Leonia Players Guild Presents ‘Free to Be… You and Me’

The Players Guild of Leonia presents “Free to Be…You and Me,” Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14, and Sundays, Dec. 8 and 15. From left, Shrechko Filipovich, Avaleigh Quinton, Paula Zapateiro, Sasha Garcia, Alison Miller (center), Nicole Henry, Bill Benedict, Katrina Michalewski, Lisa Katzoff, Catherine Watson, Sarah Medcalf, Marisa Dolkart, and Steve Teti. (Not pictured: Alex Meyer, Anaya Hamid, and Thomas Frank Oberle.)

LEONIA, N.J.—When writing “Free to Be… You and Me,” Marlo Thomas conceived a children’s book that— instead of telling boys and girls who they should be—would open them to the possibilities of who they could be. 

Thomas gathered many of her supremely talented friends from various worlds of the arts and the remarkable result is highly regarded as a modern classic of children’s literature.

“Free to Be… You and Me,” is a children’s entertainment project, conceived and created by actress and author Thomas, and made available by R&H Theatricals.

The Players Guild of Leonia presents this wonderful, fun production that will be enthusiastically enjoyed and appreciated by the whole family! 

Show times are designed to accommodate families and children. Show dates are Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Sundays, Dec. 8 and 15 at 3 p.m.

First released in November 1972 the show was soon featured on an ABC television special using poetry, songs, and sketches. 

“The basic concept was to encourage post-1960s gender neutrality, saluting values such as individuality, tolerance, and comfort with one’s identity,” said The Guild. “A major thematic message is that anyone—whether a boy or a girl—can achieve anything.”

Life-enhancing themes are imaginatively blended with music and humor to expand children’s personal horizons, enabling them to invent their own futures without limitation, while dispelling some old constraints and worn-out conventions in the process. 

“Parents, teachers and other grown-up friends will delight in sharing this extraordinary and memorable experience with the children in their lives,” said The Guild.

The Players Guild of Leonia is celebrating its Historic Centennial Season in the last standing Civil War Drill Hall (Theater) in the nation. This intimate award-winning venue is the perfect setting for this fun family show.

For tickets, go to leoniaplayers.org.