Butterfly
77

Butterfly NYC Reviews and Tickets

77%
(7 Ratings)
Positive
86%
Mixed
0%
Negative
14%
Members say
Original, Absorbing, Profound, Riveting, Intense

About the Show

Part of the Brits Off Broadway fest, this wordless adaptation of 'Madam Butterfly' centers on a kite maker who's left alone and isolated.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (7)

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100 Reviews | 64 Followers
85
Beautiful, Resonant, Slow, Dark, Enthralling

See it if you like small-scale shows from fringe festivals, you enjoy shows that leave room for your own interpretation and understanding

Don't see it if you want dialogue and clarity, you want a longer more drawn-out show

262 Reviews | 116 Followers
72
Great staging, Intense, Original, Profound, Romantic

See it if You're a fan of Madam Butterfly and great puppetry. Slightly confusing, but the inventive storytelling is definitely worth seeing. Original.

Don't see it if You'd rather go to a more upbeat show. You're not able to handle shows that are too out of the box. You're put off by more mature themes.

431 Reviews | 129 Followers
10
Excruciating, Intense

See it if There's nothing about this show after the first 10 minutes that I would recommend.

Don't see it if You have ever suffered from any kind of abuse, are sensitive to scenes of cruel violence, are expecting a poetic experience as billed.

22 Reviews | 4 Followers
100
Must see, Epic, Riveting

See it if You live history, drama, Lin Manuel Miranda

Don't see it if You hate all musicals

47 Reviews | 11 Followers
95
Absorbing, Original, Profound, Thought-provoking

See it if without words the actors are incredibly expressive and the emotion is even more pronounced. The touching reality of human frailty is amazing

Don't see it if you think puppets are just for fun - one puppet here is used for dramatic and emotional effect

46 Reviews | 21 Followers
92
Absorbing, Edgy, Great acting, Quirky, Riveting

See it if you are okay with no dialogue, don't mind interpreting the story told by using physical movement, and don't mind darker subject matters

Don't see it if you want a light show. Show has very mature subject matters. Very inappropriate for children even though there is puppetry.

442 Reviews | 127 Followers
During previews
87
Absorbing, Enchanting, Exquisite, Intelligent, Original

See it if you are a fan of alternative theater; this show is hauntingly beautiful, and no words are spoken.

Don't see it if you like Broadway musicals and heavy drama.

Critic Reviews (18)

Lighting & Sound America
May 3rd, 2016

"All three performers are skilled at the subtle art of pantomime; there isn't even a hint of overacting...But 'Butterfly' is a strange combination of the sentimental and the brutal, a series of melodramatic twists in search of a meaningful narrative…A certain purposelessness hangs over the proceedings...You might find that 'Butterfly' possesses a certain evanescent charm. But this piece is as fragile as a butterfly's wing, and its spell is all too easily broken."
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TheaterScene.net
April 30th, 2016

“Mr. Meyyappan, Ms. Livingstone and Mr. Alexander all superbly realize their characters with their fluid physicality and expressive facial expressions...The trio expertly performs Darren Brownlie’s vibrantly moody choreography...Graceful direction melds all of the narrative and presentational elements into an eerie and moving production...‘Butterfly’s’ originality, stirring performances and technical artistry give it the quality of an enchanting adult fairy tale.”
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Theatre is Easy
May 1st, 2016

“'Butterfly' effortlessly swept the audience away in a sensory adventure...The movement is clean and clear, with a crisp specificity in its symbolism and a few hints at familiar sign language imagery...Gavin Glover’s puppets steal the show...The play seems to celebrate the marvel of how things are made...A lush, one-hour sensory explosion that engages us in the impact of visual theater through a tragic tale.”
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Theater Pizzazz
May 9th, 2016

"An uneven, but stylish chamber work…Although the combination of techniques makes for an awkward mix, there are moments of exquisite beauty amidst the ugly violence...A puppet baby, manipulated in some measure by all three performers, somehow exudes humanity, frailty and light, making the dark ending of 'Butterfly' all the more bleak…The three actors were concentrated and intense, making each moment vivid and simple."
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Theatre Reviews Limited
May 13th, 2016

"Mr. Meyyappan’s direction keeps the piece moving and accessible...Authentic and compelling performances. They bring kite-flying, butterflies, and Butterfly’s child to stunning realism – thanks to the brilliant craft of puppet maker Gavin Glover. Kudos to Ms. Livingstone whose emotional range is stunning and breathtaking...Butterfly’s loss of love and the ways she sustains herself until love reappears or reimagines makes for a wonderful story."
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Theatre's Leiter Side
May 1st, 2016

"Ramesh Meyyappan’s ‘Butterfly,’ which he created, directed, and in which he appears, is a beautifully performed, but not particularly groundbreaking piece of pantomimic theatre about a love triangle...‘Butterfly’ is impressively executed but there’s a slight fragrance of preciosity about it that prevents a deeper connection with its emotional currents. Like the insect after which it takes its name, it’s a thing of delicate beauty, but it flutters away before making a lasting impression."
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W
May 3rd, 2016

"As I’m not precisely sure of the tale I’ve just witnessed, I can only share impressions...Some or all of it may be fantasy, dream/nightmare. The men separately return and exit. Butterfly may or may not have a baby...All that’s clear is Butterfly’s pain...All three actors do a splendid job with Naomi Livingstone’s Butterfly a nuanced standout. Until things become obscure, we’re with them every step."
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Off Off Online
May 2nd, 2016

“The hour-long production is rich with symbolism, European and Asian sensibilities, and movement choreographed to haunting original music...The word creative is particularly limiting if used to describe Meyyappan, especially given the way he sees and delivers life onto the stage...What becomes clear is that he is a master storyteller. Expressing all of these emotions while conveying complicated humans without words is what propels ‘Butterfly’ to soar.”
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