The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
Adapted for the stage by Jane Jones and Kevin McKeon in the Book-It Style
October 11-20, 2024
Vashon Center for the Arts
Vashon Repertory Theatre to produce a Book-It Repertory Theatre world premiere adaptation celebrating the return of Book-It's legendary 'Book-It Style' Vashon Repertory Theatre (VRT) will include in its Fifth Season a world premiere Book-It Repertory Theatre adaptation based on American novelist David Wroblewski’s beloved book, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, adapted for the stage by Book-It Founder and Co-Founding Artistic Director Jane Jones, and Book-It favorite Kevin McKeon. Jones will also direct. The play will be staged at Vashon Center for the Arts with eight performances from October 10th through October 20ᵗʰ, 2024.
Preview-Thursday, October 10- 7:30pm, Pay What You Will
Opening- Friday, October 11- 7:30pm
Saturday, October 12- 2pm + 7:30pm
Sunday, October 13—2pm
Thursday, October 17—7:30pm
Friday, October 18—7:30pm
Saturday, October 19—2pm + 7:30pm
Sunday, October 20—2pm
Tickets are on sale now at Vashon Center for the Arts. VCA Box Office: 206.259.3007
David Wroblewski’s remarkable coming of age story of a farm boy without a voice and the deep unspoken friendship of his beloved dog, Almondine, is anything but silent. Set in the pastoral plains of America's heartland, Wroblewski's story defies the silence of a muted child and introduces us to a classic tale of a family torn apart by feuding brothers, an unexplained death, the banishing of a much-loved son and the havoc that ensues upon the visitation of an angry and revengeful ghost. Shakespearean in scope, Sawtelle is a story of long held family secrets, betrayal and murder. It is also a profound story about the language of friendship, a language through Wroblewski's narrative voice that transcends words.
Members of the Sawtelle company performed a reading of a portion of the play for a Vashon audience in May to rave reviews. Director/adapter Jones and Book-It gained the rights to adapt and stage their adaptation in the spring of 2020, " but due to the global pandemic that production was never realized", says Jones.
"Finally bringing this heart-rending story to life with Charlotte Tiencken and Vashon Rep is an opportunity to finish the process of many years of work bringing our adaptation to the stage. It's an opportunity to celebrate and reintroduce the Book-It Style to theatre audiences throughout the Puget Sound region. David Wroblewski has written a profound piece of literature, full of stunning imagery, and we feel privileged to bring his story to the stage on Vashon.” Familiaris, Wroblewski’s recently released sequel to the Sawtelle book, is a featured 2024 summer selection for Oprah Winfrey’s book club.
For Vashon Repertory Theatre, says Tiencken, this play and the revival of the Book-It style will enrich our exciting Fifth Season. “We at VRT are celebrating our Fifth Season with high quality and innovative material,” she says. “From an original play in August to this Book-It style revival, readings of five new women-penned plays, and the West Coast premiere of a David Auburn play, we are looking forward to making our mark on the Puget Sound regional theatre scene in 2024-25.”
For more information: https://www.vashonrepertorytheatre.org/2024-25season