PH I L AD E L P H I A T HE AT R E CO MPA NY at the
INSPIRING.SMART.ENTERTAINING 13/14
season
INSPIRING new plays, produced in our city’s most beautiful, intimate and welcoming theatre. World class actors, Tony Award-winning artists, extraordinary design THAT’S THE PHILADELPHIA THEATRE COMPANY DIFFERENCE. We are proud to present our 2013/14 five-play season that, once again, connects you with the most important and creative artists and trends in the American theatre today. And, as always, produced with the unwavering high quality you’ve come to expect from Philadelphia Theatre Company each year. Spend a season with PTC at our beautiful Suzanne Roberts Theatre and you will be exposed to diverse viewpoints and compelling themes to stimulate your intellect and tap into your deepest emotional reserves. A PTC production is more than ENTERTAINING - it is your gateway to a live, ongoing exchange of ideas. Each production puts you inside the creative process with opportunities to share your thinking with the artists and experts who comprise our public dialogues. Here are seven SMART reasons why you should be part of our season: Jordan AllenDutton, Colman Domingo, Christopher Durang, Hal Goldberg, Amy Herzog, Nina Raine and Erik Weiner! Join them, along with all of us, for Inspiring, Smart, Entertaining theatre on the Avenue of the Arts in Philadelphia and live life in three dimensions.
See you in the lobby!
Sara Garonzik Executive Producing Director
“the suzanne roberts theatre is a gem!”
- Philadelphia Weekly
CELEBRATING OUr 2013/2014 playwrights Hal Goldberg
Amy Herzog
Jordan Allen-Dutton & Erik Weiner
Nina Raine
Goldberg won the Barrymore Award for Outstanding Original Music for NERDS (PTC, 2007.) He was also the composer for THE CHILDREN, which was featured at the New York Music Theatre Festival in 2006.
Co-writers for the Off-Broadway sensation, THE BOMB-ITTY OF ERRORS, their television credits include the irreverent “Robot Chicken” and the MTV Movie Awards. Together they’ve received multiple Emmy nominations and a Peabody Award.
One of America’s hottest playwrights, Herzog won the 2012 OBIE Award, and was a finalist for last year’s Pulitzer Prize. Her diverse works include AFTER THE REVOLUTION, BELLEVILLE, and THE GREAT GOD PAN.
A bright new voice, Raine was awarded London’s 2006 Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright, and the 2012 Drama Desk Award for Best New Play and the Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Play for TRIBES.
Christopher Durang
Durang returns to PTC as a 2013 Tony Award winner! Previously, his musical ADRIFT IN MACAO had its world premiere in 2006. He is a multiple OBIE Award winner whose plays include BEYOND THERAPY and SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU.
Colman Domingo
Nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the hit musical, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, he also received Drama Desk and Drama League Award nominations for his work in PASSING STRANGE. In film, Domingo has been directed by the likes of Steven Spielberg (Lincoln) and Spike Lee.
“Philadelphia Theatre Company has emerged as one of the nation’s top producers of contemporary American drama!” - Philadelphia Weekly
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oct 11 through nov 10
A funny, moving, “and ALTOGETHER WONDERFUL drama! ” – The New York Times
4000 Miles by
Amy Herzog directed by Mary B. Robinson
2012 OBIE AWARD for Best New Play 2013 PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST for Best New Play In this poignant yet comic drama, 21-year-old Leo unexpectedly arrives on the doorstep of his feisty 91 yearold grandmother’s West Village apartment, after a grueling crosscountry bike trip. Over the course of a month, these unlikely roommates infuriate and bewilder one another, and discover the fragile line between growing up and growing old through humor, heartache, and love. Best enjoyed by patrons 15+
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LEO can’t face his life... Vera is starting to forget hers
n3rds Bill and Steve’s Excellent musical Adventure! Music by
Hal Goldberg Book & Lyrics by
Jordan Allen-Dutton
and Erik Weiner
nov 29 through dec 29
“BRILLIANT… a comic GEM!
”
- Broadwayworld.com
Before Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were the undisputed titans of technology, they were NERDS. Follow America’s favorite geeks from garage inventors to Silicon Valley mega-billionaires as we take a hilarious musical journey from the floppy disc era to the iPhone phenomenon. Celebrate the computer revolution and the two pop culture icons who made it all possible - all in time for the holidays! Best enjoyed by patrons 12+
Production Sponsor
Best enjoyed by patrons age XX+
philadelphiatheatrecompany.org 5
Jan 24 through Feb 23
“
Go see tRIBES as soon as you can!
