kimono

Becoming an “American” wife, Butterfly exchanges her kimono for a Western dress and can act like a ditzy ‘30s starlet. The deeper characters in this production are her maid, Suzuki, and Sharpless, the American consul. In these roles, Hyona Kim brings a gripping intensity that grounds Butterfly, while Michael Sumuel proves a brilliantly caring foil to Pinkerton‘s superficiality.

For the role, the actor had to learn traditional Japanese, how to walk in a kimono, how to kneel properly and even how to fight.

For example, many of the characters wear the predecessor to the kimono, a kosode.

Rosario also staffed his department with experts in Japanese textiles and kimono dressing.

For the role, the actor had to learn traditional Japanese, how to walk in a kimono, how to kneel properly and even how to fight.