Hwang is a genius. That is all I have to say. This play is so insightful, cuts so close to the bone. It pulls away veils for anyone that encounters it.<\/p>\n
I first read it in book form, and I was in love with it immediately. I was really lucky, because right after I read it, I was able to hear David Henry Hwang speak.<\/p>\n
He seems so genuine and open. He wrote this play, but he is also kind of impressed with how it turned out. Often artists are humbled by their muse.<\/p>\n
The basic story is a true one, of a French diplomat who carries on an affair with a Chinese person for 20 years. Whoops! The Chinese person was a man, not a woman, and even more whoops, a spy.<\/p>\n
Gallimard, the Frenchman, was tried for treason.<\/p>\n
Hwang takes this story and unfolds it like an accordion. There is so much to it, and he pulls it apart so nicely.<\/p>\n
I remember him saying, during the Q&A period, that he himself had a lot of empathy for all the characters in his play. He said he understood the Asian perspective, but he was a man as well, and he understood the desire to objectify women.<\/p>\n
I just heard John Lithgow and B.D. Wong play these parts. Lithgow gave a gorgeous performance, and that confirmed my opinion of his genius. But I hadn’t heard of Wong before. He was SO GOOD. The rold of the mistress is a very demanding role. Wow. He was good.<\/p>\n
This play is really necessary for everyone to encounter. It will make you check your assumptions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hwang is a genius. That is all I have to say. This play is so insightful, cuts so close to the bone. It pulls away veils for anyone that encounters it. I first read it in book form, and I … Continue reading