Town Hall Theater and Middlebury Union High School Present THE THINGS THEY CARRIED, 4/6

On Friday, April 6, Town Hall Theater hosts a professional stage presentation of Tim O'Brien's novel The Things They Carried.  The novel, commonly found on high school reading lists, is a masterwork of contemporary literature depicting the life of Tim O'Brien and his experiences of the Vietnam War.  In this production by the American Place Theatre's Literature to Life® series, solo actor Billy Lyons performs a collection of short pieces that blur the line between truth and reality, fact and fiction.  It's an unforgettable journey. 

"We wanted to bring back American Place after seeing their stellar performances of Glass Castle and Kite Runner," says Marianne Doe, on the MUHS English Faculty.  "It's an exciting opportunity for our students to experience live theatre and to 'reread' this powerful book through the eyes and voices of its multiple characters."

A performance for students is scheduled for 9:30 am at Town Hall Theater.  An evening performance at 8 pm makes this special event available to the general public.  The evening performance will include American Sign Language interpretation.  

The Things They Carried is the latest in a series of collaborations between THT and MUHS this year.  In the fall, the 9th and 10th grade students were treated to a Middlebury Actor's Workshop performance of Of Mice and Men, also on the high school reading list, which was followed up by an interactive workshop between the actors and the students.  Pontius began visiting classrooms in November and is currently focusing on Shakespeare in 9th and 10th grade classes.

THT Executive Director Douglas Anderson is thrilled with THT's new education initiatives.  "A local donor gave the start-up money that helped fulfill a dream, which was to hire someone full-time to bring arts education in all of its guises to young people.  This professional production of The Things They Carried, available to both students and the general public, is a particularly good example of how THT's education program serves the entire community."

Tickets for the Friday, April 6, 8 pm public performance of The Things They Carried may be purchased at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT Box Office (Mon-Sat, Noon – 5 pm) and at the door, if available.  Tickets are $20, $10 for students.   The evening production will include American Sign Language interpretation.  

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