"Princesses aren't helpless, you know."

Issue 23: Cinderella: A Musical Panto

Hello Friend,

Can you feel it? Panto season is upon us. Which means, if you’re not careful, you could blink and it’s New Year's. Though we’ve only just recovered from our candy hangovers, it’s nearing time to dress the turkey, put up the lights, prepare your resolutions, gather family and friends – and get your Pantos on! As always, the People’s Light Panto tradition catapults us into the holiday spirit and, in our 15th year of making “specialized tomfoolery” (Newsworks), this year there is much to celebrate!

Three cheers (for our heroine, Cinderella, of course!)

(And for her evil step-mother, and those dreadful step-sibs: boo…!)

Marcie Bramucci,
Director of Community Investment

Inside Cinderella

Our most beloved Panto takes us back to the roaring 20s, with Ella and her dear animal friends – Tom Cat, Sudsy the Squirrel, Gus the Rat, and the adorable Flea – in the wake of her mother Hazel’s sudden and suspicious passing (someone done her dirty!) Director David Bradley “[draws] on the heritage and tradition of Cinderella for a fresh take on the classic tale.”

Like with the story itself, a world of disguises and reversals, there are quite a few flips in our cast and creative team. See if you can spot the familiar faces in this year's big, happy, panto family! Look closely — some Panto veterans might have pulled off a magical quick-change...

Photo by Mark Garvin

Luke Bradt (BARNABY) and Tyler Fauntleroy (PRINCE AIDAN). Photo by Mark Garvin.

The co-creation of Kathryn Petersen (writer) and Michael Ogborn (music & lyrics), Cinderella: A Musical Panto springs to life under the direction of David Bradley, with a creative team that includes James F. Pyne, Jr. (set design), Rosemarie McKelvey (costumes), Mike Inwood (lights), Brent Hoyer (sound), Stephen Casey (choreography), and Daniel Matarazzo (music direction). Of course, we have the musical stylings of Kanako Omae Neale on drums, dramaturgy by Gina Pisasale (come early to check out her lobby display!), and holding this wild Panto family together is Kate McSorley Fossner as stage manager. And a partridge in a pear tree!

Christian Giancaterino (FLEA). Photo by Mark Garvin.

Surrounding Cinderella

Pantos are a celebration of community gathering and camaraderie. We strive to make this Malvern tradition accessible to all theatre-goers of all ages! Check out these opportunities to engage more fully with the production.

Thursday AfterWORDS

Stick around for informal post-performance conversations after Thursday evening performances.

November 29th; December 6th, 13th, 27th; January 3

Panto Pride: December 16th, 2pm

Enjoy snacks and good company at a 1pm (family-friendly!) pre-panto reception in the Haas lobby. Stay tuned for a discount code!

Relaxed Performance: December 29th, 2pm

A live theatre experience that invites and encourages (but is not limited to) individuals with Autism, ADD, ADHD, Dementia, and sensory sensitivities. Also great for little ones who can't sit still for the entire performance! Get more info here.

American Sign Language interpretation: December 29th, 2pm

In addition to being a Relaxed Performance, this matinee will feature ASL interpretation.

Audio Described Performance & Sensory Tour: January 5th, 2pm

Live narration via headsets provides commentary on the visual aspects of the performance for those with visual impairments. This is offered in tandem to a pre-performance sensory tour of key props and costume pieces. Please register with the Box Office in advance: 610.644.3500.

More Access

People's Light is wheelchair accessible, service animal-friendly, and we offer assistive listening devices and large print programs at every performance.

We have Access Dates throughout the season to welcome those for whom the cost of live theatre may be a barrier. All tickets to the following performances are half-price:
December 16 at 7pm, December 29 at 2pm, December 30 at 7pm

Giving SHOESday

Help kids across the region stay active, warm, dry and comfortable at school and on the playground.

