Act 1 kicks off its spring season with a new stage rendering of "A Tale of Two Cities"
Professor of theatre Wayne S. Turney has adapted and will direct Charles Dickens epic novel for the stage.
The production runs February 20 to March 3 on the Main Stage Theatre of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, Center Valley, PA.
Charles Dickens is considered to be one of the greatest novelists of all time. His storytelling prowess and penetrating insight into the human condition have enticed many dramatists to adapt his epic novels for the stage”sometimes with great success and at other times less so.
In considering a number of stage adaptations of Dickens "A Tale of Two Cities" for the spring 2013 season opener, Act 1s artistic team found none compelling enough to produce, leading DeSales professor of theatre Wayne S. Turney to create his own adaption, which he would also direct.
According to division head John Bell, "We are fortunate to have Wayne Turney on our faculty.
"As an actor, teacher, director, and historian, he is a true Renaissance man. I know our students marvel at his wealth of theatrical knowledge and experience. And now, they get to work with him on a world premiere adaptation."
Written in 1859, "A Tale of Two Cities" is considered to be one of Dickens' most important works, both for the brilliance of the writing as well as for the weight of its historical subject matter.
It is an epic tale played against the backdrops of the American and French Revolutions, culminating in the rise of the guillotine during the Reign of Terror.
The exhilarating tale focuses on two men who look similar but have entirely different characters. Charles Darnay is a good and just man, descended from French aristocrats and Sydney Carton is an English Barrister and selfish opportunist.
Both men are in love with the same woman, Lucie Manette: one of them will die for her, and the other will marry her.
It is a story of intertwined destinies, sacrifice, and vengeance in a time of chaos, as two diametrically opposed men become heroes” each in his own way”through the transforming power of love.
"I have been a fan of Dickens work since I first encountered David Copperfield in high school," says adaptor and director Wayne S. Turney.
"His innate sense of character and plot still appeals to the theatrical in my genetic make-up. Ive been fortunate to perform in stage adaptations of a number of his works and even did a successful musical adaptation of "The Cricket on the Hearth," one of his Christmas stories.
"So when the opportunity to work on what I regard as his most carefully constructed novel arrived, I didnt hesitate. Its all there, and its very theatrical. The real problem was cutting down this extraordinary epic into two hours traffic of the stage. The process was painful, albeit fascinating."
The design team brings to life the American and French Revolutions with sets, costumes, and lights designed by Alan Edwards, Amy Best, and Elizabeth Elliott, respectively.
Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. A talk back with the director and cast is scheduled for Sunday, February 24 following the 2:00 PM performance. There is a morning matinee on Tuesday, February 26 at 9:45 AM.
Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $18 for students and seniors on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $24 for adults and $22 for students and seniors on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Group discounts are also available.
For tickets or more information, call the Act 1 Box Office at 610-282-3192, or visit online at www.desales.edu/act1.
In an effort to improve accessibility for all patrons, the February 22, 8:00 PM performance will feature Open Captioning for patrons who are deaf or hearing impaired and Audio Descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired.
During Open Captioned performances, all dialogue and sound effects are presented in real-time on an LED screen that is adjacent to the stage.
During Audio Described performances, all action and physical appearances are described live through a headset.
Tickets are buy-one, get-one-free for patrons using these special services on this date.
Please call box office manager Dael Jackson at 610-282-3654, ext. 1 for more information.
Join development director Debra Walter, Chair of Theatre Dennis Razze, and special guest adapter and director Wayne S. Turney for "Dinner with Deb and Dennis," a casual dinner and "behind the scenes" conversation on Sunday, February 24 at 6:00 PM following the matinee and talk back. The cost of the event is $32 per person, which includes a themed sit down dinner and full open bar.
The Labuda Center is fully accessible and equipped with a brand new listening enhancement system. Special seating is available for our patrons using wheelchairs or requiring other assistance. Please inform the box office of your needs when ordering tickets.