Reid O'Connell, Philena Gilmer Lead Butterflies are Free At Prairie Lakes

Big Noise Theatre Company, celebrating their 10th anniversary of presenting top-notch, live entertainment at the Prairie Lakes Theater in Des Plaines, presents Butterflies are Free as its 2nd production of the company's 2011-12 season. Performances will be held at the theatre from January 13-February 5th, 2012. Big Noise's revival production is being directed by Catherine Davis and produced by Peter Rasey.

Written by Leonard Gershe, Butterflies are Free is a romantic comedy that centers on a blind man´s attempt at self-reliance, a young woman´s fear of commitment, and a loving mother´s struggle with letting her son go. "It's about being in a relationship, whether it is with a boy friend, girlfriend, a parent…," says director Davis. "It is about being emotionally free to commit to another human being."

The original Broadway production opened in 1969, and won a Supporting Actress Tony award for Blythe Danner. A successful movie version starred Goldie Hawn, Edward Albert and won Eileen Heckart an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress in 1972.

The Big Noise cast includes Reid O'Connell as Don Baker, Philena Gilmer as Jill Tanner, Karen Doyle as Mrs. Baker and Aaron Rumack as Ralph.

Director Catherine Davis has worked as a director and educator since earning a master's degree in theatre, accumulating over 110 full-length productions to her directing credit. Catherine was a Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee member and served on the Advisory Board and as Suburban Coordinator for SEASON OF CONCERN.

The Prairie Lakes Theatre is located at 515 E. Thacker, Des Plaines. Tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors and $16 for kids, and can be ordered by calling 847-604-0275 or online at www.bignoise.org.

Big Noise Theatre Company, a division of Winnetka Theatre, strives to produce high-quality shows that stretch the creative talents of their actors and staff as well as surpass the expectations of their audience.