4, 2019
American Conservatory Theatre's new season includes Caryl Churchill's acclaimed play, TOP GIRLS; the world premiere of Kate Attwell's TESTMATCH; Obie Award-winning playwright Will Eno's latest work, WAKEY, WAKEY; Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's shocking and scalpel-sharp dark comedy, GLORIA; Lydia R. Diamond's unforgettable baseball play, TONI STONE; the cult classic, Richard O'Brien's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW; and Qui Nguyen's raucously funny and deeply moving sequel to Vietgone, POOR YELLA REDNECKS
by BWW News Desk
- Mar 29, 2019
Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast for the world premiere of Kiss My Aztec! John Leguizamo teams up with Artistic Director Tony Taccone for this musical comedy, following their collaboration on the hit one-man show Latin History for Morons, which received its world premiere at Berkeley Rep before heading to Broadway. Leguizamo will serve as co-writer and co-lyricist only for Kiss My Aztec! - 11 other talented actors will perform in this production. Taccone will also direct.
by BWW News Desk
- Mar 28, 2019
Center Theatre Group announced "A Grand Night," a special one-night-only event on Monday, April 22 featuring a 5:30p.m. pre-show reception in the Ahmanson lobby, a 7p.m. performance in the Mark Taper Forum and a post-show gala dinner on the stage of the Ahmanson Theatre.
by BWW News Desk
- Mar 27, 2019
Center Theatre Group announced "A Grand Night," a special one-night-only event on Monday, April 22 featuring a 5:30p.m. pre-show reception in the Ahmanson lobby, a 7p.m. performance in the Mark Taper Forum and a post-show gala dinner on the stage of the Ahmanson Theatre.
by BWW News Desk
- Mar 11, 2019
AGE OF POWER, a new American musical about the war between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison to electrify the world, is set to have a professional staged reading at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on March 29 for an invited audience.
by BWW News Desk
- Jun 6, 2019
Public Theater announced the line-up today for The Public's 2019-20 Season
by BWW News Desk
- Jun 3, 2019
Broadway Associate Director Nikki DiLoreto (Tony nominated Kiss Me, Kate, David Henry Hwang's Soft Power) leads a talented cast in the New York debut of Talk to Me, a new play about aphasia written by and starring Megan Bussiere.
by Stephi Wild
- Jun 29, 2019
The legal battle has ended between Bay Area theater's top producers, and has led to the ousting of operator of the Curran Theater, Carole Shorenstein Hays, according to Datebook. The Curran has been turned over to Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG).
by BWW News Desk
- Jun 24, 2019
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley announces a stellar cast of acclaimed Broadway and TV stars for The Language Archive, launching the Tony Award-winning theatre company's celebratory 50th Anniversary season.
by BWW News Desk
- Jun 11, 2019
Green Room 42 will present CRAZY FIERCE ASIANS, the next exciting chapter of the YOUNG, GIFTED, AND BLACK series started earlier last year in celebration of the rich cultural diversity of New York City. On Sunday, July 14th at 7:00 PM, join artists from all walks of life to raise up the vibrant talents and stories of the Asian American Community.
by BWW News Desk
- Jun 10, 2019
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon and Executive Director Jennifer Bielsteinannounced the performance schedule for the previously announced productions that will make up the company's 2019-20 season. In addition, A.C.T. announced new weekday performance times for Geary Theater productions for the 2019-20 season.
by BWW News Desk
- Jun 10, 2019
The Asian American Arts Alliance announces the launch of a new initiative to support Asian Americans pursuing careers in the arts. Table Dish, A4's new professional development series, will bring experts in specific disciplines together with aspiring professionals in a roundtable setting to answer questions, provide advice, and create networking and mentoring opportunities.
