Dear Friend,
Today in the People’s Light offices, the soft lilt of a waltz sings through the walls and underscores our day. Yesterday, it was the unapologetic pageantry of a Sousa band that rang out. Infused with a unique musical score, our upcoming production of The Matchmaker draws inspiration from the personal heritage of our diverse ensemble, and brings to bursting life New York City in the late 19th century. Like its later incarnation, Hello, Dolly!, The Matchmaker courses with adventure and possibility – it is fool-hardy, funny, optimistic, and uplifting – elements that feel especially heart-warming at this time of year and at this moment in time.
Looking forward,
Marcie Bramucci
Director of Community Investment
Inside The Matchmaker
Abigail Adams, People's Light Artistic Director & CEO, directs a stellar cast with a bevy of beloved company members, including:
Kathryn Petersen (as Dolly Gallagher Levi), Graham Smith (as Horace Vandergelder), Peter DeLaurier, Melanye Finister, Teri Lamm, Mark Lazar, Stephen Novelli, Pete Pryor, and Marcia Saunders.
Frequent and returning guests: Tabitha Allen, Christopher R. Brown, James Ijames, and Liz Filios.
And newcomers: Melanie Hsu, Mina Kawahara, and Brandon Meeks.
Abigail Adams shares, “our aspiration is that all of us –
all of [the actors] – are really practicing opening their hearts with this
play, to invite and embolden everybody who comes, to open their hearts…”
Creative production credits include costumes by Marla Jurglanis, lighting by Dennis Parichy, set design by Tony Straiges, choreography by Samantha Reading, and dramaturgy by Gina Pisasale. Audrey M. Brown returns as production stage manager and Liz Filios wears multiple hats as the production’s composer, music director and sound designer.
Set design by Tony Straiges
Costume designs for Mrs. Levi and Horace Vandergelder by Marla J. Jurglanis.
In this play, Wilder offers a celebration of American ingenuity, of our individuality and differences, as well as our common humanity. According to Liz Filios:
Surrounding The Matchmaker
Below are programs and services offered to "surround," increase access to, and deepen engagement with The Matchmaker.
Scoop on Wednesdays at 6pm: Gina Pisasale serves up the play's inside scoop at The Farmhouse Bistro with featured artist Liz Filios. Tickets $15 per person. Call 610.644.3500 to reserve.
AfterWORDS: Join us for discussions with the cast following Thursday evening performances on 2/23, 3/2*, 3/9
*Special guest Mr. Tappan Wilder, nephew of Thornton Wilder and literary executor of the Wilder estate on 3/2
Open Caption performances on 3/8 @2pm & 7pm, 3/12 @2pm. Click here for a list of all open caption performances in the season.
Subscriber Spotlight:
Diane and Brian Zwaan
How were you first introduced to People’s Light?
Diane: We were first introduced to the theatre when Brian joined the former “Project Discovery” Committee to assist in raising funds for the program in 1990. We lived in Malvern and our children were young. We personally began attending performances and had wonderful experiences. Brian also began using the Farmhouse and theatre to entertain Bank clients on various occasions.
Brian: We both completely marvel at the incredibly talented staff and actors at People’s Light. The breadth and depth of the performances really captivates us. We look forward to attending each performance.
Since THE MATCHMAKER is approaching, what advice would you offer for new matches and those who intend to marry?
Brian: We would advise couples getting married to remember three simple guidelines: Don’t be afraid to say, clearly and truly, I AM SORRY. Likewise, the spouse must match that with, I FORGIVE YOU. Last, but most important: Never let a day go by without echoing these three words: I LOVE YOU
Diane is the Director of Special Events and Stewardship with Villa Maria Academy High School. Brian is Senior Vice President with WSFS Bank, managing commercial banking in Pennsylvania. He currently serves as a People’s Light Trustee, where he is on the Executive, Finance, and Golf Classic Committee and leads the theatre’s new Corporate Circle initiative. Brian and Diane are arts enthusiasts and long-time subscribers. They live in Berwyn, have four children and have been married for 31 happy years (and counting!).
