The Cider House Rules was the first full-length novel adapted in the Book-It Style™ premiered in 1996 at the Seattle Repertory Theatre, with subsequent productions at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and New York’s Atlantic Theater Company. Its rich history includes workshops at the Julliard Drama School, Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference in Vermont, the Civiata Festival in Italy, and Lincoln Center.
Tom Hulce, Jane Jones, and Peter Parnell pioneered the project, beginning work on Part One in June of 1993. Part Two followed in the summer of 1994, and the first reading of the entire piece took place in January 1995. Cider House exemplifies the strength and vitality of the Book-It Style™ and remains dear to the company given its personal ties to Book-It’s Co-Artistic Directors: Jane Jones headed the piece as an adaptor and director, while Myra Platt starred as Candy in the original cast.
Revisiting the sweeping stage drama is the perfect way to mark the end of Book-It Repertory Theatre’s 20th season, and to celebrate the company’s longevity as a leading troupe and innovative force in Seattle’s theatre community.