BWW Interview: Eric B. Anthony Tackles the World of the Wild West in Skylight Theatre's BRONCO BILLY
by Maeve Riley
- Jun 1, 2019
by BWW News Desk
- Jul 4, 2019
An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Theatre was created this week, with an inaugural General Meeting on Monday 1 July.
by BWW News Desk
- Jul 23, 2019
Ahead of its 60th Birthday, Hampstead Theatre announces Roxana Silbert's inaugural season as Artistic Director.
by Jim Munson
- Jul 16, 2019
Broadway and TV actor Frances Jue is currently starring in TheatreWorks' production of Julia Cho's 'The Language Archive.' Mr. Jue recently talked to BroadwayWorld about his lengthy and surprising career path, from his formative experiences with Stephen Sondheim and TheatreWorks to working with Tony winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori, and of course his continuing role on the CBS television series 'Madam Secretary.' His fascinating story serves as an inspiring example for anyone who doesn't see a clear path to success or struggles to find a place to fit in.
by BWW News Desk
- Jul 11, 2019
““Midnight Choir' is a song I originally wrote with and for another artist, who had approached me to write for his record,” said Doe Paoro aka Sonia Kreitzer of her newest track. “He never used the song and I forgot about it, too. Almost three years later, I was on a long flight and going through old demos and the song came up. I felt touched by it and wanted to record it for myself. I remember when we wrote this song, it was in the golden hour, the lyrics came naturally …, and I wondered how something could be so melancholic and uplifting at the same time. I am starting to think these worlds are not so far apart.”
by BWW News Desk
- Feb 23, 2019
Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) presented the MOCA 2019 Lunar New Year Soiree at the famed Rice & Gold, a unique Asian Eatery in the Hotel 50 Bowery on February 20, 2019.
by BWW News Desk
- Aug 5, 2019
Tony Award winner and American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon and Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein announced today that tickets for A.C.T.'s 2019a?'20 season will be available beginning Friday, August 9 at 10 a.m
by BWW News Desk
- Aug 13, 2019
Pioneering and ambitious theatre-makers curious directive, bring Gastronomic, a new show featuring Augmented Reality and a 5-course tasting menu set onboard an Airbus A380, to London's Shoreditch Town Hall for three weeks this Autumn.
by BWW News Desk
- Apr 9, 2019
The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle announced the recipients of its 50th annual awards for distinguished achievement in theatre last night, Monday, April 8, 2019, at Pasadena Playhouse. Wenzel Jones presided over the festivities, and Christopher Raymond served as music director.
by BWW News Desk
- Apr 23, 2019
David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly, a tale of obsession, perception and the allure of fantasy, will conclude South Coast Repertory's 2018-19 season. Hwang's break-out hit-a Tony Award-winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist-is about more than steamy seduction and fantasy; inspired by a true account, it's a compelling story of espionage, East-West relations and betrayal. Desdemona Chiang, in her SCR debut, directs the show on the Segerstrom Stage, May 11-June 8. Tickets are available online at www.scr.org.
by BWW News Desk
- Apr 2, 2019
Skylight Theatre Company (Producing Artistic Director, Gary Grossman and Co-Artistic Director Tony Abatemarco) announced today the world premiere of BRONCO BILLY - THE MUSICAL, It marks the organization's first world premiere musical production. The new musical, based on the Warner Bros. film Bronco Billy, features a book by Dennis Hackin, lyrics and music by Chip Rosenbloom and John Torres, with additional lyrics by Michele Brourman. Hunter Bird will direct. Preview performances begin on May 10, with the official press opening on Saturday, May 18, 2019. The limited engagement plays through June 30 at the Skylight Theatre, located at 1816 ½ North Vermont in Los Feliz, Ca. Tickets are now on sale now at http://www.SkylightTix.com.
by BWW News Desk
- Apr 10, 2019
Center Theatre Group has announced additional performers and two special guests for 'A Grand Night,' a one-night-only event on Monday, April 22 featuring a 5:30 p.m. pre-show reception in the Ahmanson lobby, a 7 p.m. performance in the Mark Taper Forum and a post-show gala dinner on the stage of the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets are also available for the performance only starting at $100.
