Messiah College theatre production explores the power of stories in “Tales from the Middle East”
January 12th, 2009
GRANTHAM, Pa. (Jan. 15, 2009) — The Messiah College department of theatre presents, “Tales from the Middle East,” a story of a young girl’s travels from Pennsylvania to the Middle East. The play is designed specifically for children, but is sure to entertain viewers of all ages. Performances are February 5-7 and 12-14 at 8 p.m. and February 8 and 15 at 3 p.m. in Miller Auditorium in the Climenhaga Fine Arts Center on Messiah’s Grantham campus. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. To purchase tickets in advance, call the ticket office at (717) 691-6036 or visit www.messiah.edu/tickets. Tickets will also be available at the door.
The play centers around Shari, a 12-year-old girl, who tells the story of her life so far. Born in Bethlehem, Pa. Shari and her family moved from Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, and back to Bethlehem. Shari feels alone in each new place but is comforted by the stories that surround her. The stories she hears and tells are not typical, but reflect the people she meets and the friendships she develops with them.
The play is written by Vicki Haller and directed by Margie Anich both of Touchstone Theatre, Bethlehem. The play weaves traditional Arabian stories with Shari’s experiences in the Middle East and Bethlehem, demonstrating how every new experience and relationship come together to create a person’s own life story.
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in more than 60 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.