People’s Light & Theatre Company in Malvern launches its 34th season with single tickets on sale today. For tickets or information call 610.644.3500 or visit www.peopleslight.org.

Artistic Director Abigail Adams says, “We're particularly excited by the scope of our 2008-2009 season: we're offering everything from epic drama to a very funny domestic comedy. In between we explore religion, values, and whether or not there really can be a happy ending!”

The season opens with The Persians, running September 24 – October 19, 2008 on the Main Stage. It is written by Ellen McLaughlin and is based on the classic Greek drama by Aeschylus. It is one of the oldest plays in Western literature, but in true classic style, the themes are surprisingly relevant today. Jade King Carroll directs.

Cinderella: A Musical Panto runs November 19, 2008 – January 4, 2009 on the Main Stage. In what has become a People’s Light signature production, Cinderella is the fifth holiday show done in “panto” style. The music and lyrics are written by Philadelphia favorite Michael Ogborn and the libretto is Kathryn Petersen’s fifth (the first, Sleeping Beauty, was co-authored with Gary Smith). Pete Pryor directs on the Main Stage.

The Day of the Picnic is a World Premiere by Russell Davis and runs January 28 – February 22, 2009 on the Steinbright Stage. It was part of the PlayPenn 2007 Conference in Philadelphia. Russell is a 2008 recipient of a Pew Fellowship in the Arts for playwriting. Artistic Director Abigail Adams will direct.

A Tale of Two Cities is a new adaptation that premiered at Arizona’s Childsplay Theatre last season. People’s Light is the second to produce this show as part of the US Airways Festival for New Plays. It runs March 11 – May 3, 2009 on the Main Stage. Directed by Ken Marini, A Tale of Two Cities is by Dwayne Hartford, and is adapted from the classic novel by Charles Dickens.

Doubt: A Parable runs June 3 – 28, 2009 on the Main Stage. The Tony Award–winning and Pulitzer Prize–winning play by John Patrick Shanley originally took Broadway by storm in 2004. Ceal Phelan stars as Sister Aloysius and David Bradley directs.

The hilarious family comedy End Days runs July 8 – August 2, 2009 on the Steinbright Stage.

Written by Deborah Zoe Laufer, End Days was awarded The American Theatre Critics Association Steinberg Citation in March 2008. It premiered in October 2007 at Florida Stage. Jackson Gay directs.

TARGET FAMILY DISCOVERY SERIES
The three Target Family Discovery Series presentations are new adaptations or world premieres and include two adaptations from children’s literature and one adaptation of a classic novel.

Cindrella: A Musical Panto, also part of the 6-Play series, will run November 19, 2008 – January 4, 2009, on the Main Stage. See the description above. Best appreciated by ages 5 and up.

A Tale of Two Cities, also part of the 6-Play series, will run March 11- May 3, 2009 on the Main Stage. Adapted by Dwayne Hartford, the show premiered last season at Arizona’s Childsplay theatre and was written specifically for school-aged audiences. Ken Marini directs. Best appreciated by ages 10 and up.

Adapted from local author Jerry Spinelli’s book of the same title, EGGS, runs April 23 – May 24, 2009, on the Steinbright Stage. Acclaimed children’s playwright Y York (The Forgiving Harvest, Afternoon of the Elves, Frog and Toad and last season’s Getting Near to Baby) pens this script about two youngsters who discover what it means to be a friend. Best appreciated by ages 9 and up.

Subscription & Ticket Information
Subscriptions to the 2008-2009 Season are still available at a significant savings! See all six shows for as little as $132 or choose just four shows for as little as $92. Shows include: The Persians (September 24 – October 19, 2008); Cinderella (November 19, 2008 – January 4, 2009); The Day of the Picnic (January 28 – February 22, 2009); A Tale of Two Cities (March 11 – May 3, 2009); Doubt: A Parable (June 3 – 28, 2009); and End Days (July 8 – August 2, 2009). For information, tickets, and subscriptions, please call the box office at 610-644-3500 or visit www.peopleslight.org.

Subscriptions to the Target Family Discovery Series are still available. Subscriptions for children ages 17 and under are $50 or $56 – a savings of up to 34% off single ticket prices! The three-show subscription includes: Cinderella (November 19, 2008 – January 4, 2009); A Tale of Two Cities (March 11 – May 3, 2009); and Eggs (April 23 – May 24, 2009).

The box office is open today, August 25, 2008, for single ticket and subscription sales. Tickets for the 6-Play Series range in price from $29 - $48. Tickets for Eggs are $20 for children, $29 for adults. A special youth discount is available for A Tale of Two Cities. Tickets are $21 or $26 based on the performance for all youths ages 18 and under. For information, or to purchase season subscriptions or single tickets, call (610) 644-3500, Monday – Friday, 12 pm – 6 pm or visit www.peopleslight.org.

Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Discounts, supplemental materials, and a Talk Back with the artists are available for select 10am weekday student performances. For more information on student performances or group tickets, call (610) 647-1900, ext. 134 or group@peopleslight.org.

WHAT:
People’s Light & Theatre Company 2008-2009 Season

WHEN:
The Persians (September 24 – October 19, 2008)*
Cinderella (November 19, 2008 – January 4, 2009)***
The Day of the Picnic (January 28 – February 22, 2009)*
A Tale of Two Cities (March 11 – May 3, 2009)***
Eggs (April 23 – May 24, 2009)**
Doubt: A Parable (June 3 – 28, 2009)*
End Days (July 8 – August 2, 2009)*
*Part of the 6-Play Series
**Part of the Target Family Discovery Series
***Part of both the 6-Play Series and the Target Family Discovery Series

WHERE:
39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355

PRICES:
Subscriptions for the 6-Play series range from $132 - $240.
Pick 4 Subscriptions range from $92 - $164.
Subscriptions for the three-play Target Family Discovery Series are $50 - $56 for children and $80 - $86 for adults.
Single Ticket prices for the 6-Play series range from $29 to $48
Call for special senior, student and groups prices.

CONTACT:
For tickets or information call (610) 644-3500 or visit www.peopleslight.org.