A new original play that explores the dynamics of childhood friendships premieres Feb. 16 - 26, Touchstone Theatre, Bethlehem.

“Games We Play” is an intimate, time-traveling exploration of the friendships we form as children and how we remember them as adults.

The two-person show was written and is performed by Touchstone Ensemble members Emma Ackerman and Chris Egging.

Egging grew up in rural Nebraska and Ackerman in suburban Pennsylvania. They say their shared reference points from growing up in the 1990s and 2000s resonated strongly between them.

“This show asks us to remember our inner kid,” says Ackerman. “There’s sword fighting, mix tapes, make-believe. But it’s really about nostalgia, memory and the imperfection thereof. We all remember the past differently, and the way we remember things shapes our reality, whether it’s true or not.”

The playwrights say that, although the play follows the coming-of-age stories of two people from a specific generation, its themes of friendship, nostalgia and growing up have universal appeal.

“This show is for everyone,” Egging says. “I can’t wait to see what resonates with different audience members of all ages.”

The production follows two characters from carefree childhood to responsibility-laden adulthood in nonlinear fashion as they retell and relive their shared memories from various points in their lives, and as they try, and sometimes fail, to stay connected.

“We’re sitting with our legs dangling off the edge of a tree house, then hunched among piles of boxes, working through an aging parent’s finances, sometimes in the same scene,” Egging says.

The play includes original music written by Egging and Ackerman. Production support is by stage manager Alexis Leon. Choreographer is Ashley Tait Weller.

This will be Ackerman’s final main stage production after a 15-year tenure at Touchstone. She plans to relocate from the Lehigh Valley.

“Games We Play” is Chris Egging’s main stage premiere as he goes from a designer behind-the-scenes to a performer onstage.

“Games We Play,” 8 p.m. Feb. 16-18, 23-25; 2 p.m. Feb. 19, 26. Tickets: 610-867-1689; http://www.touchstone.org/

“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.

Lehigh Valley Stage

BY KATHY LAUER-WILLIAMS

Special to The Press

“Our Lady of the Tortilla,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3-4, 10-11; 3 p.m. Feb. 5, 12, Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illicks Mill Road, Bethlehem. 610-865-6665; http://www.paplayhouse.org/

“Summer Lovin,’” 7 p.m. Fridays; 4, 7 p.m. Saturdays; 12:30 p.m. Sundays, through April 29, Pines Dinner Theater, 448 N. 17th St., Allentown. 610-433-2333; https://www.pinesdinnertheatre.com/

“Menopause the Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3, State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton. 610-252-3132; https://statetheatre.org/

“Games We Play,” 8 p.m. Feb. 16-18, 23-25; 2 p.m. Feb. 19, 26, Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem. 610-867-1689; http://www.touchstone.org/

“Hairspray,” 2, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton. 610-252-3132; https://statetheatre.org/

“Company the Musical,” 7 p.m. Feb. 23-25, 2 p.m. Feb. 26, Samuels Theater, Cedar Crest College, 100 College Drive, Allentown. 610-740-3780; https://www.cedarcrest.edu/academics/performing_arts/events.shtm

“Dreamgirls,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25, March 1-4; 2 p.m. Feb. 26, March 5, virtual, 10 a.m. March 4, Munopco Music Theatre, Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St,, Allentown. 610-437-2441; https://www.munopco.org/

“The Importance of Being Earnest,” 8 p.m. Feb. 22-25, March 2-3; 2 p.m. Feb. 26, March 5; 9:45 a.m. Feb. 27, Main Stage, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. 610-282-3192. https://www.desales.edu/news-events/act-1-productions

“Love + Information,” 8 p.m. Feb. 23-25; 2 p.m. Feb. 26, Baker Theater, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown. 484-664-3333; https://www.muhlenberg.edu/academics/theatre-dance/

“Silent Sky,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24-25, March 2-4, Feb. 26, Lehigh University Department of Theater, Diamond Theater, Zoellner Arts Center, 420 E. Packer Avenue, Bethlehem. 610-740-3780. https://theatre.cas.lehigh.edu

“Sister Act,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24-25, March 3-4, 9-11; 2 p.m. Feb. 26, March 5, 12, Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown. 610-432-8943; https://civictheatre.com/

Email items for “Lehigh Valley Stage” to: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com.