Lettie

June 17-July 13, 2023

Join us for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the rehearsal process for this summer's production of Lettie, directed by Abigail Adams.

In this "extraordinary portrait of second chances amid harsh realities," (Chicago Sun-Times) Lettie is newly released from prison and eager to regain custody of the teenage children. Hailed by Variety as "over-the-top superb," Boo Killebrew's beautifully crafted American drama follows a family trying to mend amidst a broken justice system.

The winner of this item will attend an early read-though, some rehearsals including technical rehearsals, invited dress rehearsal and the opening night celebration. And enjoy a more in-depth conversation over lunch with Lettie director Abigail Adams.

Details:

• Winner will coordinate with Abbey or staff of People's Light for scheduling based on stage manager and director's availability.
• Value: PRICELESS

Bid on this EXCLUSIVE item to receive a limo ride to New York City and win two (2) tickets to see A Beautiful Noise on Broadway. After the show, Zak Berkman will accompany the winner of this amazing item to Sardi's where you and your guest will be introduced to actress Jessie Fisher (who plays Jaye Posner in this production) and other available cast members! The winner will also receive a playbill autographed by the entire cast of this incredible play which highlights the extraordinary life and accomplishments of the legendary Neil Diamond.

This auction item is PRICELESS!

GOOD TIMES NEVER SEEMED SO GOOD.

The story of the legendary Neil Diamond comes to life on stage in an uplifting new musical featuring all his hit songs including

"Sweet Caroline," "America," and "Cracklin' Rosie."

The grandson of Jewish and Polish immigrants, Brooklyn born and raised, Neil Diamond was a New York kid down to his boots, strumming his guitar on the steps of Erasmus High School on Flatbush Avenue.

1960s America was hungry for change and so was he. He landed a gig selling songs for fifty bucks a week in the legendary Tin Pan Alley's Brill Building, just 5 blocks from where you're standing right now. At night he honed his voice on stage at the Village's Bitter End, but knew he was destined for something greater.

This was New York, after all. City of dreams. Full of life and opportunity where anyone could write their story. And so he did, in song after song.

10 Top 10 Hits. 140 million albums sold. His 1972 concert and live album Hot August Night sung in front of 5,000 screaming fans catapulted him to fame as the ultimate entertainer. He sang his way to a Grammy Award, into the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame, then topped it off with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy and the Kennedy Center Honors.

This is the story of that Brooklyn kid who made it big and took us all along for the ride.

From those exhilarating early days in New York to the sold-out spectacles that defined his career, A Beautiful Noise explores the life of a rock icon through the music that made him "a national treasure" (Los Angeles Times).

Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), choreographed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett (Once, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and written by four-time Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Two Popes), A Beautiful Noise is a thrilling look at an artist's search for himself and a celebration of the enduring power of his music.

Details:

• Winner will coordinate with Zak Berkman and People's Light to reserve tickets on agreed upon mutual date.
• Winner will receive 2 tickets to see A Beautiful Noise.
• Must give People's Light minimum two (2) week's notice to reserve tickets.
• Zak, the winner & their guest will have cocktails after the show with Jessie Fisher and available cast members at Sardi's (dependent upon cast availability on chosen date).
• This package must be scheduled between April 11th-June 4th, 2023.

Our summer theatre explorations don't begin with a script or an assigned role - they begin with curiosity.

The winner will get to choose a SummerBlast spot for one child in either the

3-week age group session (grades 5-8) or

the 2-week session (grades 2-4).

In addition, you will receive 7 books geared toward middle school readers.

Rather than learn "what lines to say," we begin with a toolbox and learn what we can build. Collaborative exercises generating stories and characters will uncover the link between our own understanding of the world and the performances we create.

All SummerBLAST sessions meet Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm. Extended day is available from 8-9am and 4-5:30pm at an additional cost.

Each session culminates with an informal sharing for family and friends.

Sessions are capped at a maximum of 30 students. Our maximum ratio of 10 students per adult ensures each student receives focused instruction.

• Session 2: Story Lab
• Students entering grades 5-8
• 3 weeks: July 17-August 4

(At the Duportail House July 17-August 1
At People's Light August 2-4)

Our signature three-week exploration for young theatre-makers has two sides. Professional artists guide young actors through favorite techniques for vocal and physical expression, improvisation and scripted work, preparing tools used in performance. Simultaneously, students also follow creative prompts for journaling, writing, and devising their own original ideas, which feed into a group project that becomes the focus in the second half of the program. This work is playful but also rigorous, inviting students to become creators as well as performers.

• Session 3: Story Finders
• Students entering grades 2-4
• 2 weeks: August 7-18

(At People's Light)

Inspiration is everywhere. Imagine each day as a scavenger hunt searching for stories in new ways: in the people we observe, in objects, in music, and in pictures. Once we uncover our stories, we'll apply all the actor's tools of voice, movement, imagination, and collaboration to bring those stories to life in solo exercises, small groups, and as a full ensemble.