M. BUTTERFLY Previews — Page 5

BalconyClub said: "From the full balcony Saturday night, the sight lines were good and the words heard. A great value for $39 for seat G1 in the top row.

I liked the gray panels, as I interpreted their use as a cell for both lead characters. From reading previous posts, the panels are now handled better.

A variety of colorful scenes are revealed during the performance - some muted while others boldly red."

BalconyClub, Great to hear your view from G1 was a positive experience. I will only be in NYC for less than 48 hours and really wanted to rush this, in able to view from front row. However, my The View ticket was released and have to be there before 9 am. So rush is out. So I purchased a ticket (had to pay those fees!!) and got F1. So I will hope that my seat is the same or a little better. Of course, if it doesn't sell out, I will be reloclating. Or that at least, is the plan.

Seeing the panels in those photos, I'm even more confused. What does everyone mean about them not aligning? I'd assumed they were supposed to match up to form a picture and that wasn't happening.

VintageSnarker said: "Seeing the panels in those photos, I'm even more confused. What does everyone mean about them not aligning? I'd assumed they were supposed to match up to form a picture and that wasn't happening."

Just left this thing at intermission. On my way home. This was as boring as previous posters have mentioned. It seems like everyone is just trying to get through it. Ouch.

Perhaps because I never saw the original production, nor do I remember much about the Jeremy Irons film version, I enjoyed this production. I thought Clive Owen and Jin Ha both very effective and moving. But perhaps someone could explain (in a spoiler alert, of course) the new elements in this "revisal," what is the "weenie" monologue, and whether the ending is the same in both versions. Thanks.

Clive Owen and Jin Ha were great but this production is pretty lackluster. I went in cold (didn't read the wiki page/see the movie) and I thought it was all just fine but nothing I would tell people they need to see immediately. I am sure the original production was out of this world. There has been a lot said about the panels, yes they are hideous and one actually got stuck when I went so it was a bit distracting having stagehands descend trying to move it along. I could understand if I went in early previews but at this point the set shouldn't be sticking. I wonder if anyone else had this experience but I found it difficult to hear from my seat in the balcony, Jin Ha especially. The view was excellent but I was definitely struggling with some lines. This wasn't torture to sit through and I wouldn't tell people to avoid it by any means but it was all so flat.

Also, I should just say that it ran about 2:25 last night.

Fordham2015 said: "Weird, on Playbill it says two hours- thanks. Seeing this Sunday"

I went in expecting 2 hours until I heard an usher last night tell another audience member they should be done by 9:25 (it was a 7pm curtain.) Telecharge says 2:20, which is about right. The first act was about 1:20 last night.

I wonder if Taymor just didn't connect with the material or what? I feel like this show would let itself well to a "visionary" director, but alas. Maybe she felt she needed to be totally different from the original, so instead of starkness she went super extra? I've not seen it yet - a friend in the production won't let me go until after opening - but I'm curious to see it.

RippedMan said: "FYI, The cast is on a different contract, but they're basically signed for a few months after Clive leaves... wonder if they have anyone lined up?"

So.. this is completely unverified, but I was thinking about this play today, as I have everyday since I saw it a week ago, and remembered this comment. I started thinking of who else I want to see as Gallimard (I personally thought Clive Owen was a brilliant choice if only very under-directed in this production); another thought I had at the same time was an offhand comment by a beloved star that he will be back on Broadway sooner than you'd think. I put those together.

What if Raul Esparza is Clive Owen's replacement? I would DIE. I would actually quite honestly watch this show again and probably multiple times if that's the case.

Ugh, I hate hearing about stage accidents, thank goodness no one was hurt.

I saw M Butterfly today and had basically the opposite reaction of everyone on this board- I thought it was very well done.

Hwang's revised script was smart and clever without being too explainer-y (my main problem with plays like Oslo).

Taymor handled the big opera numbers very well (no surprise given her background) but I thought the smaller scenes with just one or two characters were also very smartly staged.

I had no problem with the panels that have been the subject of such ridicule. I actually liked how they were used throughout the show as both opera backdrops and general set pieces.

The lead actors were both quite strong. Owen was his usual suave self while still showing the complicated feelings roiling beneath the surface- his final scene was handled especially well IMHO.

And Ha made a very assured Broadway debut- he gave Song an air of mysterious sexiness which I thought worked perfectly. His big reveal at the end gave the requisite shock value without seeming exploitative.

I certainly see why the show has provoked mixed reactions among both critics and audience members- Taymor's work usually does. But I ended up liking this quite a bit more than I expected.