A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Butterflies Are Free

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  2w, 2m

Leonard Gershe

This charming romantic comedy—about a young blind man, his overprotective mother and the free-spirited actress who wins his heart—inspired a hit movie starring Goldie Hawn.

Butterflies Are Free

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Suggested Use
    • Cutting Approved for Competition
    • Monologues
    • Scene work
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary
Young Don Baker, hero of his mother's Donny Dark books for children, 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.
History
Butterflies Are Free premiered on Broadway at the Booth Theatre on October 21, 1969. Directed by Milton Katselas, the production starred Keir Dullea, Eileen Heckart, Blythe Danner and Michael Glaser. A 1972 film adaptation starred Goldie Hawn, Eileen Heckart and Edward Albert.
Keywords
Performing Groups
DON BAKER
JILL TANNER
MRS. BAKER
RALPH AUSTIN
  • Time Period 1970s, 1960s
  • Setting Don Baker's apartment on East 11th Street in New York City.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Duration 105 Minutes

Media

“A charming play... humorous, winning and quietly moving.” – New York Post

“A lovely play. It is funny when it means to be, sentimental when it is so inclined, and heartwarming.” – New York Daily News


Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
  • Mandatory Music/Media Fee: £18 per performance

Scripts

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Authors

Leonard Gershe

Leonard Gershe
Born in New York City, Leonard Gershe made his Broadway debut as a lyricist for the 1950 revue Alive and Kicking. He wrote the book for Harold Rome's musical stage adaptation of Destry Rides Again in 1959, and in 1969 a play, Butterflies are Free. Later Gershe wrote another p ...
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