LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS Opens In Studio 3, 1/10-2/5

Walnut Street Theatre's 2016-2017 Independence Studio on 3 season continues with one of Neil Simon's funniest plays, Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Philadelphia audiences will be the first to see this production before it becomes the seventh national tour of a Walnut Street Theatre production. Directed by Adam Immerwahr, Last of the Red Hot Lovers begins previews in Philadelphia on January 10th, opens January 12th and continues through February 5th. This production is part of a double feature of Simon's work at the Walnut, as Laughter on the 23rd Floor will begin performances the on the Mainstage on January 17th.

Let's return to the 1960s, an era where we were free to choose who we wanted to love and when. But in this world filled with "Mad Men" and "Mod Women," was it easier to choose a mate? In this all-new production of Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers, true comedy ensues when a man looks for something new and different, but ends up finding himself in the same situation, again and again! It's the revolution of a laugh-time and we've got the woman to prove it!

Last of the Red Hot Lovers premiered on Broadway in 1969 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. The production ran through 1971 and earned three Tony Awards nominations. Following its Broadway run, the show was adapted into a film, starring Alan Arkin, in 1972.

American playwright Neil Simon has been recognized with many awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, multiple Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, Evening Standard Award, Writers Guild of America Awards, Outer Critics Award, Golden Globe Award, Drama Desk Award and the Mark Twain Prize. He is also a Kennedy Center Honoree and an inductee into the American Theatre Hall of Fame. The Alvin Theatre on Broadway was renamed Neil Simon Theatre in 1983. He has written over 30 plays and is considered to be one of the most successful playwrights in the world. His work for the stage includes Come Blow Your Horn; Little Me; Barefoot in the Park; The Odd Couple; Sweet Charity; The Star-Spangled Girl; Plaza Suite; Promises, Promises; The Gingerbread Lady; The Prisoner of Second Avenue; The Sunshine Boys; Brighton Beach Memoirs; Biloxi Blues; The Odd Couple; Broadway Bound; Rumors; Lost in Yonkers; The Goodbye Girl, many of which the Walnut has produced. The Walnut produced the world premiere of Simon's Hotel Suite in 1999. Additionally, Simon has authored books, written films, teleplays and motion pictures for television.

Director Adam Immerwahr makes his Walnut debut with this production. Immerwahr is the Artistic Director of Theater J, in Washington D.C. and has served as Associate Artistic Director at McCarter Theatre and Resident Director at Passage Theater. His directing credits include The Public, Theater Row, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Wild Project, McCarter, Theater J, Woolly Mammoth, Luna Stage, Hangar Theatre, Bristol Riverside and NYU's Studio Tisch. Internationally, he directed the African premiere of The Convert, which was nominated for the National Arts Medal Award.

Two Walnut veterans will take the stage in this hilarious play. Fran Prisco returns, having just appeared in The Wizard of Oz. He is a Philadelphia native who has performed at the Walnut in over 25 productions. He has been seen on the Theatre's Mainstage in shows including South Pacific, Sister Act and Harvey and in the Independence Studio on 3 in I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change and A Grand Night for Singing. Karen Peakes returns to the Walnut having appeared in Doubt, Speaking in Tongues, Born Yesterday, Fallen Angels and Of Mice and Men. Both actors have performed on many of Philadelphia's regional stages and are proud members of the local theatre community.

The action takes place in a 1960s New York apartment designed by set designer John Hoey, who will also provide the lighting design. Joining Hoey is Sound Designer John Kolbinski (A Child's Christmas in Wales, Always... Patsy Cline) and costume designer Mark Mariani (Harvey, Laughter on the 23rd Floor).

Last of the Red Hot Lovers will become the seventh production to embark on a tour across the country. The first six national tours of Walnut Street Theatre productions, featuring Philadelphia artists, have included The Glass Menagerie, Proof, Around the World in 80 Day, Driving Miss Daisy, A Life in the Theatre and A Moon for the Misbegotten. The Walnut celebrates Philadelphia's finest talents and is proud to share them with America. For more information about Walnut Street Theatre national tours, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

Season sponsor for the 2016-2017 Independence Studio on 3 Season is The Independence Foundation. Media season sponsors are Philly Weekly and WRTI Radio. Tickets are $30-$35 and are now available at 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available at walnutstreettheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

JUST THE FACTS:

WHAT: LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS

by Neil Simon

WHEN: January 10 - February 5, 2016

Press opening: Thursday, January 12 at 7:30pm

WHERE: Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia

WHO: Director: Adam Immerwahr

Set Design/Lighting Design: JOHN HOEY

Costume Design: Mark Mariani

Sound Design: JOHN KOLBINSKI
Stage Manager: MEG LYDON

CAST:

Man: Fran Prisco*

Woman: Karen Peakes*

* Denotes membership in Actors' Equity Association, the professional union of Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

TICKETS: $30-$35

CURTAIN: Tuesday - Sunday evenings at 7:30pm, Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm.

PHONE: Tickets/Info 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787

WEBSITE: www.walnutstreettheatre.org or Ticketmaster

(Photo Credit: Fran Prisco and Karen Peakes in Walnut Street Theatre's production of Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Photo by Mark Garvin.)