Leung, who will be on leave from Rent Dec. 26-Feb. 19, 2008, will play Song Liling in the David Henry Hwang opus, the role created on Broadway by B. D. Wong; Wong won a Tony for his performance. Joe Calarco will direct the Philadelphia Theatre Company production, which will play the Suzanne Roberts Theatre Jan. 18-Feb. 17, 2008.
Based on a true story and inspired by Puccini's Madame Butterfly, M. Butterfly, press notes state, "is a provocative and captivating story of lust, politics, and betrayal. A French diplomat falls in love with a Chinese opera singer who is to him, the 'perfect woman,' yet this Chinese butterfly of his passions is ultimately revealed to be far more than she seems."
Telly Leung made his Broadway debut in the revival of Flower Drum Song and then appeared in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures. He spent a year playing Boq in the Chicago production of Wicked, and his other theatrical credits include Rent; Zanna, Don't!; Thoroughly Modern Millie; The King and I; Jesus Christ Superstar; Children of Eden; Sweeney Todd; and Godspell. Leung can be heard on the "Wall to Wall Stephen Sondheim" recording, and his debut EP is titled "Getaway." The actor is also a co-founder of the fledgling Jaradoa Theatre Company. Visit tellyonline.net for more information.
M. Butterfly, directed by John Dexter, played Broadway's Eugene O'Neill Theatre, March 13, 1988-Jan. 27, 1990. The production won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play as well as Tonys for co-stars John Lithgow and B.D. Wong and director Dexter.
The Suzanne Roberts Theatre is located in Philadelphia at 480 S. Broad Street (between Broad and Lombard). For tickets call (215) 985-0420 or visit www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.