LEOMINSTER — A young man struggling to find his place in the world takes center stage when City on a Hill Arts presents “Prodigal Son” by John Patrick Shanley on Saturday, Nov. 7, Sunday, Nov. 8, Thursday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 14, at Congregation Agudat Achim, 268 Washington St.
The Sunday performance begins at 6 p.m., while Saturday and Thursday performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
One of Shanley’s most personal plays, “Prodigal Son” follows a 17-year-old boy from the Bronx who suddenly finds himself attending a private school in New Hampshire. Violent, gifted, alienated and consumed by loneliness, he struggles to understand himself and the world around him.
The play was inspired by Shanley’s own experiences as a young man attending a private school and his journey of self-discovery.
Director Andrew DeSisto of Leominster was drawn to the production because of its exploration of what it means to feel like an outsider.
“I feel that this play is important to anyone who has felt like an outsider within the walls of their community,” DeSisto said. “It’s a play that treats thinking things are impossible as a prison, but understands that those are the possible moments where character is built.”
As a director, DeSisto said the production has allowed him to focus particularly on the relationships between the characters.
“This play has given me the opportunity to really focus on the one-on-one dynamics of how Jim interacts with his peers, his teachers, and his headmaster,” he said. “As someone who would have considered himself an outsider when I was Jim’s age, this play reveals that individualism is a timeless concept.”
The cast includes Ben Wilder of Fitchburg as Jim, the titular character. He is joined by David Foster of Bolton, Christopher Lockheardt of Groton, Chelsey Patriss and Collin Patriss of Westminster.
City on a Hill Arts does not charge admission for its performances, with the goal of making the performing arts accessible to everyone. Reservations are recommended and can be made at www.cityonahillarts.org.
For more information, contact director Andrew DeSisto at [email protected].
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