Around Town & Beyond
with company artists
Carla Belver performs in JOHN at Arden Theatre Company now through 2/26.
Dennis Parichy heads downtown to design lights for HAVING OUR SAY: THE DELANY SISTERS' FIRST 100 YEARS at Philadelphia Theatre Company which opens this week and runs through 2/19.
Producing Director Zak Berkman chat theatre on the podcast "Off and On: New York Theatre" (episode 151) with Bernardo Cubria (last seen in A Winter's Tale at People's Light).
Susan "Sooz" McKey takes the stage in Bruce Graham's WHITE GUY ON THE BUS at Delaware Theatre Company 2/1-19, which will then transfer Off-Broadway at 59 E. 59th Street in NYC this March.
Tom Teti will be a guest on NPR's Newsworks alongside James Rahn regarding the Rittenhouse Writers Group on 2/16. Tom will also read from his story "The Last Confession" at the Free Library of Philadelphia on 3/7 with fellow writer Diane McKinney Whetstone. For details, click here.
This fall, Marcia Saunders revived adult education at People's Light, teaching "Scene Study: American Favorites" to a terrific group. The class had such a wonderful time exploring together, they extended the class by several additional sessions. Stay tuned for news about future adult classes!
Marcia Saunders observes a student mid-scene.
On Stage Now
Loudon Wainwright III's Surviving Twin
Click the image for a video preview!
The heartfelt folk music and endearing personal stories of Loudon Wainwright III fill the Steinbright Stage in a limited run through February 5th.
Read the feature in The Philadelphia Inquirer
"I cannot recommend this show enough" DC Metro Theater Arts
"Wonderful on every level"
“What a terrific performance! I'd see again if I had the chance.”
Theatre News
A Rockin' Panto for ALL: Access at People's Light
We closed Sleeping Beauty two weeks ago with
a big ol’ bang. Our final day of performances was full in every sense of the
word. As our venue filled with audiences for both our fifth ever relaxed
performance/first-in-a-long-while ASL interpreted
performance (every seat was spoken for!) and our final evening performance, so
too did the hearts of cast, staff, company, volunteers and patrons alike. Here’s one parent’s account of the experience – her first time attending with
her family - to give you first–hand insight into the experience.
If you have any questions, comments or recommendations about our accessible programming, please email me directly – I welcome your insights!
Below are listings of upcoming relaxed performances throughout the region courtesy of our fellow TCG cohort theaters who are also committed to this work.
Here’s our collective spring line-up:
Saturday, April 22nd |
3PM
SISTERS OF SWING
Montgomery Theater
(Call for details:
215-723-9984 ext.10)
Saturday, April 29th |
11AM
Laurie Berkner Band in
concert
McCarter Theatre Center
(Call 609.258.2787 and
use promo code RELAX)
Sunday,
May 7th | 7PM
HETTY
FEATHER
Delaware
Theatre Company
(Tickets
on sale soon.)
Sunday, May 28th | 2PM
THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY
OF EDWARD TULANE*
People’s Light
*this performance also
features audio-description!
(Tickets online or
call 610-644-3500, use discount code PLTACCESS for 50% off tickets).
Saturday,
June 10th | 10am
THE
ICE PRINCESS
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
(Tickets
go on sale February 2017. Call 610-282-9455 for more information.)
And here’s a link to the
open caption performances we have slated at People’s Light this spring.
#ghostlightproject
On the evening of January 19th we christened our brand new outdoor fire pit with a premier lighting (complete with toasting of marshmallows and s’mores) and stood in solidarity with over 750 theatres and institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the #ghostlightproject – in which we as a theatre pledge to be a light within our community. We renewed our commitment to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation and compassion for everyone regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. Click here for more details about the national movement.
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