People’s Light & Theatre Presents Treasure Island: A Musical Panto 11/16-1/8

People's Light & Theatre presents Treasure Island: A Musical Panto, by Kathryn Petersen, with music and lyrics by Michael Ogborn. It runs November 16, 2011 - January 8, 2012 on the Main Stage. Associate Artistic Director Pete Pryor directs. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org. Treasure Island is part of the PNC Arts Alive Family Discovery Series.

In Treasure Island: A Musical Panto, Mother Hawkins and Long John Silver return for the holidays with the rascally rabble aboard Ye Olde Blowharde. They sing, dance, stagger, and swim their way through a few of the Seven Seas in search of Billy Bones' treasure.

Now a holiday tradition, audiences ages 5-105 have been selling out People's Light's Main Stage for eight seasons to see the company's World Premieres of Panto-spins on classic tales. Treasure Island will be the first time People's Light is reviving one of its most Popular Productions, adding new material to make it a special experience for all who enjoyed it the first time, as well as newcomers.

Composer and Lyricist Michael Ogborn joined the creative team for the 2007 version of Treasure Island and has co-written with Playwright Kathryn Petersen all of the Pantos since then: Cinderella (2008), Snow White (2009), and The Three Musketeers (2010). Ogborn and the rest of the creative team, including Petersen, Director Pete Pryor, and Assistant Director Samantha Bellomo, are making changes to this year's revamp of Treasure Island, with new music, dialogue, and adding a black light sequence-now a favorite ingredient of every People's Light Panto.

"Since Treasure Island was my first Panto, I've learned how to make things simpler and more direct with each score and to try and do the best work for the style of theatre that it is," Ogborn says. "It has sharpened my writing over the years to do something of this quality in such a short amount of time. Now that I have more experience with this art form, I've learned that simplicity and clarity of melody make the play more fun and accessible to the audience. There's room for complexity of emotion in music, but the Panto is not that kind play. The music needs to be forward-moving."
Much of the cast from the original production is returning this year: Mark Lazar as Mother Hawkins (the Dame), Tom Teti as Squire Treelawnee, Susan McKey as Evelyn Treelawnee, Joilet Harris as Mama Kura, and Chris Faith as Ezekial Machete Scabbs. As he did for The Three Musketeers last year, Pete Pryor will once again take on dual responsibilities as both director and performer, reprising his role as Captain Smilenot.

"With this ensemble and creative staff, we all have great ideas," Ogborn says. "The respect that everyone has for the process that we put together every year is really extraordinary. And it's a lot of fun. I have a feeling that this Treasure Island is going to be bigger and better than ever!"

WHAT IS A PANTO?

The Panto is a tradition borrowed from England, where almost every town has a Panto during the holiday season. Pantos are a mix between a fractured fairy tale and a variety show, using familiar stories to form the basis for exaggeration, outrageous jokes, and rollicking songs and dances. They incorporate specific elements, including "the dame" (a man dressed as a woman), audience participation (in the form of cheering the heroes and booing the villains), a "messy bit," candy passed out to the audience, and a "silly song" that inspires an audience sing-along.
TICKET INFORMATION

Treasure Island: A Musical Panto previews on Wednesday, November 16th and Thursday, November 17th at 7pm. The play opens on Saturday, November 19th at 7pm and runs through Sunday, January 8th. Audiences are encouraged to join the artists after each Thursday evening performance for a conversation about the production.

Single tickets range in price from $35 - $45. For tickets, call the box office at 610.644.3500. Special discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610.647.1900 x134 or email charles@peopleslight.org. Actors, prices, performance dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges will apply. Contact the box office for more details.

Subscription tickets are still available for the 2011-2012 Season. Productions in the 6-Play Series include Treasure Island: A Musical Panto (November 16, 2011 - January 8, 2012), Fallow (January 11 - February 5, 2012), Of Mice and Men (February 15 - March 25, 2012), Shakespeare's Will (May 30 - June 24, 2012), and Mr. Hart and MR. Brown (July 18 - August 19, 2012). Productions in the PNC Arts Alive Family Discovery Series include Treasure Island: A Musical Panto (November 16, 2011 - January 8, 2012), Shipwrecked (March 22 - April 15, 2012), and A Wrinkle in Time (April 26 - May 20, 2012).

SPECIAL EVENT

At 12pm before every Sunday 2pm performance of Treasure Island, The Farmhouse Bistro will host a brunch featuring characters from the play. Brunch is $21.95 for adults and $12.95 for youth (12 and under). For reservations, call 610.647.8060 or visit TheFarmhouseBistro.com.

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 350 and 170 seats respectively, mixing world premieres, contemporary plays, and fresh approaches to classic texts for our 6-Play and Discovery Series.
BIOS

Kathryn Petersen (Playwright) has appeared in over sixty productions regionally, most recently appearing in August: Osage County at the Arden. She is also a produced and published playwright, having written six of the last seven holiday Pantos produced at PLTC. Kathryn is a long-time company member at People's Light, an Assistant Professor at Arcadia University, and is currently pursuing an M.F.A. in Playwriting at Temple University.

Michael Ogborn (Composer and Lyricist) is featuring the world premiere of his new musical Tulipomania at the Arden Theatre later this season. Next season Michael will be returning to PLTC to write all new songs for Aladdin. To learn more about Michael Ogborn, visit www.michaelogborn.com.

