People's Light to Close Out 40th Season with STELLA & LOU, 7/15-8/23

People's Light presents Bruce Graham's Stella and Lou running July 15 through August 23, 2015. Associate Artistic Director Pete Pryor directs. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org.

Stella and Lou, by native son Bruce Graham, is a gritty South Philadelphia romance about a trio of lost souls struggling to find a way forward. On a quiet summer night, bar owner Lou and pal Donnie return from the sparsely attended funeral of a mutual friend. The event has hit both men hard, reminding Lou of his recently departed wife, and sending Donnie into fits of doubt about his impending marriage. When Stella arrives to offer Lou a life-altering last chance at happiness, she triggers a torrent of anxiety about the past and fear for the future.

Director Pete Pryor, who has acted in and directed Graham's plays before, comments, "Bruce has a strong, funny and unique voice. And he's a master storyteller. Stella and Lou is one of his most sensitive works."

And it's the blend of sensitivity and street smarts that makes Stella and Lou compelling. Graham's characters fight for what they want with sharp senses of humor and rapid-fire talk, bluffing to cover any weakness. As Producing Director Zak Berkman notes, "We care about the flaws of these people as much as their charms. That's trademark Bruce Graham." Resident artist Tom Teti, who has been with the Theatre since its inception over 40 years ago, will play the irascible Lou. Marcia Saunders, another People's Light veteran of 39 years' service, appears as the determined and hopeful Stella. And Philadelphia favorite Scott Greer, who's worked with every major theatre in the city, plays the tormented fiancé Donnie.

Berkman continues, "This is a deeply romantic play about people we rarely see on stage in a deeply romantic play. And I don't mean love-struck romantic, or star-crossed romantic. I mean a view of the world that says love is possible at any age. That we find ourselves better through love than through isolation. That friendship can be intense and profound, and can extend beyond the definitions we normally give it. "

This is the third Bruce Graham play to be produced by People's Light. In 2011, the Theatre presented The Philly Fan, a comedy about the joy and heartbreak of a local sports enthusiast. In 2012, People's Light produced Mr. Hart and Mr. Brown, a tense drama about the violent dynamic between a pair of American icons.

Stella and Lou received its world premiere in 2013 at the Northlight Theatre in Chicago. This production at People's Light marks the play's regional premiere.

CONNECT, ENGAGE, INTERACT AT PEOPLE'S LIGHT

People's Light continues its Scoop program on Wednesdays. Scoop on Wednesdays: History, Context, and Gossip is a lively discussion before every Wednesday 7:30 pm performance (July 22 and 29, August 5, 12, and 19). 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. Cost of $15 includes light fare. Call the Box Office at 610.644.3500.

Join us for Thursday Talkbacks following every Thursday 7:30 pm performance for an informal Q & A with the cast! Free with your ticket purchase.

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.

TICKET INFORMATION

Stella and Lou previews on Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30pm and Thursday, July 16 at 7:30pm. The play opens on Friday, July 17 at 8 pm and runs through Sunday, August 23 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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