Brierpatch Productions on behalf of VH Theatrical Development Foundation presents

THE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAVEN
www.TheBrightnessOfHeaven.com

A New Play by LAURA PEDERSEN
Directed by LUDOVICA VILLAR HAUSER

Featuring

MARK BANIK, EMILY BATSFORD, PETER CORMICAN, BILL COYNE, PAULA EWIN
JAMES MICHAEL LAMBERT, KATE KEARNEY-PATCH, KENDALL RILEIGH

Costume & Scenic Designs: MEGANNE GEORGE
Lighting Design: NATALIE ROBIN
Sound Design: JANIE BULLARD
Dialect Design: AMY STOLLER
Ms. Pedersen’s Publicity: WILEY SAICHEK
Marketing & Advertising: RED RISING MARKETING
Press: COYLE ENTERTAINMENT
Fiddler: KENDRA JO BROOK
General Management: BRIERPATCH PRODUCTIONS
Production Stage Manager: ALISON HASSMAN

Cherry Lane Theatre
38 Commerce Lane
(866) 811-4111 or https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/33005
October 16th - December 14th; Opening Night – 10/26/14

What is it about family get-togethers around a dinner table that brings out the insanity and dysfunction? Laura Pedersen’s THE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAVEN has this inevitable phenomenon down pat. The Kilgannons are a typical Irish Catholic family residing in Buffalo, NY, in 1974. In celebration of the head of the household’s (Peter Cormican) birthday, different generations collide and clash as secrets are revealed and dogmas are challenged. The rules are so simple for the older peer group (Kate Kearney-Patch, Paula Ewin) because the Bible tells them so. Their offspring (Mark Banik, Emily Batsford, Bill Coyne, James Michael Lambert, and Kendall Rileigh) are a part of changing times that include the Vietnam War, Watergate, Hippies, drugs, and the dreaded long hair. Throw in homosexuality, unwed mothers, and Jewish suitors, and chaos reigns.

In this delightful comedy of Faith vs. Reality, Pedersen has perfectly captured the 1970’s in attitudes, fears, and hopes of this era. Sexual harassment is a way of life for working women, punishment is severe for homosexual sinners, motherhood is expected but only when properly wedded within one’s own race and religion, and men are the strong ones who never admit they have feelings. Fantastic sets and costumes (a stage full of polyester) by Meganne George further serve to authentic the time period. As the lines become blurred, the family fights for survival while each generation clings to their beliefs and the gap widens. An impressive cast and succinct direction by Ludovica Villar Hauser allow an entertaining peek at the future and THE BRIGHTNESS OF HEAVEN.

- Laurie Lawson -