FENCES, ARTHUR AND THE TALE OF THE RED DRAGON, STELLA & LOU and More Set for People's Light's 40th Anniversary Season

People's Light & Theatre has announced its 40th Anniversary Season that celebrates the passion and artistry that created and sustained our company. The season includes one world premiere, two regional premieres, and one Philadelphia premiere. Nationally acclaimed artists Mary McDonnell, David Strathairn, and Victor Williams will join longtime company members and various newcomers on our stages. They will perform iconic works by August Wilson, Anton Chekhov, and Neil Simon, new plays by Bruce Graham, Bill Cain, and Jessica Dickey, and our new holiday panto by Pete Pryor and Samantha Bellomo. We will transport audiences to Merlin's Middle Ages, Ranyevskaya's changing Russia, 19th & 21st Century Gettysburg, and Lou's Bar in today's South Philly.

In addition to its production season, People's Light 2014-15 Season will include commissions and new works-in-development by Lisa D'Amour, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Kate Fodor, Karen Hartman, Mimi Lien, Dominique Morisseau, Katie Pearl, and Kathryn Petersen as part of our New Play Frontiers and Longwood Gardens residency programs.

"We are so excited to share this milestone season with our audiences and the community" said Artistic Director and CEO Abigail Adams. "It is a season that expresses a love of history, humor, and humanity - qualities at the heart of People's Light."

Subscription packages are now on sale and include the 7-Play Series, the Discovery Series, and a newly created Teen Series as well as additional flexible packages. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org.

7-PLAY SUBSCRIPTION SERIES:

FENCES

By August Wilson

Directed by Kamilah Forbes

September 10-October 5, 2014

Leonard C. Haas Stage

Victor Williams (King of Queens) stars as Troy Maxon in August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning drama about a man of mythic proportions forced to wrestle with the reality of his life. A sanitation worker and onetime Negro League baseball player, Troy is the heart and heartbreak of this iconic story of dreams denied, fathers and sons, and America's legacy of racism. Fences is one of the most beloved plays of the 20th Century written by "a major writer, combining a poet's ear for vernacular with a robust sense of humor (political and sexual), a sure instinct for crackling dramatic incident and a passionate commitment to a great subject." (The New York Times). The cast will also feature People's Light Company Member Melanye Finister.

ROW AFTER ROW (Regional Premiere)

By Jessica Dickey

Directed by David Bradley

October 15-November 9, 2014

Steinbright Stage

Two hard core Civil War re-enactors have their traditional post-Gettysburg beer interrupted by a woman with her own battle scars. 1863 and today converge in this dark comedy about friendship, bravery, and healing by Jessica Dickey (The Amish Project). Hailed as "a talent to watch" by The New York Times, Dickey's "funny, sad, deep, and smart pay is beautifully written." (The New Yorker).

ARTHUR AND THE TALE OF THE RED DRAGON: A Musical Panto (World Premiere)

By Pete Pryor and Samantha Bellomo

Music & Lyrics by Michael Ogborn

Directed by Pete Pryor

November 19, 2014-January 11, 2015

Leonard C. Haas Stage

Our holiday tradition continues! The creative team behind Aladdin: A Musical Panto put their signature touch on the adventures of young Arthur as he discovers what it means to become a king. With their magic and hilarious antics, Merlin and the Dame of the Lake guide our hero on a quest to save the land from the dreaded Red Dragon. The cast will feature People's Light Company Members Mark Lazar, Susan McKey, Christopher Patrick Mullen, and Tom Teti.

THE CHERRY ORCHARD

By Anton Chekhov

Adapted by Emily Mann

Directed by Abigail Adams

February 11-March 8, 2015

Leonard C. Haas Stage

Academy award nominees David Strathairn and Mary McDonnell will join longtime People's Light company members in Emily Mann's acclaimed adaptation of Chekhov's masterwork. A bankrupt matriarch and her brother are offered a lucrative scheme to save their family estate in this comedy-drama of timeless, bittersweet beauty. "Mann's elegant yet spare adaptation reminds theatetgoers that the century old play is an apt choice for the new millennium" (Variety). The cast will also feature People's Light Company Members Peter DeLaurier, Andrew Kane, Stephen Novelli, Pete Pryor, Mary Beth Scallen, and Graham Smith, along with Teri Lamm and Olivia Mell.

BILOXI BLUES

By Neil Simon

Directed by Samantha Bellomo

April 29-May 24, 2015

Leonard C. Haas Stage

This semi-autobiographical Tony Award-winning play by American comedic genius, Neil Simon, follows the adventures of Eugene Morris Jerome as he is shipped off to boot camp during World War II. A classic coming of age tale told with wit, heart, and humor. The New York Times cheers "The laughter rarely stops in Neil Simon's joyous and unexpectedly rewarding comedy." The cast will feature People's Light Company Member Pete Pryor.

