Prime Stage presents sensory-friendly performance of ‘The Giver’
May 21
‘The Giver’
Prime Stage brings to Pittsburgh a special sensory-friendly performance of the Eric Coble adaptation of “The Giver,” based on the Lois Lowery Newbery award-winning book. The performance will take place May 21 at the New Hazlett Theater, located at 6 Allegheny Square East. This show is appropriate for audiences from middle school through adult, and marks the first time the two-act version is being produced. Prime Stage is the region’s only presenter of literature-based productions.
In a dystopian world, 12-year-old Jonas discovers his special gifts and his distinctive purpose with the aid of the Giver. But will he succeed? “The Giver” is a favorite book among many fans, young and old alike. It is along the lines of fellow works “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent,” and has been made into a major motion picture. Such stories, while dark and foreboding, also elate with the joy characters have with their triumphs. “The Giver” follows Jonas as he takes on a role that causes him to question society and want to improve life for everyone.
Prime Stage is the only theater to have a sensory-friendly production of a non-musical show for its May 21 performance. A lot of additional work, personnel and volunteers are involved in providing the experience, including assistance from trainers Rebecca Covert and Carolyn Comich Hare. After her son was diagnosed with autism in 2010, Covert started working in many autism-related areas, including as a consultant for the Arts and Autism Foundation of Pittsburgh, providing sensitivity trainings and strategies to create/adapt sensory-friendly events for Pittsburgh cultural organizations and theater companies. Hare is nationally recognized for her work with transition aged-students and the development of a multi-site, national intervention for college students with ASDs, as well as the founder of the Arts for Autism Foundation of Pittsburgh.
The production features Mt. Lebanon actors Zanna Fredland and Naomi Grodin.
Tickets are available at www.primestage.com