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 B.D. 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. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine