Zak Berkman News

Callous Scrooge, shackled Marley, and the haunting spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future spring vividly to life in People's Light Producing Director Zak Berkman's world premiere adaptation of Dickens' yuletide ghost story.

People's Light invites you back to the theatre for its 2021/2022 Season, featuring outrageous comedies, tour de force performances, Tony Award nominees, and three music-filled world premieres. 

People’s Light presents Lauren M. Gunderson’s The Catastrophist, a filmed play co-produced by Marin Theatre Company and Round House Theatre, and the fourth and final installment in People’s Light’s Winter/Spring Digital Season.

Amidst a neverending lockdown, what secrets, scandals, and salacious exchanges unfold in the middle of the night? People's Light presents America 2am, a new web series.

People's Light announces a Winter/Spring Digital Season of premium online performances streaming on their virtual stage, Always On.

Steve H. Broadnax III joins the artistic leadership of People's Light as Resident Director.

People's Light recently announced a reimagined 2020/2021 Season, which includes an investment in filmed theatrical productions and a hopeful return to live theatre in March 2021.  

People's Light has commissioned a series of digital projects in solidarity with those protesting systemic racism, anti-Black violence, and nationwide inaction regarding police brutality.

Frequent People's Light guest artist David M. Lutken is coming to a screen near you. The fan-favorite folk troubadour leads a stellar ensemble of musicians for two virtual hootenannies on Thursday, May 14 at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 17 at 2pm.

While the live production of Hold These Truths (originally scheduled to run March 18 through April 19 at People's Light) was cancelled due to COVID-19, audiences can stream the performance at peopleslight.org now through May 10.

People's Light will cancel the remainder of its 2019/2020 Season in response to evolving public health concerns. In addition to the early closure of Shakespeare in Love, cancelled productions include Hold These Truths, a solo play inspired by the true story of Gordon Hirabayashi and more.

People's Light presents Hold These Truths, a solo play inspired by the true story of Gordon Hirabayashi. As a young University of Washington student and practicing Quaker, Gordon struggles to reconcile his love for the U.S. Constitution with the government's orders to incarcerate people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast. His work ultimately leads to the famous 1943 Supreme Court case Hirabayashi v. United States. Tickets start at $35, including fees. To purchase, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

People's Light (Abbey Adams, Executive Artistic Director; Zak Berkman, Producing Director) is presenting Jeanne Sakata's Award winning solo play, Hold These Truths, based on the inspiring true story of Gordon Hirabayashi.

The 46th Season at People's Light invites you to revisit old favorites, find fresh perspectives on timeless classics, and be part of groundbreaking new theatre.

People's Light presents Shakespeare in Love, a stage adaptation of the 1998 Academy Award-winning film. In 1593 London, Will Shakespeare has writer's block. Low on funds and out of ideas, the young playwright finds his muse in Viola de Lesseps, a wealthy merchant's daughter with dreams of the stage. Despite England's prohibition on female performers, Viola disguises herself as a man and wins the role of a?oeRomeoa?? in Shakespeare's upcoming comedy, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter. As Will discovers that his talented leading man is none other than the captivating aristocrat he admired from afar, the two begin a passionate affair that becomes inspiration for a new love story: Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare in Love runs in the Leonard C. Haas Stage February 26 a?" March 29. Tickets start at $35, including fees. To purchase, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

People's Light presents Lucy Kirkwood's The Children, 2018 Tony Award nominee for Best Play. Two retired nuclear physicists live a quiet life in a cottage by the sea. Outside, the world is plagued by earthquakes, tsunamis, and a nearby nuclear meltdown. When a former colleague turns up after forty years with a shocking request, three old friends must reckon with their shared culpability in this darkly funny disaster drama. Directed by Executive Artistic Director Abigail Adams, The Children stars People's Light veterans Janis Dardaris, Marcia Saunders, and Graham Smith; and runs in the 160-seat Steinbright Stage January 15 a?" February 9. Tickets start at $35, including fees. To purchase, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

Fairytales collide in Little Red Robin Hood: A Musical Panto! Each year, the People's Light holiday panto transforms a beloved children's story into a musical extravaganza filled with outrageous characters, toe-tapping original music, slapstick comedy, and topical humor for both kids and adults. For the first time, People's Light adapts not one, but two classic stories a?" the Robin Hood legend and Little Red Riding Hood a?" to create a holiday show like nothing you've ever seen. Little Red Robin Hood: A Musical Panto runs November 13 a?" January 5 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage. Tickets range from $21.50-$53. To purchase, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

The 25th Annual Barrymore Awards were held in South Philly and awarded $92,000 in grants to artists and organizations.

People's Light kicks off their 45th Anniversary season with the regional premiere of Colman Domingo's Dot. 

Theatre Philadelphia, the non-profit organization that promotes and celebrates theatre across the Philadelphia region, has announced this year's nominees for the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre.