(Lehigh Valley) Selkie Theatre will present their the award-winning “A Moment With Nelle Harper Lee”, directed by George B. Miller and featuring actress Elizabeth McDonald, on Saturday, April 16, 2015 for a special performance at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley. Join Nelle and the UUCLV for an intimate, Southern-style evening of performance and delicious desserts in the newly renovated community room of this beautiful church in the heart of historic Bethlehem.
“A Moment With Nelle Harper Lee”, created by Miller and McDonald, debuted at the Pennsylvania Playhouse as a complement to their 2014 sold-out production of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the stage version of Harper Lee’s beloved novel, also directed by George B. Miller. The audience response was to McDonald’s Harper Lee was simply electric.The audience meets an older Harper Lee (Elizabeth McDonald), still wickedly smart and cantankerous, as she rebuffs an interview about her life and “new” novel. But realizing that she has a rapt audience, she relaxes and shares reflections on her life in sleepy Monroeville, Alabama; her lawyer father; the life journey that lead to writing “To Kill A Mockingbird” and how that book, and the fame that came with it, changed her life. There are colorful stories of friend Truman Capote, of life on the Hollywood set of the “Mockingbird” film, and – if we’re lucky – a glimpse into her newly re-discovered novel, “Go Set A Watchman”.Before she goes, Harper Lee opens the conversation up to the audience, taking questions - and asking a few herself! This part of the show is excitingly improvisational and free-flowing, changing with every performance.Miller and McDonald created “A Moment With Nelle Harper Lee” to encourage further exploration of the themes of Lee’s classic “To Kill A Mockingbird”, from social justice and racism to memory, family and the role of the artist and author in public and private life. It is a fascinating, tour-de-force performance for audiences of all ages, and an especially powerful and educational experience for student audiences. The director and actress have created a fluid, living performance, so well-researched that McDonald can tailor the piece to different audience’s interests and questions.The performance at The UUCLV begins at 7pm on April 16 with desserts, with a 7:30 performance time. Tickets are $15.00, and will be available at the door. The performance is sponsored by the annual UUCLV Service Auction. The UUCLV is located at 424 Center St in historic Bethlehem, at the corner of Center and Wall Streets. For more information on the UUCLV and its many services and programs, please see the website at www.uuclvpa.org.Selkie Theatre is a dual-citizenship theatre company, working and creating in both Ireland and the US. The company produces topical and contemporary works; neglected classics, and site-specific, collaborative works. Selkie is also deeply committed to the development of new works and new artists. For more information on Selkie (selkietheatre.org) contact Managing Director Kate Scuffle at 484-241-9591 or at