”
– Wall Street Journal
DRAMA DESK AWARD WINNER for OUTSTANDING PLAY
Billy is a deaf man living silently among his loud, intellectually elite and fiercely opinionated family who talk a lot, but don’t listen very well. He has adapted brilliantly to his hearing family’s unconventional ways, but they’ve never bothered to return the favor. It’s not until he falls in love with Sylvia, a young woman on the brink of deafness, –that fully Journal appreciates WallheStreet what it means to be understood.
Go see tRIBES as on as you can!”
Best enjoyed by patrons 15+ Produced in association with City Theatre Company, Pittsburgh, PA
subscribe now: 215.985.0420
s e b r t
by Nina Raine directed by
Stuart Carden
Billy’s family can hear… But will they ever listen?
MAr 21 through apr 20
and and
and utterly “ZANYREFRESHING! ”
– Associated Press
and by
Christopher Durang
Rivalry, Regret, Revenge, ON JUST ANOTHER FAMILY REUNI IN BUCKS COUNTY
wINNER!
2013 tony award best new play Vanya and his sister Sonia live a quiet life in the Bucks County farmhouse where they grew up. When their movie star sister Masha returns home unannounced with Spike, her twenty-something boy-toy in tow, an unforgettable weekend ensues. By the end of their impromptu family reunion, this lovable bunch won’t ever be the same. Durang riffs on Anton Chekhov’s most famous themes in this laugh-outloud funny yet unexpectedly moving American comedy. Best enjoyed by patrons 14+
philadelphiatheatrecompany.org 7
MAY 23 through june 22
Growing UP and Coming OUT to The Sound of Philadelphia
“
CAPTIVATING... wicked, tender, and profound!
” - Newsday
This coming-of-age story follows Domingo’s upbringing through a box of vinyl records discovered in his West Philly boyhood home. A one-man tour de force, Soul digs deep into the joys and pains of his working-class background, and a pivotal moment in 1980s Philadelphia. This triumphant work features tunes by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, The Stylistics, Donna Summer, and others as the soundtrack to one man’s soulful journey. Best enjoyed by patrons 12+
written and performed by
coLMAN DOMINGO directed by
subscribe now: 215.985.0420
Tony Kelly
feb 24 through mar 9
PTC: a leader in the development of new work An Annual Festival of New Work Be the first to see new American plays in the making! PTC@PLAY hosts two weeks of events featuring staged readings of new American work by both emerging and established playwrights, as well as provocative and illuminating panel discussions. Plus, the annual announcement of our Terrence McNally New Play Award winner! Past PTC@PLAY readings have included works by Theresa Rebeck, Michael Hollinger, Kirsten Greenidge, Jeffrey Hatcher, Dominique Morisseau, Bruce Graham, and Bill Cain.
FUN.FIERCE.FREE. Terrence McNally New Play Award supported by The Peter Arger and Donald Wilf New Play Fund A. Zell Williams, 2013 recipient of the Terrence McNally New Play Award with PTC@Play fesival goers.
philadelphiatheatrecompany.org
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In Residence: enriching our cultural and community landscape
Since the opening of our new home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company has been fortunate in having Koresh Dance Company in residence. Their artful and inventive work looks dazzling on the stage and we cannot be more pleased that they now consider our beautiful theatre their home!
KORESH DANCE COMPANY November 14 - 17 and may 1 – May 4 The Koresh Dance Company strives to create emotional and innovative performances for audiences in Philadelphia and around the nation. The company breaks through the boundaries of traditional choreography and offers audiences an exhilarating experience. This season is sure to bring that excitement with the powerful and inventive choreography of Artistic Director, Ronen Koresh.
(from left) Melissa Rector, Jessica Daley, and Shannon Bramham in Ronen Koresh’s Bolero; Photo by Alexander Iziliaev
PTC Subscribers get $5 OFF each ticket!
