People's Light to Stage RICHARD III

Crack open the chronicle of Shakespeare's infamous Richard III in an intense, visceral production at People's Light from March 16-April 24, 2016. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People's Light's production of Richard III is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Director Samantha Reading and acclaimed actor Pete Pryor pull you inside the head of the charismatic master manipulator as he tricks, seduces, and murders his way to the throne of England. Take the exhilarating ride from underling to king with the most beguiling madman ever made, staged with 9 actors in the intimate Steinbright Theatre.

"This story is immediate and relevant," says director Samantha Reading. "Right now, if you turn on the news, what do you see? Politicians manipulate the public to gain power. One dictator replaces another. Frightened refugees flee for safety," she observes. "It's a harsh, dangerous time: resources are stripped bare, buildings crumble, land decays. Violence and murder seem ordinary, and death is ubiquitous. This is the world we live in.

"This is also the world of Richard III," Reading notes.

Reading points out that Richard implicates his audience in everything he does, including his most gruesome and pitiless actions. "He thrills our minds, shocks our spirits and commands our hearts because there's a part of all of us that can relate to him," she asserts. "Haven't you ever wished you could change your reality? Haven't you ever asked yourself what you could accomplish without a conscience?

"We can live out those fantasies with Richard because he does what we, in our darkest moments, dream of doing," Reading says.

Pete Pryor, Associate Artistic Director and People's Light resident artist, leads the cast as Richard, the twisted Duke of Gloucester. The eight remaining ensemble members play multiple roles. Company actors include Alda Cortese as Margaret, Peter DeLaurier as Hastings, Christopher Patrick Mullen as Buckingham, Stephen Novelli as Stanley, and Mary Elizabeth Scallen as Elizabeth. Guest artist Margaret Ivey, last seen in Malvern as Ann Deever in All My Sons, returns to play Lady Anne. First-time guest Christopher R. Brown appears as York. Carl Clemons-Hopkins makes his People's Light debut as Richmond.

Resident artist Samantha Reading (Pride & Prejudice, Biloxi Blues) directs the production. Returning guest Jorge Cousineau designs both set and sound. Newcomer Maria Shaplin serves as lighting designer, while company member Rosemarie McKelvey creates costumes. Resident Dramaturg Gina Pisasale shares dramaturgy duties with guest Geoff Proehl. People's Light first-timer Jason Pizzi stage manages the production.

People's Light continues its Scoop program, now on Wednesdays. Scoop on Wednesdays: History, Context, and Gossip is a lively discussion before Wednesday 7:30 pm performances (March 23, April 13, and April 20). 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 pm in The Farmhouse Bistro. Call the Box Office at 610.644.3500.

Join us for Thursday Talkbacks following Thursday 7:30 pm performances (March 24, March 31, April 7, and April 21) for an informal Q&A with the cast! Free with your ticket purchase.

Enjoy a prix fixe dinner and a show package for $75 (Wed, Thurs, Sat matinee, Sun eve) and $84 (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 $39. Dinner and a show packages are available through the Box Office or online at PeoplesLight.org.

People's Light is committed to access in the arts and will offer three Open Caption performances of Richard III (March 23 at 2 pm, March 25 at 8pm, and March 26 at 2 pm). Open Caption (OC) performances feature a carefully positioned LED screen near the stage that displays the play text in real- time simultaneous with live speech and action in order to increase access for individuals with hearing impairment, as well as for English language learners. No other aspect of the performance is altered for these shows.

Richard III previews on Wednesday, March 16 at 7:30, Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 and Friday, March 18 at 8 pm. The play opens on Saturday, March 19 and runs through Sunday, April 24.

Standard single tickets start at $37. Community Night tickets are $27 for the 7:30 pm performances on March 16 and 17. 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.

Pick Series packages are still available for the 2015-2016 season and start at $99. Productions include Richard III (Mar 16-April 24, 2016), A Single Shard (April 27-May 29, 2016), The Harassment of Iris Malloy (June 15-July 10, 2016), and Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash (July 20-Aug 14, 2016). Visit peopleslight.org or call 610-644-3500 to order.

Actors, prices, productions, performance dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges will apply. Contact the Box Office for more details.

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