Soft Power extends limited run at the Public Theater for a second time

The New York premiere of Soft Power will now play its final performance at the Public Theater on November 17, 2019.

The Public Theater has announced a second 1-week extension for its current New York premiere of Soft Power, which features a book and lyrics by David Henry Hwang, music and additional lyrics by Jeanine Tesori and is directed by Leigh Silverman. Previews began at the Public's Newman Theater on September 24, ahead of an official opening on October 15 (read our 5* review). The limited engagement was originally scheduled to run through November 3, 2019, before an initial extension to November 10, and will now play its final performance on November 17, 2019.

Synopsis: "Tony Award winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori bring their groundbreaking new musical-within-a-play to The Public for its New York premiere. One of the most exciting theatrical collaborations in recent memory, Soft Power is an exploration of America's current place in the world, told through an East-West musical from China's point of view, in which a theater producer from Shanghai forges a powerful bond with Hillary Clinton. Soft Power is a fever dream of modern American politics amidst global conversations, asking us all—why do we love democracy? And should we?"

The cast of Soft Power includes Kendyl Ito (as Jing), Francis Jue (as DHH), Austin Ku (as Bobby Bob), Raymond J. Lee (as Randy Ray/VEEP), Alyse Alan Louis (as Zoe/Hillary), Jaygee Macapugay (as Campaign Manager), Conrad Ricamora (as Xue Xing), alongside Billy Bustamante, Jon Hoche, Daniel May, Paul HeeSang Miller, Kristen Faith Oei​, Geena Quintos, Trevor Salter, Kyra Smith, Emily Stillings, Emily Trumble, and John Yi.

The creative team behind Soft Power features choreography by Sam Pinkleton, orchestrations by Danny Troob, additional orchestrations by Larry Hochman and John Clancy, music direction & supervision by Chris Fenwick, dance arrangements by John Clancy, scenic design by Clint Ramos, costume design by Anita Yavich, lighting design by Mark Barton, sound design by Kai Harada, sound effects design by Bart Fasbender, video design by Bryce Cutler, hair, wig & makeup design by Tom Watson, special effects by Lillis Meeh, and music contracting by Antoine Silverman.

Soft Power is a co-commission and co-production with Center Theatre Group.

Soft Power Tickets are available now for performances through November 17, 2019.

^{(Photo by Joan Marcus)}