M. Butterfly: With an Afterword by the Playwright [Mass Market Paperback]

David Henry Hwang (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

Based on a true story that stunned the world, "M. Butterfly" opens in the cramped prison cell where diplomat Rene Gallimard is being held captive by the French government - and by his own illusions. In the darkness of his cell he recalls a time when desire seemed to give him wings. A time when Song Liling, the beautiful Chinese diva, touched him with a love as vivid, as seductive - and as elusive - as a butterfly.

Editorial Reviews

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 --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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! --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Plume (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452272599
• ISBN-13: 978-0452272590
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > United States

More About the Author

David Henry Hwang is a playwright, screenwriter and librettist for musicals and operas. He is a Tony Award winner and three-time nominee, a three-time Obie Award winner, and a two-time Nominated Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. His works include the plays M. BUTTERFLY, GOLDEN CHILD, YELLOW FACE, THE DANCE AND THE RAILROAD and FOB; the Broadway musicals Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA (co-author), the revised FLOWER DRUM SONG and DISNEY'S TARZAN; and the operas THE VOYAGE (music by Philip Glass), AINADAMAR (Osvaldo Golijov - winner of two 2007 Grammy Awards), THE SILVER RIVER (Bright Sheng) and ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Unsuk Chin). His first play, FOB, premiered in his lounge of his dormitory at Stanford University. Hwang serves on the Council of the Dramatists Guild and was appointed by President Clinton to the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, actress Kathryn Layng, and their children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Poetry of Cultural, Sexual, and Gender Politics, August 21, 2006

By 

Geek Chick (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M. Butterfly: With an Afterword by the Playwright (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars M. Butterfly, April 23, 2001

By 

lindsay oliver (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: M. Butterfly: With an Afterword by the Playwright (Mass Market Paperback)

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!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great production, July 17, 2001

By 

"feeler" - See all my reviews

This review is from: M. Butterfly (Library Edition Audio CDs) (Audio CD)

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