Philadelphia Theatre Company Announces Extension for RIZZO

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces a one-week-only extension of Rizzo by Bruce Graham through Sunday, October 23. Currently running at the SuzAnne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets) and directed by Joe Canuso in a re-mounting of Theatre Exile's sold-out production last fall, the ensemble cast features Scott Greer as Frank Rizzo with Damon Bonetti, Paul L. Nolan, Robert Daponte, William Rahill, Amanda Schoonover, and Steven Wright. The extra week includes performances on Tuesday at 6:30 PM,Wednesday at 7:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 PM and matinees on Saturday at 2:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM.

Tickets starting at $15 are available by calling the PTC Box Office at 215-985-0420 or visiting PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org.

Rizzo is based on the best-selling book Rizzo: Last Big Man in Big City America by Sal Paolantonio of ESPN and published by Camino Books, Inc., Support for the research and development of Rizzo was provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

Following Frank Rizzo's trajectory from beat cop to Police Commissioner to Mayor of Philadelphia, this raw and timely drama explores Rizzo's life as he prepares for the 1991 mayoral election. A big guy who left an indelible impression on Philadelphia history, Rizzo governed with a street-brawler's bravado that both cooled and fanned the flames of racial unrest. After two terms in office, voters in 1991 were about to cast another ballot for their hero or against the villain they inadvertently helped create. As the play jumps back in time through Rizzo's life, his Shakespearian complexity and unfiltered opinions reveal what made this "larger than life" man both revered and reviled by so many.

"Given the uncanny similarities between Rizzo and our current political environment, this play's story continues to be strikingly relevant, especially given the immediacy and proximity of the upcoming election," Executive Producing Director Sara Garonzik remarked. "We are delighted that the production has been embraced so completely by the community and are grateful to have this opportunity to extend Rizzofor an additional seven performances."

Founded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company is a leading regional theatre company that produces, develops and presents entertaining and imaginative Contemporary Theatre focused on the American experience. By developing new work through commissions, readings and workshops, PTC generates a national impact and reaches broad regional audiences. Under the guidance of PTC's Executive Producing Director, Sara Garonzik, since 1982 and Executive Managing Director Priscilla M. Luce, who joined the leadership team in early April of 2013, PTC supports the work of a growing body of diverse dramatists and takes pride in being a home to many nationally recognized artists who have participated in more than 140 world and Philadelphia premieres. PTC has received 57 Barrymore Awards and 180 nominations. PTC's home on the Avenue of the Arts, the SuzAnne Roberts Theatre which opened in October 2007, has helped revitalize of Center City Philadelphia's thriving arts district.

For further information, please call 215-313-1575.

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