Potomac Playmakers – “Orphans” by Lyle Kessler

Potomac Players is proud to present Orphans, a dramatic play by Lyle Kessler. Produced in 1983, Orphans provides audiences a glimpse of how circumstances, and our approach to them, drive us to adapt to our surroundings in surprising ways.
In Orphans, two grown orphan brothers live in their dilapidated North Philadelphia row house. Both are haunted by the desertion as children by an unfaithful father and death of their mother. Streetwise and explosive older brother Treat provides necessities for his younger brother through petty theft. Contrary to Treat, brother Phillip lives in a world of illiteracy and innocence. On an impulse, Treat kidnaps Harold, who isn’t a regular guy with a briefcase. Harold has dark skills of his own. Using those skills, Harold frees himself of the ties that bind him and, with gun in hand, asserts himself as teacher, healer, and surrogate parent.
Containing elements of dark wit and vulgar adult language, Orphans is a timely commentary on the contours of the human condition not often discussed. Featuring adult language and themes, “Orphans” is intended for mature audiences only, and parental discretion is advised.
Produced with kind permission from Concord Theatricals Corp., “Orphans” is directed by Tom Doty with Greg Berezuk, and features Matt Line, Judah Ickes, and Tannen Paul. “Orphans” will run November 10-12, 2023 and November 17-19, 2023 at The Potomac Playmakers Performing Arts Center, located at 17303 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Showtime for the Friday and Saturday shows will be at 8:00 p.m., while the Sunday matinee performances will be at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for all performances are $18, and may be purchased at the door or online at https://www.potomacplaymakers.org/get-tickets/ .
The Potomac Playmakers, founded in 1926, is one of the nation’s longest running active community theatre groups. The Potomac Playmakers Performing Arts Center, purchased in 2017 with generous funding from the Agnita Stine Schrieber Fund, features deluxe cinema quality seating to provide a comfortable attending experience. For more information, visit The Potomac Playmakers’ website at www.potomacplaymakers.org , email potomacplaymakers@gmail.com or call (240) 513-6260. Potomac Playmakers, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) all-volunteer, non-profit community theater company.