“Out of the Apple Orchard is a charming book, which presents a story of heart and hope, with humor, action, and very human characters,” Ellen W. Kaplan (the playwright who adapted Yvonne David’s book to the stage) told the Heritage.
Theatergoers of all ages told us they experienced forgiveness in their hearts, along with empathy for the protagonist, Adam Bieman, after he made a mistake. Several children shared that the story gave them hope for second chances in the future.
One student voiced that she had learned compassion. The third-grader stated, “My favorite part of the show was when the dad forgave the boy for taking the apples.” At the same time, her favorite prop was “the turkeys, because they kept going around and around. It was like so funny.” Another young student said that his favorite part was “when he (Adam) stole the apples, and the man (the farmer) yelled at him” (and later forgave him), while his favorite prop was the red bird. When asked by an interviewer if he learned anything, he replied, “Yes, I learned not to steal.” He also loved the show!
Lynn Telzer, an actor from Los Angeles, California, commented on the show, as well. She stated “that there was a sense of supporting your family and caring about your family. That (concept) was important in the play, and I really liked that.”
“Watching Out of the Apple Orchard jump from the page and come to life in a play was enchanting! With a hint of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, it is an intriguing tale that is sparked by a child’s thievery, which brings about forgiveness and new beginnings. This play will turn hearts to what family is really all about.” – Christine DeSouza of the Heritage Florida Jewish News.
On October 19, 2005, Bob Kealing, a three-time Emmy award-winning journalist interviewed Yvonne David, author of Out of the Apple Orchard (Arbiter Press, 2005). Bob Kealing, a reporter for WESH-TV, Orlando, is the author of Kerouac in Florida, Where the Road Ends (Arbiter Press, 2004.) - See Release
A special staged reading of: Out of the Apple Orchard - See Release
Children's author engages bces students in a timely story - See Release
Author's work on stage in NYC - See Release