The REP Presents THE GIVER 1/29-2/28

The Giver, based on the Newbery Medal-winning book written by Lois Lowery, adapted by Eric Coble will compel audiences at The REP as its fourth show of the 2009-2010 Season. The show opens January 29, 2010 and runs until February 28, 2010 in the Universal Orlando Theatre.

Imagine a perfect world with no poverty, no crime, no sickness, no unemployment and no unhappiness. What would you trade to live in that idyllic society? Lois Lowry's Newbery Medal-winning book, The Giver, examines the idea that people might freely choose to give up their humanity in order to create a more stable civilization. In this compelling drama, 12-year-old Jonas learns just how costly this ordered and pain-free society can be and boldly decides he cannot pay the price. This production is a part of the Sideway Series, which showcases plays with new or lesser-known titles that encourage dialogue between young people and adults. The show is recommended for ages 10 and up and is on required reading lists throughout Central Florida schools.

Director Gary Cadwallader comments, "As I continue to dig into the play's truths, I am constantly amazed at the rich ideas presented by Lowry and how well she communicates them. What if there were no wars or disease or poverty or hunger; and what would that society look like? How would we get to that goal? Would we have to completely forget our past so that we no longer held on to bad memories as reminders? If we no longer had harmful issues to think about on a daily basis what would be our focus? These are interesting ideas and really made me think about the challenges in all our lives". Cadwallader is an actor, director and Education Director at Orlando Repertory Theatre. At The REP, he has directed Thoroughly Modern Millie; If You Give A Pig A Party; The Neverending Story; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe; Go, Dog. Go!; and Footloose. In twenty years at Seaside Music Theater in Daytona Beach, Gary directed Little Shop of Horrors and A Year with Frog and Toad, and performed many roles, including Phil Davis in White Christmas, Cosmo in Singin' In The Rain, John Adams in 1776 and Luther Billis in South Pacific, among many others. Other directing credits include The Tempest, ...Shakespeare [abridged], The Spitfire Grill, and Perfect/Change, at The Limelight Theater in St. Augustine, Tapestry: The Songs of Carol King at Playhouse by the Beach, Marivaux's The Triumph of Love and A Midsummer Night's Dream at Orlando's Civic Theater; In The Rec Room at Atlantic Center For The Arts, and The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV, Part 1 at the Atlantic Shakespeare Festival. As an actor, Gary played Hornbeck in Inherit The Wind at Northern Stage in Vermont; Kabuki Medea, M. Butterfly, and The Great Gatsby at Chicago's Wisdom Bridge Theater, the Emcee in the national tour of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and roles in A League of Their Own, The New Untouchables and Forensics (pilot). He can currently be seen in national commercials for Marriott Fairfield Inns, Gillette Body Wash (with Tiger Woods), EA Sports (with Tiger Woods) and Publix. He has an MFA in acting from Western Illinois University, a BA in theatre from St. Edward's University in Austin, TX, and is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild.

Audiences are also invited to join The REP on Saturday, February 6th at 5:30pm for Sonny's Family Night. The performance of The Giver will be followed by an enjoyable dinner provided by Sonny's Bar-B-Q. Tickets for Sonny's Family Night, including the show, are $16 for youth (17 and under) and $22 for adults. Ticket upgrades are available for season subscribers for $7. Patrons must have ticket to February 6th performance. Limit two free kids meals per paying adult and tickets must be purchased at the box office for Sonny's Family Night.

Show times are Fridays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets for the show are $17 for adults, $11 for children and youth (17 and under), and $15 for students and seniors (55 and over). For tickets call the Orlando Repertory Theatre box office at 407-896-7365 ext. 1 or order tickets online by visiting orlandorep.com.

Orlando Repertory Theatre is a non-profit organization and is supported in part by the University of Central Florida, United Arts of Central Florida, Target, Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs, Orlando Utilities Commission, Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. The REP would like to thank their sponsors for their continued support in making this season possible!

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