People's Light to Present ARTHUR AND THE TALE OF THE RED DRAGON: A MUSICAL PANTO, Begin. 11/19

As part of the Company's 40th Anniversary Season, People's Light continues what has become a unique trademark holiday experience and presents the world premiere of Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon: A Musical Panto, written by Pete Pryor and Samantha Bellomo with music and lyrics by Michael Ogborn. It runs November 19, 2014-January 11, 2015 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage. 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. Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon: A Musical Panto is sponsored by PECO.

People's Light celebrates the production of its 11th Holiday Panto as part of the company's 40th Anniversary Season. A production for all ages, Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon reunites the collaborators behind the highly successful Aladdin: A Music Panto. Bellomo, Pryor, and Ogborn are joined by Robert Smythe, one of the foremost puppet artists in the United States. Smythe will design and choreograph the dreaded Red Dragon, one of the largest puppets he's ever made.

Arthur is a hilarious yet poignant musical adventure about a young man who discovers how to become a leader thanks to the guidance of a wizard, many magical creatures, knights in armor, and a Panto Dame. Director and co-author Pete Pryor explains, "Arthurian legend is rife with great stories and the tale of young Arthur and his journey to become King is what interested us the most. Using the nascent leader's mentoring process from Merlyn as a jumping-off point, we created a Panto that will be unlike any other."

The play is set in the fictional land of Nrevlam during "Medieval panto time." A Red Dragon plagues the land, controlled by the Sorceress Morgana. Young Arthur is set to become squire to knight errant Kay, but as fate would have it, Arthur is destined for much more, including an infamous encounter with a sword and stone. Arthur comes under the tutelage of magical Merlyn and his animal friends, who teach him there's more to life and leadership than showy feats of strength.

Producing Director Zak Berkman adds, "Arthur is a fantastic way for the whole family to celebrate what it means to truly come of age in the Middle Ages. Pete, Sam, and Michael know how to take us on a ride, to bring us somewhere we didn't expect, and to feed us candy along the way."

PANTO BRUNCH WITH ARTHUR CHARACTERS

Join us at 12pm at The Farmhouse Bistro for brunch before the December 7th, December 14th, and December 21st Sunday matinees and meet your favorite Panto characters. If you already have performance tickets, you can add brunch for $21.95 for adults and teens and $12.95 for children. Brunch packages include brunch with the characters and 1 ticket for Arthur. $71.95 for Adults, $66.95 for teens (13-17), and $57.95 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org.

Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon previews on Wednesday, November 19, Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21 at 7 pm. The play opens on Saturday, November 22 and runs through Sunday, January 11. Audiences are encouraged to join the artists for a conversation about the production after the Thursday performances on December 4th, 11th, and 18th, and January 8th.

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 HYPERLINK "mailto:wright@peopleslight.org" wright@peopleslight.org.

Create-your-own subscription packages are still available for the 2014-2015 season and start at $99. Productions include Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon: A Musical Panto (November 19, 2014-January 11, 2015), The Cherry Orchard (February 11-March 8, 2015), Biloxi Blues (April 29-May 24, 2015), How to Write A New Book for the Bible (June 3-28, 2015), and Stella & Lou (July 15-August 23, 2015). The Discovery Series packages for children ages 5-12 start at $54 and include Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon: A Musical Panto (November 19, 2014-January 11, 2015), and Jason and the Argonauts (March 12-April 4, 2015). The Teen 3 Series for children ages 12-19 includes Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon: A Musical Panto, The Cherry Orchard, and Biloxi Blues and starts at $72 (additional service charges will apply). Visit peopleslight.org or call 610-644-3500 to order.