'Blood Brothers' at Villagers Theatre

Is it Mother Nature or Mother Nurture who makes us who we are? Audiences will have the chance to decide for themselves next week when Villagers Theatre presents "Blood Brothers."

A hit musical that ran for 24 years in London’s West End, "Blood Brothers" tells a provocative story filled with humor and heartbreak. Mrs. Johnstone is expecting twins, but knows she can’t afford to raise them both. The affluent woman for whom she cleans house, devises a plan to raise one of the twins as her own. In despair, and hoping to give at least one child a better life, Mrs. Johnstone agrees. Despite attempts to keep them apart, the boys, Mickey and Edward, meet and become close friends. Their lives become increasingly intertwined as the drama unfolds toward the inevitable day that they discover the truth about their heritage with explosive results.

Directed by Marie Fiorello, "Blood Brothers" features the talents of Hunter Chadeayne as Mickey Johnstone and Christopher Neuman as Edward Lyons, his twin brother who gets adopted. Other performers include Denise Jobes as Mrs. Johnstone; Christopher Pica as Joe the Milkman, who serves as a narrator; Kristen Umansky as Mrs. Lyons and Thom Boyer as Mr. Lyons; Jillian Wagner as Linda; Justin Luckenbaugh as Sammy; Lisa Sudfield as Donna Marie; and ensemble members Christopher Russoniello, Dwight Merritt and Katie Hilosky.

A musical with book, lyrics and music by Willy Russell, "Blood Brothers" is a winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. It ran for more than 24 years in the West End, with more than 10,000 performances. It is the third longest-running musical production in West End history. It also has enjoyed successes on tour and on Broadway.

Tickets for the Villagers Theatre production of "Blood Brothers" cost $20, or $18 for students and seniors. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 5-21. Tickets are available online, or by calling the box office at (732) 873-2710.

Villagers Theatre is located at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset.