John O'Hara (top right), with Amanda Schoonover (top left) and Marcia Ferguson (bottom left).
A playwright from Lansdale is premiering his latest play in Philadelphia later this month.
John O’Hara, who was born and raised in Lansdale, wrote 12 Chairs after his mother’s death. The play will be performed from April 25 to May 12 at Buttonwood Studios (1022 Buttonwood Street in Philadelphia).
Tickets for the play’s performances can be purchased online. Early bird tickets are available, which includes extended happy hour specials at Love City Brewery before or after the performance.
About the Play
The play tells the story of a mother and daughter over 45 years. After the mother dies, the daughter is cleaning out the mother’s house. The chairs represent 12 months over the course of the 45 years, and each month has a different event attached to it.
Marcia Ferguson and Amanda Schoonover, the two actresses in the play, portray all of the different characters within the play. The play is directed by Carly L. Bodnar. The cast and crew are made up entirely of women.
While this is the professional premier of the play, it has been performed in various workshops. According to O’Hara, it is a tear-jerker, but it makes people remember and appreciate their moms.
“My mom was a strong woman and this is in honor of her,” said O’Hara. “My mom’s been gone since 2011, but it made me feel like she’s here, so it’s beautiful.”
O’Hara’s Background
Born and raised in Lansdale, O’Hara attended St. Stanislaus Church and graduated from Lansdale Catholic High School. He currently lives in Skippack.
O’Hara started out as an actor and developed a love for writing plays. When he started working for a children’s theatre, he wrote plays for them. He has written almost 60 plays total, half being children’s plays and half being adult plays.
See Also:
NPHS Theatre To Perform ‘Mamma Mia’
March Health Inspection Reports Released For Lansdale (19446)
North Penn Among Best Communities For Music Education
Local Pilot Presumed Dead In Alaskan Plane Crash
Lansdale Historical Society To Display High School Memorabilia
