Yellow Face

A Semi-autobiographical Comedy

By: David Henry Hwang

Narrated by: Daniel Dae Kim (CK), Ashley Park, Wendell Pierce, Benedict Wong, Noah Bean, Dick Cavett, Margaret Cho, Ronan Farrow, Fritz Friedman, Joel De La Fuente, Margaret Fung, Gish Jen, Francis Jue, full cast, Jason Biggs

"It’s a...kind of unreliable memoir.” That’s how David Henry Hwang all-too-accurately labeled his bracing and hilarious 2007 play Yellow Face, which recounted a pivotal moment in his cultural awareness. The story, which mixes fact with fiction, starts in 1990, when Hwang—the first Asian American playwright to win a Tony—is among the highest profile artists to protest the casting of Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce in an Asian role in the musical Miss Saigon. But when Hwang begins work on a new play based on the controversy (or does he?), he inadvertently hires a white actor for a key Asian role. To protect his reputation as an Asian-American role model, Hwang invents a fake background for his star.

The resulting debacle spreads much further than he could foresee, and forces him to re-evaluate just how much of a champion for his culture he truly is. Hwang pulls no punches, naming names, and not letting himself off the hook.

Winner of an Obie and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman, Yellow Face is as timely as ever, wrestling with issues of cultural appropriation, complicity, and artistic freedom. It’s brought to life in this audio-only revival by a stunning all-star cast (many playing themselves) led by Daniel Dae Kim.

©2007 Fresh Off the Boat Productions, Inc. (P)2024 AO Media, LLC

Dig a hole for yourself and then dig it deeper

A very interesting short story in which the correctness of today comes back to bite you in your peachy behind... * Narration was amazing, I love the adaptations with lots of different characters. Makes it really like listening to a short movie. Recommended.

Good listen

Worthwhile listen with a diverse cast of narrators. Under 2 hours so good for a medium drive

EXCELENT... EVERYTHING

SUPERB STORY. EXCELLENT LISTENING. I THOUGHT THE ENDING WAS SUPERB. GREAT NARRATION. ENJOYABLE. WISH IT WERE LONGER.

Almost

I enjoyed some of the book. I wish we’d gotten more emotions. The book Yellow Face did a better job with this similar premise. Enjoyed this fictional biography though. The ending felt lackluster.

Hilarious…the dad, The story…really awesome!

I love learning about the experiences of other American minorities. This was funny and engaging while touching on serious issues.

A true 360 look at human biases

Very enjoyable narrative that takes a fun yet deep look into our society and the biases and hypocrisies on all sides that hinder our true vision of being simply Americans.

Storming Caught my Attention Right Away

I enjoyed this short story. I usually listen to audiobooks that are 15hrs and up long. But I didn't feelbas thought I was cheated listening to this short. It made you wonder what was real and what was scripted. Sad that the Father lost his faith and his joy.

Love that Audible is presenting theatre performances

Several people don't seem to realize that this is a play. As someone who lives far from Broadway, I'm thrilled to be able to experience a cast performance in this way.

Revealing

This is unexpectedly good...really good. It needs to be made into a movie or a series.

Absolute Masterpiece

Best performance I have listened to on Audible, hands down. I giggled uncontrollably in my car. The play does a fantastic job of advocating for the specific in such detail that the experience becomes universal. David may have set out to tell an Asian American story but his characters embrace universal themes, and he tells his story with humility and grace, from beginning to end.