The Barrymore Award winning Azuka Theatre is pleased to announce its 2009-2010 season showcasing the work of Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel and the Philadelphia Premier of a play by Adam Szymkowicz. Azuka will begin its Tenth Anniversary season as the company in residence at Drexel University, producing the first show of the season there as well as conducting a series of workshops with Drexel Students. The season also features new play readings, happy hour events and our first gala benefit.

Azuka Theatre’s tenth season begins with The Long Christmas Ride Home by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel and directed by Aaron Cromie. Running October 30 – November 15th the production is presented in association with the Antoinette Westphal College’s Mandell Professionals in Residence Project, which is supported in part by a grant from the Samuel P. Mandell Foundation. Performances are Wednesday thru Saturday at 8:00pm, Sunday at 2:00 at The Mandell Theater, 33rd and Chestnut Streets. Tickets are $16.00-$25.00 and can be purchased by calling 215-733-0255 ext. 1 or at www.azukatheatre.org.

The Long Christmas Ride Home tells the story of three children and their parents on an ill-fated ride to grandmother's house one snowy Christmas Eve. The play offers brief, illuminating glimpses of the children's future lives, but always comes back to that one fateful night, the claustrophobic car, and the moment a family shattered. Combining superb storytelling, music and puppetry The Long Christmas Ride Home explores the fragile and fraying bonds of family. This production features Keith Conallen, Charlie Del Marcelle, Amanda Grove, Allison Heishman, Janice Rowland and Seth Reichgott with students from Drexel University. This play is for mature audiences only.

Azuka Theatre returns to the Latvian Society and present Nerve, by Adam Szymkowicz, directed by Kevin Glaccum April 8th -May 2nd 2009. Tickets are $16-$25. Nerve is a dark comedy about the perils of on-line dating and falling in love too quickly. Elliot and Susan had been doing just fine chatting on line, but their first meeting is fraught with expectations and unexpected revelations. Interior monologues told via dance and puppetry only add to the “…sweet, sexy neurotic friendly” (The New York Times) fun.

The Spotlight Series, Azuka Theatre’s new play reading series enters its sixth season presenting three more plays read by Philadelphia actors. “The Spotlight Series is an invaluable tool for us” says Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum. “It allows us to hear work we’re considering for full production, as well as get an immediate audience response to the play. An Artist’s Workshop, The Boys and last years Whisky Neat, were all part of The Spotlight Series, so the program really works!” “Promoting new work is important to the entire theatre community” says Literary Manager Allison Heishman. “The Spotlight Series is a great opportunity for playwrights to hear their work read, sometimes for the very first time.” This year the March The Spotlight Series will be a tenth anniversary reading of Azuka Theatre’s inaugural play, La Rue Des Faux, an adaptation of James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room. Raelle Myrick-Hodges, Azuka founder and the current Artistic Director of Brava Theater in San Francisco will direct the reading of her adaptation. The Spotlight Series takes place October 20, 2009, March 9, 2010 and May 11, 2010 at 7:00pm location to be determined. All readings are free and open to the public.

Azuka Lounge: A Happy Hour Event is Azuka Theatre’s fundraising cocktail extravaganza! Each “themed” event brings together the artistic community and its supporters in a relaxed atmosphere featuring guest bartenders and entertainers. In December is our Evergreen Holiday Bash, we return in February with our hilarious heartbreak Valentine event, dramatic readings from The City Paper’s I Love You/I Hate You column and close out the season with a celebratory 10th Anniversary party in June. Azuka Lounges take place from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at Woody’s, 202 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia on December 8th, February 9th and June 8th. Tickets are $10.00 and only available at the door.

In May, Azuka Theatre will hold its first fundraising gala, an event in honor of Michael Norris and his contributions to Azuka Theatre and the artistic community at large. Michael is the Executive Director of ArtReach and served as Azuka’s Board President for three years. “Michael’s leadership was invaluable to the company” said Azuka’s Producing Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum. “We wouldn’t be in the strong artistic position we’re in if it weren’t for his time on the board. We’re thrilled that we can bring together the artistic and philanthropic communities to celebrate this remarkable man.” The event will take place in May at a location still to be determined.

“I can’t believe it’s been ten years” said Glaccum. “Azuka’s first show was in the basement of the William Way Community Center and now we’ve just won our first Barrymore Award. It’s been and amazing journey and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. The two shows we’re doing this year are prime examples of the work Azuka strives to produce, unheard voices from unexpected places. We have some many stories we’re eager to tell, the next ten years should be amazing!”

Company History
Azuka Theatre was founded in 1999 by group of artists participating in the Arden Theatre Company’s nationally recognized Professional Apprentice Program. Azuka Theatre quickly built a reputation for accessible, thought-provoking and socially minded theatre. Over the past nine seasons, Azuka Theatre has produced eighteen plays, including seven world premiers, received a Lambda Award from The Philadelphia Gay News and been nominated for multiple Barrymore Awards, winning last year for Best Actress in a Musical: Kim Carson in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Azuka Theatre has been hailed as “a company to watch” and a “major player on the Philadelphia alternative theatre scene,” by the Philadelphia Weekly.

Azuka Theatre’s 2009-2010 Season

The Long Christmas Ride Home
By Paula Vogel
Directed by Aaron Cromie
Featuring Keith Conallen, Charlie Del Marcelle, Amanda Grove, Allison Heishman, Janice Rowland and Seth Reichgott
October 30th – November 15th, 2009
The Mandell Theater
33rd & Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia

Nerve
By Adam Szymkowicz
Directed by Kevin Glaccum
April 8th -May 2nd, 2010
The Latvian Society
531 N. 7th Street (at Spring Garden Street)

Spotlight Series
October 20th, 2009; March 9th & May 11th, 2009
Plays & Players Theater (3rd Floor)
1714 Delancey Street
Philadelphia, PA

Azuka Lounge: A Happy Hour Event
December 8th, 2009, February 9th, 2010 and June 8th, 2010
Woody’s Bar
202 S. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA

Azuka Theatre
525 S. 4th Street
Suite 362
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Office & Box office (215) 733-0255
Fax (215)733-0257
www.azukatheatre.org