Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis said in a statement, "We are delighted that David's play has struck a chord with our audience and that we are able to extend its run. He is one of our most important playwrights, and the Public has been his home for twenty-eight years and will be for the next generation."
The new semi-autobiographical work began previews Nov. 19 and officially opened at The Public on Dec. 10. Yellow Face was originally scheduled to conclude performances Dec. 23 but will now play an additional week through Dec. 30.
Leigh Silverman, director of Lisa Kron's Well at the Public and on Broadway, helms the Public production, with a cast comprising Noah Bean, Francis Jue, Julienne Hanzelka Kim, Kathryn Layng, Hoon Lee, Lucas Caleb Rooney and Anthony Torn.
In Yellow Face "David Henry Hwang puts himself center stage with alter-ego DHH, telling his side of the explosive controversy stirred up when he led the protest against the hiring of Jonathan Pryce in the original Broadway production of Miss Saigon. Truth and fiction are hard to separate as Hwang gives us a funny and moving backstage look at his search to confront the roles that race and ethnicity play in America."
The creative team for Yellow Face includes set design by David Korins, costume design by Myung Hee Cho, lighting design by Donald Holder and original composition and sound design by Darron West. Hwang continues his collaboration with the Public Theater, having premiered his first work, the OBIE-winning FOB, at the famed theatre in 1981. Hwang's association with the Public continued with The Dance and the Railroad, Family Devotions, The Sound of a Voice, and the Obie-winning Golden Child, which made a Tony-nominated Broadway transfer.
Hwang earned the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for his Broadway debut with M. Butterfly. His additional Broadway credits include the books for the musicals Aida, Tarzan and the 2002 revival of Flower Drum Song. Hwang collaborated with composer Philip Glass on the operas 1000 Airplanes on the Roof, The Voyage and The Sound of a Voice.
Tickets for Yellow Face are available by calling (212) 539-8750 or by visiting www.publictheater.org. The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan.