Pete Pryor (Director/Captain Smilenot) is a company member of PLTC and a new Associate Artistic Director. Treasure Island will mark his fourth time directing the annual Panto. He is the co-founder and former Producing Artistic Director of 1812 Productions, the resident artist at the Pathway School, an Independence Foundation Fellowship Artist, and a winner of three Barrymore Awards. His new play Beautiful Boy will be part of the Community Matters reading series for PLTC this May. Up next he will be playing George in Of Mice and Men and directing Bruce Graham's Mr. Hart and MR. Brown.

Rachel Brennan (Jamie Hawkins) played Henrietta "The Chicken" in last year's Panto The Three Musketeers. She is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, where she studied music theatre. Aside from performing, she teaches children's theatre, music and dance classes in the Philly area, and is currently studying to become a certified sign language interpreter.
Michael Doherty (Dr. Livesee) received 2011 Barrymores for Outstanding Supporting Actor and Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical for Theatre Horizon's Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway: Dublin By Lamplight (Inis Nua/ 59E59; winner Best Ensemble, 1st Irish Festival Awards). Regional: Three Musketeers (People's Light); Trailer Park (11th Hour/ Montgomery Theatre); Laughter on the 23rd Floor (1812 Productions). He'll be returning to PLTC later this season for Mr. Hart and MR. Brown.
Chris Faith (Ezekial Machete Scabbs) last performed at PLTC in The Return of Don Quixote. He is a multiple Barrymore Award nominee, including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for Treasure Island here at PLTC and won a Barrymore Award for Best Ensemble for PLTC's Cinderella. Other credits include The Secret Garden and Like It Is (Off-Broadway), productions at the Wilma, Arden, 1812 Productions, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Luna Theatre, Act II Playhouse, among others. Recently, Chris was hired as an adjunct professor for Temple University teaching musical theater.

Joilet Harris (Mama Kura) was last seen here in the 2007 version of Treasure Island. Joilet is the 2007 recipient of the Barrymore Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical for her role as Caroline in Caroline, or Change at the Arden Theatre. Other recent credits include: Ella in Ella, The Ella Fitzgerald Story, Detective Caroline on the HBO series The Wire, and a recent appearance on Law and Order SVU.

Jefferson Haynes (Hackin Devil Dan) previously performed at PLTC in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Legacy of Light, and Stretch: A Fantasia. Other Philadelphia area credits include: Arden, Azuka, Interact, and Montgomery among others. Off stage, Jefferson works as a scenic carpenter in the Philadelphia theatre community. He has also been a member of Philly Improv Theatre and teaches acting and improvisation for all ages.

Justin Jain (Israel Chopped Hand) last appeared in Treasure Island (2007) and Gossamer. Regional credits include McCarter Theatre, Theatre Horizon, Milwaukee Rep, Ars Nova NYC, PlayPenn, Teatro Delle Due, and others. Part of the alternative live-comedy company The Berserker Residents, Justin has created several original works, including Philly Fringe hits The Annihilation Point, The Giant Squid, and NYC hit The Lapsburgh Layover (berserkerresidents.com). Justin is a 2011-2012 Philadelphia Live Arts LAB Fellow.

Andrew Kane (Tinnitus Tom the Terrible) previously performed in Pantos at PLTC as D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers, Bubba in Snow White, and Tom Cat in Cinderella. Non-Pantoing at PLTC: Johnson in Hatchetman, The Emperor in The Emperor's New Clothes, and Burgundy in King Lear. He has also worked with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Horizon, Theatre Exile, Lantern Theater, and Arden Theatre. BA: DeSales University. Next up: Of Mice and Men.

Mark Lazar (Mother Hawkins) is a PLTC company member. Last season: The Master Builder, Three Musketeers, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Secret of Sherlock Holmes. Recent: Theatre of War's Cato Project, as part of Philadelphia's 911 commemorations. Next: Of Mice and Men. Mark is heard annually on Public Radio as the voice of Ebenezer Scrooge with First State Children's Theatre's live-audience radio broadcasts of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Susan McKey (Evelyn Treelawnee) performed in the previous Pantos Snow White, Cinderella, Robin Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty. Other PLTC credits: The Master Builder, Legacy of Light, King Lear, and End Days. Also: The Arden, Philadelphia Theatre Company, The Lantern, and the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Later this season: Act II Playhouse, Delaware Theatre Company and Theatre Horizon.
Richard Ruiz (Long John Silver) has appeared in Philadelphia at the Arden Theatre in An Empty Plate in the Café Du Grand Boeuf, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Michael Ogborn's Baby Case. National Tours include Urinetown, Jesus Christ Superstar (Europe), Man of La Mancha and Sweet Charity. Regional: Long Wharf Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Seattle, Folger Shakespeare Theatre of DC, Baltimore Center Stage and The Public Theatre (NYC).
Amadea Martino Smith (Polly the Parrot) has performed with the Opera Company of Philadelphia (Falstaff, Hansel and Gretel, Norma, Otello), Curtis Opera Theatre (The Cunning Little Vixen), Walnut Street Theatre (Oliver!, Fiddler on the Roof), The Media Theatre (Annie), and The Centre Theater (Sound of Music). Visit her website at rilesmith.com/amadea.

Tom Teti (Squire Treelawnee) comes directly from a successful run in Hatchetman at PLTC. Last spring he was seen in Seth Rozin's Two Jews Walk into a War at InterAct and directed Shirley Valentine at Hedgerow. He last appeared at People's Light in Tom Sawyer, The Three Musketeers, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Emperor's New Clothes, and Stretch: A Fantasia. He can be seen in the new feature film Limitless, with Bradley Cooper. He teaches acting at Hedgerow Theatre.

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