Free Butterflies

“Free Butterflies” — a musical play in two acts

Cast: Mantas Jankavičius, Gabriele Malinauskaitė, Rimantė Valiukaitė/Asta Preidytė, Dainius Kazlauskas
Director: Dainius Kazlauskas
Costume designer: Indrė Pačėsaitė
Music: Mantas Jankavičius

The legendary musical play “Free Butterflies” returns in a new form — more mature, more musical and even closer to audiences today. It is a story about freedom, love and the courage to be yourself, which has made thousands of spectators laugh, reflect and believe that true freedom begins with the decision to live your own life.

For the first time, young Don Baker moves into a small New York apartment on his own. These are his first steps towards independence — tentative and full of anxiety, but also marked by the courage to prove to himself and the world that he can live his own life. His daily routine is unexpectedly turned upside down by his neighbour Jill, a spontaneous, free-spirited young woman who lives without plans or rules. Their meeting becomes a turning point in both their lives.

But their relationship faces a serious test: Don’s mother, who has protected her son all her life, does not want to let him go. She believes freedom can be dangerous and love can hurt. And there is an important reason for that…

This is a moving and uplifting story about the courage to choose: to stay safe or finally dare to be free. A special emotional experience is created by Mantas Jankavičius’s live performances of the songs. Many people know the song “Butterflies Are Free”, but not everyone knows that it was written specifically for the play “Free Butterflies”. Of course, you will hear it in this production too — it has become an inseparable part of the play. Audiences will also hear new music by Mantas, enriching the story and allowing them to enter the characters’ inner worlds.

“I look for multiple layers in performances. A purely concert or purely theatrical format, in the traditional sense, is no longer as interesting to me. That is why this play, like Mantas’s most recent theatrical work in the play ‘Two on the Roof’, which enjoyed tremendous popularity, will include live music. It will be a play and a concert in one,” says Mantas.

The play’s director, Dainius Kazlauskas, who also directed the original production, says: “Although the story remains the same, it takes on a new colour and breathes anew. The set design, music, moments in the script and cast have changed. The actors are more mature, and this gives the play new energy. Its spirit remains the same, but it has gained a new inner maturity, colour and sound — just like Mantas’s songs, which have also changed and grown for this play.”

For six consecutive years, this production filled the halls of the Panevėžys Juozas Miltinis Drama Theatre and became one of the audience’s favourite plays. Now it is setting off on a tour of Lithuania, so audiences in cities across the country can see this romantic, playful and dramatic story.

“Those butterflies really do fly. And it has nothing to do with a person’s age or other circumstances in life. Anyone can experience it — love, carefree abandon, that energy that makes you do silly things and feel happy. The play lets us show and remember that,” adds Mantas, inviting audiences to discover the story anew or see it for the first time.

Premiere from October 21, touring throughout Lithuania.
Doors open 1 hour before the event begins.
Event duration: approximately 2 hours 30 minutes (one 20-minute interval).
Children are not admitted free of charge.
Age restriction: N-14.
No discounts apply.
For purchases of 10 or more tickets, contact: vipklientai@bilietai.lt
Information: +370 676 10062; labas@mantasjankavicius.lt
Organiser: Meno upė, UAB