Madame Butterfly (musical)


 * For the animated sitcom, see Madame Butterfly (TV series)

Madame Butterfly is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Rina Sawayama, loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly. The musical is performed primarily in English, with several of the songs featuring occasional Japanese phrases.

Sources and inspiration
Inspiration for the content in the series came from several different sources. The characters represent those from Giacomo Puccini's opera of the same name. Nagasaki in 1904 is replaced by present-day Tokyo.

Musical Numbers

 * Act 1
 * 1) The orchestra plays a medley of four J-pop hits of ("Rising Sun" by EXILE, "Koisuru Fortune Cookie" by AKB48, "Love Machine" by Morning Musume, and "Tsukematsukeru" by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu), leading us to the opening scene in the musical.
 * 2) "Special Place" - Adam and Marius inspect a house in a suburb of Tokyo. Marius has found the house for Adam and his future wife, and is showing him the house, with its sliding doors, a unique living room, a guest room, and a garden in the backyard. Several neighbors and Suzuki, the maid of Adam's future wife, enter the garden and are introduced to Adam. After everyone leaves, Marius tells Adam that everything is now ready and that his future wife, Chika, should arrive shortly, as well as a consul from the United Kingdom, the marriage registrar, and many of Chika's relatives, expect her uncle Francis, a priest who ruled out attending the ceremony. British consul Harry Lindstrom drove approximately 30 miles from Center City Tokyo. He enters the garden, greets Adam and Marius, and admires the view that overlooks the city. Adam tells Harry that he has just purchased the house for 12 years, with the right every month to cancel the agreement. Adam explains that, in Japan, the law is very loose.
 * 3) "Go Everywhere" - As the orchestra plays the chorus to One Direction's song "Story of My Life" (a theme which will characterize Adam throughout the musical), Adam tells Harry that, regardless of location, some people are not satisfied until he captures flowers and the love of every beautiful woman. Adam further explains that he is marrying in the Japanese style, but with the right to cancel the marriage each month. Harry is critical of Adam's beliefs, but they stand and agree, "Britain forever." Adam tells Marius to bring Chika to him. When Marius leaves, Harry asks if Adam is really in love with Chika.
 * 4) "It May Be Love" - Adam admits to Harry that he doesn't know whether he is really in love or just infatuated, but he is bewitched with Chika's innocence, charm and beauty, comparing her to a butterfly fluttering around and then landing with silent grace, and further states that he needs her, even if he injures her wings.
 * 5) "One Step Forward" - Chika can be heard guiding her friends throughout the neighborhood, jubilantly telling them that she's the happiest woman in Japan, or rather the world. She recognizes Adam and points him out to her friends, for which many greet him in a shy manner. After "One Step Forward" ends, Chika greets Adam, who asks about her difficult climb up the hill. Chika says that, for a happy bride, the wait is even more difficult. Adam thanks her for the compliment. Chika then tells Adam and Harry that her family is from Tokyo and have been millionaires for "as long as they can remember". Furthermore, Chika greets her relatives, who are "just in time" for the wedding. Adam laughs at the sight and tells Harry, "Consider this a farce." Harry tells him that, despite considering the wedding hire a farce, she considers it "99.9% real". Meanwhile, Chika tells her relatives how much she loves Adam. One of her cousins says that Marius first offered Adam to her, but she refused. Chika's relatives say that he's like a king, and then, at a sign from Chika, all her friends and relatives greet Adam and explore the garden. Adam takes Chika's hand and leads her into the house.
 * 6) "Come with Me" - From her sleeve, Chika brings out to show Adam all of her belongings, which include a scrapbook, a mirror, her phone, a lipstick case, and other trinkets. Then she shows him a long, narrow case, which she tells him holds her only sacred treasure, but she cannot open it, because there are too many people around. Marius whispers to Adam that the case contains a "gift" from the Mikado to Chika's father, inviting him to commit seppuku. Chika continues to show Adam her other belongings, including several little statues, courtesy of her ancestors. After "Come with Me" ends, Chika tells Adam that yesterday, in secret and without telling her uncle Francis, she went to the consulate, where she abandoned her ancestral religion and converted to Adam's religion.
 * 7) "Settle Down" - Everything is ready, and Marius tells everyone to be quiet. The ceremony commences as planned, at a city hall on the outskirts of Tokyo, and witnesses Adam and Chika sign the official papers.
 * 8) "They Call Her Madame Butterfly" - The wedding celebration begins, and everyone wishes happiness to the new couple. After a short while, Harry pleads with Adam not to be harsh, and he leaves with the Commissioner and several childhood friends. Adam, Chika, and their guests continue the celebration with many toasts.
 * 9) "You Are Damned!" - The toasts are interrupted by an angry voice offstage, screaming: "Chika! How could you do that?" Uncle Francis has discovered that Chika has renounced her ancestral religion, and he has arrived to deliver his curse. He stands over Chika, shouting his curses at her, when Adam intervenes to stop him. Francis is shocked at the British businessman, and orders all the guests to leave with him, getting on Chika's case about renouncing her ancestral religion. Chika breaks down in tears as Adam consoles her.
 * 10) "Nightfall" - Adam tells Chika that her relatives and other people in Japan are not worth the tears from her eyes. Chika smiles through her tears, trying not to think about her Uncle's curse.
 * 11) "Somebody" - Adam admires Chika and realizes she didn't tell him she loves him. Chika replies that she does not want to say the words, fearing that her "monster" uncle will go ballistic. She leads with Adam to officially love her, proving that he "must be that somebody" and then asks whether it's true that, anywhere in the world, a man will catch a butterfly and pin its wings to a table. Adam believes and embraces her, all while saying that he has "caught that somebody", which is her.


