David Henry Hwang is a Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and librettist. Born in Los Angeles, California in 1957, Hwang grew up in a Chinese American household and attended Stanford University where he earned a degree in English.
Hwang's breakthrough came in 1988 with his play "M. Butterfly," which won the Tony Award for Best Play and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The play is based on the true story of a French diplomat who carried on a 20-year affair with a Chinese opera singer, only to discover that she was actually a man. "M. Butterfly" explores themes of gender, sexuality, and cultural identity, and has been produced in numerous languages and countries around the world.
In addition to "M. Butterfly," Hwang has written a number of other critically acclaimed plays, including "Golden Child," "Chinglish," and "Yellow Face." His work often explores the complexities of Asian American identity and the intersection of different cultures.
Hwang has also had success in film and television. He wrote the screenplay for the 1993 film "Golden Gate," which starred Matt Dillon and Joan Chen, and he co-wrote the screenplay for the 1998 Disney animated film "Mulan." He has also written for television shows such as "The Affair" and "The Strain."
In addition to his work as a playwright and screenwriter, Hwang has also contributed to the world of opera. He wrote the libretto for the opera "The Silver River," which premiered in 1997, and he wrote the book for the Broadway musical "Aida," which won four Tony Awards in 2000.
Hwang's contributions to the world of theater have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In addition to his Tony Award for "M. Butterfly," he has received three Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He was also inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2014.
In recent years, Hwang has continued to be a prominent voice in the theater world. In 2017, he wrote the play "Soft Power," which premiered at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. The play is a satirical look at American politics and culture, and explores the idea of soft power, or the ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion.
Hwang has also been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the arts. In 2016, he was appointed as the Chair of the American Theatre Wing, the organization responsible for the Tony Awards. In this role, he has worked to promote diversity and equity in the theater industry.
Overall, David Henry Hwang is a prolific and influential figure in the world of theater, film, and television. His work has explored important themes and issues related to identity, culture, and politics, and has helped to pave the way for other Asian American artists in the industry.
From: Photo Coverage: Take a Look Back on 2017's Top Curtain Call Moments!
From: Photo Flash: David Henry Hwang, Leigh Silverman and More in Rehearsal for CHINGLISH at Berkeley Rep
David Henry Hwang, Soft Power
David Henry Hwang, Soft Power
David Henry HwangSoft Power
David Henry Hwang, Soft Power
David Henry Hwang, Chinglish
David Henry Hwang, Yellow Face
David Henry Hwang,, Yellow Face
David Henry Hwang, Yellow Face
David Henry Hwang, Flower Drum Song
David Henry Hwang, Golden Child
David Henry Hwang, Golden Child
David Henry HwangM. Butterfly
David Henry Hwang, M. Butterfly
David Henry Hwang, M Butterfly
David Henry Hwang, M. Butterfly
David Henry Hwang, M. Butterfly
David Henry Hwang, M. Butterfly
David Henry Hwang, The Dance and the Railroad
David Henry Hwang, Family Devotions
David Henry Hwang, FOB
Join the Center for Fiction and Theatre Communications Group for Story/Teller Arts: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins with Jocelyn Bioh.
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Theatre Communications Group reveals the recipients of the Plays for the People: In the Stacks initiative, an effort to support and promote new theatrical works.
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The 2024–25 Season includes six mainstage opera productions along with concert presentations including a one-night-only performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on October 26, honoring the work's 200th anniversary and, in the summer of 2025, a special Pride Concert celebrating San Francisco's LGBTQIA+ community.
David Henry Hwang has not appeared on Broadway.
David Henry Hwang has appeared on London's West End in 3 shows.
David Henry Hwang's first West End show was Tyger which opened in 1971
David Henry Hwang has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career. These include Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Soft Power" and "Flower Drum Song," Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Soft Power," and Best Play at the Tony Awards for "M. Butterfly." He has also received nominations for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Soft Power," "Yellow Face," and "M. Butterfly." Additionally, Hwang has been recognized with awards such as Playwriting at the Obie Awards for "Yellow Face" and "Golden Child," Outstanding New Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for "M. Butterfly," and the John Gassner Playwriting Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "M. Butterfly."
David Henry Hwang has won several prestigious awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Book of a Musical and Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Soft Power." He also won the Playwriting award at the Obie Awards for "Yellow Face" and "Golden Child." Hwang's accolades include the Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "M Butterfly," the John Gassner Playwriting Award for "M. Butterfly" at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Best Play at the Tony Awards for "M. Butterfly," and Best New American Play at the Obie Awards for "FOB."
David Henry Hwang has written 17 shows including Alice in Wonderland (Libretto), FOB (Playwright), The Dance and the Railroad (Playwright), Family Devotions (Playwright), Sound and Beauty (Playwright), Rich Relations (Playwright), M. Butterfly (Playwright), Face Value (Composer), Golden Child (Playwright), Golden Child (Playwright), Aida (Bookwriter), Tarzan (Bookwriter), Yellow Face (Playwright), Yellow Face (Playwright), Chinglish (Playwright), Kung Fu (Playwright), In Your Arms (Story).
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