By AML Publisher
Photos courtesy of Mark Garvin Photography
People’s Light & Theatre Company Presents Kidnapped: January 13, 2011 – February 6, 2011
People’s Light & Theatre presents Kidnapped!, an adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, by Ernie Joselovitz, which runs on the Steinbright Stage January 13 – February 6, 2011. Resident Director Samantha Bellomo directs.
From beloved author Robert Louis Stevenson, Kidnapped! is a story of adventure that takes us from the high seas to the Highlands of Scotland. Young David Balfour, cheated of his inheritance and sold into slavery by his avaricious uncle, escapes to the Highlands with the aid of Scots freedom fighter Alan Breck. Together the friends prove that courage and the right intentions can defeat cruelty and evil.
Director Samantha Bellomo brings her experience as both a fight and dance choreographer to this piece. “It will be somewhat like a dance in how we create their journey,” Bellomo says. “The action of the play moves quickly from place to place, with David and Alan navigating across violent seas and treacherous terrain.”
Aubie Merrylees as David Balfour (foreground), Peter DeLaurier as the Troubadour and Matthew Allison as the Musician (background) in KIDNAPPED!, an adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel, by Ernie Joselovitz, at People’s Light & Theatre.
The set, inspired by the art of Andrew Goldsworthy, will be elemental and bare so that it can feel as vast as the Highlands. Music will be used to underscore the movement; flautist Matthew Allison will be on the stage and incorporated into the events of the play.
Another inspiration for the production is the Scottish cèilidh (a traditional Gaelic social gathering involving music, dancing, and storytelling). The audience will be seated in a semi-circle around the stage. “This is a tale that’s told around a campfire, a coming-of-age story with adventure,” Bellomo says. “It will be very clear that we are included in the storytelling.”
She continues, “It’s an important idea to get across—that we’re all in the same boat and that our actions can deeply affect others. I hope the play will inspire audiences to think about the nature of human connection. In Kidnapped! Alan is accustomed to being alone. All of a sudden he agrees to help this young boy and that decision changes his life—he now has someone else to whom he is accountable. This play is about what it truly means to be friends.”
TICKET INFORMATION
Kidnapped! starts Thursday, January 13th at 7pm and runs through Sunday, February 6th. Audiences are encouraged to join the artists after each performance to discuss the production.
Single tickets are $31 for adults and $20 for children. For tickets, call the box office at 610.644.3500. Special discounts, meal packages, and talkbacks with the artists are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610.647.1900 x134 or email group@peopleslight.org. Actors, prices, performances dates and times are subject to change. Additional service charges may apply.
TARGET Access Night is Thursday, January 20th at 7pm and all tickets are half-price. Call the box office or visit us online at PeoplesLight.org and use the promo code TARGET.
Subscriptions to the TARGET Family Discovery Series are still available. Subscriptions for youth ages 17 and under are $30 or $36. The subscription includes Kidnapped! (January 13 – February 6, 2011) and Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (February 17 – March 13, 2011).
ABOUT PEOPLE’S LIGHT
People’s Light, a professional theatre founded in 1974 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, makes plays drawn from many sources to entertain, inspire, and engage our community. We extend our mission of making and experiencing theatre through arts education programs that excite curiosity about, and deepen understanding of, the world around us. These plays and programs bring people together and provide opportunities for reflection, discovery, and celebration.
