M. BUTTERFLY

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 BD 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 a 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. G.H. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 98]