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Reference & Information line: 704-INFO (360-704-4636) in Olympia area or toll-free 1-800-562-6022.
TRL Web site: http://www.trlib.org

Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, (360) 704-4508; or Susan Hanson, Communications Manager; (360) 704-4507; outside Olympia calling area: (877) 284-6237.

For the Media, available for questions at Book-It: Annie Lareau, Adapter: (206) 770-0880; Mark Zufelt, Artistic Director and Casting or Diane Mapes, Marketing Director: (206) 216-0877.

Seattle-based Book-It Repertory Theater will perform—three times only—Sue Monk Kidd’s "The Secret Life of Bees" at three Timberland libraries. The group adapted the book exclusively for Timberland Regional Library’s districtwide program series, Timberland Reads Together: "The Secret Life of Bees," a series designed to celebrate and promote reading and community.

The performances, intended for teens and adults, are free of charge:

Book-It Repertory Theater adapts short stories and novels for the stage using simple sets and costumes. Their aim is to transform great literature into great theatre and to inspire audiences to read. For the performances of "The Secret Life of Bees," six actors will speak narrative text as dialogue, without scenery, costumes or props. Instead, they will rely on the power of language and skillful acting and adaptation to bring the book to life.

To develop a script that would keep the dramatic reading to 1 and 1/2 hours, adapter Annie Lareau focused on the storyline of Lily’s journey, preserving all the most beautiful and poignant passages.

The story takes place in the rural South in 1964, during the civil rights era. Lily Owens, a white, 14-year-old motherless girl runs away from her abusive father (T. Ray) with the only significant person in her life, a courageous black woman (Rosaleen). The two take up residence with three bee-keeping sisters named May, June, and August who revere the Black Madonna. There, Lily begins her journey to wholeness.

Demene Hall "August"

Kelly Balch, "Lily"

Kibibi Monie, "Rosaleen"

Rebecca Davis, "June"

Selena Whitaker-Paquiet, "May"

John Ulman, "T. Ray"

For more information, please visit the Timberland Regional Library Web site at www.trlib.org, contact your Timberland library, or call Central Reference librarians at 704-4636 (Olympia) or 1-800-562-6022.

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 4 school-based cooperative library centers. The library system is funded by local property taxes. For information on any subject, the public can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians at 704-INFO (704-4636) in the Olympia area or 1-800-562-6022, toll-free, from all other areas. Or they can "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program may contact the library at least 4 days in advance.

Revised 10/18/05