Swift Creek Mill Theatre Hosts the World Premiere of THE LITTLE LION

The Little Lion, a powerful drama highlighting the struggle of a Jewish family in a Lithuanian ghetto during World War II, opens at Swift Creek Mill Theatre on Saturday, January 30th for a five-week limited engagement. Based on Nancy Wright Beasley's historical novel, playwright Irene Ziegler and director Tom Width bring the true story of Laibale Gillman, the teenage boy known as "the little lion," to the stage for the first time. The play coincides with author Beasley's release of her third book of the same name, following her highly acclaimed first novel Izzy's Fire: Finding Humanity in the Holocaust.

"I am overjoyed and inordinately blessed that The Little Lion will be presented on the stage at Swift Creek Mill Theatre," said Beasley. "Working with Irene and the entire team at the theatre has been a truly remarkable experience. I fell in love with Irene when we were interviewing people to write the script and I told her 'I wrote the book -- you write the play, and afterwards I'll just stand back and applaud.' "

"I had challenges translating a narrative into something more present and theatrical," said Irene Ziegler, who began collaborating with Beasley on the dramatic work more than one year ago. "But after we got together, it started flowing more easily as we added more characters."

Ziegler is an award-winning actress and playwright and this is the fifth theatrical production she's penned. She drew motivation from the sub-header in Beasley's first book Izzy's Fire and worked on trying to "find humanity in the Holocaust."

Swift Creek Mill Theatre, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary season, has already created an enormous amount of interest in the original production, with an opening night audience that will include the current Lithuanian Ambassador to the U.S. Rolandas Kriš?i?nas. The former U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, Anne Derse, will also be attending on Opening Night, in addition to the one dozen theatre critics that will be on hand to review the play.

This is the first original play that Swift Creek Mill Theatre has optioned and produced in its long, award-winning history. The Little Lion stars John Mincks as Laibale Gillman, John Hagadorn as Doctor Elkes and features a large ensemble cast of 22 actors.

The increased interest is also driving brisk ticket sales and dinner buffet reservations. Tickets for The Little Lion are $38, and only $55 when you add the theatre's legendary home-style buffet.

Tickets are available by calling Swift Creek Mill Theatre's box office at 804-748-5203, or you may visit www.SwiftCreekMill.com to order tickets online.

About Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Swift Creek Mill Theatre is a professional, nonprofit theatre company in Chesterfield County, Virginia that stages a variety of performances in an historic 17th Century watermill. The theatre was founded in 1965, and in addition to its signature dinner theatre performances, it provides youth programs, event space rentals and catering services. Founded in 1663, Swift Creek Mill is a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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