On November 9-10, LREI brought a new production to its Charlton Street stage — and, with it, many special guests.

The show was Stephen Adly Guirgis' "Our Lady of 121st Street," and the special guests included Ron Cephas Jones (the play's original Rooftop character), Liza Colon-Zayas (the original Norca), David Zayas (the original Edwin) and Stephen Adly Guirgis himself.

"Having the original cast and the playwright supporting us was truly awesome," said Director Meghan Farley Astrachan. "And they were so psyched that we were doing this play at the high school level! Their generosity and warmth was infectious and inspirational for the students and for me and my creative team."

By all accounts, Stephen and the actors enjoyed it, too.

"You guys were great!" Stephen wrote on LREI's Facebook page the following morning. "Thanks for inviting us and sharing your excellent work and very big hearts."

Rehearsal time for the high school cast and crew was cut a week short, due to Superstorm Sandy. But the students came together and managed to pull it off, says Meghan.

"Our high school students are amazing individuals — passionate, talented, insightful, hungry to grow, and so wise and resilient," she said. "I was so moved by our students and their incredible potential."

A special note from Meghan: Thank you, Stephen, for encouraging us all to touch the wind! And thank you to our high school principal Ruth Jurgensen for her support to do this play, to keep pushing the creative envelope and doing the kind of progressive, cutting-edge theatre, which is the reason why I came to LREI! "Our Lady of 121st Street" is a beautiful play and it has changed all of us in immeasurable ways.