Duong, whose novels have been banned in her native Vietnam, deftly employs flashbacks, multiple points of view and a haunting interplay of narrative and interior voices to construct her sadly beautiful tale.

(Anthony Tommasini) * 'MADAMA BUTTERFLY' (Tuesday) The abstract staging in Anthony Minghella's 0visually beautiful production deftly employs movable screens, billowing fabrics, stylized costumes and a life-size puppet manipulated by three black-clad puppeteers to portray Butterfly's 3-year-old son.

She is Diane Ketchie who, in a stunning bit of multi-media virtuosity, whizzes through difficult piano music, sings lustily and employs deftly funny body English, all at the same time.

(Bernard Holland) * 'MADAMA BUTTERFLY' (Tomorrow and Tuesday) The abstract staging of Anthony Minghella's visually beautiful production of "Madama Butterfly" deftly employs movable screens, billowing fabrics, stylized costumes and, most daringly, a life-size puppet manipulated by three black-clad puppeteers to portray Butterfly's 3-year-old son.

Known as Fritz, Mr. Hollings speaks in a rich Low Country drawl that he deftly employs for his frequent barbs.

Bower deftly employs hieroglyphic translations of certain phrases in the story, so readers can see what the scroll actually looks like and, if they so choose, even draw some of the hieroglyphics themselves.

The abstract staging deftly employs movable screens, billowing fabrics, stylized costumes and, most daringly, a life-sized puppet manipulated by three black-clad puppeteers to portray Butterfly's 3-year-old son.

Both characters deftly employ sexuality to get what they want.

Recognizing their clients' absolute dependence on them, M., Johnny and the others deftly employ the model of intimidation that worked so efficiently for the security apparatus under the former regime.