 * Act 2
 * 1) "The Ballad of Izanagi and Izanami" - Three years later, Suzuki sits in the basement with a slice of her favorite chocolate cake and the TV showing an episode of Spy × Family, all while praying that Chika will stop crying. Chika hears and tells her that the Japanese gods are lazy, and that the British God will answer quickly, if only He knows where they are living. Suzuki tells Chika that they're low on money and, if Adam doesn't return quickly, they'll suffer badly. Chika assures Suzuki that Adam will return eventually, because he took care to arrange for the consul to pay the rent and to fit the house with locks to keep out pests. Suzuki tells Chika that most foreign husbands "hardly ever" return to their Japanese wives, but Chika replies furiously that Adam had assured her, on the last morning they were together, "I'll be back!" Suzuki cries as continuing to eat the cake slice and watch the Spy × Family episode.
 * 2) "On a Day Like This" - Serving as the musical's most famous song and one of the most popular works in the modern musical theater repertoire, Chika claims that someday they'll witness a puff of smoke on the outskirts of Tokyo, with a taxi appearing at some point. She might not come down to meet him but will text him to see how he's doing. After a few moments, she'll see in the far distance a man beginning the drive out of the city. Upon arrival, he shouts her name from a distance, but doesn't get a reply. Chika promises Suzuki that the possibilities of all this happening are highly likely. After the song ends, Harry greets her, "Excuse me, Chika Baishō." Without looking to see who is speaking, Chika corrects him, "Chika Beaton, please." As she turns and sees that it is Harry who has spoken, she's more than happy, "Welcome to this British home." Harry draws a letter from his pocket and tells her, "Adam Beaton has written to me." Harry tells her that Adam is perfectly well, and she says, "I am the happiest woman in Japan." Chika asks him, "When do the robins make their nests in the UK?" The question confuses Harry, so Chika explains that Adam promised to return to her "when the robin builds his nest again" all while showing a picture of another robin's nest on Twitter. She says that, on home soil, the robin has already built his nest three times, and she asks if "over there he nests less frequently." A mortified Harry tells her that he's uncertain because he hasn't studied ornithology. Chika hears Marius laughing, and she whispers to Harry that Marius is mentally ill, and that, after Adam left, Marius came to her many times with anything that catches his eye. She says that Marius now wants her to marry a wealthy man Giichi, who then is arriving with a few of his childhood friends as the orchestra plays the opening flourish to the Japanese folk tune "Miyasan", much to Chika's annoyance.
 * 3) "Not Yet" - Chika sees Giichi and asks him if he is not going to give up pursuing her, because "You've married one too many times." Giichi admits that he had a habit of finding a new woman to marry after he divorces his previous wife. In the meantime, Harry gives up trying to read Adam's text message to Chika, and he puts his phone in his pocket. Marius tells Harry that Chika thinks that she is still married. Chika hears this and says, "I don't think I am; I actually am married." When Marius tries to tell her about the Japanese law of marriage, Chika interrupts and tells him that the Japanese law is not the law of her new country, the United Kingdom. She tells Marius that she understands how easy divorce is under Japanese law, "but that's impossible in the UK." She turns sharply and asks Harry, "Am I right?" Harry is embarrassed and must admit that she is correct. Chika turns triumphantly to Suzuki