Soft Power (with Jeffrey Scott Parsons)

Bottomless Broadway

Welcome to Soft Power, a show that discusses Chinese duty, American elections, and democracy, told through Golden Age references and Hillary Clinton. Jeff Parsons (of A Musical Theatre Podcast) joins us again to discuss this new Pulitzer Prize finalist, changes between productions, and how this show is the most exciting new piece of musical theater. “It Just Takes Time”, so join us as we take you through the entire show, beginning to end!

(Also check out chapter markers for specific scenes and songs!)

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The conceit of the show is a reversal of The King and I, which is funny since leading man Conrad Ricamora starred in the latest revival, but you can also hear about the process of putting the show together.

The show hinges on a real-life event where David Henry Hwang got stabbed in the neck shortly after the 2016 election.

As this time-lapse demonstrates, the Shanghai skyline has changed a lot just in the past 40 years.

Watch snippets of daily life and activities in the actual Fuxing Park.

Listen to director Leigh Silverman talk about the ending scene and how it came about on The Ensemblist.

Each song serves a specific purpose, and David Henry Hwang breaks down each track for us. Like the music, the choreography also references a lot of traditional musical theater concepts, and Sam Pinkleton breaks down the movement in different scenes.

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Check out scenes from the musical!

Ahmanson Theatre (Los Angeles):

• Election Night
• Democracy (reprise), with the original ending
• Montage
• Rehearsal Footage

Public Theatre (New York):

• Election Night
• Montage
• Democracy (reprise) Recording Session

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Listen to the cast album!

• Check out the listening party (turn on chat replay with cast and creatives)!
• Apple Music
• Spotify

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Follow Jeff and A Musical Theatre Podcast on Instagram and Twitter @AMusicalPodcast!

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