For Immediate Release: August 2, 2005
Media Contact: Jayme Powers, Arden Theatre Company, 215.922.8900 x22

Arden Theatre Company is proud to announce its 2005/2006 season. The seven-play season of mainstage and Arden Children's Theatre productions includes two world premieres, three musicals, and a heartrending Irish classic, all sandwiched between two hilarious comedies. The Arden's eighteenth season is sometimes subversive, sometimes seductive, and always authentic. With a little bit of risk and a whole lot of fun, this year's stories pierce the heart, rekindle long-forgotten memories, and search for the truth. It's a fresh twist on the Arden's treasured tradition of bringing to life the greatest stories by the greatest storytellers of all time.

Kicking off the season is the wickedly funny comedy Loot by notorious English playwright Joe Orton. Inept bank robbers hijack mom's coffin to stash the loot from a recent heist in this frenzied web of conspiracies fueled by greed, lust and hypocrisy. Loot will be directed by Douglas C. Wager, former Artistic Director of Arena Stage in Washington DC. Terrence J. Nolen, Arden's Producing Artistic Director, comments, "Doug is an exciting new addition to the Philadelphia theatre community. We are delighted to welcome him to the Arden." The cast includes Chancellor Dean, Kate Hampton, David Howey (The Underpants), Anthony Lawton (Sweeney Todd, The Underpants) and Tobias Segal. Scenic designer Bob Phillips (Café Puttanesca) will be joined by costume designer Janus Stefanowicz, lighting designer Jerold Forsyth (Proof) and sound designer Greg Wilder (The Underpants). Loot runs September 8 - October 30, 2005.

Next, the Arden will present Winesburg, Ohio, a new musical that premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre last year, directed by Terrence J. Nolen. Book and lyrics were written by Eric Rosen with music and additional lyrics by Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman. Based on the book by Sherwood Anderson and set to a brilliant score of original folk music, this moving portrait of small-town America explores the conflicted relationships and hidden passions of its people. This award-winning sensation was heralded by the Chicago Tribune as "smart, moving and immensely powerful...with a universal emotional connection." A four-piece orchestra led by Thomas Murray will accompany the 13-member cast that includes Derin Altay, Leslie Bevin, Ben Dibble (Sweeney Todd, A Year with Frog and Toad), Dawn Falato, Darren Michael Hengst, Brian Hissong, Elisa Matthews (Sweeney Todd), Peter Schmitz and Andy White. The design team includes scenic designer Daniel Ostling (Hard Times), costume designer Rosemarie McKelvey (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead), lighting designer Dennis Parichy (The Arabian Nights) and sound designer Jorge Cousineau (Sweeney Todd, A Year with Frog and Toad). Winesburg, Ohio is supported in part by a grant from the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, a program funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by The University of the Arts. Winesburg, Ohio runs October 6 - November 6, 2005.

As is tradition at the Arden, the holiday show will be an Arden Children's Theatre production. Fresh from the inventive imaginations of the Tony Award-nominated creative team that brought us last season's hit A Year with Frog and Toad is the world premiere of The Dinosaur Musical. Music by Robert Reale with book and lyrics by Willie Reale, The Dinosaur Musical will be directed by Whit MacLaughlin (A Year with Frog and Toad, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, The Boxcar Children). The Dinosaur Musical, sponsored by PECO Energy an Exelon Company, will run November 30, 2005 - January 22, 2006. All performances will be followed by a discussion with the cast and crew and every child will receive a souvenir show poster. Recommended for ages five and older.

In January, the mainstage season continues with the world premiere of Michael Hollinger's Opus. Violist turned playwright Michael Hollinger's (An Empty Plate in the Café Du Grand Boeuf, Incorruptible, Red Herring, Tooth and Claw) latest play follows a world-class string quartet pursuing honesty in their music and in their lives. Directed by Terrence J. Nolen, this co-production with City Theatre of Pittsburgh features Greg Wood (Daedalus) and David Whalen with scenic design by James Kronzer (The Arabian Nights), costume design by Michael McAleers and sound design by Jorge Cousineau (Sweeney Todd, A Year with Frog and Toad). Opus runs January 12 - March 5, 2006.

Aaron Posner, Arden Resident Director, has cast Megan Bellwoar, Jennifer Childs (The Underpants), and Grace Gonglewski in Dancing at Lughnasa. Widely regarded as preeminent Irish playwright Brian Friel's masterpiece, Dancing at Lughnasa is a poetic and heartwarming story that follows the lives of five Irish sisters through the rugged emotional landscape of family. Scenic designer Lewis Folden (Proof) will be joined by costume designer Alison Roberts (The Syringa Tree, The Underpants, Proof), lighting designer John Stephen Hoey (Sweeney Todd, Fences) and sound designer Karin Graybash (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead). Dancing at Lughnasa runs March 2 - April 2, 2006.

Next up will be another Arden Children's Theatre production. Details will be released soon about this spring show which will run from April 19 - June 4, 2006. Recommended for ages five and older.

Closing the season with a bang, the Arden returns to legendary composer Stephen Sondheim for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. This irreverent farce bursting with infectious energy and sexy fun is one of the funniest musicals ever written. Celebrating Philadelphia's favorite comedians, Forum features consummate comic actors led by Tony Braithwaite (Café Puttanesca), Jeffrey Coon (A Year with Frog and Toad, The Underpants), Barrymore Award-winning dame Mary Martello (Sweeney Todd, Café Puttanesca) and Tom McCarthy (All My Sons). Director Terrence J. Nolen brings together scenic designer Donald Eastman (A Year with Frog and Toad), costume designer Richard St. Clair (A Year with Frog and Toad), and lighting designer James Leitner (The Underpants). Sponsored by Commerce Bank and Harmelin Media, Forum will run May 18 - June 18, 2006.

Five-play and three-play mainstage subscriptions are now available, with prices ranging from $66 to $195. Individual ticket prices range from $27 to $45 and discounted group rates are available for parties of ten or more. Post-show discussions are scheduled following selected performances of every show. Single and group tickets for Arden Children's Theatre are also available. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, visit the website at www.ardentheatre.org or stop by the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Old City Philadelphia.

The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122.

Arden Theatre Company's 2005/2006 Season:

Loot
By Joe Orton
Directed by Douglas C. Wager
September 8 - October 30, 2005

Winesburg, Ohio
Book and Lyrics by Eric Rosen
Music and Additional Lyrics by Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman
Directed by Terrence J. Nolen
October 6 - November 6, 2005

Opus
World Premiere!
By Michael Hollinger
Directed by Terrence J. Nolen
Co-production with City Theatre
January 12 - March 5, 2006

Dancing at Lughnasa
By Brian Friel
Directed by Aaron Posner
March 2 - April 2, 2006

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
Directed by Terrence J. Nolen
May 18 - June 18, 2006

Arden Children's Theatre Season:

The Dinosaur Musical
World Premiere!
Music by Robert Reale
Book and Lyrics by Willie Reale
Directed by Whit MacLaughlin
November 30, 2005 - January 22, 2006

Spring children's show
Details available soon!
April 19 - June 4, 2006

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