Rhode Island man brings story of losing his mother during pandemic to stage – WJAR

Brian Mulhern's family and the loss of his mother are at the center of "The Butterfly Boys." (Provided to WJAR)

(WJAR)

A Rhode Island man is bringing his story about the loss of his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic to the stage.

Brian Mulhern is sharing his experience of loss during the pandemic and turning it into something he hopes everyone can relate to.

Sometimes its easy to forget what it was like, and I think its important for people to remember what it was like so we can appreciate what we have today, Mulhern said.

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Mulhern lost his mom during COVID-19 and had to make some difficult decisions.

The hoops that you had to jump through for something like that where one person from my family could be there when she passed. My dad had COVID, it couldn't be him. I had to be there. I was behind thick glass. I couldnt hold her hand. I couldnt say anything reassuring, Mulhern said.

He spent the year after her death turning the experience into a play. He calls it "The Butterfly Boys."

When my mom passed, my wife had to sit in the car in the hospital for 90 minutes and when I came out I told her that my mom had passed, she said what time was it and I said 4:12 p.m., and she said I knew because a butterfly landed on the windshield and I knew that was your mom telling us everything was going to be OK, Mulhern said.

Mulhern said the butterfly boys are his dad, his brother, and himself.

The play details the pandemic and the impact it had on so many families like the Mulherns.

Its really about love, loss, and family, and this thing where some fences are trying to be mended from the pre-COVID-19 era, because, as I said, families can get complicated, and then just trying to figure out how we are going to get through this difficult time and what is the future of our family from there, Mulhern said.

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Mark Camilli is playing the character based on Brian.

As an actor, he said its been great to be back to performing in front of a live audience.

You can see in the audience theyre just really happy to be back in spaces like that experiencing art, Camilli said.

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Mulhern said writing the play was therapeutic and helped with his grieving process, but as someone who has a background in comedy, he couldnt help but throw in a few laughs along the way.

There are some flashback scenes in the play where we get to see younger Brian and younger Kevin and there are some funny lines there where you explore their dynamic as a young family, Camilli said.

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Mulhern said he had his dad and brothers blessing to write and direct the play, but despite his best efforts, his dad has yet to read it.

He said, 'No, I want to see it as a full production when its finally running,' which is terrifying, Mulhern said. He said I dont want you changing anything for me.

You can see the play for the first time along with Brians dad starting Nov. 9-12.

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Rhode Island man brings story of losing his mother during pandemic to stage - WJAR