A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Light Years

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy  /  1w, 4m, 1boy(s)

Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen, Oliver Butler

Critic's Pick! "A theatrical cabinet of wonders. A wistful, cockeyed play that celebrates American dreamers. Four stars!" - Time Out New York

The Light Years

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 4m, 1boy(s)
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
Behold the Spectatorium: an audacious, visionary 12,000-seat theater designed for the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 by Steele MacKaye, the now-forgotten theatrical impresario around whom this haunted, forty-year love story spins. The Light Years is an epic, intimate tale of two families struggling to meet their future, and a spectacular tribute to man’s indomitable spirit of invention. 
History

The Light Years was originally produced as a part of the Powerhouse Season at Vassar College with new York Stage and Film in the summer of 2015. The show premiered at Playwrights Horizons in new York City in March 2017 under the direction of Oliver Butler.

Keywords
Performing Groups

1893
STEELE MACKAYE (M - Late 40s/Early 50s) - A famous (but now forgotten) late 19th century theater impresario known for his acting, directing, writing and inventing. He has designed and is building a theater at the 1893 World’s Fair. 
HILARY - (M - Mid 30s) - An electrician who works for Steele MacKaye.
ADELINE -  (F - Early 30s) - A turn-of-the-century spitfire. From a wealthy family. Married to Hillary.
HONG SLING - (M - Mid 30s) - A Chinese laborer working with Hillary.

1933
RUTH - (F - Early 30s) - Bears a striking resemblance to Adeline.
LOU - (M - Mid 30s) – Ruth’s husband. A jingle writer at the 1933 World’s Fair.  
CHARLIE - (M) - Ruth and Lou’s 11-year-old son.

  • Time Period 1930s, Victorian (British and American)
  • Setting The 1893 and 1933 World's Fairs in Chicago
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Special Effects
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol

Media

REVIEWS

Critic's Pick! "A theatrical cabinet of wonders. A wistful, cockeyed play that celebrates American dreamers. Four stars!" - Time Out New York, Read More

"Sparks fly! A gentle meditation on dreams and disappointment, but electricity crackles throughout." - TheaterMania, Read More 

"Bound and threaded by a belief in creativity and wonder; a wide-eyed pleasure in all that we don't know, and then bamboozle ourselves trying to invent." - The Daily Beast, Read More 


Videos

  • The Debate Society discusses The Light Years youtube thumbnail

    The Debate Society discusses The Light Years

  • Playwrights Horizons trailer for The Light years youtube thumbnail

    Playwrights Horizons trailer for The Light years

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:
Get the Script

Authors

Hannah Bos

Hannah Bos

Hannah Bos (writer/actor) is a founder and co-Artistic Director of The Debate Society, an Obie Award-winning theater company. She has co-written and starred in all of the company’s plays: Jacuzzi (Ars Nova), Blood Play (Bushwick Starr/The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Fest ...

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Paul Thureen

Paul Thureen

Paul Thureen is a founding member and co-Artistic Director of The Debate Society, co-writing and starring in A Thought About Raya, The Snow Hen, You’re Welcome, The Eaten Heart, Cape Disappointment, Detroit and Buddy Cop 2. Recent New York and international performances inclu ...

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Oliver Butler

Oliver Butler

Oliver Butler is a founding member and co-Artistic Director of The Debate Society and has directed and toured with the company. In New York, Mr. Butler has directed the world premieres of The Lapsburgh Layover, Buddy Cop 2, Cape Disappointment, Goodbye New York Goodbye Heart, ...

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