M. Butterfly

M. Butterfly

Cort Theatre

December 16, 2017

Photo courtesy of M. Butterfly

I saw the original production of M. Butterfly in 1988 with B.D. Wong.  It was spellbinding.  When I read that Julie Taymor was directing it for a Broadway revival, I was intrigued.  I was interested in seeing how she would interpret it and bring David Henry Hwang’s script into the 21st century amid a different political environment.  I am very happy I got to see the production on its closing weekend.  It was different, a lot more stark and realistic.  It did not have the captivating flow of the premier production, yet it packed a potent social/political statement.

When French Diplomat, Rene Gallinard (played by Clive Owens) is stationed in China, he meets the “most perfect woman.”  A performer in the Chinese Opera, Song Liling (played by Jin Ha), is the Madam Butterfly of Rene’s idealistic dreams.  Renee is taken for a fool in many ways.  Not only is Song Liling a spy for the revolution, gathering top secret information from Rene, but she is also a man.

Jin Ha as Song Liling
Photo courtesy of M. Butterfly

Clive Owens portrayal of Rene Gallinard is honest and genuine.  He addresses the audience directly and tells his story with such a calm demeanor that we buy into his delusion.  We believe as he believes, and see what he tells us as his truth.  Jin Ha plays the feminine Butterfly flawlessly.  He interrupts Rene’s story a few times with the factual accounts of being blackmailed and tortured into gathering information for the communist party, then swiftly transitions back into his feminine mystique.  Together they create a highly intimate moment at the end of Act I.  Their confrontation scene near the end of Act II does not rise as much as it could, yet the final moment of the play is truly impactful.

  

Clive Owens & Jin Ha
Photo courtesy of M. Butterfly

The revival of M. Butterfly closed on December 17, earlier than anticipated.  Mr. Hwang's script is still relevant after nineteen years.  The production had a few flaws, yet I was well worth seeing.

Domenick Danza