‘The Giver’ at Indiana Repertory Theatre, Jan. 23-Feb. 21

AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2013, all rights reserved.

By Carolyne Holcomb
Indiana Repertory Theatre

Beginning Jan. 23, 2015, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) will bring Lois Lowry’s Newbery Award-winning children’s novel, The Giver, to its Upperstage. This cross-generational story engages both adults who grew up reading the novel and children who are reading it for the first time.

In this play, adapted by Eric Coble and directed by IRT’s Associate Artistic Director Courtney Sale, audiences experience a utopian society where citizens have eliminated human characteristics in exchange for a safe and a sanitized existence.  What at first appears to be an idyllic society, quickly unfolds into dystopia when Jonas (played by Grayson Molin) discovers his ability to see beyond the world of grey that has been created by his citizenry.

As his unique abilities emerge, he and The Giver (played by David Allen Anderson) who is charged with transferring memories of love, beauty, sadness, war, music and more, devise a plan which allows Jonas to escape to “elsewhere,” freeing the society from the opaque lens from which they perceive life’s limited depth and beauty.

“The production works beautifully because it allows audiences to experience a great narrative that takes a look at becoming an adult, understanding manipulative culture and determining how young adults choose to do something about it,” said Sale. “This is a story of enormous awakening; it’s about a brave young man who challenges the space of disobedience.”

The Giver, endlessly thought-provoking and daring, challenges audiences to question the dangers of conformity and the power of truth.  The show runs Jan 23 through Feb. 21and is one hour and thirty minutes with no intermission.

What: The Giver opening at Indiana Repertory Theatre

Where: IRT Upperstage, 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis

When:  Jan. 23 – Feb 21; Opening Night on Jan 23

Cost: Adult: $25-47 Students: $20

 

Performance Dates and Times

Jan. 23 @ 7 p.m. –Opening Night

Jan. 24 @ 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Jan 31 @ 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. –ASL/A-D Performance 

Feb. 6 @ 7 p.m.

Feb. 7 @ 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Feb 13 @ 7 p.m.

Feb 14 @ 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Feb 20 @ 7 p.m.

Feb 21 @ 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.

 

Special Events

 

*For every performance there will be a post-show discussion hosted by IRT staff and artists.

*The IRT’s The Giver: Scavenger Hunt at the Central Library – Jan.  18, 2:30 p.m. –4 p.m. Test your knowledge of Louis Lowry’s acclaimed novel, The Giver, by venturing on a scavenger hunt at the Central Library, hosted by the Indiana Repertory Theatre. All participants will receive a 50 percent off coupon for one ticket and will be entered to win four tickets to see the IRT’s The Giver and an exclusive backstage tour.  All ages invited to participate.

Cast

Father | BILL SIMMONS

Lily | JORDAN PECAR

Mother | KATIE deBUYS

Jonas | GRAYSON MOLIN

Asher | JOSEPH HOCK

Fiona | LOLA KENNEDY

The Chief Elder | KATIE deBUYS

The Giver | DAVID ALAN ANDERSON

Read the company bios here

 

Director | COURTNEY SALE

Scenic Designer | ROBERT MARK MORGAN

Costume Designer | GUY CLARK

Lighting Designer | BETSY COOPRIDER-BERNSTEIN

Sound Designer & Composer | TOM HORAN