2008 PRODUCTION

The Butterfly
January 28-February 15, 2008

There are many terrible stories from the time of the Nazi occupation of France. In my research in preparation for writing the adaptation of  THE BUTTERFLY, I discovered that Jews were driven from their homes and sent to concentration camps while the populace looked on, and in some cases, even encouraged Nazi outrages.   But I also read stories of compassion and heroism, and one of the reasons I chose to adapt THE BUTTERFLY, is it is one of those stories. 

Patricia Polacco's great aunt Marcelle Solliliage and her aunt Monique, who was eleven at the time, are the mother and daughter at the center of her book.  One night, Monique accidentally meets Sevrine, a Jewish girl in hiding in Monique's attic, and discovers that her own mother is a member of the French underground.   As Monique becomes aware of just how insidious bigotry is, so do we.  

A Nazi officer, and head of the Hitler Youth movement in France, convinces Henri, Monique's gullible teenage neighbor, that Jews are to blame for all of society's ills, and enlists him to spy on the villagers. 

Monique's friend, Monsieur Marks is taken away before her eyes, to await a transport to Germany.  Monique and Sevrine, with the help of Sevrine's father, hatch a daring plan to save him.  The danger mounts as Henri becomes more and more suspicious.  Against this backdrop, the girls begin a loving friendship that lasts throughout their lives as they discover more and more about each other. 

It is my hope that by telling the story of THE BUTTERFLY in conjunction with its related educational and family programs, one of the darkest moments in human history will be illuminated.  In a world that is once again witnessing genocide, I believe we must insure that people do not forget the past.

Barbara Zinn Krieger
Artistic Director

LOCATIONS & SCHEDULE PERFORMANCE

For tickets to the Saturday and Sunday public performances go online to Symphony Space.
For all other tickets, call 212 573 8791.

Bronx
January 28-February 1, 10:30am
Lehman Stages
Lovinger Theatre @ Lehman College
250 Bedford Park Blvd. West , Bronx

Brooklyn
February 4-8, 10:30am
Goldstein Theatre @
Kingsborough Community College
2001 Oriental Blvd., Brooklyn

Manhattan
Public Performances on Saturday and Sunday, February 9 & 10, 4:30pm
February 11 & 12 10am & 12pm
Symphony Space
2537 Broadway (at 95th Street)

Queens
February 14 & 15, 10:30am
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College
31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City

Schooltime and weekend performances.
Tickets $8-$22. Group rates available.

Suitable for ages 4 and up.

For group sales and information, call (212) 573-8791.

* Live music
* Broadway-quality cast
* An award-winning director
* Beautiful sets, lights and costumes
* Performances in four NYC boroughs

Our Cast

Alyssa May Gold as Monique
Emily Harvey as Marcelle Solliliage
Alexa Holzberger as Sevrine
Al Pagano as Paul Hoffman and Stammfuhrer Walter
Ted Bouton as Philippe Marks, Pere Voulliard and Nazi Soldier
Joe Grandy as Henri Lendormy
Allison Hope, Stage Manager

Our Production Team

B.D.White, Production Manager
Jack Mehler, Set Designer
Douglas Cox, Lighting Designer
Jenna Rossi-Camus, Costume Designer
Bill Grady, Sound Designer

Our Musicians

Charles Greenberg, Music Director
Ann Marie Bermont, Violin
Paul Cabri, Guitar
Robert Meyer, Reeds
Tim Rosser, Keyboards