“Yellow Face” is rightly billed as a comedy, but this semi-autobiographical play about the life of Tony Award-winning Asian American playwright David Henry Hwang is much more than an entertaining evening at the theater. Playing at the Todd Haimes Theatre on W. 42nd Street, this Roundabout Theatre production looks at a problem in Broadway casting culture that goes back years: the issue of white actors being cast in Asian roles. As one of many examples, this occurred with “Miss Saigon” when it was on Broadway. The casting was protested by members of the Asian American community, including Hwang, who wrote a play called “Face Value,” an ill-fated production loosely based on this controversy.
“Yellow Face,” though, will have you mesmerized as the seven cast members deliver stupendous performances based around a story about an Asian American playwright who mistakenly casts a white actor as the Asian lead in his own play. Daniel Dae Kim is spectacular as David Henry Hwang. He plays this character with a great deal of passion, humor, and empathy. You see Hwang’s many layers, and the real life problems that he faced in both his professional and personal life. He wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he thought was right, which created a lot of enemies for him, including at Actor’s Equity. He also found himself facing scrutiny from the New York Times. This play shares a part of his life that I don’t think most people know about. The other cast members play multiple roles and perform them with ease.
It is hilarious to watch Ryan Eggold as Marcus, a white actor who gets cast in an Asian role and decides to buy into the hype that he is Asian. Francis Jue, an Asian American actor, is funny and captivating in the role of Hwang’s father, a banker who believed in the American Dream until that dream turned on him. Jue also gives a memorable performance as an Asian American scientist accused of being a spy. Every time he takes the stage in his multiple characters he is thrilling to behold. He brings a fresh, engaging energy to all his scenes. Greg Keller is poignant as a New York Times reporter targeting Hwang and his father. He also serves as one of the narrators to move the story along.
Throughout the play, the audience is introduced to various characters who interacted in Hwang’s life, from politicians to celebrities. The non-traditional casting in this production is very interesting: women are often playing the roles of men; a Black actress, Marinda Anderson, plays the role of various white men and women, and does a superb job, Asian American actress Shannon Tyo plays everything from a woman to various male roles, and she does each beautifully and distinctly. Kevin Del Aguila is absolutely amazing in the various roles he portrays, some Hispanic and some white men.
This play repeatedly calls out the issue of white actors portraying Asian characters, thereby putting on a “yellow face,” while Asian actors cannot get the work. Why is this acceptable? How is this far? It is a problem that needs to be addressed, and Hwang bringing it to light, through this comedy, at least starts a conversation. This play looks at the way that Asian Americans have been targeted in this country in some very unfair ways. It makes you realize that politics and fear are often at work and can do a lot of harm. As a society, we have work to do.
“Yellow Face” is brilliantly directed by Leigh Silverman. It has set design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costumes by Anita Yavich, lighting by Lap Chi Chu, sound design and original music by Caroline Eng and Kate Marvin and projection design by Yee Eun Nam.
This is definitely a play worth experiencing. It is an eye-opener that will make you laugh, but it will also make you think. For ticket information visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.