Center Theatre Group’s world premiere production of “Soft Power” by David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori has been nominated for 11 LA Ovation Awards including Best Production of a Musical (Large Theater) and Acting Ensemble of a Musical.
The Ovation Awards are the only peer-judged theatre awards in Los Angeles, created to recognize excellence in theatrical performance, production, and design in the Greater Los Angeles area.
This year, the ceremony will be held at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on Monday, January 28th. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 26th, and full information can be found on OvationAwards.com.
The cast includes, in alphabetical order, Billy Bustamante, Kara Guy, Jon Hoche, Kendyl Ito, Francis Jue, Austin Ku, Raymond J. Lee, Alyse Alan Louis, Jaygee Macapugay, Daniel May, Paul HeeSang Miller, Kristen Faith Oei, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Geena Quintos, Conrad Ricamora, Trevor Salter and Emily Stillings.
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”) and Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home”). “Soft Power” rewinds our recent political history and plays it back, a century later, through the Chinese lens of a future, beloved East-meets-West musical. In the musical, a Chinese executive who is visiting America finds himself falling in love with a good-hearted U.S. leader – Hillary Clinton – as the power balance between their two countries shifts following the 2016 election.
Choreography
Sam Pinkleton
Music Direction
David O
Book for an Original Musical
David Henry Hwang
Lyrics/Composition for an Original Musical
David Henry Hwang, Jeanine Tesori
Direction of a Musical
Leigh Silverman
Lead Actor in a Musical
Conrad Ricamora
Lead Actress in a Musical
Alyse Louis
Sound Design (Large Theater)
Kai Harada
Costume Design (Large Theater)
Anita Yavich
The creative team includes scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Anita Yavich, lighting design by Mark Barton, sound design by Kai Harada, orchestrations by Danny Troob, dance arrangements by John Clancy, music supervision by Chris Fenwick, music direction by David O, hair and wig design by Tom Watson, make-up design by Angelina Avallone and casting by Heidi Griffiths, CSA and Kate Murray, CSA. The dramaturg is Oskar Eustis. The production stage manager is David Lurie-Perret.
As original as it is topical, “Soft Power” overflows with the romance, laughter and cultural confusions of the golden age of Broadway. “Soft Power” is inspired by the legacy of classic American musicals such as “The King and I” as well as China’s current quest for international cultural influence, also known as “Soft Power.”
“Soft Power” is a Center Theatre Group co-commission with The Public Theater. “Soft Power” is produced in association with East West Players.
This voting season, there were 255 total productions registered for the Ovation Awards from 110 different producing bodies, resulting in 203 total nominations for 71 distinct productions presented by 46 organizations. These productions were voted on by 277 Ovation Awards voters — vetted individuals from the Greater Los Angeles area who are working theatre professionals.
Sneak Peek of CTG’s World Premiere of David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori’s SOFT POWER
Backstage Pass with Lia Chang 