Making Books Sing Opens THE BUTTERFLY, 4/15

Making Books Sing (MBS), the New York-based non-profit that promotes children's literacy and social development through arts-in-education programs and professional theatre productions, will present the Off-Broadway premiere of the family musical THE BUTTERFLY – with book and lyrics by Barbara Zinn Krieger and music by Charles Greenberg – with previews beginning April 14 prior to an official press opening of April 15 at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street) in Manhattan. Brad Malow will direct and music direction is by Tim Rosser.

THE BUTTERFLY – based on the book of the same name by author Patricia Polacco – 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 friend to safety.

This production of THE BUTTERFLY marks the first time that Making Books Sing, the critically acclaimed theatre company that has been producing original musical productions based on books since 1996, revives one of its commissioned works – having first presented the musical at select venues throughout New York City – one venue in each borough - in 2008. "Persistent requests from teachers and principals at our partner schools, as well as our desire to revisit the all-too-relevant issues of discrimination and intolerance, led us to choose THE BUTTERFLY as our first revival," explained Making Books Sing Artistic Director and Founder, Barbara Zinn Krieger.

Directed by Brad Malow, the cast of THE BUTTERFLY will include: Courtney Shaw (PUNKROCK/LOVESONG), Carly Paige Baron (13th Street Rep's A CHRISTMAS CAROL), Alex Goley (The Berenstain Bears LIVE! in Family Matters, the Musical), Maree Johnson (Australian musical theatre actress seen Down Under in LES MISERABLES, MY FAIR LADY, etc), John Little (SOME OF OUR PARTS) and Greg Roderick (last seen on Broadway in the 2008 revival of SOUTH PACIFIC).

Design team for THE BUTTERFLY is Gino Ng (set design), Leslie Bernstein (costume design), Ariel J. Benjamin (lighting design), and Charles Coes (sound design). Music Director for THE BUTTERFLY is Tim Rosser.

Krieger, Greenberg and Malow's previous collaborations include: last season's acclaimed production of SKY BOYS as well as Jose Limon: THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST. Krieger and Greenberg collaborated on the family opera LITTLE KIT.

Making Books Sing began in 1996 as a program of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Vineyard Theatre, which Krieger founded in 1981 and led until 2002. Making Books Sing is the only theatre company of its kind dedicated to combining literacy with the performing arts by creating professional theatre works based on contemporary children's books from diverse cultures. Making Books Sing has reached nearly 80,000 school-aged children and their families with its musical productions based on books such as: BEAUTIFUL WARRIOR, BIRD WOMAN: THE STORY OF SACAJAWEA, A BAND OF ANGELS, THE ORPHAN SINGER, THE BUTTERFLY, A SHELTER IN OUR CAR, Jose Limon: The Making of an Artist, TEA WITH CHACHAJI and last year's SKY BOYS: THE BUILDING OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.

Performances of THE BUTTERFLY run April 14 through April 29 with a performance schedule of Thursdays and Fridays at 10:00am and 12:00pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm and 4:00pm at Theater 3 (311 West 43rd Street). Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids and can be purchased by calling (212) 573-8791 x13 or online at www.makingbookssing.org

For more information about THE BUTTERFLY or Making Books Sing, please visit www.MakingBooksSing.org.

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