People’s Light is partnering with Cradles to Crayons to collect shoe donations for children in need throughout the run of Cinderella. In honor of our 15th Panto-versary milestone, our first goal is to collect 150 pairs of new and very gently used boys’ shoes by Giving Tuesday, November 27th. Bring them with you to your performance of Cinderella, or use the drop-off bin located outside the Congdon Center (home to our Box Office.) More details here.

New Staff Spotlight:
Erica Ezold, Director of Finance

From Broadway to People's Light! We're excited to welcome Erica Ezold as Director of Finance. We sat down with Erica to learn what drew her to Malvern - and how she went from calling cues to managing the 2009 revival of West Side Story.

Marcie Bramucci (MB): So, you have been here at People’s Light now for a whole month! And you are still breathing!

Erica Ezold (EE): It's been pretty busy since I got here the week that Vampires opened!

MB: What would you say is the relationship of the finance office to the work folks see on our stages and/or engage with in our classrooms and beyond?

EE: Theatre is a collaborative art form, it's one of the reasons I love it, and there's so much that happens behind the scenes. In the finance office, my over-arching goal is to support the work on our stages and in our classrooms by...

Read the full interview on our blog.

Residency Spotlight:
Barkley Elementary School, Phoenixville

For six weeks this autumn, company members Teri Lamm and Claire Inie-Richards made daily trips to the second grade classrooms of Barkley Elementary School in Phoenixville for a theatre residency custom-developed by People’s Light to match curricular goals. The second graders explored the skills that all actors and authors have in common, using theatre exercises focused on the emotional and sensory details that bring a good story to life on the page and on the stage. The ninety young “Actor-Writers” from Barkley Elementary, along with their teachers, will attend Cinderella as a celebratory culmination of their work.

Aubie Merrylees makes his Broadway debut in To Kill a Mockingbird (currently in previews), as a member of the ensemble and understudy for Dill and Jem. This new adaptation of “America’s favorite novel” is penned by Aaron Sorkin.

Leonard C. Haas delivers the comedic goods in the Philly premiere of David Ives’ The Heir Apparent at Lantern Theatre Company through 12/16.

Claire Inie-Richards performs opposite James Ijames (NPF writer) in Completeness by Itamar Moses (Bach at Leipzig) at Theatre Exile beginning 11/29.

Humbug! Back for his third turn as “Ebenezer,” Greg Wood opens A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center on 12/4. Plus! A recently announced relaxed performance(!) is on Dec 28^th at 2PM.

For a different world of Dickens’ altogether, Marcia Saunders steps into Oliver! at Quintessence Theatre Group through 12/23.

Melanye Finister shared an excerpt from our upcoming NPF world premiere, Dominique Morisseau's Mud Row at the site of the play’s initial inspiration, the Charles A. Melton Center, at the center’s 100^th Anniversary Founders Ball.

Congratulations to Paul Meshejian, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at Theatre Philadelphia’s Barrymore celebration! Click here for an article that sheds further light on Paul’s impressive journey.

Kevin Bergen spread Halloween-season cheer in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at Quintessence Theatre Company.

January 16 — February 10

If you didn't get to see the recent Philadelphia premiere of this Pennsylvania-based masterpiece from Lynn Nottage, the first woman to win 2 Pulitzer Prizes for drama, now's your chance! Set in nearby Reading, Sweat is an incisive, critically-acclaimed examination of deindustrialized America that should not be missed.

Full cast announcement to come, but look forward to a few familiar faces, including company member Teri Lamm, Bowman Wright (The Mountaintop), and Bill Zielinski (Row After Row).

NPF Update: Eisa Davis' Mushroom in Kennett Square

The cast of Mushroom (Eisa Davis) perform in a reading at LCH.

Back for more! NPF writer Eisa Davis returned to Malvern (and Kennett Square) last month for a developmental workshop of her play, Mushroom. Chester County Press covered an informal sharing that she held for staff of La Comunidad Hispana (LCH), as well as volunteers from Kennett Friends Meeting House and IndivisibleKSQ.

