Renegades | Daniel Dae Kim & David Henry Hwang Unite for Audible's Yellow Face
The Asian dynamic duo collaborate on the Audible Original
Welcome to Renegades, Gold House’s newsletter series spotlighting Asian Pacific leaders and creatives who are carving their own paths and defying stereotypes along the way. This week, we sat down with two creative legends collaborating on the new Audible Original Yellow Face: Actor and Executive Producer Daniel Dae Kim, and Playwright David Henry Hwang. The semi-autobiographical comedy co-starring Jason Biggs, Ashley Park, Wendell Pierce, and Benedict Wong, is now available.
David Henry Hwang & Daniel Dae Kim: you’re both very well known in the entertainment industry for your work. What did you want to be when you were growing up? How does that differ or align with your current pursuits?
DHH: Since I was bad at math and science, I figured I might become a lawyer. Two pursuits that interested me during my teen years were competitive debate (in high school), and music (I was raised as a classical violinist but learned to play jazz violin in college). Both have ended up informing my work today – speaking to the press and to audiences, as well as working in operas and musicals.
DDK: I went to college wanting to pursue a degree in Political Science, with an eye toward going to law school. I’d say that’s pretty different from working as an actor, but I think my interest in that area has informed my advocacy work, and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to merge both through my career.
David, as a Tony Award-winning playwright and celebrated figure in the theater community, you've consistently pushed boundaries with your work, which often confronts complex issues of identity and representation. Yellow Face is a satirical, kind-of-sort-of true story about your own life, and winner of an Obie and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. What was it like to bring this audio adaptation to life with a star-studded cast?
DHH: The Audible Originals YELLOW FACE brings this story to thrilling and hilarious new life. The original play includes over 50 characters, many of whom are based on real-life individuals. Onstage, an ensemble of seven actors portrays all the parts. But the audio play format features appearances by many of the actual folks portrayed – such as Margaret Cho, former talk show host Dick Cavett, stage/TV stars Mark Linn-Baker and Jane Krakowski.
Daniel, Yellow Face promises to be a fast-paced and entertaining audio experience. How did you approach portraying the character of David Henry Hwang in the Audible Original? What aspect of his persona did you find most compelling to embody?
DDK: I loved the fact that David didn’t pull punches when it came to the characterizations of many of the characters in his play, including himself. Even as one of our community's greatest champions, the character of DHH is someone who makes mistakes and suffers from many human shortcomings. That humility says a lot about David as a person, as well as the point of view of the play.
The audio format of Yellow Face offers a unique opportunity to engage listeners through immersive storytelling. If you had the power to teleport our audience into a particular scene with popcorn in hand and sitting front-row, which moment would you select to immerse them in?
DHH: My favorite introductory scene is a phone call that takes place early in the audio play between playwright “DHH” (portrayed by Daniel) and his father “HYH” (Benedict Wong). What starts as a comic scene with what appears to be a clueless Chinese immigrant father ends up becoming a thoughtful and moving expression of HYH’s point of view. It launches the father-son story which serves as the emotional spine of this fast-paced audio play.
DDK: I would wish that we could teleport back to the protests over the casting of Miss Saigon. Many young Asian Americans may not know this story and how significant a role David played in it. He was the tip of the spear for an issue that resonates to this day. I look forward to reminding everyone who sees our show of how far we’ve come as a community, but also how far there is yet to go.
Given your involvement in both the Audible Original and the upcoming Broadway production of Yellow Face, how do you see the two mediums complementing each other, like a dynamic duo, in spreading the message of cultural authenticity?
DHH: I remember when Prince started giving away his CDs to concertgoers in the early 2000s. Prince saw the future: live and recorded experiences were equally exciting and each could support the other. Similarly, the Audible Original YELLOW FACE gives us an exciting new way to enjoy this story. Hopefully it will also fuel excitement to laugh with others and feel the feelings again in the electric environment of Broadway. Not everyone can get to NYC to see the show live, but thanks to Audible, audiences around the world will become part of this experience.
DDK: I think they complement each other because our representation is not just about what we look like, it’s quite literally about our voice. As an ethnic group that has historically been portrayed as having unflattering accents, it’s so important that people hear us and our stories, in our own authentic voices as Asian Americans.
Which element of this story do you anticipate will provoke the most astonishment and/or discourse from the audience?
DHH: Audiences may be surprised by the degree to which my character, DHH, is portrayed as flawed, vain, manipulative, and at times, even a little creepy! I hope this shows that it’s ok to make a mistake. In the end, if we can acknowledge our errors and try to repair any damage we’ve caused, making mistakes is just human. That’s an idea I am proud to put into the world in 2024.
DDK: I think the fact that so many of the issues and themes of a play whose events took place 40 years ago resonate just as poignantly, if not more so, today.
Yellow Face fearlessly pokes holes in societal norms, even tossing a playful jab at the tangled threads of Miss Saigon in Act I. What is a particular social norm that is ready for a shake-up in today's media scene?
DHH: I’d love to shake up the idea of AAPIs being a “model minority.” The notion has been perpetrated to drive a wedge between Asians and other BIPOC communities. As we recently learned again from the pandemic spike in anti-AAPI hate and attacks, model minority-ism doesn’t work. Accommodating racism and allying ourselves with whiteness doesn’t actually keep us safe! The only thing that actually helps us are laws and policies which combat racism – the Civil Rights Act, Fair Housing Laws, and yes, affirmative action – made possible through allying ourselves with other communities of color.
DDK: I think there are more nuances to be explored regarding representation in casting. We’re ready to have a more complex discussion than just “only this kind of person can play that role.” We have to look at underlying reasons why, rather than fear based decision making because people are afraid to get in trouble for being politically incorrect.
In Yellow Face, truth is elusive and humor holds sway. What is a bold marketing activation you would want to see that captures the play’s mischievous essence?
DHH: For an audio play that blurs truth and fiction, it would be fun to create some kind of challenge where listeners try and figure out what’s true and what’s not. Without revealing too much, a central plot point appears to be made up but is actually based on a real-life incident, which is not well-known.
DDK: It’s one of my favorite things about the show. Not only have I as an actor wanted to do more comedy, but I think putting these very serious events in a comedic tone makes the show more relatable and easier to digest. There’s so much to be concerned about in the world today. Sometimes t’s just nice to be able to sit in a theater with friends or loved ones and just laugh together.
If you were to collaborate on a completely new story together, what genre would it be and what location would you want it to take place?
DHH: Needless to say, I would love to work with Daniel again after our Broadway collaboration concludes. Maybe a TV show? Or a musical? Ideally, another AAPI story set in the U.S.
DDK: David is the visionary here. I defer to him. Wherever he decides though, I’m in!
And finally, name 3 words that come top of mind in best describing Yellow Face to new audiences.
DHH: Hilarious. Timely. Moving.
DDK: Timely. Funny. Thought-provoking.
Lightning Round
Comfort food:
DHH: Jok (or “congee”)
DDK: Korean seafood stew (Daegu maeuntang)
Favorite emoji:
DHH: 🥰
DDK: 🤙
Daily habit:
DHH: Flossing
DDK: Wordle!
Mountains or beach:
DHH: Beach
DDK: Why not both?
Hidden talent
DHH: Jazz violinist
DDK: I like to whistle, when I’m happy, just like my dad.
Best advice you’ve received:
DHH: “You will get better-looking as you get older.” Joe Papp
DDK: There’s no room for you in show business. You have to make room.