Theatre in the X presents
The OG Reading Series: Ordinary People by Richard Lamont Pierce, Directed by Walter DeShields
***NEW LOCATION: Theatre Exile - 1340 South 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Theatre in the X is excited to bring back its Staged Reading series in 2024! This year all of our featured playwrights are OG members of the Philadelphia theater community and we’re excited to showcase their stories. Each reading will showcase a staged reading performance of a play, a talk-back with the playwright, and food!
About the play:
"Ordinary People" is a heartfelt, family-oriented play set in 1950s North Philadelphia. Amy, a young girl captivated by Christmas, discovers a stranger in the snow outside her apartment. As suspicions give way to curiosity, the stranger, named J.C., reveals himself to be Jesus. While skepticism initially prevails, the family warms up to him after experiencing what seem like minor miracles. The play explores the concept of Jesus returning in humble form, prompting the characters to confront their beliefs and question the nature of miracles in everyday life.
About the playwright:
Richard LaMonte Pierce is an award wining author & playwright with over thirty
plays to his credit. Some of his works have been performed off Broadway, throughout
the United States & Africa.
Richard is a founding member and playwright in residence at First World Theatre. He is
also a former playwright in residences : at the Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley,
PA.,The Village Of Arts & Humanities, Bushfire Theatre, and The Venture Theatre, all in
Philadelphia, PA.
Some of his plays include : Sojourner a biography of Sojourner Truth, Strange Fruit, an
examination of lynching in America. The Winter Of Our Discontent, a study of the
W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington debate, Twilight Time, The Last Time Bobby
Sang The Blues, (Musical), A Conversation With The Devil, The Forgotten People, My
Name Is Sapphire Damnit !!, That Honeysuckle Summer, The Prophet Gabriel,
(Musical), Reflections From A Park Bench, The Immortals, Tea With Emily, Hypnotized !,
The Freedom Riders, As I Gaze Into The Looking Glass, (A biography of H. German
Wilson), Le’Pomple’muse (a three act play), Ordinary People / Extraordinary People, Do
You Know Me?, Who Wears The Necklace Now?, The Waiting Room, A Travesty Of
Justice, Saturday Night At Sassy’s, Follow The Drinking Gourd, A Reason To Die For &
many more.
He is also the author of two books, One Acts (A collection of one act plays) &
Remembering The Harlem Renaissance And The Return Of The Talented Tenth (an
anthology of some of his essays, poetry, plays & short stories).
Richard lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania & is a founding member as well as a
permanent playwright in residence at First World Theatre in Philadelphia.
* Member of Dramatist Guild
Other Upcoming Readings:
Monday, January 22 | 6pm
Salt Water Oasis by Ed Shockley
Directed by Carlo Campbell
Theatre Exile (1340 South 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147)
Food from: Atiya Ola’s
Monday, March 11th | 6pm
57 by Karen Smith
Directed by: Eric Carter
Location: Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods - 1435 North 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Food From: Atiya Ola’s
Monday, April 15th | 6pm
Will Write for Food by Renee Lucas Wayne
Directed by LaNeshe Miller-White
Painted Bride - 5212 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
Monday, May 13th | 6pm
The Bookstore by Nancy Marie
Directed by Richard Bradford
Painted Bride - 5212 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139