Having directed over 100 plays, founded three theater companies, worked on countless TV and film productions, and received numerous awards (including an Emmy and awards from Ovation and LA Weekly), Veronica Brady’s latest creative endeavor is directing “Butterflies are Free” at the Malibu Playhouse.
It’s a comedy by Leonard Gersch, centered around a blind man whose controlling mother disapproves of his relationship with a free-spirited hippie.
“I hope the production will help people realize the intrinsic value of theater to a community,” Brady said. “We all need time together to ponder and reflect on the big questions in life. And theater is the art form to take us there.”
Despite the acclaim for her work in film and TV, Brady is happiest working in the theater.
“I love all the other jobs I do—and I do a lot of TV and film work—but I was meant to be in a small, dark space working with actors.”
Sometimes the disciplines cross-pollinate. Brady recently directed “Love 99,” a documentary narrated by Helen Mirren, focusing on Los Angeles actors as they struggle with their union for the right to work and create.
The Actor’s Equity decision to terminate the 99-seat contract (which allowed actors to work for little or no money in small venues to hone their craft) has already had devastating effects on the LA theater scene. Some theaters have shut down, others are limiting their productions and lots of actors are being told they cannot work where they would normally practice.
“These shifts may seem small or imperceptible, but this is not the time to put a stranglehold on creative expression,” Brady said. “Now, more than ever, we need artists responding to the world in which we live.”
The director of photography on “Love 99” is Brady’s husband of 33 years, Eamon Harrington, who co-founded Planet Grande Pictures and has seven Emmys under his belt. This was a role reversal for the couple, with Brady calling the shots this time.
“It was a real switch for us and took some adjustment, but Eamon did an amazing job,” Brady shared. “It was guerrilla-style and very low budget. Working like that requires patience and fortitude, which Eamon has in abundance. He’s a talented DP and his particular style was so perfect for the story: gritty, raw and personal.”
“Love 99” will premiere at the Napa Valley Film Festival in November.
The childhood sweethearts raised their four children (aged 18 to 28) in Malibu.
“I have always loved and thrived with family and work crisscrossing each other in my life. One feeds the other, and hopefully it has made me a better mother, wife and artist,” Brady said. “Having just dropped off our last kid at university, I am grateful to be busy with so many projects I love. It helps take the sting away, because I miss my son very much.”
In October, she’s directing a new play—”No Wake” by William Donnelly—off Broadway at the 59E59 theater complex.
But before that, “Butterflies are Free” is showing at the Malibu Playhouse, Sept. 22 to 24, with a cast and design team all from Malibu.
Tickets for the three performances scheduled have already sold out, so another has been added for Sunday, Sept. 24, at 1 p.m.
“Malibu is one of the most beautiful places in the world to be,” Brady said. “For me, adding to that the chance to work on a play right in our own backyard is perfect.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact info.butterfliesarefree@gmail.com.
