For Immediate Release: August 31, 2022
Contact: 914-232-4822, x11, info@steppingstones.org
National Historic Landmark Home of Alcoholics Anonymous Cofounder Bill W. & Al-Anon Family Groups Cofounder Lois W. Presents Fundraising Benefit and Staged Readings Comprised of the Wilson’s Writings
National Recovery Month Event September 24, 2022, Westchester NY
See end of release for calendar listing.
Photos of the actors, the Wilsons, and video of Stepping Stones is available upon request.
Katonah, NY—“Stepping Stones – Historic Home of Bill & Lois Wilson” in Katonah, NY, builds public understanding of alcoholism and inspires recovery by preserving and sharing the National Historic Landmark home and archive of Bill Wilson, cofounder, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Lois Wilson, cofounder, Al-Anon Family Groups. In celebration of National Recovery Month and marking the launch of the new Town of Bedford Friends of Stepping Stones in September 2022, Stepping Stones presents staged readings of the play “Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters.” The play only uses the diaries, letters, and other writings of the Wilsons from Stepping Stones Archive to tell their eventful, moving love story. The ticketed play readings are Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Walker Center for the Arts, Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah, NY, 10536. For tickets ($10-25), the website is https://SSFPlay.eventbrite.com. A free reception for reading ticketholders follows the 7:30 reading.
“Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters,” takes the audience through the eventful lives of the Wilsons—from falling in love and the start of Bill’s 17-year descent into alcoholism through his recovery, cofounding of A.A., and writing the 12-Steps of recovery. Acclaimed actors John Bedford Lloyd and Anne Twomey Lloyd will play the roles of “Older Bill” and “Older Lois”, respectively and Eileen Hanley and Bradley Lewis, will play “Younger Lois” and “Younger Bill,” respectively.
This play shines a light on the lives of the longtime New Yorkers, Bill and Lois Wilson, who are relatively little known but had a major, lasting impact in fostering worldwide 12-Step recovery programs (A.A. founded 1935; Al-Anon founded 1951). These fellowships have continued to aid millions of people decades after Bill’s passing in 1971 and Lois’ in 1988.
“Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters” is directed, staged and compiled from the writings of the Wilsons in Stepping Stones Archive by Laurie Heffner Lewis. The staged reading has original music by Cary Brown, music production by Robert Kessler, and visual sequences by Gene Pope. The play is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission and late seating.
The evening of play readings are a fundraising benefit for Stepping Stones and its play program. Sponsorships are available at https://SSFPlay.eventbrite.com. Stepping Stones gratefully acknowledges the support of the following sponsors and promotional partners:
Patron-Level Sponsors & In-Kind Donors: Henry “Hank” Albing; Anonymous; The Corbett-Turco Family; Corbett Public Relations, Long Island, NY; The Harvey School, Katonah, NY; Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA); Rotary Club of Bedford-Armonk, NY; Russell Speeders Car Wash & Detailing, Bedford Hills, NY; Stephen Tilly, Architect, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Friend-Level Sponsors & In-Kind Donors: Bedford Diner, Bedford Hills, NY; Michael P. Berardino; Blossom Flower Shops, Yonkers & White Plains, NY; Bradsell Contracting, Bedford, NY; Landmark Facilities Group, Inc., Norwalk, CT; Kyle R. Lewis; Hans Morefield & Helene Kopal; The Peckham Family Foundation, Brewster, NY
Supporter-Level Sponsors & In-Kind Donors: Mary Morrow & Bob Albing; Bill & Virginia Albing; Bedford Gourmet; Bedford Village Pastry; Russ & Laura C.; Ellen Calves; Charles Department Store, Katonah, NY; Country Willow Home, Bedford Hills, NY; Decker Tool Rental, Bedford Hills, NY; Alysa DiMarco, State Farm Insurance, Bedford Hills, NY; Cori Estrow; David & Dale Foster; Mr. & Mrs. J.M. Heffner; Christine Howe; La Familia Pizza & Pasta, Katonah, NY; La Maison Fete, Bedford, NY; Landmark Kitchen & Baths Bedford Hills, NY; Jacob & Zan Lewis; Jennifer Llwellyn & Majestic Hudson Spiritual Boutique & Blissful Experiences, Katonah; Carolyn M.; Sarah Melamed; Rud & Jen Niles; Phil OKeefe; The Paint Box, Bedford Hills, NY; Joseph & Johanna Pak; Paulie’s Deli, Katonah, NY; Phoenix Theatre & Arts Company, Carmel, NY; Sgaglio’s Marketplace, Katonah, NY; Singleton, Davis & Singleton, PLLC, Mt. Kisco, NY; ShopRite, Bedford Hills, NY; Rusty Turner, Charleston SC; Jay & Karen VanHouten; Village Market, Katonah, NY
Promotional Partners & Media Sponsors: Creative Alliance Project of Bedford Hills, Bedford, & Katonah; Drug Abuse Prevention Council of Bedford, Pound Ridge, Lewisboro; Friends of Recovery (FOR)-Westchester, NY; Katonah Chamber of Commerce; Katonah Classic Stage; Katonah Connect Magazine & Website; Katonah Village Improvement Society
ABOUT STEPPING STONES – HISTORIC HOME OF BILL & LOIS WILSON: Bill and Lois Wilson moved to their northern Westchester home in 1941 after two years without a home. They later named the property “Stepping Stones.” Lois left the 8.17-acre site and 110,000 original objects and documents to the nonprofit she founded in 1979—The Stepping Stones Foundation. The house museum and archive site is on the N.Y. and U.S. registries of historic places, the NY Women’s Heritage Trail, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012. The Stepping Stones Foundation offers tours, online presentations, off-site events, access to its archive (online and in person), and a play program. For more information, email info@steppingstones.org and watch “Homecoming – Stepping Stones” – a video introduction to Stepping Stones.
Calendar Listing
Event: “Bill W. & Lois W.: Their Journey in Letters” Staged Reading
Date & Time: Saturday, September 24, 2022, 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $25; $10 for those 21 Years of Age and Under (Limited scholarship tickets available)
Ticketing & Information Website: https://SSFPlay.eventbrite.com
Location: Walker Center for the Arts, Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah, NY, 10536
Description: For National Recovery Month in September 2022, Stepping Stones-Historic Home of Bill & Lois Wilson in Katonah, NY, presents professional actors in a rare, staged reading of an eventful, moving love story comprised solely of the diaries, letters, and other writings of Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson and Al-Anon Family Groups cofounder Lois Wilson.
For more information: info@steppingstones.org or 914-232-4822
