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Aurora Players
P.O. Box 206
East Aurora, NY 14052
© Dori Shear-McGowan
© Dori Shear-McGowan
© Dori Shear-McGowan
© Dori Shear-McGowan
© Dori Shear-McGowan
© Dori Shear-McGowan
Butterflies Are Free
Butterflies Are Free is a comedy/drama, by Leonard Gershe. The plot revolves around a blind man (Don Baker) living in downtown Manhattan whose controlling mother disapproves of his relationship with a free-spirited hippie (Jill Tanner).
Young Don Baker, 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 he meets his hooky neighbor, sexy actress, Jill, Mrs. Baker’s controlling instincts go into overdrive with hilariously touching results.
Video Created by Jeff Wick
Award distinctions are:
Meritorious Achievement = Some advanced theatrical skill noted
Excellence = Theatrical skill base not routinely noted in non-professional theatre
Outstanding Achievement = Theatrical skill base rarely seen in non-professional theatre
The awards are as follows:
- Outstanding Achievement in Direction and Production Concept to David Hall and the production team
- Outstanding Achievement in Ensemble Acting to the cast
- Outstanding Achievement in Acting to Aaron Gabriel Saldana for the portrayal of Don Baker
- Outstanding Achievement in Acting to Maryna Sophia Seufert for the portrayal of Jill Tanner
Cast Members
Aaron Saldana
Don Baker
Maryna Seufert
Jill Tanner
Tara Potzler
Mrs. Baker
Tony Wizner
Ralph Austin
Video Created by Mary Loliger
Director: David Hall
David Hall has been active in Aurora Players for many years. In the fall of 2021, he directed the smash hit, HAIR, which won nine TANYS awards, including Excellence in Direction. He has brought his artistic vision as a director to other audience favorites such as The Glass Menagerie, Towards Zero, Grease, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Little Shop of Horrors. He also directed productions with Lancaster Regional Players. At Aurora Players, you may have most recently seen David in And Then There Were None, Miracle On 34th Street, and Alice in Wonderland.
The Reviews Are In!
“What an enjoyable afternoon at the Aurora Players seeing Butterflies Are Free! We didn’t know what to expect with the lead character being blind. How would he be able to play this? Well there was not one moment where we were not convinced he could not see. He was totally convincing and we were fully immersed in the storyline. Very well done. Thank you!”
“A delightful play, well directed, wonderfully cast and the set, of course, is perfect. The production had a Studio Arena feeling to it.”
“This is a must see …. I loved the characters and how each of them gave me pause to think about their situations. Subtle humor perfectly delivered. It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed a play like this presented by The Players. Great job David Hall!”
I have been attending productions at the play house since moving back to East Aurora in 2019. Butterflies Are Free was the best play of the past four years! It was funny, poignant, truthful, and superbly well acted. Thank you to all involved for a wonderful theater experience. We are looking forward to next season’s offerings, and of course Theatre in the Park this summer. So much fun!