‘Butterflies Are Free’ at Sierra Madre Playhouse

Jean Gilpin and Peter Van Norden at an Off the Page play reading on Aug. 20. – Courtesy photo / Facebook, @SierraMadrePlayhouse

For the next entry in its Off the Page monthly series of free staged readings, the Sierra Madre Playhouse will present the comedy “Butterflies Are Free” on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.

Young Don Baker, the hero of his mother’s children’s book series “Donny Dark,” has been blind since birth; his overprotective mother following his every move. Don finally decides to take his own apartment in Manhattan and pursue his songwriting ambitions. When she meets his kooky neighbor, sexy actress Jill, Mrs. Baker’s controlling instincts go into overdrive with hilariously touching results.
The New York Daily News lauded the play as “A lovely play. It is funny when it means to be, sentimental when it is so inclined, and heartwarming.”

Leonard Gershe is the playwright. “Butterflies Are Free” received three Tony Award nominations when it was first produced on Broadway in 1969. Gershe’s other Broadway credits include “Destry Rides Again” and “Alive and Kicking.” He received an Oscar nomination for “Funny Face” and wrote screenplays for “40 Carats” and “Silk Stockings.” He also wrote for “The Lucy Show” and “The Ann Sothern Show.”

Bill Mesnik directs. His previous directing credits at Sierra Madre Playhouse include “Da” and “Cat’s Cradle.” Playhouse audiences will also remember him for his show of political songs from throughout American history, “Bill Mesnik- Mudslinger!” He also created the acclaimed show “Three Songs.” Also an actor with credits including Broadway, film and television, Bill received his master’s from Yale Drama School.

The Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Admission is Free. For more information, visit sierramadreplayhouse.org or call (626) 355-4318.