‘Soft Power,’ by Barnard Alumna Jeanine Tesori ’83 and Professor David Henry Hwang Launches Recording

By
Robbie Armstrong
April 23, 2020

Soft Power by Barnard alumna Jeanine Tesori ’83 and Professor David Henry Hwang, launched its cast recording featuring the Off Broadway cast of the New York premiere production at The Public TheaterSoft Power played The Public in fall 2019 starring How To Get Away With Murder’s Conrad Ricamora. The album comes days before the Drama Desk Awards announced that Soft Power leads the pack with 11 nominations

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?

Hwang has found success in the arts, earning a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, the William Inge Award, two Obie Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Guggenheim fellowship. From 1994 to 2001, Hwang was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. He currently serves on the Board of the Dramatists Guild. Hwang was a Consulting Producer and Writer for the Showtime series The Affair

Soft Power is a beautiful, heartbreaking, and history-making show,” said The Public’s Artistic Director Oskar Eustis who praised the production. “This recording will not only save this amazing cast and orchestra, but it will be a thrilling map for what promises to be an exciting future for the show.” The cast album of Soft Power is available for purchase from GhostLight Records and can be streamed on Spotify