Asolo Rep Launches New Stages Program for THE GIVER 10/19

Asolo Rep presents an innovative collaboration enhancing the art of learning. On the cusp of its 50th anniversary season, Asolo Rep is launching New Stages, is an extension of Asolo Rep's acclaimed Access to the Arts program that has been serving school children in the community for decades.

"With New Stages, we're offering a production specifically tailored to and created for upper elementary and middle school audiences. We want all young audiences to have the opportunity to experience live, professional quality theatre at its best. Experiencing The Giver exemplifies how as a community we are all interconnected----students and teachers, parents, children, and families. The Giver tells a story to which we all relate." -- Asolo Rep Education Director Brian Hersh.

Asolo Rep's production of The Giver is a true multifaceted collaboration featuring the talents of FSU/Asolo Conservatory students, FSU graduate design students, and a cutting edge, professional director. This exciting initiative brings together professional theatre at its best and connects to classroom curricular goals and standards at many levels. The Giver is the first production selected for this initiative. The play, by Eric Coble, is based on the Newbery Medal-winning children's book by Lois Lowry, loved by children and adults around the world. Directed by award-winning KJ Sanchez, The Giver features the talented third-year class of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.

The Giver is an unconventional hero's tale set in a utopian world. Here there is no war, no hunger or sickness. Everyone is happy and everyone is the same. When 11-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community's Receiver of Memories, he learns his world isn't so perfect and sets off on a harrowing journey of rebellion and redemption.

Director's Notes – by KJ Sanchez

"I wish Lois Lowry's beautiful book had been around when I was an adolescent, struggling with the things we all struggle with as we grow into young adults. What a significant, what a monumental time in our lives! At that age, we are hurtling toward adulthood: smart enough and mature enough to start to understand and question the big things like sex, death, love, and loyalty. We are grappling with all of these things for the first time, and all at once. And yet we know that from the outside, we are still seen as children. And we know that there are a whole lot of secrets that the adults are still keeping from us. Or at the very least, we have a feeling the adults are still not letting us in on what's behind the curtain.

This is why I love Lowry's The Giver. She writes to the adult in the child. She doesn't censor her readers from the very things they already know. She pays adolescents the respect that they're due. And Eric Coble's adaptation does a magnificent job of bringing Lowry's unflinching portrait to the stage. It is for this reason that I, a forty-two year old woman, can enjoy The Giver as much as the twelve year old sitting to my right. We can both see ourselves in our hero Jonas as he uncovers the secrets behind his seemingly untroubled community. His is a community free of all discomfort and strife, free of all memories of pain and sorrow, and yet as Jonas discovers, if we remove ourselves from all that is difficult and painful, we in turn strip ourselves of all that is wonderful – love, joy, and beauty. And the key to hanging on to all that is beautiful in our world, the key to hanging on to our very humanity, is memory.

We have cast adult actors as Jonas, Asher, and Fiona, all of whom have just turned twelve in our story. On the day of their birthdays, they are assigned an adult job, and thanked for their childhood. It seemed fitting to me that the actors should be adults, since that is what our three friends have just transitioned into. And as I said, at that age, even though we are often seen from the outside as children, inside, we certainly feel pretty darned grown up."

The cast includes (in order of appearance): Jason Peck (Father), Heather Kelley (Mother/Rosemary), Elisabeth Ahrens (Lily), Kevin O'Callaghan (Jonas), David Yearta (Asher), Michelle Trachtenberg (Fiona), Steven O'Brien (Chief Elder), Brent Bateman (The Giver), DeMario McGrew (Ensemble) and Randolph Paulsen (Ensemble).

The staff includes Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, Director KJ Sanchez, Scenic Designer Daniel Conway, Costume Designer Jill Wetzel, Lighting Designer Sarah Mikrut, Sound Designer Matthew Parker, Vocal Coach Patricia Delorey, Stage Manager Sarah Gleissner and Intern Assistant to the Stage Manager Joan Ghitis.

