M. Butterfly

See it if you enjoy Taymor's strong artistic sensibility. Many striking images: fascinating panels, lighting, costumes. Engrossing plot; well acted.

Don't see it if you want enlightenment. MB: some men love a dream more than reality. Breaking of 4th wall is jarring. Ending (w/makeup applicn) felt forced.

Also I never saw the original MB, so I can't compare. I found the play riveting, but somewhat disappointing by the end. I loved the staging w/its rapid scene and costume changes and the colorful glimpses into Chinese theater. I'm glad I didn't miss MB, even if the script didn't fully deliver.... Read more Read less

See it if You’ve never seen it before. I have a feeling you’ll appreciate this best if you’re not comparing it to a previous production. I loved it.

Don't see it if you’re not willing to think a little outside the box. Julie Taymor’s direction is visually pretty busy for a play. Might distract. I loved.

See it if you enjoy well-paced presentation that is clear and enjoyable. This retelling of the story is a great production-do not expect the original.

Don't see it if you do not like be spoken to by the main actors or if you want an original staging of this play.

See it if You are looking for a different type of Butterfly. As I watched this play fold out, I was wanting more.

Don't see it if If you think it like musical and dancing for not alot of sing.

See it if You like minimalist productions,Clive Owen,hidden secrets,Asian culture norms,East v West, difficult love affairs, feeling torn.

Don't see it if You are uncomfortable with sexual references and nudity. Like elaborate staging and fast action. Saw the original. Believe NY Times.

See it if want to see a revival of an important play that brought Asian-American actors and playwrights to greater attention

Don't see it if you are prudish

See it if you like great acting.Clive Owen's incredible.He hits every emotional color.Set is constantly changing, leaving us off balance,like the play

Don't see it if you want a story wrapped up with a bow.This leaves you wondering about sexualtiy,love,fantasy.If we love, does it matter if it's an illusion

See it if you enjoy thought provoking dramas with more of a focus on ideas than emotions, and you want to see dishy Clive onstage.

Don't see it if you'll miss the emotional punch of the original or you expect flashy sets and costumes.

Also I struggled with this revival, comparing it to the original. Owen's performance had lots of head but for me didn't match the pathos Lithgow brought. And Jin Ha, although wonderful, was too androgynous for my taste, especially compared to B.D. Wong's exquisite and heartbreaking delicacy. The sets are skillful and striking in this fine revival, but the political elements added to the script were heavy handed and didn't enhance the story, in my opinion.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy timely gender bending dramas with two excellent performers

Don't see it if If you are offended by gender bending true stories

See it if you want to see a revival of a classic, intriguing play. Jin Ha delivers a standout performance as Song Liling and Clive Owen is excellent.

Don't see it if you're put off by darker themes, nudity, and intense adult topics.

See it if You want an updated version of this play. More information now. Clive Owen excellent. Worth seeing just for him.

Don't see it if You want light fluff. This is not a fun play. Serious. Must pay attention. If gender issues are not your thing, stay away.

See it if you are a die-hard fan of the play or Clive Owen. Interesting use of screens to show reality's fragility.

Don't see it if you want a thrilling revival. Acting was flat and the screens used looked cheap. Very stark in color and execution. You don't like nudity.

Also So sad to see a less-than-stellar revival given the cast and director. The set in particular looked "cheap" and distracted from the play.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a retelling with some interesting Julie Taymor staging, good acting.

Don't see it if you are put off by very explicit sexual discussions and full frontal nudity.

Also Some of the Chinese propaganda pieces went on too long.

See it if You want to be challenged on your ideas about masculinity and femininity, east and west.

Don't see it if You normally go to the theater on a date. This isn't a good show for a date.

See it if My friends and I had all seen the show in 1988 and we loved the revival. Clive Owens is terrific as is Jin Ha. I liked the sets as well.

Don't see it if You are pining for John Lithgow. It seems some reviewers are.

See it if You’re patient. The payoff, emotionally, comes at the end. But, you may have given up by that point. It’s meandering, and you don’t care.

Don't see it if You want a clear point of view. You’re meant to root for unsavory characters, and don’t know who you’re rooting for. It ends well.

See it if you are a fan of the play or of Clive Owen

Don't see it if you are married to the original script (it's been updated) or object to depictions of sex or male nudity.

See it if exquisite performances by leads Clive Owen and Jin Ha; exhuberant moments of stagecraft and an unexpectant "dream ballet" in the middle

Don't see it if Set pieces often look cheap and are distracting; Act I requires so much storyline setup that best moments are in Act II; partial nudity

See it if you’ve never seen this script produced before and enjoy a live Owen.

Don't see it if you’ve seen the original production and production value is important to you.

Also Ha and Owen save this production. Frankly, Taymour should be ashamed.

See it if I had never seen M. Butterfly before. I definitely could see Julie Taymore's influence. Clive Owen was great. Jin Ha was amazing. It is

Don't see it if very worthwhile. See it, if you can suspend belief that this man could have been in love with this "woman" and intimate for 20 years

Also knowing she was a he. I felt for Rene and was angry that he was basically used by Butterfly.... Read more Read less

See it if See this show if you are intrigued by human nature and how the mind can convince the emotions to believe the improbable truth. Gorgeous sets

Don't see it if You don't agree that love conquers all.

See it if you’re interested in a non fiction version of Mme Butterfly or if you’d enjoy an east meets west, thought provoking play w/ complex issues.

Don't see it if you only enjoy light hearted themes or dislike complexity of human minds & sexuality and may be offended by nudity on stage.

See it if you love Owen or new talent. If you're new to the story. Clever... with political and gender and machiavellian overtones.

Don't see it if you find stage manipulation distracting..hands turning panels v high school. If you adored 1st production this might disappoint (didn't see)

See it if you like MAGNIFICENT acting. Clive Owen commands the stage, turning in a performance that should be the text book for actors everywhere.

Don't see it if you don't want a gender-bending story that will leave you confused, nudity or staging that has been highly criticized.

Also DUDE LOOKS LIKE A LADY...First and foremost, Clive Owen (Rene Gallimond) and Jin Ha (Song Liling) turn in Tony Award caliber performances. Because of these two artists, I can ignore a lot of what has been deemed negative about the play. So riveted was I by them, that the set was almost inconsequential. Almost.
This is a memory play, to the point that Owen says "Story's over, I'm done." and tries to leave the bared stage. The fourth wall is often broken, so it makes sense that the stage be ethereal. Moving flats instead of walls dominate. If taken in the context of a man's mind, instead of a linear show, it works. The convoluted love story between a Parisian diplomat, and a Chinese Opera actor (a man who plays a woman who plays a man, who plays a woman??) based on a true story. This is a gender-bending look at true love based on lies. Love me for who I am not what I am.
A must see performance by the two leads, but an open mind is indeed required.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an emotionally & exotically charged drama with hilarity.Dancing and costumes were brilliant.Jin Ha&Clive were electrifying

Don't see it if You are not into nudity & explicit sexual talk

Also Found moving screens on stage to be distracting but as show went on it was more synchronized. The entire cast was great... Read more Read less