'The Butterfly' New Family Musical Tours New York

The world premiere of the new family musical The Butterfly - adapted from Patricia Polacco's book of the same name by Charles Greenberg (Music) and Barbara Zinn Krieger (Book & Lyrics) and directed by David Schechter - will be presented by Making Books Sing, the New York-based company dedicated to turning culturally and historically significant books for young readers into musical works for the stage, with performances in the Bronx at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College from January 28 to February 1; in Brooklyn at the Goldstein Theatre at Kingsborough Community College from February 4 to 8; in Manhattan at Symphony Space from February 9 to 12; and in Queens at Laguardia Performing Arts Center at Laguardia Community College from February 14 to 15.

"The Butterfly - drawn from Patricia Polacco's own family history - is a story of acceptance, courage and conviction set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied 1942 France. Monique is forever changed when she encounters Sevrine, a Jewish girl her age, hiding in her attic.  Monique discovers that her mother and the family priest, members of the French Resistance, are giving refuge to Sevrine's family. When their secret is discovered, Monique rallies her courage to help lead her new found friend to safety," explain press notes.

The Butterfly features a cast which includes - Alyssa May Gold (Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood); Victoria Huston-Elem; Alexa Holzberger; Al Pagano; Gordon Stanley (Ragtime, Beauty and the Beast); and Michael Wartella (title role in A.R.T's production of Oliver Twist).

Design team for The Butterfly is: Jack Mehler (Set Designer); Douglas Cox (Lighting Designer); Jenna Rossi-Camus (Costume Designer); and Bill Grady (Sound Designer).

Boosey and Hawkes, the world-renowned music publisher, will continue their partnership with Making Books Sing and publish The Butterfly, as they have with other Making Books Sing productions in years past.

The Butterfly will give performances open to the public throughout the city, as follows:

THE BRONX - January 28 - February 1 at 10:30am
Lovinger Theatre @ Lehman College - 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West - Bronx, NY
Directions - By Car: From the Deegan Expressway, exit at Van Cortlandt Park South. Follow signs. From the Henry Hudson Parkway, exit at Moshulu Parkway. Follow signs.
By Subway: Take the 4 or the D to Bedford Park Station. Lehman College campus is a 3 to 5 minute, well-lit walk to the west.

BROOKLYN - February 4 - 8 at 10:30am
Goldstein Theatre @ Kingsborough Community College - 2001 Oriental Blvd. - Brooklyn, NY
Monday, February 5 - Friday, February 9 at 10:30am
Directions - By Car: Belt Pkwy east to Exit 8A. Cross Coney Island Ave. along Guider Ave. Turn right onto E. 12th St. Turn left onto Neptune Ave. Turn right onto Cass Pl. Turn right to West End Ave. Turn left to Oriental Blvd.
By Subway - F to Ave. X, transfer to the eastbound B1 to KCC.

MANHATTAN - February 9 - 12
Symphony Space - 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street) - New York, NY
February 9 & 10 at 4:30pm; February 11 & 12 at 10:00am and 12noon.

QUEENS - February 14 & 15 at 10:30am
LaGuardia Performing Arts Center @ LaGuardia Comm. College - 31-10 Thomson Ave - LIC, NY
Directions - By Subway Via 7 Train: Get off at 33rd Street station. Walk two blocks westbound to Thomson Avenue and Van Dam Street.
Via E, V & R Trains: Get off at Queens Plaza Station and exit the station at Jackson Avenue and Queens Boulevard exit. Walk over the Queens Boulevard Bridge (over the Sunnyside train yards) until you reach the corner of Van Dam Street and Thomson Avenue.
Via G Train: Get off at Court Square Station (at the CitiCorp Building). Cross the Thomson Avenue Bridge.
Via N & W Trains: At Queensboro Plaza station transfer to 7 Train (Local to Main Street) and get off at the 33rd Street station. Walk two blocks westbound to Thomson Avenue and Van Dam Street.

Tickets range from $13 - $23 (group rates are available). For reservations, please call 212-573-8791 ext. 246.

For more information about MAKING BOOKS SING programs, call 212-573-8791 ext. 246, email tix@makingbookssing.org, or visit www.makingbookssing.org.