1812 Productions' 2017-2018 Season Announced

1812 Productions is pleased to announce its 2017-2018 theatre season. The 2017-2018 season includes Philadelphia premieres from Jonathan Tolins and Philadelphia playwright Michael Hollinger, original works, sharp political satire, and a co-production with Act II Playhouse.

Our season begins with Jonathan Tolins' one-man comedy Buyer & Cellar. Directed by Dan O'Neil, Buyer & Cellar stars Philadelphia sensation John Jarboe as Alex, an underemployed actor who has fallen into the oddest of odd jobs-running the make-believe shopping mall in Barbra Streisand's basement. Jarboe best known for is performances with The Bearded Ladies and as co-creator of ANDY: A Popera at Opera Company of Philadelphia. Buyer & Cellar played to audience and critical acclaim Off Broadway and makes its Philadelphia premiere at 1812 Productions. Buyer & Cellar will play October 5th thru October 29th, 2017. Opening Night will be Wednesday, October 11th at 7:00pm.

The season continues with our annual political comedy This Is The Week That Is. In this show that changes with the headlines, the This Is The Week That Is creative team is taking off the gloves and getting ready to hop in the ring with the most unpredictable administration in modern history. Now in its 12th year, 1812's signature production will feature returning cast members Dave Jadico, Jennifer Childs (who also directs), Nia-Samara Benjamin, and Sean Close, with additional casting to be announced. This Is The Week That Is will play from November 24th thru December 31st, 2017. Opening Night will be Wednesday, November 29th at 7pm. This Is The Week That Is is part of The June and Steve Wolfson Family Foundation Series and welcomes Honorary Producer Terry Graboyes.

1812 Productions will close its season with another Philadelphia premiere, Michael Hollinger's Hope and Gravity. When an elevator crashes in a major city, nine lives intersect in surprising ways-through love and sex, poetry and dentistry, in offices, homes, and hotel rooms. By turns comic and profound, Hope and Gravity traces the delicate and miraculous threads that connect us all. Hope and Gravity, directed by Jennifer Childs, is one of four Hollinger plays that will be produced in Philadelphia in the coming season, and we are thrilled to welcome him to 1812 Productions. Hope and Gravity will play from April 26th thru May 20th, 2018. Opening Night will be Wednesday, May 2nd at 7pm.

2017-2018 Special Limited Engagements

As This Is The Week That Is plays through the month of December, we are pleased to present a special two-night-only concert performance of our original musical, The Carols. Written by Jennifer Childs and Monica Stephenson, The Carols tells the story of a trio of sisters, their curmudgeonly landlady, and a traveling Catskills comedian who create their own version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol during the last Christmas of World War II. The Carols was a Philadelphia favorite in 2016 and features returning cast members Emily Kleimo, Caroline Dooner, and Rachel Camp in this concert revival. The Carols: Live in Concert will play for two performances only, Monday, December 11th and Tuesday, December 12th, 2017.

In spring of 2018, 1812 Productions is partnering with Act II Playhouse for a limited engagement run of A Few of Our Favorite Things, a new comedy cabaret created and performed by Tony Braithwaite and Jennifer Childs. A collection of songs and sketches from Burns & Allen, Nichols & May, and more, this co-production will play at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA from January 9th thru the 28th, 2018. A Few of Our Favorite Things will play for five performances at 1812 Productions from February 14th thru the 18th.

Finally, 1812 Productions will present an as-yet untitled new work. Over the past five years, 1812 has celebrated classic American humorists like Phyllis Diller, Steve Martin, David Sedaris, Tom Lehrer, and many more. Details on this newly curated piece will be announced this summer. This limited engagement event will be performed Monday, May 14th and Tuesday, May 15th, 2018.

All performances during our 2017-2018 season will take place at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place in Center City. Tickets and information can be found at www.1812productions.org.

Company History

1812 Productions was founded in 1997 and is the only professional theater company in the country dedicated to comedy. Their education program, 1812 Outreach, has received multiple nominations and has twice been awarded the Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service. 1812 Productions is the recipient of an honorary citation from the City of Philadelphia for outstanding work and commitment to the Philadelphia arts community. In 2010 and 2016, they were among a select group of regional theatre companies to receive a National Theatre Company grant from the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards. With a focus on devised and original works, 1812 Productions' mission is to produce theatrical works of comedy and comedic works of theatre that explore and celebrate our sense of community, our history, and our humanity.

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