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As It Is In Heaven

By Arlene Hutton
Directed by Jeremy Cole

October 23 through November 21, 2009

This is the story of a religious community in crisis. Set in 1838, As It is in Heaven explores issues of faith through the eyes of nine women in the Shaker village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky.

 

When a newcomer to the community begins experiencing visions, the older members, who have seen none, begin to question their own devotion to the Way.

Alternately dramatic and comic, the play reflects the simplicity of the lifestyle it depicts, and is punctuated by Shaker songs sung a cappella. The play is based on actual events from the Era of Manifestations - a time of heightened divinity and unusual behavior that began in the late 1830s with reports of a group of young Shaker girls who became absorbed in unusual trancelike activities, communication with angels and descriptive journeys to heavenly places.

The show's premiere was hailed by The Herald as "...powerful and insightful...a thought-provoking piece, the message being that often we need not look as far as heaven to see angels here on earth."

As It is in Heaven will be performed Fridays and Saturdays, October 23rd through November 21st, with an extra performance on Thursday, November 19th. All performances begin at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $15 or $12 for seniors and students (with ID). Order tickets at www.aeofberkeley.org


The reviews are in:

"will entice and even bring joy with some edification to the fortunate theatre goer who takes the extra measure of checking out Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's very good production" - examiner.com

"The Actors Ensemble of Berkeley takes on this work whole-heartedly with a cast of nine women ... Jeremy Cole's likewise simple direction is carefully--even beautifully--done ... As It Is in Heaven' is a powerful work" - The Daily Californian

"The play is a canny mix of approaches that reinforce ensemble work, and the cast—with clear, supportive direction from Jeremy Cole—works together very well" - Berkeley Daily Planet


CAST

Peggy De Coursey Sister Phebe
Lisa Drostova Sister Jane
Jean Forsman Sister Betsy
Molly Holcomb Sister Fanny
Alexis Lane Jensen Sister Peggy
Jillian Jetton Sister Izzy
Ann Kendrick Sister Hannah
Jessica Price Sister Polly
Jennifer Rice Sister Rachel

PRODUCTION

Director Jeremy Cole
Musical Director Alexis Lane Jensen
Assistant Director / Props Martha Luehrmann
Stage Manager Jose Garcia
Set Norm De Veyra, Shu Ping Guan
Costumes Elizabeth Van Buren
Lighting Alecks Rundell
Producer Alan Barkan


download high resolution photo
  Alexis Lane Jensen, Lisa Drostova, Ann Kendrick, Jean Forsman, Peggy De Coursey, Jennifer Rice, Ann Kendrick (Back row, L to R)

Jillian Jetton, Jessica Price, Molly Holcomb (Front Row, L to R)

Photo by Alan Barkan..

Peggy De Coursey, Ann Kendrick, Jean Forsman (L to R)

Photo by Alan Barkan.

 
Download high resolution photo

Download high resolution photo
 

Jillian Jetton, Jessica Price, Molly Holcomb, Molly Holcomb (L to R)

Photo by Alan Barkan..

 

Alexis Lane Jensen, Lisa Drostova, Jean Forsman, Peggy De Coursey, Jennifer Rice, Ann Kendrick (L to R)

Photo by Alan Barkan..

 
Download high resolution photo

Download high resolution photo
  Peggy De Coursey, Ann Kendrick, Jean Forsman (L to R)

Photo by Alan Barkan.

As It is in Heaven will be performed Fridays and Saturdays, October 23rd through November 21st, with an extra performance on Thursday, November 19th. All performances begin at 8:00 pm.


View the press release.


 

Thank You

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley is delighted to acknowledge the Berkeley Civic Arts Program and Civic Arts Commission's support in the form of a grant of $8,000.00 awarded in 2017. Also, a thank you to Theatre Bay Area for a grant of $2,500.00.

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Actors Ensemble of Berkeley - P.O. Box 663 - Berkeley - California - 94701 ¦ Our Answering Service: (510) 649-5999 ¦

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Federal Tax ID #946139640, since 04-1967