For details and more information about our upcoming performances at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, visit: philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/inresidence or koreshdance.org
Student performances
Student Matinees [11AM] $15 per student
The flagship program of our Barrymore Award-winning Drama Contact Education Program. Through Philly Reality, local students have the opportunity for creative self-expression by writing monologues, which they then craft into a one act play which is performed on the stage of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Students participate as actors, directors, stage managers, lighting and sound designers, and front of house staff, making Philly Reality a truly student-run production. Philly Reality is the only program of its kind in Philadelphia that gives students full-access to the process of producing a world premiere play.
Tuesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 6, 2014 Philadelphia Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges the following for their underwriting support of Drama Contact:
Jon and Linda Chorney Steven J. Engelmyer, Esq. and Lisa Wershaw Linda and David Glickstein Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Hamilton Family Foundation
Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts-Education Fund Philadelphia Foundation Fund for Children Republic Bank Caroline J. Sanders Trust #2 Victory Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation
4000 Miles | October 18 Nerds | December 6 Tribes | January 31 Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike | March 28 A Boy and His Soul | May 30
Each Student Matinee at Philadelphia Theatre Company includes: Student Study Guides Post Show Q & A Session with the Cast In-Class Workshops Teacher Resource Guides Additional Opportunities: Backstage Tours In-Theatre Workshops For more information, call Rashanda Freeman 215.985.0420 x111
drama contact: inspiring the artists of tomorrow philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/teach-learn 11
PATRON ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING [pep]
Our FREE Patron Enrichment Programming (PEP) gives the audience a chance to see behind-the-scenes of each production as well as discover more about the themes and issues contained in each production. Love PEP? Consider a Flex Subscription and pick-your-PEP experience.
AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHTS IN CONTEXT (APIC)* Our post-show APIC events allow audiences to meet the playwrights and hear them speak about their work in a broad context. Our past writers have included Edward Albee, Lynn Nottage, Bruce Graham, Anna Deavere Smith, Terrence McNally, composer John Kander, director/choreographer Susan Stroman, Neil LaBute, and Theresa Rebeck, among others. *Look for our individual show postcards for the date and time of each APIC event.
BACKSTAGE TOUR Join a member of PTC’s staff for a post-matinee backstage tour of the set. Learn how the set was conceived and built, and how the crew runs the show! MILES 10/26 | NERDS 12/14 | TRIBES 2/8 | VANYA 4/12 | SOUL 6/14
BOOK CLUB (Check out our special Book Club subscription series on next page!) Prior to the performance, in the Lobby Alcove of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, our pre-show Book Club features snacks and a discussion of a book with a theme related to the production.
MEET-THE-ARTISTS
subscribe now: 215.985.0420
The Mountaintop (PTC, 2013) cast Amirah Vann and Sekou Laidlow with playwright, Katori Hall (center); Photo by Paola Nogueras
MILES 10/17 @ 6:30pm Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene NERDS 12/5 @ 6:30pm The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder TRIBES 1/30 @ 6:30pm Seeing Voices by Oliver Sacks VANYA 3/27 @ 6:30pm Celebrity Chekhov by Ben Greenman SOUL 5/29 @ 6:30pm Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin Philadelphia Theatre Company is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all patrons. For information about our accessible services, please contact the Box Office or refer to the “Plan your Visit” section of our website.
MEET-THE-ARTISTS (MTA) Our post-show MTA events allow the audience to learn about the process of each production with an onstage Q&A session with the cast. MILES 10/17, 10/31 | NERDS 12/5, 12/19 | TRIBES 1/30, 2/13 VANYA 3/27, 4/10 | SOUL 5/29, 6/12
Ptc happy hour Mix, mingle, and enjoy great drink specials at PTC’s pre-show happy hour from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on Fridays. MILES 10/18, 10/25, 11/1 | NERDS 12/6, 12/13, 12/20 | TRIBES 1/31, 2/7, 2/14 VANYA 3/28, 4/4, 4/11 | SOUL 5/30, 6/6, 6/13
SPECIAL TOPICS Every season, we schedule panel talks with thought-leaders who expand and discuss the ideas and issues raised by each mainstage production. Catch the onstage conversation immediately following the 6:30pm performance! MILES 10/22 “Going the Distance: The Emotional Journey of Cross-Country Cycling” NERDS 12/10 “Talk Nerdy To Me: The Social Dialectic of the Tech Generation” TRIBES 2/4 “Sign on the Line: The Politics of Sign Language Today” VANYA 4/1 “Durang Durang: Bringing the Absurd Home to Roost” SOUL 6/3 “The Sound of Philadelphia: Finding Soul in the Music of Gamble & Huff”
Open Captioning MILES 10/26 | NERDS 12/14 | TRIBES 2/8 | VANYA 4/5 | SOUL 6/7
Audio Description MILES 11/2 | NERDS 12/21 | TRIBES 2/15 | VANYA 4/12 | SOUL 6/14
The best group discounts in Philadelphia! Grab 8+ family members, friends, neighbors or colleagues and start saving.
