Bay Area theater fans will be excited to know that our very own Francis Jue will be back on stage here at this week’s opening of ‘Yellow Face’ at TheatreWorks in Mountain View.
The sixth of nine children born to
an Asian-American San Francisco family, Francis has been on quite a roll. Enjoying success on Broadway (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Pacific Overtures) and also in Off-Broadway shows (Coraline).
Last year, he received critical acclaim and several awards, including an Obie and Lucie Lortel award, for his work in the New York production of ‘Yellow Face.’ This week, the very same play opens Saturday, August 29th at TheatreWorks in Mountain View.
Loni caught up with Francis today to talk about growing up in a large family (their own baseball team!), the TheatreWorks production, his take on trends in Theatre, differences in Television and stage work, and some of the clever messages and humor behind ‘Yellow Face’ and its creator, David Henry Hwang.
Loni talks with Francis Jue, star of ‘Yellow Face’ (20 min):
WHAT: TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents the ferociously funny, utterly unreliably memoir, YELLOW FACE, from the Tony Award-winning author of M. Butterfly, David Henry Hwang. Part fact, part fiction, this revealing backstage comedy chronicles the playwright’s struggle to define racial identity in the mixed-up melting pot of contemporary America. Broadway and Off-Broadway star Francis Jue will reprise his Obie-Award winning role as the playwright’s father, with TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley at the helm.
WHEN: Previews begin Wednesday, August 26
Opening Night: Saturday, August 29
Closes: Sunday, September 20
SHOWS: Previews: 8pm (August 26, 27, 28)
Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 7:30pm
Thursdays and Fridays: 8pm
Saturdays: 2pm, 8pm
Sundays: 2pm, 7pm
Pre-show “How Theatre Works” discussion August 27 at 6:30pm, featuring Scenic Designer John Wilson and Costume Designer Fumiko Bielefeldt; Post-show Discussion Wednesdays with cast and artistic staff September 2, 9, and 16; “Visual Voice” audio-described performances are available September 18 at 8pm, and September 20 at 2pm and 8pm.
WHERE: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
500 Castro St. (at Mercy)
TICKETS: Previews: $24 (students) – $39
Regular performances: $26 (students) – $62
Discounts available for students, seniors, educators, and members.
A $2 convenience fee will be assessed for online and telephone orders.