People's Light to Present HOW TO WRITE A NEW BOOK FOR THE BIBLE, 6/3-28

People's Light presents Bill Cain's How to Write a New Book for the Bible running June 3 through June 28, 2015. Artistic Director Abigail Adams directs. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org.

Jesuit priest and award-winning playwright Bill Cain wrote How to Write a New Book for the Bible based on his experience caring for his feisty, strong-willed, charismatic, and loving mother who suffered from cancer. Cain kept a diary during this time, turned that into a book, and then eventually into this play. His main character, Bill, punctuates the story of the final six months of Mary Cain's life with funny, haunting, and moving recollections of life with his family.

People's Light originally introduced audiences to Bible during a staged reading that Artistic Director Abigail Adams directed in March 2013 as part of its free Community Matters series. The overwhelming response encouraged Adams and Producing Director Zak Berkman to program the play as part of the company's 40th season. Adams felt a particular personal connection to the play. "My brother and I were part of my mother's hospice team in her home. I know the toll it takes to care for someone who is dying who you love very much. Not only do you confront your own mortality, but all that wasn't said, all aspects of that relationship. This play captures that with a structure that particularly interests me, the way scenes accumulate with a lack of sentimentality. It's funny, sad, and there are moments of grace amidst the ordinary."

Adams is reunited with actors Alda Cortese and Greg Wood who also participated in the original Community Matters reading. "I loved working on that reading with Alda and Greg." Adams states. "They were always the people I saw in these roles." Cortese and Wood are joined by longtime People's Light company members Peter DeLaurier and Stephen Novelli.

Berkman highlights the value of producing this Philadelphia premiere with these artists. "This is a play about family being directed and performed by people who have created their own artistic family over the decades here in Malvern. These colleagues and friends share an immense understanding of the richness and complexity of history, of the love it takes to be vulnerable, to forgive, and to persevere."

According to Cain, "If you want to see God - says the Book - look at your family story. [...] And don't just look at the good stuff." How to Write a New Book for the Bible celebrates the good stuff, the tough stuff, the hilarious stuff, and the tender stuff at the heart of the Cain family story.

ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE AT PEOPLE'S LIGHT

People's Light continues its Scoop program, now on Wednesdays. Scoop on Wednesdays: History, Context, and Gossip is a lively discussion before every Wednesday 7:30 pm performance (June 10, 17, and 24). Dramaturg Mary Elizabeth Scallen will host director Abigail Adams 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.

Enjoy a prix fixe dinner and a show package for $73 (Wed, Thurs, Sat matinee, Sun eve) and $82 (Fri, Sat eve, Sun matinee) at The Farmhouse Bistro prior to Wed-Sun evening performances. That's a savings of up to 15% off the single ticket price! If you already have tickets, you can add dinner for just $37. Dinner and a show packages are available through the Box Office or online at PeoplesLight.org.

Join us for two free special pre-show Community Conversations in the Haas Upper Lobby about inter-generational caregiving inspired by the themes of How to Write a New Book for the Bible and the limited run of Jonatha Brooke's My Mother Has 4 Noses. Producing Director Zak Berkman will facilitate these gatherings with area experts about Cancer Care on Saturday June 20 from 6:15 - 7:15 pm and Memory Loss on Saturday June 27 from 6:15 - 7:15 pm. Reservations can be made online or by calling the Box Office.

How to Write a New Book for the Bible previews on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30pm, Thursday, June 4 at 7:30pm and Friday, June 5 at 8 pm. The play opens on Saturday, June 6 at 8 pm and runs through Sunday, June 28 at 7pm.

Single tickets start at $27. For tickets, call the Box Office at 610.644.3500. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610.647.1900 x111 or email benedict@peopleslight.org.

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