Product Description

A play based on the true story of a French diplomat, Bernard Boursicot, posted to Peking, who fell in love with a seductive opera singer, named Shi Pei Pu, apparently unaware that Pei Pu was a man.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #199625 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 93 pages

Review
Perhaps the chief merit of M. Butterfly is that it preserves a performance of a play widely regarded as a contemporary classic with its original Broadway leads, John Lithgow and B.D. Wong. A Tony Award-winner for best play, David Henry Hwang's work looks at the life and loves of Rene Gallimard, who learns that his Chinese mistress of twenty years is actually a man and Communist spy. Both Lithgow and Wong have refined their work over hundreds of stage performances in these challenging roles. Hearing two such accomplished actors in parts they have mastered is a rare treat. These tapes offer a classic interpretation of an acclaimed play. On the strength of recordings like these, the L.A. Theatre Works is producing radio drama to rival the quality work of the BBC. -- AudioFile

About the Author
David Henry Hwang (Author) won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, John Gassner, and L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for M. BUTTERFLY. His other plays include FOB (Obie, Drama Logue), THE DANCE, & THE RAILROAD (Drama Desk nomination; CINE Golden Eagle), FAMILY DEVOTIONS (Drama Desk nomination), THE HOUSE OF SLEEPING BEAUTIES, THE SOUND OF A VOICE (Drama Logue), BONDAGE, and FACE VALUE. He has written two librettos for composer Philip Glass, 1000 AIRPLANES ON THE ROOF and THE VOYAGE, which premiered at the Metropolitan Opera House, as well as screenplays for the movies M. BUTTERFLY and GOLDEN GATE. He serves on the board of the Dramatists Guild, Theatre Communications Group, and Young Playwrights Inc., and is a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities.

About L.A. Theatre Works: L.A. Theatre Works, founded in 1974, produces the world's finest audio theatre. Our catalogue features the largest collection of classic and contemporary plays, recorded in state-of-the-art sound quality, starring today's most popular and acclaimed actors. Your selection is packed in durable vinyl cases with colorful, attractive covers. These handsome editions are perfect for personal collections, schools and libraries. Our catalogue features many award-winning plays, musicals, docudramas and novels that let your imagination soar!

Customer Reviews

M. Butterfly
M. Butterfly takes place in the mind of Rene Gallimard. While the play begins with him in a French prison, we are taken far away from this prison into the depths of his mind. His fantasies of Song Liling are both reality and illusionary. He will ultimately face the most shocking truth about the "woman" he thought he loved for twenty years. M. Butterfly takes a bold move in rearranging common roles set by our society, whether speaking for the present or from fifty years ago. This play dives deep into the pool of stereotypes and makes every turn imaginable. While the Eastern/Western dichotomy is presented with stereotypes of both sides, roles are soon reversed which gives the dichotomy a whole new meaning. Gallimard, initially portrayed as the Western dominant male, and Song, initially portrayed as the compliant Asian woman, will both eventually reverse their sexual roles although their enthnic identities remain in tact. Gallimard evolves from the controller to the controlled, while Song proves his power and control as his masculinity is revealed. All of this role and sexual confusion causes us to re-examine the stereotypes. Are they socially constructed or are they inherent in the person? You must read and decide for yourself!

The Poetry of Cultural, Sexual, and Gender Politics
Reviewers who focus on the inplausibility of the play's premise are missing the forest for the trees. The ridiculousness of Gallimard's situation is the product of his (and through him, the West's) self-absorbed and limited view of the East, evidenced through the overly simplistic dichotomy of East & West. He has been utterly blinded by his preconceptions of gender, culture, and politics. Hwang has written a masterpiece with grace, humor, and wit. Students of literary analysis will find a text rich in archetypes and ritual.

Highly recommended.

A great production
This audiobook presentation of M Butterfly will give listeners a first class seat to hear one of literature's great stories. M butterfly is much more then a love story; rather it is a multi-themed tale which addresses many issues. West vs East, Fantasy vs reality sexuality, true love and the human condition. John Lithgow and B. D. Wong are great in the leading roles, especially Wong what a transformation! Buy this production and enjoy this mind's eye treat. L.A theatre works did an excellent job in putting it all together and I will not hesitate to buy more of their audio products. Thank goodness Amazon carries a large selection! Highly recommended