In the Community

Kennett Square
People’s Light celebrated the work of our LCH friends at their second annual Amigos & Amigas of LCH gala fundraiser. Click here to see the powerful video that kicks off their “Love your Neighbor” campaign.

West Chester
At 100 years young, the Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center wrapped its centennial festivities in a bow with a breathtakingly beautiful Founder’s Ball on 10/13. People’s Light was a proud sponsor of the event, which also featured the performance of a powerful monologue from Mud Row performed by company member Melanye Finister.

Malvern
Visit our table at Christmas on King in downtown Malvern 12/1, 12-8PM.

The Barrymores: Oh, what a night!

People’s Light was well-represented and highly celebrated at this year’s Barrymore Awards, the annual celebration of our regional theatre community by Theatre Philadelphia.

Daniel J. Watts (Lights Out: Nat "King Cole) accepting the Barrymore for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical.

Ripped from Producing Director, Zak Berkman’s facebook page – here’s a lovely encapsulation…

Many lovely memories from tonight. Melanye Finister celebrating Dominique Morisseau and the entire Philly community. Daniel J. Watts’ hilarious shout out to Malvern. Stephen Novelli’s four-letter wow to kick off his thank you on behalf of the Morning's At Seven cast (after receiving the trophy from rockturg Gina Pisasale). Abbey [Adams]’s utter disbelief at her name being called. Paul Meshejian freed from detention, getting an exuberant standing o! … And most of all, having so much of our incredible People's Light team together. #barrymores2018

Abigail Adams (Morning's at Seven) accepting the Barrymore for Outstanding Direction of a Play

Here's a link to all the nominees and winners. People’s Light was the most-decorated theatre, garnering eight Barrymore Awards, including:

Outstanding Overall Production
Morning’s At Seven

Outstanding Direction of a Play
Abigail Adams, Morning’s At Seven

Outstanding Leading Performance in a Musical
Dulé Hill, Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole

Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical
Daniel J. Watts, Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole

Outstanding Scenic Design
Luke Cantarella, Morning's at Seven

Outstanding Choreography/Movement
Jared Grimes and Edgar Godineaux, Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole

Temple University Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Play
Morning's at Seven

And a resounding congratulations to People’s Light company member, Paul Meshejian for his Lifetime Achievement Award recognition and to all of this year’s winners, nominees, and fellow-theatre makers for their wonderful work and commitment to artistic expression in the region.

Curtain Call: Such Things as Vampires

(L) The cast of Such Things as Vampires; (R) Members of Swing That Cat!

Glam-Vamp Halloween Bash
We bid a fond, fond farewell to the Preventers and sent them out with a bang! Closing Night concluded with a Glam-Vamp Halloween Bash, featuring musical guests Swing That Cat! If you're a fan of swing and missed the party, be sure to catch them at one of their upcoming gigs.

Blood Drive
Thank you to our generous blood donors for supporting our American Red Cross blood mobile drive last month. Together, those contributions can benefit more than 40 people! With this drive, we also wanted to raise awareness for the realities and barriers of blood donation as it impacts the LGBTQ+ community – read my colleague Levi Gray’s blog post on the topic here.

Staff Insights | "Vampires and Their Slayers"
Staff member Geri Nonnewitz wrote a personal reflection on the production that you can also read on the blog. "For some, this production is what we’ve been waiting for our entire lives."

LGBTQ+ Night & Community Conversation
We hosted our first LGBTQ+ Reception in partnership with the LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County (LGBTEA) and welcomed many new friends to our campus. Our Panto Pride performance is Sunday, December 16th at 2pm.

Later in the run, we welcomed West Chester Mayor, Dianne Herrin for Being LGBTQ: A Community Conversation, facilitated by Julie Mesaros, President of the Equality Alliance. The discussion addressed needs and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and ideas for greater community support.