HOW TO WRITE A NEW BOOK FOR THE BIBLE (Philadelphia Premiere)

By Bill Cain

Directed by Abigail Adams

June 3-28, 2015

Steinbright Stage

Jesuit priest and award-winning playwright, Bill Cain (Equivocation, 9 Circles) brings personal history, humor, and heart to this moving new play about a man who must care for his funny, maddening, and dying mother. A family portrait that is a tribute to the intimate details of our lives, Bible is "an act of grace, a benediction... and rewardingly real." (Washington Post) The cast will feature People's Light Company Members Alda Cortese, Peter DeLaurier, and Stephen Novelli, along with Greg Wood.

STELLA & LOU (Regional Premiere)

By Bruce Graham

Directed by Pete Pryor

July 15-August 23, 2015

Steinbright Stage

On a quiet night in Lou's South Philadelphia bar, two lonely spirits arrive at a shared crossroad. This funny, wise, and tender love story from the author of Mr. Hart and Mr. Brown is a later-in-life portrait of friendship and taking the next step. "Bruce Graham demonstrates a rare talent for writing older than his own experience" (Windy City Times). The cast will feature People's Light Company Members Marcia Saunders and Tom Teti, along with Scott Greer.

The Discovery series includes Arthur and The Tale of The Red Dragon: A Musical Panto and

JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS

By Robert Forrest

Directed by Douglas Irvine

March 12-April 4, 2015

Steinbright Stage

The Scottish company, Visible Fictions, arrives at People's Light with "a blazing reputation that's hard to ignore" (The Guardian) in this "sly, silly, sophisticated, and altogether winning take on an ancient Greek myth." (The New York Times) Jason's uncle isn't exactly lovable. He's murdered his brother (the king) and stolen the crown. No one dares stand up to him until now. Banished as a baby, Jason is BACK, ready to claim his rightful throne. Two actors with boundless energy and numerous action figures tell the tale of Jason and his crew as they journey to the other side of the world to find the Golden Fleece and bring it home.

DISCOVERY SERIES

This two play series includes Arthur and The Tale of the Red Dragon: A Musical Panto and Jason and the Argonauts.

Subscriptions to the Discovery Series are available for youth ages 17 and under for $54 and $62. Adult tickets are $66 or $82.

TEEN SERIES

New this season, this four play series includes Fences, Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon: A Musical Panto, The Cherry Orchard and Biloxi Blues. Subscriptions to the Teen Series are available for youth for $96 and $108. Adult tickets are $128 and $164.

7-play series Subscriptions to the 2014-2015 season are available at a significant savings of 25% off single ticket prices! 7-Play Series prices range from $154-$252.

The box office is now open for subscription sales. For information or to purchase subscriptions, call 610.644.3500 Monday - Sunday, 12pm - 6pm or visit PeoplesLight.org. Actors, prices, productions, performance dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges will apply. Service charges are non-refundable.

Single tickets range in price from $27 - $47 (Except Arthur) to $40-$50 (for Arthur) and will go on sale August 18th (except The Cherry Orchard which will go on sale October 13). Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, or to purchase group tickets, call Ron Wright at 610.647.1900 x111 or email wright@peopleslight.org.

People's Light will continue to offer Community Nights at $27, Access Nights at a 50% discount, and Student Rush tickets for $5.

People's Light continues its program called Scoop on Sundays: History, Context, and Gossip, a lively discussion before every Wednesday 7:30 pm performance. Resident Dramaturg Gina Pisasale will host an artist from the production and get the inside scoop about such things as the rehearsal and production process, design choices, and the world of the play. The program begins at 6:00 in The Farmhouse Bistro. Cost of $15 includes light fare. Call the Box Office at 610.644.3500.

Talkbacks will be held on Thursday evenings after the performances. (except preview nights).

Enjoy a prix fixe dinner and a show package at The Farmhouse Bistro prior to Wed-Sun evening performances. Dinner and a show packages are available through the box office or online at PeoplesLight.org.

The Farmhouse hosts the most beautiful weddings, special events, and corporate celebrations in the area. Our dedicated staff of experienced professionals will assist you in planning and executing an unforgettable event. Contact Betsy Iovino at 610-647-1900, x156 for more information.

ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIGHT: People's Light, a professional, not-for-profit theatre in Chester County, Pennsylvania, makes plays drawn from many sources to entertain, inspire, and engage our community. We extend our mission of making and experiencing theatre through arts education programs that excite curiosity about, and deepen understanding of, the world around us. These plays and programs bring people together and provide opportunities for reflection, discovery, and celebration. Founded in 1974, we produce seven to nine plays each season, in two black box theatres with 340 and 160 seats respectively, mixing world premieres, contemporary plays, and fresh approaches to classic texts for our 7-Play and Discovery Series.

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