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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

Soft Power

Sept 24 – Nov 3, 2019
81 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023, USA

A musical about the days leading up to the 2016 election? Performed by a troupe of Chinese actors? This song-and-dance fantasia is set within a larger play that asks serious questions about East versus West stereotypes, the relationship between China and America, and America’s slow ceding of its cultural influence. David Henry Hwang is the author of this innovative show. The score is by Jeanine Tesori. —L.J.

Soft Power, with play and lyrics by David Henry Hwang, running at The Public Theater. Photo credit: Joan Marcus.