M. Butterfly

M. Butterfly
Written byDavid Henry Hwang
CharactersRene Gallimard
Song Liling
Marc
Helga
M. Toulon
Comrade Chin
Renee and others
Date premieredFebruary 10, 1988
Place premieredNational Theatre, Washington, D.C.
Original languageEnglish
SubjectEast/West cultural stereotypes
GenreDrama
SettingA Paris prison, 1988; recollections of Beijing and Paris

M. Butterfly is a play by David Henry Hwang. The story, while entwined with that of the opera Madama Butterfly, is based most directly on the relationship between French diplomat Bernard Boursicot and Shi Pei Pu, a Beijing opera singer. The play premiered on Broadway in 1988 and won the 1988 Tony Award for Best Play. In addition to this, it was a Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist in 1989.