DeSales University’s Act 1 is presenting the Lehigh Valley premiere of Lynn Nottage’s moving memory play “Crumbs From the Table of Joy.”

The play by the only woman to have twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, will be presented in person Oct. 14 - 24 in Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the Center Valley, Upper Saucon Township, campus.

The play is directed by Paris Crayton III, playwright of “Chainz/Broken,” which was presented virtually in 2020 by Act 1.

“I am thrilled to direct a show from the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner,” Crayton says. “It’s a show about fulfilling one’s purpose, no matter what life throws your way. It is an honor to get to direct such beautiful work.”

The play takes place in 1950, and the Crump family has just arrived to live in Brooklyn from Pensacola, Fla. The father, Godfrey, is struggling with grief after his wife’s death and puts his faith in radio evangelist Father Divine.

His daughters, sassy 17-year-old Ermina and studious 15-year-old Ernestine, escape their gloomy basement flat by going to the movies. Their mother’s sister Lily arrives, and the girls are taken with her daring, unconventional ways.

After disappearing for a few days, their father returns with a new wife, a German immigrant who hopes to win the family’s love. The two girls are forced to confront the reality of life versus their own dreams and hopes for a future in this tapestry of resilience, dreams and heartbreak.

The play, which premiered Off-Broadway, is recommended for ages 13 and up.

“It’s about how one family deals with grief and learns to navigate in a world full of racism and injustice,” Crayton says.

Nottage won the Pulitzer Prize in 2009 for her play “Ruined,” and in 2017 for “Sweat,” the latter which sold-out its run at The Public Theater and was moved to Broadway.

Her plays, which have been produced worldwide, include “Mlima’s Tale,” “By The Way,” “Meet Vera Stark,” “Intimate Apparel,” “Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine,” “Las Meninas; Mud, River, Stone,” “Por’knockers” and “POOF!”

Nottage is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship, Steinberg “Mimi” Distinguished Playwright Award and National Black Theatre Fest’s August Wilson Playwriting Award.

Crayton is an award-winning playwright, actor and director. He has written more than 40 plays, 21 of which have been produced around the United States. His plays have been presented and-or workshopped by The Lark, NewYorkRep, KU Theatre, Classical Theatre of Harlem and Aurora Theatre.

His directing credits include “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “The Old Settler,” “Mama Bear,” “Brothers of Affliction,” “The Aftermath” and “Chasing Gods.”

Performances are 8 p.m. Oct. 14, 15 and 20-22, and 2 p.m. Oct. 16, 17 and 23, 24.

There’s a talkback with the cast after the Oct. 17 performance.

The Oct. 23 performance will have audio description for patrons who are blind or visually-impaired. Tickets are half-price for patrons using these services. Call box office manager Kyle Schumaker at 610-282-3654, ext. 1, for information.

A virtual production of “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” will stream from 10 a.m. Oct. 23 until 9:59 a.m. Oct. 24.

Tickets: https://www.desales.edu; 610-282-3192

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com