For Immediate Release: June 13, 2005
Media Contact: Lisa Higgins Pechter, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, 610-282-9455 x4

Hilarity masquerades as hypochondria in Molière's riotous comedy The Imaginary Invalid, which opened the 14th season of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University on Friday, June 10th, and continues in the Arena Stage through July 3.

Despite his robust health and to satisfy his cravings for medical attention at a painless price, Argan decides that his lovely daughter Angélique must marry a doctor. Naturally, Angélique has other plans, which are uncovered by Argan's second wife Béline, whose main interest is her husband's financial fitness.

Wayne S. Turney, an Emmy-award winning actor who recently relocated to the Lehigh Valley from the Midwest, plays Argan, the role Molière wrote for himself [so he could, in part, die laughing]. Anne Lewis, a full-time acting professor at DeSales University, portrays his money-hungry wife. Their wily servant Toinette is played by Patricia Dalen, whose Broadway credits include Indiscretions and Buried Child. The cast also includes PSF veterans Christopher Patrick Mullen and Carl N. Wallnau.

Returning to PSF as director is Jim Helsinger, artistic director of the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival. Scenic Designer Bob Phillips, who recently won his fourth Emmy award for Sesame Street, designed the French provincial set. Lavish costumes were designed by Lisa L. Zinni.

The Production Sponsor is the Wills Hall Oblate Community, and the co-sponsor is The Century Fund.

The 2005 Festival also includes Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 (June 22 July 10) and The Merchant of Venice (July 20 - August 7) on the Festival Stage; and stage adaptations of Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days (July 13 - August 7) and Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid (through August 6) on the Arena Stage.

The free outdoor Green Show completes the season's offerings and is performed one hour prior to each evening performance.

Performances of The Imaginary Invalid are Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm. Saturday 2pm matinees are June 25 and July 2. The 'Family Night' performance at 7:30pm on Sunday, June 12 is sold out. Limited seats are available for the Family Night performance on Sunday, June 19.

Single ticket prices range from $24 to $37. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and groups. Season tickets are still available and offer patrons the greatest discounts and flexibility; prices range from $80 to $220. Tickets can be ordered by calling 610-282 WILL or online at www.pashakespeare.org.

The 2005 Associate Season Sponsors are: The Morning Call, The Harry C. Trexler Trust, and Service Electric Cable TV and Communications.

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University is the Official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth and a professional, not-for-profit theatre company. An independent 501 c 3 organization, PSF receives support from DeSales University and relies on contributions from individuals, government agencies, corporations and foundations. PSF is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America.

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