The Theatre of David Henry Hwang

Since the premiere of his play FOB in 1979, the Chinese American playwright David Henry Hwang has made a significant impact in the U. S. and beyond. The Theatre of David Henry Hwang provides an in-depth study of his plays and other works in theatre. Beginning with his "Trilogy of Chinese America", Esther Kim Lee traces all major phases of his playwriting career. Utilizing historical and dramaturgical analysis, she argues that Hwang has developed a unique style of meta-theatricality and irony in writing plays that are both politically charged and commercially viable.The book also features three essays written by scholars of Asian American theatre and a comprehensive list of primary and secondary sources on his oeuvre. This comprehensive study of Hwang''s work follows his career both chronologically and thematically. The first chapter analyzes Hwang''s early plays, "Trilogy of Chinese America," in which he explores issues of identity and cultural assimilation particular to Chinese Americans. Chapter two looks at four plays characterised as "Beyond Chinese America," which examines Hwang''s less known plays. Chapter three focuses on M. Butterfly , which received the Tony Award for Best Play in 1988. In chapter four, Lee explores Hwang''s development as a playwright during the decade of the 1990s with a focus on identity politics and multiculturalism. Chapter five examines Hwang''s playwriting style in depth with a discussion of Hwang''s more recent plays such as Yellow Face and Chinglish . The sixth chapter features three essays written by leading scholars in Asian American theatre: Josephine Lee on Flower Drum Song , Dan Bacalzo on Golden Child , and Daphne Lei on Chinglish . The final section provides a comprehensive compilation of sources: a chronology, a bibliography of Hwang''s works, reviews and critical sources.>

Product details

• Authors: Esther Lee, Esther Kim Lee, Esther Kim (Duke University Lee, Esther Kim (University of Maryland Lee, Lee Esther Kim
• Assisted by: Jr (Editor), Patrick Lonergan (Editor), Kevin J Wetmore Jr (Editor), Kevin J. Wetmore Jr (Editor)
• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 17.12.2015
• EAN: 9781408185858
• ISBN: 978-1-4081-8585-8
• No. of pages: 224
• Dimensions: 138 mm x 214 mm x 14 mm
• Series: Critical Companions; Critical Companions
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; USA, English, LITERARY CRITICISM / Drama, LITERARY CRITICISM / American / General, LITERARY CRITICISM / Modern / 20th Century, United States of America, USA, Literary studies: from c 1900 -, Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000, Literary studies: plays & playwrights, Literary studies: plays and playwrights