Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre Presents THE GIVER By Eric Coble

The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre is proud to present the play, THE GIVER by Eric Coble, based on the Newbery Award book by Lois Lowry and directed by Darryl B. Hovis. Performances for THE GIVER are: Friday September 28 at 7:00pm, Saturday, September 29 at 1:00pm and 6:00pm and on Sunday, September 30that 1:00pm and 6:00pm at the Moulton Theatre in Laguna Beach, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd. Laguna Beach, CA.

THE GIVER is the Playhouse's Theatre for a New Generation Production (TNG) and is suitable for ages 11+. This play examines the dystopian society in which everything is under control and safe. There is no war or fear or pain. There are also no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. The main character a boy, Jonas and when he turns 12 years old he is chosen for training from The Giver to receive and keep the memories of the community.

DARRYL B. HOVIS (Director) earned his MA in Theatre Production at Central Washington University and studied acting at the Professional Conservatory at UCSD and South Coast Repertory. He is the Associate Producer of Theater for Young Audiences as well as Co-Education director at Chance Theater where he directs and teaches. Directing credits include James and the Giant Peach, The Little Prince, The Boy at the Edge of Everything, Rent, The Threepenny Opera, Machinal and Resurrecting Antigone.

The Cast of THE GIVER will feature (in alphabetical order): Alexandra Brown, Luke Bruderer, Jake Donello, Tessa Espinola, CarolAnn Felt, Matthew Garbacz, Leo Hekma, Bethany Klause, Emerson Kirk, Charlie McClung, Aaron McGee, Bradley Miller, Cassidy Morgan, Jennifer Pearce, Lyndsey Grace Stradwick, Sienna Voisin and Marley West.

Performances for THE GIVER are: Friday September 28 at 7:00pm, Saturday, September 29 at 1:00pm and 6:00pm and on Sunday, September 30that 1:00pm and 6:00pm at the Moulton Theatre in Laguna Beach, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd. Laguna Beach, CA. Tickets range from $15 - $25 and are available by calling the ticket office at 949 497-2787 x 1 or online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com

TNG productions are designed to address contemporary and or historic themes which align with Middle and High School Curriculum and / or current culture. The performances are accompanied by a post- performance Question and Answer discussions with the cast and academics or practitioners.

Other TNG productions have included plays examining teen dating, bullying, pregnancy, self-destructive behaviors, eating disorders, gun violence in school and also plays that are written about the holocaust.