and asks that she serve lemonade. Giichi, Harry, and Marius quietly discuss Chika's blindness. Marius whispers that Adam's car is expected to arrive soon, and Harry explains that Adam is too embarrassed to meet Chika and has asked Harry to handle it. Giichi, offended, departs with his friends and Marius. Harry remains, sits next to Chika, and takes the phone out of his pocket once more, still showing the text message from Adam. Harry begins to read Adam's text message to Butterfly: "Hi, Harry! Just to clairfy, you'll find that lovely flower of a woman…" Chika cannot control her happiness, as he continues, "since that happy times, within the past three years, and Chika perhaps forgotten me." Shika looks at Suzuki and says, "How could I not remember Adam? I think you should tell him!" Harry continues, "If she still loves and awaits me, the only thing you need to do is carefully and considerately prepare her…" Chika anticipates Adam's arrival, but Harry cannot bear to continue. He puts his phone away, muttering to himself, "that freak!" Sharpless asks her gently, "Chika, what would you do if he never returned?" Chika is shocked.
 * 4) "2 Things I Could Do" - Chika cries that, if Adam were gone for good, she would go back to spending time with her friends, or, heaven forbid, die. Harry pleads with her to accept the rich offer from Giichi. Chika is upset with Harry and ask Suzuki to take him out. As he begins to leave, Chika stops him, apologizes for her anger, and explains that his questions have hurt her "so badly!" Then she goes into another room and returns, bringing with her the brown-haired three-year-old girl who is her constant reminder of Adam. Chika shows Harry her child, and Harry asks if Adam knows. Chika replies, "No. This girl was born when Adam was away in his from the United Kingdom." She asks Harry to text and tell him that his daughter waits for him. "Let's see whether or he hurries with that flight." After the song ends, Harry finally says, "I'm outta here!" Chika gives him her hand and this her daughter's. Harry asks the child his name, and Butterfly answers for him, "Her name is Anna." Harry promises to tell Adam. Offstage, Suzuki can be heard shouting, "You freaking snake!" Suzuki enters, pulling Marius with her, and she tells Chika, "Every day, that stupid snake is convinced that no one knows who is the child's father!" Marius explains that, in the United Kingdom, when a child is born with a curse, he or she is usually rejected by everyone. In a rage, Chika yells at a horrified Marius, "You lying piece of crap! Say that again, and I'll call the police on you!" Marius flees while Suzuki takes the Anna to the other room. Chika calms down, goes to her daughter and says, "Listen, honey. I'm sorry about what happened. Marius is nothing short of a liar."
 * 5) "Blame It on Marius" - This angry pop-rock song blames Marius for lying. Chika is more than pissed, eager to voice her frustration on Twitter, and block Marius' account. After the song ends, Chika tells Suzuki: "Those a-holes were lying! All of them!" She continues, "I'm the only one who loves Adam. That said, there's nothing wrong with the fact that I have a British husband." She tells Suzuki to prepare a fragrant bath and asks how long she will have to wait for Adam to come back. "This house must have flowers. Not only in the living room or the guest room, but everywhere."
 * 6) "A Bajillion Flowers" - Suzuki asks, "So, you basically want all the flowers to be in the house, is that right?" Chika says yes, stating that "every flower from bushes, plants and trees" should be planted, and that she wants "the whole fragrance of spring" to be included, thus leading to this dance-rock song focusing on the two gathering as many flowers as possible.


