"It was such a treat seeing the show. You really did a terrific job with it, casting, set design, staging, all of it. Thank you, thank you."
-Lois Lowry
(Check out Lois' blog here!)
Newbery Award-winning author Lois Lowry brings us the story of Dream-givers, the mystical creatures who collect memories from meaningful belongings and weave them together to create dreams. In this delicate story that tiptoes between reality and imagination two Dream-givers comfort a lonely old woman and her troubled young foster son. When the boy is haunted by nightmares his Dream-giver, with her gossamer touch, must find the courage to protect him. Best appreciated by ages 6 and up.
The Dream-givers (Who live in the Heap):
Littlest One: Maggie Fitzgerald
Fastidious: Ceal Phelan*
Most Ancient: Stephen Novelli*
Thin Elderly: Christopher Patrick Mullen*
Trooper: Justin Jain
Dowager: Kristen O'Rourke
Other Dream-givers: James Ijames
Dave Johnson
The Others:
The Woman: Cathy Simpson*
Toby, the dog: Chris Faith*
John: Daniel Dychala
Young Woman: Erin Weaver*
Soldier (in dream): James Ijames
Duane, John's Father: Dave Johnson
Director: David Bradley
Production Manager: Charles T. Brastow*
Set Designer: Wilson Chin
Costume Designer: Rosemarie E. McKelvey
Lighting Designer: Joshua Schulman
Sound Design: Christopher Colucci
Choreographer: Samantha Bellomo
Dramaturg: Amy Lipman
Stage Manager: Patricia G. Sabato*
* Member, Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2010
PEOPLE'S LIGHT & THEATRE COMPANY
PRESENTS:
GOSSAMER
April 29 - May 23, 2010
(Malvern, PA) - People's Light & Theatre Company presents GOSSAMER, by Lois Lowry, from April 29 - May 23, 2010 on the Main Stage. David Bradley directs. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern. For tickets call 610.644.3500 or visit www.peopleslight.org. This project is supported in part by TARGET and PECO.
GOSSAMER is based on the book of the same title by children's author, Lois Lowry. She adapts her novel to the stage in what is her first play. Lowry has written over 30 books for children, including two Newbery Award winners (The Giver and Number the Stars).
"To take a new look at something already written and published - to go at it again, in a new way, is a chance few writers get," says Lois Lowry. "So this is a treat for me. And a very different sort of experience. Writing fiction is a solitary enterprise. Lonely, sometimes. To turn for the first time to playwriting - a very collaborative act - is invigorating."
GOSSAMER is about a group of Dream-givers, who collect memories from belongings important to the individual and then weave them together to create dreams. The story follows a young boy and his mother, both escaping from an abusive past, and an older woman who serves as the boy's foster mother. The boy is haunted by nightmares, given to him by the evil Sinisteeds. His Dream-giver, Littlest One, must muster all her courage to weave happy dreams that will strengthen and protect him.
GOSSAMER previews on Thursday, April 29th at 7pm. The play opens on Friday, April 30th at 7pm and runs through May 23rd. Audiences are encouraged to join the artists after each performance to discuss the production.
Lois Lowry will be at two Opening weekend performances. On Friday, April 30th following the 7pm performance, and on Saturday, May 1st following the 2pm performance, Lowry will join the cast in a talk-back and sign books in the lobby.
Single tickets start at $20 for youth and $29 for adults, with special discounts available for students and groups of 10 or more. 10am student group performances, discount meal packages, and talk-backs with the artists are also available. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610.647.1900, ext. 134 or email group@peopleslight.org.
Subscriptions to the TARGET Family Discovery Series are still available. The two-play subscription package includes GOSSAMER (April 29 - May 23, 2010) and THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES (June 16 - July 11, 2010). For information, tickets, and subscriptions, please call the Box Office at 610.644.3500 or visit www.peopleslight.org.
KEY BIOS
Lois Lowry (Playwright) was born in 1937 and enjoyed a world of books and imagination from a young age. Lowry's father's job in the military prompted their family to move often - Lowry was born in Hawaii and spent time in New York, Pennsylvania, and Tokyo all by the age of eleven. Lowry married a Naval officer and again moved frequently, settling in Maine with her four children. There she earned a graduate degree at the University of Southern Maine and began her career as a freelance journalist and photographer in the early 1970s. Lowry published her first children's book, A Summer to Die, in 1977. Now a grandmother, Lowry divides her time between Cambridge, MA and Maine and continues to write a variety of books, including the Anastasia series and Gooney Bird Greene stories, as well as what she calls "stand alone" books. While her stories vary in content and style, the main theme remains the same: the importance of human connections. Lowry has written more than 30 books for young readers and has twice been awarded the prestigious Newbery Medal for Number the Stars in 1990 and The Giver in 1994. Gossamer is Ms. Lowry's first play.
An Interview with David Bradley and Maggie Fitzgerald
Gossamer director David Bradley and Maggie Fitzgerald, who plays Littlest One, spoke to us about their history of working together, the many things learned while working on this production, and more.
An Interview with Cathy Simpson
Cathy Simpson discusses her history with People's Light, her thoughts about Gossamer, and her character in the play.
Gossamer BACKSTAGE
Click here to view and print out Gossamer BACKSTAGE! Learn all about Gossamer, by Lois Lowry, the Newbery Award-winning author of The Giver. This wonderful guide includes information about the playwright, cast bios, and even an interview with actor Chris Faith, who plays Toby the Dog!
REVIEWS
"It was such a treat seeing the show. You really did a terrific job with it, casting, set design, staging, all of it. Thank you, thank you."
-Lois Lowry
(Visit Lois' blog here!)
"Delving Deep Into Young Dreams"
"[W]ith director David Bradley's assistance, both its humorous and heartbreaking angles are revealed in unexpected places."
By Wendy Rosenfield, Philadelphia Inquirer
"Maggie Fitzgerald Triumphs in Dream-like Gossamer"
"For young and old, in Gossamer, People's Light delivers a dream from which you won't want to wake up."
By Kaitlyn Foti, Montgomery News
"Family Show, Gossamer, is a Delight"
"...the show is a 90-minute delight. Kudos to all, especially to playwright [Lois] Lowry for brilliantly adapting her novel to the stage."
By Margie Royal, County Press
"Gossamer is a winner for younger audience members and the adults accompanying them."
Steven Brodsky, (Host of the WCHE Entertainment & Culture Show)
FEATURES
"New Life for a Dreamworld"
By Wendy Rosenfield, Philadelphia Inquirer
"Main Line Teen Actress Plays Lead in Gossamer"
By Amanda Glensky, Montgomery News
An Interview with David Bradley & Maggie Fitzgerald
Gossamer director David Bradley and Maggie Fitzgerald, who plays Littlest One, spoke to us about their history of working together, the many things learned while working on this production, and more.
Lois Lowry Visits Barnes & Noble!
Gossamer playwright and award-winning author Lois Lowry visited our local Barnes & Noble store and spoke to a group of children and their parents about her life, her inspirations, and Gossamer.
A Day in the Life - Erin Weaver, Gossamer
Actor Erin Weaver (Young Woman Gossamer) takes the camera and shows us what her day looks like.
A Day in the Life - Kristen O'Rourke, Gossamer
Actor Kristen O'Rourke (Dowager/Heap in Gossamer) takes us around town and behind the scenes.
Don't Miss Lois Lowry Opening Weekend!
On Friday, April 30th (following the 7pm performance) and Saturday, May 1 (following the 2pm performance), stay for a talk-back and book signing with Lois Lowry and the cast of Gossamer!
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