PARNASSUS ON WHEELS Opens at Lakewood Theatre Company, Today

On January 5, 2018, Lakewood Theatre Company brings to the stage the world premiere of C.S. Whitcomb's adaptation of Christopher Morley's debut novel Parnassus on Wheels. This is the story of a strong, smart woman trying to find her path and create a worthy destiny for herself in a man's world - a world where women don't even yet have the right to vote. It is also the story of first love arriving surprisingly in middle age, and a celebration of the love of good books and how they can enrich the hardworking lives of poor, dirt farmers and small town folks. At times both comical and affectionate, Parnassus On Wheels continues to remain as relevant as it did when it was first released 100 years ago

Performances begin January 5 and continue through February 11, 2018, playing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, one Wednesday performance (Jan. 24) at 7:30 PM, Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM (Jan. 7, 21 and Feb. 4), and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM (Jan. 14, 28 and Feb. 4, 11). The show's title sponsor is Andy & Nancy Bryant.

The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State St. in Lake Oswego. Ticket prices are $34/adults and $32/seniors. Other discounts are available for students and groups. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.

Special note: On Wednesday, January 24, the theatre continues its program called WOW: 25-35. For audience-goers 35 and under, tickets are priced at $25 each. Use the code WOW25 when ordering tickets online to get this special discount. At this performance, there will be a complimentary wine tasting one hour before curtain courtesy of World Class Wines. OLCC rules apply! Bring your ID for the tasting!

The story: In 1910 rural New England, frustrated, forty-something Helen (Amanda Soden) has spent years taking care of the family farm. Each day as she tends to her chickens and biscuit baking, she dreams of doing more with her life.Tired and itching for adventure, she impulsively buys a caravan filled with books from a wiry Irishman named Roger (Orion Bradshaw) and takes to the road as a traveling bookseller. With Roger's help, Helen attempts to enlighten rural farm folk whose reading is limited to the Sears catalogues and Farmer's Almanacs. As Helen travels the countryside and learns the book selling trade, she runs into adventures, life lessons, and unexpected love.

Others in the cast are Jeff Gorham, Don Stewart Burns, Daphne Dossett, Chris Forrer, Maggie MacKenzie and Luke Wyngarden.

The creative team includes stage direction by Stephanie Mulligan, scenic design is by John Gerth, lighting design is by Becca Priddy, costume design is by Marychris Mass, sound design is by Sharath Patel, and properties are by Sarah Andrews. The stage manager is Amanda Maxwell Sundman and the producer is Steve Knox.

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