Philadelphia Theatre Company Announces New Season and Membership Program

Philadelphia Theatre Company announced today the starting lineup of the organization's 2017-2018 season, including the Philadelphia premieres of two plays, a concert series of pre-Broadway musicals, knife-edge comic theater, a musical parody of The Game of Thrones, and sing-a-long holiday programming for family audiences. Early access tickets are available only through PTC's innovative new Membership Program. Additional programming for the SuzAnne Roberts Theatre will be announced as dates are confirmed, including live music, improv, theatrical luminaries, and a preview of the 2018-19 season.

The season is book-ended by two Philadelphia premieres. Wrestling Jerusalem, a play written and performed by Aaron Davidman and directed by Michael John Garcés, running from October 18 - November 5. Set in America, Israel and Palestine, the play sheds light on one of the most entrenched conflicts of our time. Wrestling Jerusalem follows one man's personal story as he grapples with the complexities of identity and history, and was recently nominated for a Dora Award, Canada's top theatre honor.

Following an acclaimed run in New York City, Small Mouth Sounds, by 2016 Outer Critics Award-winner Bess Wohl, is a unique and compassionate new play that asks how we address life's biggest questions when words fail us. Six runaways from city life embark on a silent retreat. As these strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd, their vows of silence collide with the achingly human need to connect. Directed by Tony-nominated and Obie Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812), the play runs March 15 through April 1.

"After surveying our audiences, we found that they overwhelmingly support us continuing the work that has distinguished PTC for 43 years - with exciting playwrights, terrific writing and excellent performances. We'll retain the high-quality they expect, but add new and fun options that will appeal to people who have not yet experienced PTC," said Producing Artistic Director Paige Price.

PTC presents The Mad Ones: An Intimate Evening with Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk on Monday, October 23. A one-night only concert version before its NYC opening in November, this exciting new musical by two Philadelphians offers a contemporary and compelling score from one of theatre's most exciting songwriting teams. The Mad Ones was selected for the 2016 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival and the team received the 2006 Larson Award and 2004-2005 Dramatists Guild Fellowship.

Mike Daisey returns to PTC on the one year anniversary of our presidential election with two provocative new monologues performed in repertory (November 9-11). In This Is Not Normal, Daisey illuminates the fever gripping all of us, and how quickly that fever becomes fascism. The End of Journalism explores how journalism in America ended, peeling back layers of "real" and "fake" news to find the darkly hilarious truth about the world we've made. Daisey is hailed as the pre-eminent monologist in the American theater today.

A Dream Is A Wish: Princess Concert, on Sunday, December 17, offers family entertainment for young audiences. An enchanted performance starring iconic princesses, this holiday program features a sing-along of such favorite songs as Let It Go, Part of Your World, Something There, A Whole New World and I See The Light. The event will include a pre-performance tea.

A hilarious send-up, and guilty pleasure, Musical Thrones: A Parody, coming to PTC on February 9-10, is written and composed by Jon and Al Kaplan. Musical Thrones brings to life the beloved and be-hated characters of the most talked about show on television, journeying through all seven seasons of the Emmy Award-winning HBO series.

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Memberships are open immediately to current subscribers, and will be open to the general public August 1. "This year, we are experimenting with our ticket options," said Price. "We recognize that the subscriber model is being challenged, and organizations around the country are seeking strategies to attract and retain a loyal audience base." PTC Gold Memberships are $100 and PTC Silver Memberships are $50 and offer priority access to every PTC show and event, discounts on Member Tickets, extra discounts to non-PTC shows performing at the SuzAnne Roberts Theatre, invitations to Member exclusive theatre events and free gifts. "We will deliver what our audiences cherish, ramp it up with interesting new programming and include valued extras, like an exclusive preview for our members and subscribers of shows being considered for the 2018-19 season, " said Price. Memberships and show tickets may be purchased by calling PTC Audience Services at 215.985.0420, or by going online to philatheatreco.org.

Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) produces, develops, and presents entertaining and imaginative contemporary theater focused on the American experience that ignites the intellect and touches the soul. PTC is a leading regional theater company committed to balancing its Philadelphia roots with a national point of view that combines a taste for adventure with a dedication to new American plays and musicals. PTC supports the work of a growing body of diverse dramatists who have participated in more than 140 world and Philadelphia premieres. More than 50 percent of PTC's world premieres have moved on to New York and other major cities, helping to earn Philadelphia a national reputation as a hub for new play development. 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 215-735-7356.

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