6-PLAY SERIES PRODUCTIONS
The Persians
September 24 – October 19, 2008
By Ellen McLaughlin
Directed by Jade King Carroll
Main Stage
People's Light presents this crisp new version by Ellen McLaughlin of a classic Greek drama by Aeschylus. In 525 B.C. the mighty Persian Empire was unmatched in power and dominance. After their unexpected and staggering defeat at the hands of the tiny Athenian city-state, the vanquished Persians face an uncertain future. The price they pay for their hubris and hunger for world domination is the subject of this oldest existing play in Western literature.
"The play is a true classic: we see the present and future right there, inside the past." --The New York Times
Cinderella
World Premiere!
The holiday madness continues with Panto #5
November 19, 2008 – January 4, 2009
By Kathryn Petersen
Music & Lyrics by Michael Ogborn
Directed by Pete Pryor
Main Stage
It's the land of lavish celebrations, fountains of bubbly, trays of canapés, designer shoes and outrageous costumes. There's a lonely prince, maybe a mouse or two, vain socialite step-sisters and a plus-size fairy-godmother whose work is never done. You never know what will rise from the ashes when you bring the whole family to enjoy CINDERELLA in a whole new way! Our holiday Panto returns for the 5th straight year, complete with festive music and silly songs, cheers for the heroes, jeers for the villains and a powder-puff fight to rival no other! Our own Mark Lazar is the fairy-godmother, looking marvelous in black. Best appreciated by ages 5 and up.
Day of the Picnic
World Premiere!
January 28 – February 22, 2009
By Russell Davis
Directed by Abigail Adams
Steinbright Stage
Betsy Fullbright keeps hearing someone outside or down the hall call out "yoo hoo!" The television seems to be stuck on a program where people are burning flags. A goat seems to have been left out on the lawn and there may be a leopard prowling nearby. Meanwhile, the nursing home staff has vanished and most everyone else is away on a picnic. A silent African man, who arrived the night before, now sits in a wheelchair and stares at Betsy. Could this be someone she knew once upon a time in Kenya? Did this person somehow follow her here after all these years?
A Tale of Two Cities
East Coast Premiere!
March 11 – May 3, 2009
By Dwayne Hartford
A new adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens
Directed by Ken Marini
Main Stage
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...." From a London courtroom to the chaotic streets of Paris during the French Revolution, the unforgettable characters of Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, both in love with Lucy Manette, fight for personal honor and freedom from tyranny. Worlds collide in this story for all generations filled with adventure, romance, revolution and redemption. Best appreciated by ages 11 and up.
Doubt: A Parable
June 3 – 28, 2009
By John Patrick Shanley
Directed by David Bradley
Main Stage
Strong-minded Sister Aloysius is an elementary school principal in the Bronx in 1964. She takes matters into her own hands when she suspects Father Flynn of improper relations with a male student, the first and only African American in the school. How far will she go when she's not entirely certain of the truth? One of Broadway's most celebrated hits, DOUBT's many awards include the 2005 Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize.
"Inspired and extraordinary. Tight, absorbing... a superb new drama by John Patrick Shanley."-- The New York Times
End Days
July 8 – August 2, 2009
By Deborah Zoe Laufer
Directed by Jackson Gay
Steinbright Stage
Sylvia Stein, formerly Jewish and now a born-again Christian, busily awaits the Rapture. Her husband, Arthur, is depressed, lives in his pajamas and hasn't showered for weeks. Their 16-year-old daughter, a "goth" atheist of convenience, is courted by their neighbor, a newly-Jewish science nerd who has an Elvis fixation. And now the Rapture is coming on Wednesday. Don't miss this outrageous comedy about acceptance and the importance of family ties, with "guest appearances" by Jesus and Stephen Hawking.
"END DAYS...a rapturously funny play about a family trying to survive in a world hurtling toward Armageddon...." --The Miami Herald
TARGET FAMILY DISCOVERY SERIES PRODUCTIONS
Cinderella
World Premiere!
The holiday madness continues with Panto #5
November 19, 2008 – January 4, 2009
By Kathryn Petersen
Music & Lyrics by Michael Ogborn
Directed by Pete Pryor
Main Stage
It's the land of lavish celebrations, fountains of bubbly, trays of canapés, designer shoes and outrageous costumes. There's a lonely prince, maybe a mouse or two, vain socialite step-sisters and a plus-size fairy-godmother whose work is never done. You never know what will rise from the ashes when you bring the whole family to enjoy CINDERELLA in a whole new way! Our holiday Panto returns for the 5th straight year, complete with festive music and silly songs, cheers for the heroes, jeers for the villains and a powder-puff fight to rival no other! Our own Mark Lazar is the fairy-godmother, looking marvelous in black. Best appreciated by ages 5 and up.
A Tale of Two Cities
East Coast Premiere!
March 11 – May 3, 2009
By Dwayne Hartford
A new adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens
Directed by Ken Marini
Main Stage
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...." From a London courtroom to the chaotic streets of Paris during the French Revolution, the unforgettable characters of Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton, both in love with Lucy Manette, fight for personal honor and freedom from tyranny. Worlds collide in this story for all generations filled with adventure, romance, revolution and redemption. Best appreciated by ages 11 and up.
Eggs
World Premiere!
Part of the People's Light Adaptation Project
April 23 – May 24, 2009
By Y York
Based on the novel by Jerry Spinelli
Directed by Mark Lutwak
Steinbright Stage
9-year-old David and 13-year-old Primrose are both pretty unhappy with life at home. David is sent to live with his grandmother after the death of his mother, and Primrose's mom is a fortuneteller who barely notices when Primrose moves into the van parked outside their house. Their unlikely friendship includes midnight trashpicking, bickering over gulps of Mango Madness and hanging out with Refrigerator John, the local refrigerator repairman. They set off on an unexpected journey that leads to self-discovery and new perspectives on friendship and family. Best appreciated by ages 9 and up.
Jerry Spinelli is the author of the Newbery Award-winning Maniac Magee, the Newbery Honor winner Wringer, and the best-selling Stargirl. He resides in Chester County.