• • •
Discounts start with 8 tickets & handling fees are waived; One complimentary ticket for the organizer when your group reaches 20; Two complimentary tickets when your group reaches 40;
• •
Full season subscriber groups of 15+ receive one free season subscription; Season-long group package specials with terrific Philadelphia arts and culture organizations
HAVE YOUR NEXT FUN(D)-RAISER WITH US! Host a super successful fundraising event with a theatre performance at the heart of it all. We’ll help you create your own experience in our intimate and beautiful Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Call Carol Flannery, Sales Director 215.985.0420 x104 for ideas and information.
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vanya and sonia and masha and spike
• Ticket insurance. Misplace your tickets? We’ll reprint them for FREE!
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• $5 OFF each additional single ticket purchased for family and friends;
All this, right in the heart of Center City on the Avenue of the Arts!
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NERDS
Subscriber Benefits:
Discover a new experience at Radisson Blu Warwick Hotel, Philadelphia! Enjoy an exclusive subscriber discount, visit radisson.com/philadelphiatheatre or call 1-800-333-3333; use promo code PTC
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january 24 - february 23
November 29 - December 29
4000 Miles
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Use them all for one show or spread them across the season. Purchase a minimum of 5 passes or add more to use any way you choose throughout the season for maximum flexibility! And, Flex Pass holders enjoy the same great benefits as traditional subscribers. Contact the box office when ready to redeem; subject to seating availability; 2013/2014 Flex Passes must be used by June 30, 2014.
Opening Night
LGBT TGIF
Wine Tasting
Book Club
Be part of a full, top tier theatre experience. Package includes complimentary post-show party with the actors and creative team. 10/16 | 12/4 | 1/29 | 3/26 | 5/28
Unwind with friends an hour before curtain at our private Friday night party. Includes pre-show hors d’oeuvres and drink specials. 11/8 | 12/27 | 2/21 | 4/18 | 6/20
Enjoy hard-to-find wines with an exclusive pre-show tasting series with Philly’s own wine archaeologist, Jill Weber, owner of Jet Wine Bar. 10/31 | 12/19 | 2/13 | 4/10 | 6/12
Combine great theatre with a great book by joining a literary pre-show chat. Includes light snacks - plus, we send you the books in advance! 10/17 | 11/5 | 1/30 | 3/27 | 5/29
Subscribe now! ONLINE: PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org/subscribe PHONE: 215.985.0420 FAX: 215.545.3139 MAIL: Philadelphia Theatre Company - 480 South Broad Street, Phila., PA 19146
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special series Opening Night LGBT TGIF Wine Tasting Book Club
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Please select the dates with the best available seats for me.
Vanya and soniA and __/__/__ masha and spike
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4000 Miles __/__/__
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five, four, or three shows; pick your SHOWS & DATES (check please reference calendars on previous page)
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(patrons 62+)
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“brilliant!”
- philadelphia inquirer
“Deliriously entertaining!”
- philadelphia weekly
PHILADELPHIA T H E AT R E CO M PA NY
Sara Garonzik Executive Producing Director Priscilla M. Luce President
Suzanne Roberts Theatre 480 S. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19146 phone: 215.985.0420 PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org
Administrative Office (we’ve moved!) 215 S. Broad Street, 10th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 phone: 215.985.1400
at the
Photos from PTC’s 2012/2013 season by Mark Garvin: (from left) Brad Oscar, Donna Vivino, Joanna Glushak, and Alex Brightman in Stars of David; Amirah Vann in The Mountaintop; Luigi Sotille, Teresa Avia Lim, Matt Harrington, and Genevieve Perrier in Seminar; Mark Alhadeff and Jenni Putney in Venus in Fur, photo by Frank Wojciechowski
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