People's Light & Theatre Co Presents THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES 7/15-17

People's Light & Theatre Company presents The Emperor's New Clothes at Longwood Gardens from July 15 - 17, 2010. A world premiere production, with a script by Richard Hellesen, it is based on the children's classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen. AbiGail Adams directs. Longwood Gardens is located at 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square. For tickets call 610.388.5200 or visit LongwoodGardens.org. This project is supported in part by TARGET and the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau.

People's Light & Theatre Company's partnership with Longwood Gardens first began in September, 2008. People's Light produced The Persians on the Main Stage as part of their 6-Play Series, then moved the production to Longwood Gardens for a final performance. Grace Grillet, Managing Director of People's Light, says, "We are interested in doing site-specific work and it is an honor to work with Longwood Gardens, one of the premiere cultural organizations in the nation."
For People's Light's second collaboration with Longwood Gardens, The Emperor's New Clothes will run on the Main Stage June 16 - July 11, 2010 before it moves to Longwood Gardens for its final performances in July. It features People's Light Resident Company Members Kevin Bergen, Alda Cortese, Marcia Saunders, Mary Elizabeth Scallen, Tom Teti, and Graham Smith, who join guest artists Andrew Kane and Claire Inie-Richards, in addition to over 50 handmade puppets by Martina Plag. It is a slapstick, mad cap, puppet-romp version of the classic tale of the Emperor with a passion for fashion.

Garden Pass Members are invited to an exclusive members'-only preview of The Emperor's New Clothes at Longwood Gardens on Wednesday, July 14th at 7:30pm. Performances will also run Thursday, July 15th through Saturday, July 17th at 7pm. Tickets are $5 for Garden Pass Members, $29 for non-member adults, and $20 for non-member youth. Actors, prices, performances dates and times are subject to change.

ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIGHT

People's Light, a professional theatre founded in 1974 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, makes plays drawn from many sources to entertain, inspire, and engage the community. They extend their 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.

ABOUT LONGWOOD GARDENS

Longwood Gardens is one of the great gardens of the world. They strive for innovation in horticulture and display. They present the arts in an unparalleled setting to bring pleasure and inspire the imagination of their guests. They contribute to society through excellent and diverse education programs, horticulture research, environmental stewardship, and cultural and community engagement.