38th Season 2003-2004

M. BUTTERFLY

By David Henry Hwang

Directed by Chay Yew

Set & Costume Designer Yevgenia Nayberg

Lighting Designer Jose Lopez

Sound Designer John Zalewski

Property Master Ken Takemoto

Stage Manager Winnie K. Lok

WORLD PREMIERE

Opening Date: June 9, 2004

Drawn from real life events involving the strange tale of a French diplomat who carried on a 20-year relationship with a Chinese opera star without (he contended) being aware that his "perfect woman" was really a man.  Bored with his routine posting in Beijing, and awkward with women, diplomat Rene Gallimard is easy prey for the subtle, delicate charms of song Liling, a Chinese opera star who personifies Gallimard's fantasy vision of submissive, exotic oriental sexuality.  He begins a 20-year affair with "her," during which time he passes along diplomatic secrets, an act which brings on his downfall and imprisonment.

Cast

Arye Gross.......................................................................Rene Gallimard

Matthew Henerson................................................Toulon, Man #1, Judge

Shannon Holt.................................................................................Helga

Emily Kuroda..........................................Comrade Chin, Suzuki, Shu Fang

Alec Mapa...............................................................................Song Liling

Jennifer Rau........................................Renee, Woman at Party, Pin-up Girl

Erik Sorenson...........................................Marc, Man #2, Consul Sharpless

Understudies

Matthew Henerson...........................................................Rene Gallimard

Ramon de Ocampo..................................................................Song Liling

M. BUTTERFLY by David Henry Hwang is produced by arrangement

with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., in New York