M Butterfly May 22, 2010

From his prison cell, former French diplomat Rene Gallimard recalls the story of how he came to be loved by Song Liling, a performer in the Peking opera. Assigned to Bejing in the 1960s, Gallimard encounters Song in a performance of 'Madame Butterfly.' Dazzled by her beauty, he believes he has found "the perfect woman," and uses his Western influence to ensnare this exotic butterfly. Their relationship develops into a passionate love affair that lasts more than two decades, yet when Song's identity is revealed - as a man and a spy for the Chinese government - Gallimard discovers far more than the submissive leading lady he wanted, and his personal and political realities dissolve before his eyes. NOTE: This production contains nudity and smoking.