Theatrical Works

Co-written with Don Butler

Collaborating with playwright Don Butler, I've had the joy of transforming stories dear to my heart into original stage productions. These plays, drawn from real life experiences and beloved picture books, blend song, humor, and emotional depth to connect with audiences of all ages. It's been a privilege to see these characters come alive on stage and to share their journeys with students, families, and theatergoers.

A Mitzvah For Daisy

Key Art for A Mitzvah For Daisy play featuring Mitzvah the dog and Daisy the cat

Synopsis

“Lively cat Daisy is perfectly happy being the only pet in her human mom's home. She is surprised when her mom announces that a friend is waiting for them at a shelter. Daisy tells herself that living with another cat might be fun. But at the animal shelter, her mom falls in love with a sweet shaggy dog who longs for a home. The mom adopts the dog and gives her a new name, Mitzvah, which means a blessing. Mitzvah thinks Daisy is fun to play with, but Daisy does not feel the same way. Only after Mitzvah learns she has an illness that will cause her to go blind do the two pets overcome their differences and learn to trust, even love, each other.”

Behind The Scenes

Playwright Don Butler and I co-created a musical about my pets, A MITZVAH FOR DAISY. Based on my four children's picture books and written for an elementary school audience, Don and I reveal how my blind dog Mitzvah and feisty cat Daisy faced an unexpected problem and learned to love each other.
Don brilliantly captured, in both staging and in song, such moments as when Mom (aka me) found Mitzvah in a shelter; Daisy's rascally antics; the shocking news that Mitzvah was going blind; and how the three of us adapted. Implicit in the heart-felt songs was the reality that life can throw some huge challenges at us, but we can cope with our friends' support and love. The show ends with a rousing reminder that love is not just a feeling, but something that you do.

Reflection

The musical was first staged at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in May 2022. The teachers reported that their students loved the musical. More than one teacher said that the students wanted to act out the roles Mitzvah and Daisy after the show.

Stage set for the play A Mitzvah for Daisy featuring a large open book backdrop with illustrations of a dog and cat, a 'Home Sweet Home' sign on a green picket fence, a cozy blue chair draped with a pink blanket, a pink lounge chair, a floral rug, and a floor lamp
Stage Design for A Mitzvah for Daisy by Don Butler, co-created with Deborah Lee Prescott. A StoryMakers Production.

A MITZVAH FOR DAISY will be presented in the Kravis Center's Persson Hall on November 10-14, 2025, at 10 am and 11:30 am. We particularly welcome visitors for the November 11th performance at 11:30 am.
Tickets are $5 and may be purchased here.

Taken Away

Cover art for the play 'Taken Away' by Storymakers Production, featuring a textured menorah with one candle extinguished and smoke rising against a deep blue background
TAKEN AWAY, by Don Butler and Deborah Lee Prescott. A StoryMakers Production. Sponsored by inSIGHT THROUGH EDUCATION, INC.

Synopsis

“Pre-war Nazi Germany. Twelve-year old Elfie Hoffmann has noticed that the Nazis are bringing about changes, but she does not think that her life will be affected. However, when her best friend gives her a Christmas present that has unexpected consequences, Elfie discovers the importance of family, even as the Nazis take away everything she loves.”

Behind The Scenes

Don Butler and I co-wrote TAKEN AWAY, a play for students in grades 5-12. The one-hour play was performed twice daily for a week at our area's major theatre, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts , and then went on the road to local schools for two weeks. Over 6,000 students saw the play. During the pandemic, a video of the play was streamed to schools.
I became so interested in the lives of the characters that Don and I created that I was inspired to write a novel for young adults, Taken Away, published in Spring 2025 .

Applause for Taken Away

"Today I had the opportunity to see Taken Away. A powerful story very well presented. I was very impressed with the cast. I hope the audience leaves with the understanding that the Holocaust happened to ordinary people who were living ordinary lives until everything was turned upside down."
A Palm Beach County teacher with her class at the Kravis Center Performance
"Everyone thinks this show is special"
A 5th grade Palm Beach County Teacher speaking for her entire class
"The show was great and it really invited a discussion among the students. As ever, the Kravis-on-the-Road crew were exemplary professionals... This project is such an important part of the arts education."
Kravis On The Road attending teacher
"That was such a powerful perforamnce that now my heart really hurts... As one of my colleagues mentioned to me, the play was the most meaningful and straightforward experiences our students have ever had about the Holocaust. I am so happy that the discussion occurred afterward, thank you so much. Thanks to all the actors and your fabulous sound man."
A Palm Beach County Teacher who attended the Kravis On The Road performance
"Thank you, thank you so much"
An Usher at The Kravis Center

Work In Progress

I am happy to share that Don Butler and I are brainstorming a play for high school students about the White Rose. During World War II, the White Rose was a small group of college students engaged in nonviolent resistance to the Hitler regime.

Stay tuned for more updates on the White Rose play and book.