Event

Beautiful Thing

Directed by Peter Reynolds, January 15-February 2 at the Adrienne Skybox

Renowned in the region for their productions of gay-themed works,Mauckingbird Theatre Company begins their 2014 season with a down-to-earth look at first love in their production of Beautiful Thing by English playwright Jonathan Harvey. The play, which was described as an "endearing, lopsided smile of a comedy about a boy who falls for the boy next door" by The New York Times, will run January 15 February 2 in the Skybox at the Adrienne.

In a rough, working class neighborhood in South East London, Jamie (Griffin Back), Ste (Kevin Murray) and Leah (Sofie Yavorsky) are high school aged neighbors growing up surrounded by violence, poverty and drugs. When Jamie's single mother, Sandra (Melanie Julian), and her boyfriend, Tony (Kevin Chick), take in Ste for a few nights after his abusive father beats him during an alcohol-fueled rage, the boys share a kiss that allows a bit of hope to break through the misery.

Beautiful Thing runs January 15-February 2, 2014 (press opening is Friday, January 17, at 8 p.m.), at the Skybox at The Adrienne Theatre, located at 2030 Sansom St. in Philadelphia. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students and are available by calling the Mauckingbird Theatre Company box office at (215) 923-8909 or online at www.mauckingbird.org.