Los Alamos Little Theatre Changes Opening of ‘The Giver’ to March 2

Grady Hughes performs in “The Giver” beginning March 2 at the Los Alamos Little Theatre. Photo by Minesh Bacrania Pacrania Photography

By Bonnie J. Gordon

 

The Los Alamos Little Theatre will present “The Giver” by Eric Coble, adapted from the Newbery Medal winning book for young people by Lois Lowry. Originally scheduled to open this Friday,  the play will now open Friday March 2 and run through March 17. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 2:30 p.m. Saturday matinees. Tickets are $12 ($10 for students and seniors) and are available at CB Fox and at the door. The Los Alamos Little Theatre Performing Arts Center is at 1670 Nectar St.

“The Giver” portrays a world with no poverty, no crime and no sickness, where every family is happy. Twelve-year-old Jonas is chosen to be the community’s Receiver of Memories. When he discovers the disturbing truth about his utopian world, Jonas learns just how costly this pain-free society can be, and must decide if it is worth the price.

“As soon as I saw “The Giver” on the website of published plays, I knew I wanted to direct it,” Director Mimi Adams said. “‘The Giver’ is one of my favorite books. A central theme of ‘The Giver’ is that memories are not only vital, but precious. The story communicates that all experiences have a place in humanity. Without sadness, pain and anger, we couldn’t experience joy and love — the things that make life most valuable.”

Adams got discovered in theater as a child and was involved with the Los Alamos High School Olions and the Los Alamos Light Opera. She wrote and directed a children’s play “Rainbow” as a senior project in high school.

Adams started doing theater again when her son, Sequeyah, now 12, was born. “I often do plays with kids and I thoroughly enjoy it,” Adams said. Adams directed “Boxcar Children” in 2007 and “Sarah Plain and Tall” in 2009. She also directed a production of her own play “Endless Questions” in 2011.

The 22 member cast of “The Giver” includes 12 young people. “Almost every Los Alamos school is represented,” Adams said. The youth roles are double cast. It was fun putting two casts together. They are very different casts that approach their characters in different ways.”

The play begins with a world entirely gray. As Jonas receives memories of the past from the previous host, he begins to see colors. Color gradually appears on stage, transforming the set as Jonas is transformed.

The play will include audience participation. Ten to 15 audience members will go up on stage to take part in “The Ceremony of 12.”

If you want to be a part of this, wear a neutral color like grey or tan, Adams suggested.

Thomas Chadwick, Grady Hughes and Sequoyah Adams-Rice perform in “The Giver.” Photo by Minesh Bacrania Photography

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