MVT Brings Drama with Broadway's THE ELEPHANT MAN

Manoa VAlley Theatre continues its 2016-17 season in a Hawaii premiere with the poignant drama The Elephant Man, by Bernard Pomerance, from the 1979, 2002, and 2015 Broadway seasons. Based on a true story, nineteenth century London's John Merrick, a horribly deformed young man, victim of rare skin and bone diseases, is befriended by a celebrated young physician, Frederick Treves. Rescued from a freak attraction in traveling side shows and introduced to London society, Merrick slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati only to be denied his ultimate dream: to become a man like any other. Awards include Tony Award, Best Play (1979), Drama Desk Award Outstanding New Play (1979), Drama Desk Award Outstanding Revival of a Play (2015).

Co-guest directors of the production are Alex Munro and Paul Mitri. Assistant to the director is Michelle Pitel. Guest musical director is Ike Webster. Set design is by DeAnne Kennedy. Sound and video design is by Toby Carvalho. Lighting design is by Christina Sutrov. Costume design is by James Corry. Props design is by Sara Ward. Hair and make-up design is by Lisa Ponce de Leon. Performing in the show are Paul Mitri, Rob Duval, Saul Rollason, John Wells, Al Lanier, Max Holtz, Therese Olival, Rachel Uyeno, Cassandra Smith, and Thomas Smith.

The production will run November 17 - December 4. Show times are Wed. 7:30p.m., Thur. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m., and Sun. 4 p.m. Tickets are $40. Seniors and military are admitted for $35, youth 25 years old and under for $20. Call 988-6131 or purchase tickets online at manoavalleytheatre.com. Tickets are also available at all military ticket outlets. The play is performed in two acts with one intermission. Approximate running time is two hours. Minimum age is 13.

Seasonwide sponsors are Cades Schutte and the Cades Foundation, Iolani School, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Mike and Alberta Rosenberg, and Bob and Corrine Taylor on behalf of Maui Divers Jewelry. This event is made possible with support from the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Elephant Man is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.