Educational Workshops/Discussions for The Giver

Theatre Workshop
Title: Defying Sameness: Exploring the World of The Giver Through Theatre
Date: Saturday October 19th
Time: 2-3:30
Place: Fruitville Library
Contact Person: Jennifer Hitchcock, 861-2521

Book Talk
Title: The Giver: From Page to Stage
Date: Sunday October 20th
Time: 1-2:30
Place: Borders Bookstores on Tamiami
Contact Person: Deb Dennis, 366-7970

Theatre Workshop
Title: Defying Sameness: Exploring the World of The Giver Through Theatre
Date: Saturday October 25th
Time: 10:30- 11:45
Place: Selby Library
Contact Person: Marilyn Nykiforuk, 861-1133

Description: Defying Sameness: Exploring the World of The Giver through Theatre -- Participants will use drama to explore the themes and ideas articulated in The Giver.  Following a short warm-up, students will utilize movement, role-play, and improvisation to examine the world of The Giver.  This workshop is appropriate for individuals who have both read the novel as well as students who will be introduced to it for the first time.  Recommended for ages 10-14  This workshop will be facilitated by the Asolo Repertory Theatre's Education and Outreach Department.  For more information contact: (941) 351-9010 ext 3306

TICKET INFORMATION

THE GIVER is an Asolo Rep Production in the Historic Asolo Theater at the Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, Florida. Ticket prices are $10-$26 at the Box Office and a $30 family package that includes one adult and one student. For more information, call 941-351-8000 or 800-361-8388. For group sales (10 or more), call toll free 877-427-6567 or visit www.asolo.org. Opening night is Friday, October 24, 2008 at 8 PM. Preview is on Monday October 20th, 2008 at 10:30 AM. The Giver will be performed with one intermission.

The Giver is primarily targeted to schools with special student matinees; however, there are public performances scheduled. Special family discounts are available. Suggested for ages 10 and up.

Student matinees are at 10:30am on October 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and November 3. Public show times are October 24 at 8pm, October 25 at 2pm and 8pm, October 31 at 8pm, November 1 at 2pm and 8pm, November 4 at 10:30am, November 5 at 10:30am, November 6 at 10:30am, November 7 at 8pm and November 8 and 8pm.

"Originally commissioned by Oregon Children's Theatre in March, 2006."

SPONSORS

CORPORATE MEDIA SEASON PRESENTER: Comcast
CRYSTAL SOCIETY: Esther M. Mertz, Lee and Bob Peterson, and UIla R. Searing
MAJOR SEASON PRESENTERS: The Florida State University and the Florida State University Foundation, Joan Mendell, and Virginia B. Toulmin
SEASON PRESENTERS: Designing Women Boutique and Elaine Keating
PRESENTERS: Margot and Warren Coville, Christine and John Currie, Leslie Glass, Stanley and Janet Kane, Harold Libby and Wanda Rayle-Libby, Jeanne and Bob Zabelle
CORPORATE CO-PRESENTERS: Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice and Verizon

SHOW CO-PRODUCERS: Amicus Foundation, Leslie Glass, Joan and Bill Kayser
UNDERWRITERS: Alexandra Jupin and John Bean, Alfred and Adela Rose
WITH ADDITIONAL DONATIONS FROM:  Beverly and Bob Koski; Maggie Hutter and Jo Rustein

SPECIAL EVENTS
 
October 24 at 8 PM OPENING NIGHT SHOW
The opening night show is followed by an extravagant after party sponsored by Lakewood Ranch Communities and will feature food from the following restaurants: Treviso, MacAllisters Grill and Tavern, Indigo Reef and Grill, Chili's, Broken Egg,  Hemingway's Retreat Restaurant and Bar
*Members of the media are invited to photograph and interview the cast and creative team at the party.
 
October 25 PANEL DISCUSSIONS FOLLOWING 2pm PERFORMANCE

Engage in lively discussions with members of the creative team and experts from the community as they investigate the deeper themes in each production. The facilitated exchanges will occur on our mezzanine immediately following the 2pm performance. This event is sponsored by the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

AUDIO DESCRIBED A service provided by Asolo Rep where specially trained audio describers provide elaborate audio imagery of the play action and setting to visually impaired audience members through a headset system.

November 8, 2008 CLOSING NIGHT CELEBRATION

Join Asolo Rep, Prudential Palms Realty and Morton's Gourmet Market for a fun-filled, blow-out cast party! Purchase a ticket to the closing night performance and mingle with the cast after the show. Enjoy free wine, late night snack food, D.J. music, and a cash bar.

Asolo Repertory Theatre is funded in part by the Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of State, the Florida Arts Council, the City and County of Sarasota and the Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council.  Funding is also received through efforts of support groups including the Asolo Angel Association, the Asolo Repertory Theatre Guild, the Directors Emeritus and the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations.