Flying the East, West racial stereotypes
— Fullerton College Hornet - Kelly Fullerton - Monday, November 6th, 1995
Fullerton College Theater Arts will present David Hwang's "M. Butterfly' in the Bronwyn Dodson Theater this week.
According to Director Gary Krinke, "M. Butterfly" is funny, mysterious and full of brilliant ideas
"The, show is.. beautifully ,designed and costumed and the cast is meeting the challenging script head on," said. Krinke.
"The audience' is guaranteed riveting evening of theater that; is based on a story so bizarre, it must be true."
"M. Butterfly" is the story of French Diplomat; Rene Gallimard, a man held=captive by both the French: government and his own illusions.
''In-his prison cell, he recalls a ,time when a beautiful Chinese opera star named Song Liling touched him with love" as vivid, as seductive and as elusive as a butterfly."
His world comes.crashing down around him when it is, revealed that. his ideal woman is a spy for the Chinese government. He relives their 20-year affair from seduction t. the scandal that consumed them both.
Krinke cautions the production is definitely for mature audiences.
Audience members that arrive after, the prescribed curtain time will be detained in the lobby until the opening scene has been completed.
"Since this four minute episode is, crucial in the plot explanation, I advise everyone to arrive and be seated early," Krinke said.
Krinke says, "This script was chosen to appeal to our vast FC Asian population."
According to Krinke, "M. Butterfly" illuminates the conflict between men, and women, the difference between East and West racial stereotypes and the shadows we cast around our most cherished illusions..
The cast includes: Steven Biggs,Alonzo Dean, Erica Dudek, Kelly Hardy, Arron Lico, Laura Pinto, Tiffany Sauceda, Brian Shen and Jane Yee.
The production is stage managed by Colette Naffaa and designed by Rober Jensen.
Sound designer is Jim Book, and the lighting designer is Steve Pliska
The costumes were designed by Mela Hoyt-Heydon.
The author, David Hwang, a Stanford University graduate, maintains that nothing in his past propelled him towards the theater, but that when he got there he found himself searching for the meaning of "Chinese American".
His. plays include: "F.O.B.," "Dance and The Railroad," "Family Devotions" "The House of Sleeping Beauties," "The Sound of a Voice," "Rich Relations" and'·the.Tony Award winning "M. Butterfly."
Regular production ·dates are Nov. 8, 9, 10, 11 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 11, 12 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $6 to $8.
There will be a special ·performance on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
Proceeds will go toward funding theater arts awards for further education. ·
Tickets for the special production on Nov. 12 are being sold for $10 and may be purchased at the box office. ·
Areas of Study...
Acting, Performance and Musical Theatre
Each season of plays provides a wide variety of roles and production post experiences for Theatre students. High production values, current state of the art technologies, and a wide spectrum of very challenging styles and subject matter make the performance venues excellent laboratories for student exploration and growth.
Directing and Playwriting
Few community colleges offer students opportunities to study directing and playwrighting in their first two years of undergraduate study. Students follow the classwork they successfully complete with opportunities to compete for assignments in the Playwrights Festival and the Directors Festival.
General Education
For both the non-major and the major alike, the Theatre Arts general education courses meet university transfer requirements and allow the student to build a strong foundation of introductory knowledge to the many facets of theatre-making and theatre-study.