 * Act 3
 * 1) "The Break of Dawn" - The next morning, Suzuki awakes and is very sad. Chika tells her that Adam will eventually return; then she carries a sleepy Anna into the other room and tells her to sleep, as does Chika herself. Suzuki waits in the front room and hears a knock at the door. Adam and Harry have arrived, but Adam tells Suzuki not to wake Chika and asks how Chika knew that he had final returned. Suzuki tells him that, for the last three years, Chika has watched her favorite anime TV shows and taken good care of Anna. Harry tells Adam, "Did I not tell you so?" Suzuki sees a strange woman in the garden, learns from Harry that Chika is Adam's British wife and collapses to her knees in shock.
 * 2) "I Know What I've Done" - While Adam looks at the flowers, the picture of himself and the room that has remained unchanged for three years, Harry tells Suzuki that they can do nothing for Chika but that they must help Anna. Harry tells her that Pinkerton's new wife, Kate, wants to care for the child. Suzuki goes into the garden to meet Adam's new wife, Fatima, wants to care for Anna. Suzuki goes into the garden to meet Adam's new wife, while Harry reminds Adam, "Did I not tell you? She was waiting for you the whole time." Adam admits his wrong and leaves Harry to tell Chika the shameful news.
 * 3) "See You Never" - Adam says "Sayonara, Chika…her gentle face haunting endlessly 24/7." In the opening verse of the song, he admits that he's a coward and isn't able to face her, and quickly leaves as Suzuki and Fatima enter from the garden. Fatima is telling Suzuki to assure Chika that Fatima will look after Anna.
 * 4) "What Would Suzuki Think?" - From offstage, Chika calls for Suzuki and then enters the room. As she enters, Fatima retreats to the garden in order to prevent herself from being seen by other people. She asks Suzuki why she is crying, and then she sees Harry and the woman in the garden. She tells Suzuki not to cry, but to answer "yes" or "no" on whether or not Adam is still alive. Chika understands that Adam is not coming for her and that Fatima is his new wife. Chika realizes that she must betray Anna, and Fatima asks her forgiveness. Finally, once the song ends, Chika tells Fatima, "I'll hand Anna to you right now. Please come back to the neighborhood in half-an-hour." Suzuki escorts Fatima and Harry out, and Chika breaks down in tears all while looking at past pictures on her phone.
 * 5) "Just Like a Fly" - Chika stands up, sees Suzuki and tells her to close up the house, because, according to her, it's too bright. Then she asks her to go to the other room where Anna is playing with dolls. Chika grabs a rosary and prays to her ancestral gods. She stands, finds a knife in the kitchen cupboard, kisses the blade, and reads the inscription.
 * 6) "Dying with Honor" - The knife's inscription reads: "Whoever's unable to live must die with honor", leading into the 3-minute power ballad.
 * 7) "Empty Heart" - Anna enters, but Suzuki doesn't. Chika tells Anna not to feel sorrow for his mother's desertion but to keep a faint memory of his mother's face. Chika bids Anna farewell, seats the latter on the floor and blindfolds her gently. Chika even gives Anna a miniature British flag to wave in greeting to her father, which she does, blindfolded, throughout the following action. Chika takes the knife and walks behind the screen. The knife clatters to the floor as Chika staggers from behind the screen with a scarf around her neck. She kisses Anna on the forehead and collapses. From outside, Adam cries, "Chika!" and rushes in – but it's too late: Chika is badly injured and has to be put into a coma until further notice.

Soundtrack
Madame Butterfly: Original Cast Recording is the soundtrack recording for the musical.