REASONS TO BE PRETTY Concludes Philadelphia Theatre Company's Season, 5/25-6/24

Reasons to be Pretty by Neil LaBute concludes Philadelphia Theatre Company's 2011-2012 season on May 25-June 24 at PTC's home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).  Directed byMaria Mileaf, the ensemble cast features Paul Felder, James McMenamin, Genevieve Perrier, and Elizabeth Stanley.

Previews begin Friday, May 25 with opening night on Wednesday, May 30.  Performances run Tuesday through Sunday until June 24.  Tickets starting at $25 are available by calling the PTC Box Office at 215-985-0420 or visiting PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org.  Philadelphia Theatre Company's Suzanne Roberts Theatre is located at Broad and Lombard Streets. 

A hopelessly romantic drama about the hopelessness of romance, Reasons to be Pretty is the final installment (following The Shape of Things and Fat Pig) in Neil LaBute's critically-acclaimed trilogy focusing on America's modern day obsession with physical appearance. When a cruel off-hand remark disrupts the lives of two young couples, they confront a sea of self-deceit, treachery and their own willingness to change. Reasons to be Pretty has all the razor-sharp wit and insight we expect from LaBute, but with an extraordinary new twist – hope!

Reasons to be Pretty premiered Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and then moved to Broadway where it was nominated for both a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for Best New Play.  It also received Tony nominations for Best Performance by a Leading Actor and Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play as well as Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Actor and Outstanding Director in a Play. 

Neal LaBute (Playwright) is the author of The Shape of Things and Fat Pig, which, with Reasons to be Pretty, form a trilogy focusing on modern-day obsession with physical appearance.  Fat Pig won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.  He is also the author of The Mercy Seat, one of the first major theatrical responses to the 9/11 attacks, and Bash: Latterday Plays.  His film career was launched with In the Company of Men which won the Filmmaker's Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival, and major awards at the Deauville Film Festival, the Independent Spirit Awards, and the Society of Texas Film Critics Awards, and the New York Film Critics Circle Awards.

Maria Mileaf (Director) returns to PTC where she directed Ruined, The Story (Barrymore Award), Nickel & Dimed, Wit, The Beauty Queen of Leenane and How I Learned to Drive.  Recent credits include the Primary Stages productions of A Body of Water andGoing to St. Ives, which won an Outer Critic Circle Award for Best Play, The Argument at The Vineyard, Lobster Alice at Playwright Horizons, Third at The Geffen Playhouse with Christine Lahti and Under the Lintel at The Dutchess Theatre in London's West End. 

Paul Felder (Kent) is no stranger to Neil LaBute's work, having appeared in Theatre Horizon's production of Fat Pig.  He has also been seen locally in Lieutenant of Inishmore at Theatre Exile, The Eclectic Society and A Streetcar Named Desire, both at Walnut Street Theatre, and Sylvia and Magnetic North, both at Act II Playhouse.

James McMenamin (Greg) has been featured in New York at Roundabout Theatre in Suicide Incorporated, Vineyard Theatre inMiddletown, and Barrow Street Theatre in Our Town directed by David Cromer where he played the role of George Gibbs, and Playwrights Horizons in BFE.  His regional credits include productions at multiple productions at Long Wharf Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble.  He has guest starred on The Good Wife and been a principal player on Law and Order, and Law and Order SVU.

Genevieve Perrier (Steph) makes her mainstage PTC debut having appeared locally at Lantern Theatre Company, Arden Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, and People's Light & Theatre Company.  This year she has been seen in The Golem at EgoPo Classic Theater and Private Lives at Lantern Theatre Company.  In a single year, Perrier was nominated for three Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress (for The Lonesome West) and Outstanding Ensemble (for both Go, Dog, Go! and Pay Up), and she won Outstanding Leading Actress in Skylight.

Elizabeth Stanley (Carly) appeared on Broadway in Million Dollar Quartet, Cry Baby, and the 2006 revival of Company, as well as in the national tour of Xanadu.  Regionally she has appeared at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera in Jekyll & Hyde, La Jolla Playhouse inCry Baby, and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis in Amadeus.

Reasons to be Pretty features the return to PTC of designers David Lander (lights), Janus Stefanowicz (costumes), andBart Fasbender (sound) as well as the Philadelphia debut of set designer Vince Mountain.

Founded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company is a leading regional theater company whose mission is to produce, develop and present entertaining and imaginative contemporary theater focused on the American experience that both ignites the intellect and touches the soul.  By developing new work through commissions, readings and workshops PTC generates projects that have a national impact and reach broad regional audiences.  Under the leadership of PTC's Producing Artistic Director Sara Garonzik since 1982 and Managing Director Shira Beckerman, who joined PTC in August, 2011, 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 46 Barrymore Awards and 155 nominations.  In October 2007, PTC opened the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, their new home on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts, which has helped contribute to the revitalization of Center City Philadelphia's thriving arts district.

For further information, please call 215-735-7356.

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