1812 Productions is proud to announce its 11th season of bringing new, classic, and always stupendous comedic works to Philadelphia. These works will continue 1812 Productions’ mission of bringing to the stage a myriad of stories, each told in a one-of-a-kind comedic voice. The 2007-2008 season delves into topics ranging from American politics to autism to the excess of suburbia and, even, to the very meaning of life itself!

The season opens with the hit comedy sensation The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In The Universe. This one-woman tour de force, written by Jane Wagner, was made famous by pioneering comedian Lily Tomlin. For this upcoming production, Philadelphia’s funny lady, Jennifer Childs, takes on the show’s 16 different roles. Told from the points of view of a variety of life’s misfits—from gym bunnies and prostitutes, to New Age Supermoms and Trudy the bag lady who talks to extra-terrestrials—The Search for Signs Of Intelligent Life In The Universe is a searing and ebullient reminder of why it’s so wonderful to be a resident of the planet Earth. The Search for Signs… is a part of The Phoebe and Otto Premiere Series. It will run from September 21st to October 21st, 2007 at The Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut Street.

Next up, after six sold-out weeks and breaking box office records, 1812 Productions’ smash-hit holiday show This Is The Week That Is is back for another term in office—taking on politics near and far, with classic wit and skewering observations. Just like its first incarnation, this season’s This Is The Week That Is will be a combination of classic material and material invented on the spot—all to stay ahead of Washington’s curve balls and City Hall’s latest scandals! This Is The Week That Is is a part of The June and Steve Wolfson Family Foundation Holiday Series. It will run from November 30th to December 31st, 2007 at The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street.

In the Spring, 1812 Productions is thrilled to present a one-of-a-kind comedy experience that was a runaway hit at the 2007 Live Arts Festival. In a style that could only be called Ingmar Bergman meets Austin Powers, Suburban Love Songs is a dance comedy extravaganza set in a Tupperware/Swingers Party in 1968. Accompanied by a soundtrack including Sergio Mendes, Herb Alpert and Jose Feliciano, Suburban Love Songs features performances by 1812 favorites Jennifer Childs, Dave Jadico, Mary Jackman Carpenter, Karen Getz, Dawn Falato and many more, in a hilarious journey back to the America of yesteryear. Suburban Love Songs is a part of 1812’s celebrated Independence Cabaret Series. It will run for a special limited engagement from April 4th to April 27th, 2008 at Plays and Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Street.

During the 2006-2007 season, 1812 Productions inaugurated The Development Series—a new performance series that gives audiences an insider’s view on the creation of new comedic works. In the second installment of this series, 1812 Productions is pleased to offer Beautiful Boy, a new comedic work in progress from Resident Artist Pete Pryor about one father’s perspective on how a family grows up with autism. Stagings of this special two-week workshop will feature live performance as well as multi-media presentation. Beautiful Boy will run from May 13th to May 25th, 2008 at The Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street.

“I have always felt that an integral part of 1812’s mission is to promote joy,” says Jennifer Childs, 1812 Productions’ Artistic Director and a featured performer this season. “This season typifies that goal in so many ways and I cannot wait to get to work on it.”

Company History
Artistic Director Jennifer Childs and Resident Artist Pete Pryor founded 1812 Productions in the spring of 1998 with a goal to entertain and educate audiences through comedy, and to support and hire local artists. Philadelphia Weekly named 1812 Productions the “Theatre Company of the Year 2002-2003”. At the close of the 2002-2003 season, 1812 Productions was the recipient of eight nominations and two wins at the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. 1812 Productions received eight Barrymore Award nominations for its 2004-2005 season and most recently closed its 2005-2006 season with the world premiere, and Barrymore Award winning, production Daughters of Genius. Their education program, 1812 Outreach, received four consecutive nominations and been awarded once the Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service. On April 20, 2005, 1812 Productions received an honorary citation from the City of Philadelphia for outstanding work and commitment to the Philadelphia arts community. 1812 Productions, while continually on the search for a permanent home, continues to perform at various locations around Philadelphia.

For tickets and information: 1812 Productions Administrative Office 421 N. 7th Street Suite 218 Philadelphia, PA 19123 (215) 592-9560 p. (215) 592-9580 f. www.1812productions.org info@1812productions.org