Ordinary People: Staged Reading

This rarely staged play adaptation deals with an alienated teenager, who after the death of his older brother, returns home following an extended stay in a psychiatric hospital after attempting suicide.

Ordinary People, dramatized by Nancy Gilsenan, based on the book by Judith Guest, Featuring Koppany Pusztai, Aaron Leventman, Talia Pura, Jonathan Dixon, Mason Nyquist, Tyler Nunez, and Julia Gay. Directed by Talia Pura. Adapted from the novel by Judith Guest from which the Oscar-winning 1980 film was based, this rarely staged 1983 play adaptation deals with Conrad, an alienated teenager, who after the death of his older brother, returns home following an extended stay in a psychiatric hospital after attempting suicide. Conrad tries to reconnect with his emotionally stilted mother, Beth, and wounded father, Cal, with the help of his psychiatrist, Dr. Berger while reaching out to his troubled hospital friend, Karen. But adapting to normal life creates many challenges. There will be a post-performance Q&A with the cast, director, local psychotherapist Phillip Retzky and Katina Koehler; Executive Director of Gerard’s House whose mission is to counsel grieving youth and their families through peer support.