THE ELEPHANT MAN Comes to City Lights This Spring

Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, a young man afflicted with a disfiguring neurological disease, THE ELEPHANT MAN is a testament to the human spirit.

This story set in Victorian England has also become a modern classic. Bernard Pomerance's play won the 1979 Tony Award for Best Play, and actors as diverse as David Bowie, Mark Hamill and Bradley Cooper have starred in the title role. Now City Lights Theater Company takes a fresh, intimate look at thedrama and its timeless theme of how society-past and present-responds to people seen as "other."

In the play, a scorned and helpless Merrick (called John in the script) is taken in by celebrated physician Frederick Treves, who gives him medical care and introduces him to the pleasures of London society. AsMerrick becomes a favorite of the intelligentsia and aristocracy, his triumphant redemption teaches that beauty lies within. But is that enough for a man who longs more than anything else to be "normal"?

Directed by City Lights Executive Artistic Director Lisa Mallette, the play runs March 17 through April 17 at City Lights, 529 S. Second St., San Jose. For details and tickets, go to cltc.org or call 408-295-4200.

Bernard Pomerance, an American playwright and poet, is best known for THE ELEPHANT MAN; his other plays include Melons and Quantrill in Lawrence. In its original Broadway production, THE ELEPHANT MAN ran for 916 performances at the Booth Theatre, starring Philip Anglim as Merrick. It was revived on Broadway in 2002 starring Billy Crudup, and then in 2014-15 with Bradley Cooper.

For this production, City Lights will donate a portion of the box office to the College of Adaptive Arts, a South Bay nonprofit that is building a college of the arts for students with disabilities. Students ages 18 and up can now take individual classes or enroll in a course of study. More about the organization is at collegeofadaptivearts.org.

IF YOU GO:

THE ELEPHANT MAN will run from March 17-April 17, 2016

Pay What You Can Night: Thursday, March 17, 8 p.m.

$17 Preview Night: Friday, March 18, 8 p.m.

Opening Night: Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m.

Showtimes: Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. No shows on March 20 or 27. One 7:30 p.m. Wednesday performance, on April 13 at the City Lights Theater Company, 529 S. Second St., San Jose, CA 95112

Regular tickets are $17-$32; discounts for seniors, students/educators, and groups (10+). (There is a $2 surcharge for phone and in-person purchases.) Opening night is $35 general, $30 for seniors/educators, and $17 for students. Tickets for closing weekend are increased by $2. For tickets or more information, go to cltc.org or call 408-295-4200. The theater is wheelchair-accessible.