M. BUTTERFLY Previews — Page 2

Yes, indeed, thank you to Queen Alice for what you have already posted.

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FutureDirector, is there a trial of Song that I've forgotten? The key scene is Song's testimony at Gallimard's trial, as I recall it. Is that what you mean? Easy to say one and mean the other.

Maybe it's still a work in progress?

I was there this evening and although I thought the direction was problematic I really enjoyed it. I thought the performances overall were very good and Clive Owen was a real stand out.

I happened to get a rush seat in the front row right next to the script assistant for the production and when I asked her how much rewriting had been done on this production she said 15-20% which I thought was really interesting and a little high. I would like to return to see if Taymor is able to further hone her ideas and seeing where Owen's performance grows.

BroadwayBeebe, can you tell me about rush policy? I don't see one listed online anywhere.

I wouldn't go quite that far, though I will say the pretty pictures are usually her calling card. But in M. Butterfly even those are really scarce to be found. I do hope she will (as someone above suggests) heavily revise her work on this during previews. The movement and figuration of the panels should be greatly simplified. They will never get them to line up at perfect right angles or in perfect straight lines so she should cut any such attempted moves right now, and just use them to lightly suggest divisions of space.

It is true the militaristic grey color might be appropriate for a jail cell (and suggesting the oppression of communist China) but they are really quite unattractive. Can't they spray them down with a silver sheen?

The panels did have a bit of a metallic sheen when I saw it on Sunday — looked similar to the metal panels in the rear of the stage.

I saw this last night as well.

I have had no exposure to the play in the past, and actually only saw Miss Saigon for the first time this past spring (the current revival). I originally became interested in seeing this due to how much I enjoyed MS. All that being said, this play (the material) definitely exceeded my expectations (which is particularly impressive given the fact that I went in knowing it won the Tony for best play).

I'll start by agreeing (and then later disagreeing) with everyone about the set. The panels last night were extremely sloppy, even given the fact that it was a preview. They were a constant distraction, as were the set changes in general. I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting given Taymor's involvement, but sloppy was not one of them.

That being said, I actually appreciated the concept as a whole, despite its flaws. If executed better it did (or could) enhance the feeling of this all being a memory. The ability to quickly shift from location to location and scene to scene in an almost dream-like fashion was something I found extremely unique. I understand what she was trying to do, the execution just fell flat.

After perusing Clive Owen's Wikipedia page during intermission, I realized that somehow I haven't seen a single film with him in it (i.e. I didn't have any particular expectations, if anything, the fact that he is a movie star made me more apprehensive). That being said, I thought overall he gave a very good (not exceptional) performance. I think with some tweaking and practice, there is a good chance he could get there by opening. Especially the ending scene, while still poignant, didn't feel sincere with his current performance.

Jin Ha, on the other hand, was exceptional. He was everything that part needed and more. I was shocked to see it is his Broadway debut, but I couldn't have been more impressed by his interpretation of Song Liling (acknowledging the fact that this is my first exposure to the material). His delivery of some of the more difficult and poignant scenes was very impactful, and I left feeling like I fully understood who this person was.

I appreciate that the writer added additional material given the changing nature of the source, it definitely felt like a fleshed out story with the right amount of detail. I thought overall it was a very good production that could turn into an extremely memorable one depending on what happens during previews. I look forward to revisiting after it opens.

Updated On: 10/9/17 at 12:48 PM

Having seen the original Broadway play with Lithgow and Wong and the West End production (in previews) with Anthony Hopkins. The original set design took my breath away. This play will always, for me, be one of the best plays I have ever seen. Hwang's ability to take the story of "Madame Butterfly" and make it even more dramatic proved that the Tony Award for Best Play was very well deserved.

The original set was so fascinating. I loved the look of that show. And it was thrilling form beginnign to end. This staging sounds dreary in comparison. I was looking forward to seeing it again but I think I will live in the glorious memories of the originals.

Can anyone comment on the view from the balcony for this show?

bwayphreak234 said: "Can anyone comment on the view from the balcony for this show?"

I sat in the balcony and the view is great. I think the Court has one of the best Balcony's on Broadway. You feel very close still. I don't think I missed anything being up there. I will say the legroom is tight so comfort isn't the best, but very good deal for the price.

dave1606 said: "bwayphreak234 said: "Can anyone comment on the view from the balcony for this show?"

I sat in the balcony and the view is great. I think the Cort has one of the best Balcony's on Broadway. You feel very close still. I don't think I missed anything being up there. I will say the legroom is tight so comfort isn't the best, but very good deal for the price."


I have been waiting to hear sightlines opinions before buying tickets. I always find it a struggle to hear performers at straight plays from balcony/rear mezz seats. Were their acoustics good?