Give yourselves the gift of theater on Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center when Pulitzer Prize winner Kathryn Boo’s book “Beyond the Beautiful Forevers” is brought to life in a new stage adaptation by David Hare. It will stream live from the National Theatre in London.

India is surging with global ambition. But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own.

Zehrunisa and her son Abdul aim to recycle enough rubbish to fund a proper house. Sunil, 12 and stunted, wants to eat until he’s as tall as Kalu the thief. Asha seeks to steal government anti-poverty funds to turn herself into a “first-class person,” while her daughter Manju intends to become the slum’s first female college graduate.

But their schemes are fragile; global recession threatens the garbage trade and another slum-dweller is about to make an accusation that will destroy herself and shatter the neighborhood.

Boo spent three years in the slum Annawadi recording the lives of its residents. From her uncompromising book, winner of the National Book Award for Non-Fiction 2012, David Hare has fashioned a tumultuous play on an epic scale.

Stay after the show and join a discussion, led by JoEllen Moldoff, and compare and contrast the play with Boo’s book.

Tickets are $18, $13 for students and $2 off for Orcas Center members, and may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org, by calling 376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office.