People's Light Sets 2016-17 Season

People's Light is pleased to announce an ALL-AMERICAN SEASON with a collection of world premieres, musical events, timeless classics, and outrageous comedies by leading American artists that each illuminate different aspects of our national identity.

"In this unsettling election year, we yearn for a future of unity and hope" says Artistic Director & CEO Abigail Adams. "We seek stories that connect us to each other and our history, stories that celebrate the ways in which we are all part of something that transcends our own individual story."

The seven productions in our 42nd Season include works by Lauren Gunderson, Katori Hall, Ken Ludwig,
and Thornton Wilder. In addition, Karen Hartman's Project Dawn will be the first World Premiere to emerge from our groundbreaking New Play Frontiers Residency & Commission program where nationally acclaimed playwrights conceive and create new plays inspired by extended contact with diverse communities in our region.

We will also launch our new multi-generational Spark Series of premiere productions that feature music, dance, innovative puppetry, and other multidisciplinary elements that engage and excite adult and younger audiences, whether they attend together or not. Our first Spark Series will consist of the World Premiere of Sleeping Beauty: A Musical Panto by Pete Pryor, Samantha Reading, and Alex Bechtel, as well as the Regional Premiere of Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane adapted by Dwayne Hartford, directed by acclaimed Chicago director, Stuart Carden.

7-PLAY SERIES

The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
Directed by Kamilah Forbes September 28-October 30, 2016 Steinbright Stage

Memphis, April 3, 1968. Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is visited by an irreverent and mysterious maid who inspires him to question his spirituality and legacy. Kamilah Forbes (Fences, All My Sons) directs Katori Hall's Olivier Award-winning drama hailed by Entertainment Weekly as "daring, rousing and provocative." As we reflect on the sunset of the Obama Presidency, Hall takes us to the summit of MLK's historic life and offers a stunning new view of his dream for our nation.

For more information contact:

Shawn Stone Director of Marketing & Communications stone@peopleslight.org 610.647.1900 x104 Box Office: 610.644.3500

Sleeping Beauty : A Musical Panto By Pete Pryor and Samantha Reading Music and Lyrics by Alex Bechtel Directed by Pete Pryor
November 16, 2016-January 15, 2017 Leonard C. Haas Stage

WORLD PREMIERE In this Panto spin on the classic tale of fairies, awakenings, and true love, a land made prosperous by its music industry is now in ruins. The King has banned all record players from Paoli Shoals to protect his daughter from an enchanted needle and the curse of the wicked Chanteuse. But on the dawn of Princess Aurora's 16th birthday everything changes: the Moon falls out of the sky, true identities are revealed, and rock begins to roll throughout the kingdom. This celebration of the magic of music and finding your voice is pitch perfect for all ages.

The Matchmaker
By Thornton Wilder Directed by Abigail Adams February 15-March 12, 2017 Leonard C. Haas Stage

"Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are fools and the rest of us are in great danger of contagion." So says The Matchmaker's wealthy widower Horace Vandergelder who recruits the vivacious and sly Dolly Levi to find him a new wife. "One of the sweetest and smartest romantic farces ever written" (The Wall Street Journal), Thornton Wilder's wild mix of outrageous misbehavior, mistaken identity, and spontaneous romance is the inspiration for Hello, Dolly. Abigail Adams directs an all-star cast in this classic American satire.

I and You
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Samantha Reading March 29-April 23, 2017 Steinbright Stage

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE This "sharp and funny 80-minute drama" (Washington Post) was one of the most produced new plays in America this past year. Caroline is a sardonic cynic. Anthony is an easygoing athlete. When thrown together to complete a school report on Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, they discover they have more in common than they could possibly anticipate. In this unconventional romance "spring-loaded with the element of surprise" (Boston Globe), award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson explores the mysteries of human connection and the courage it takes to be vulnerable in our uncertain world.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane By Kate DiCamillo
Adapted by Dwayne Hartford
Directed by Stuart Carden

May 3-June 4, 2017 Leonard C. Haas Stage

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE Join us for this breathtaking adventure by two-time Newbery Medal-winning author Kate DiCamillo (Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux), adapted by Dwayne Hartford, featuring music

by Erik Hellman and Jessie Fisher (Once on Broadway). As a very dignified china rabbit travels from the arms of a child to the bottom of the ocean, from a trash heap to a moving train, from the streets of Memphis to worlds beyond, this epic journey reminds us of the transformative power of love and friendship. Stuart Carden directs this must-see production for all generations that is "so captivating for every age whether you happen to be accompanied by children or not" (Chicago Sun Times). Based on the Chicago Children's Theatre production.

