Clive Owen to Star in Taymor's M. BUTTERFLY Revival — Page 2

No problem, Baritone. Posters here have to correct my memory all the time. In the case of MB, I saw the Broadway production with both Lithgow and John Rubenstein. And then I taught the play to college freshmen and women for 14 years.

IIRC, the spectacle was added by John Dexter. With the exception of Song's performing the suicide scene from Puccini's MADAMA BUTTERFLY (the scene where Song and Gallimard meet), I barely remember the other "Asian performances" that marked scene changes, probably because they had nothing in particular to do with the story.

But Dexter kept the plot clear even amidst the spectacle. We'll see if Taymor can do the same.

I certainly agree that something besides an "acting coach" is required. The play is highly influenced by Brecht, yet it isn't precisely Brechtian in execution. Somebody has to recognize that and allow empathy along with the moments of estrangement.

They just posted a casting notice looking for male and female dancers... hm...