Project Dawn
By Karen Hartman June 7-July 9, 2017 Steinbright Stage

WORLD PREMIERE Philadelphia is home to a revolutionary court designed by a passionate and shockingly funny group of women. Every day these lawyers, judges, parole officers, and staff work to transform the lives of women repeatedly convicted for prostitution. In this daring and vital new play in which seven actresses portray multiple participants and members of the court, Karen Hartman probes the thin lines between freedom and slavery, activism and obsession for women on both sides of the law. Inspired by Hartman's extensive first-hand research inside Project Dawn Court, this play is the first world premiere from our nationally renowned New Play Frontiers Residency & Commission program at People's Light (NPF).

Moon Over Buffalo
By Ken Ludwig Directed by Pete Pryor July 19-August 13, 2017 Leonard C. Haas Stage

This madcap comedy from the author of Lend me a Tenor centers on two fading stage actors who may have one last shot at stardom if they can just keep their act, and relationship, together. On the brink of divorce while touring Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives in repertory, George and Charlotte Hay learn that Frank Capra is coming to their matinee. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong in this side-splitting farce directed by Pete Pryor (Noises Off, Bach at Leipzig).

In addition, our Steinbright Stage will be filled with music this winter with a duet of music-theatre events: Back Home Again: On The Road with John Denver and Loudon Wainwright III's Surviving Twin.

Back Home Again: On the Road with John Denver By Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman
Directed by Randal Myler
December 3, 2016-January 15, 2017

Steinbright Stage

REGIONAL PREMIERE Filled with John Denver's greatest hits like "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Rocky Mountain High," and "Leaving On a Jet Plane," this intimate portrait of life on the road with the legendary folk musician "movingly captures why Denver's music still matters" (Milwaukee Journal Sentinal). David Lutken (Woody Sez, Ring of Fire) returns to People's Light to portray a man whose personal highs and lows mirrored those of Denver's as they toured the country together. Experience this rare glimpse of the man behind the music and the funny and poignant stories behind the songs.

Surviving Twin
Written and performed by Loudon Wainwright III Directed by Daniel Stern

January 21-February 5, 2017 Steinbright Stage

REGIONAL PREMIERE Created and performed by Grammy Award-winning Loudon Wainwright as a "posthumous collaboration" with his late father, an esteemed writer and Life Magazine columnist, Surviving Twin is a "moving homage and a pointed musical meditation on the complexities of familial relationships." (Hollywood Reporter). This candid and colorful evening with "one of America's most astute lyrical commentators" (Mojo Magazine) consists of songs, stories, and artifacts that span four generations of the Wainwright clan.

Subscription packages are now on sale. Our PREMIERE PACKAGE includes our 7-Play Series PLUS the two additional music theatre events featuring the legendary songwriting of John Denver and Loudon Wainwright III. The Premiere Package also includes our new SPARK SERIES for audiences of all generations, featuring a music- filled adaptation of Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and the World Premiere
of Sleeping Beauty: A Musical Panto. Flexible smaller packages are also available. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org.

SPARK SERIES

This two play series includes Sleeping Beauty: A Musical Panto and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Subscriptions to the Spark Series are available for youth ages 17 and under for $56 and $64. Adult tickets are $68 and $84.

TEEN SERIES

This five play series includes The Mountaintop, Sleeping Beauty: A Musical Panto, The Matchmaker, I and You, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Subscriptions to the Teen Series are available for youth for $125 and $140. Adult tickets are $165 and $210.

SUBSCRIPTION & TICKET INFORMATION

7-play series Subscriptions to the 2016-2017 season are available at a significant savings of 25% off single ticket prices! 7-Play Series prices range from $161-$259.

The box office is now open for subscription sales. For information or to purchase subscriptions, call 610.644.3500 Monday-Sunday, 12pm-6pm or visit PeoplesLight.org. Actors, prices, productions, performance dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges will apply. Service charges are non- refundable.

Single tickets range in price from $28 - $48 (Except Sleeping Beauty and Back Home Again) to $41-$51 (for Sleeping Beauty and Back Home Again) and will go on sale July 18th. Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, or to purchase group tickets, call Kelly Benedict at 610.647.1900 x111 or email benedict@peopleslight.org.

People's Light will continue to offer Community Nights at $28, Access Nights at a 50% discount, and Student Rush tickets for $5.

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How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!