THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE to Play the Arden This Fall

Arden Theatre Company continues its 29th season with Mattew Lopez's THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE from October 13 through November 27, 2016. Emmanuelle Delpech directs. THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE runs on the Arden's Arcadia Stage at 40 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia.

Casey is a young, broke Elvis impersonator who is losing his job and just found out his wife is expecting their first child. When his club brings in a drag act led by the incomparable Miss Tracy Mills, Casey is given the opportunity to trade one sequined outfit for another. This music-filled comedy celebrates finding your voice and singing your own song.

Life affirming, full of hope, humor, music and costume changes, THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE embraces accepting people for who they are. Playwright Matthew Lopez is best known for his play THE WHIPPING MAN, produced by the Arden in 2011.

Producing Artistic Director Terrence J. Nolen says, "While THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE is wildly different in tone and point of view from THE WHIPPING MAN, both plays share Matthew's ability to always tell interesting stories and his unique way of doing so."

Dito van Reigersberg, a Philadelphia actor best known for his drag alter ego, Martha Graham Cracker, tackles the role of drag queen Miss Tracy Mills. van Reigersberg says, "I am so excited to branch out from Martha with this play-- there are as many kinds of drag queens as there are snowflakes. Since Tracy is a lip-synch drag queen, and southern, and genteel in a way that Martha is not, I am already looking at ways to distinguish her and make her her own brilliant creature."

The Arden Theatre Company values long-time relationships with Philadelphia artists like van Reigersberg. Nolen says, "We want to provide artists with whom we've enjoyed a history the opportunity to shape their work at the Arden. I read an early copy of this play and knew we would produce it only with Dito as Tracy. It is the perfect match and opportunity for him."

Other cast members include Matteo Scammell as Casey, and Mikeah Ernest Jennings, Stephanee Martin and Damien Wallace.

THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE begins previews on Thursday, October 13, 2016, opens to the press on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, and runs through Sunday, December 4, 2016. A Pay What You Can performance takes place on Wednesday, October 12th. A Pay What You Can performance takes place on Wednesday, October 12th. The Opening Night sponsor is Harmelin Media; reception sponsors include Lagunitas Brewing Company.

Single ticket prices are $36-$52, with discounts available for groups of 15 or more, seniors, students, military, and educators. Call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, visit www.ardentheatre.org or visit the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.

SPECIAL EVENTS and PERFORMANCES

Post-show discussions will be held following performances on Thursday, October 27 at 8pm, Wednesday, November 2nd at 6:30pm, Sunday, November 6 at 2pm, Wednesday, November 9 at 6:30pm, and Sunday, November 20 at 2pm.

The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Open Captioned and Audio Described performances will take place on Friday, November 18 at 8pm and Saturday, November 19 at 2pm. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden's Box Office at 215.922.1122.

Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers-on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community. Five productions are staged each season as part of the Mainstage series and two productions through Arden Children's Theatre, the city's first resident professional children's theatre program. New work is produced through the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase. The Arden's Education Department includes: Arden for All (AFA), a theatre access and education program for underserved young people; Arden Drama School, the after-school, Saturday, and summer camp classes for students in grades pre K-12; Teen Arden, an immersive after-school access program for Philadelphia-area based teenagers; and the Arden Professional Apprentice Program, a nationally renowned comprehensive theatre management training program. The Hamilton Family Arts Center is the new facility dedicated to education programs and new play development.

The Arden has received numerous honors including 63 awards and 331 nominations from the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. The Arden is a winner of four "Theatre Company of the Year" designations (Philadelphia Inquirer), six Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly" awards and three "Best of Philly Kids" awards, the City Paper's Reader's Choice Award and the prestigious "Great Friend to Kids Award" from the Please Touch Museum for Arden Children's Theatre work. For accessibility efforts, the Arden was named a "Keystone of Accessibility" by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Arden Theatre Company is a professional, nonprofit 501(c)(3) theatre company and a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the League of Resident Theatres, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Old City Arts Association. The Arden also participates in The Barrymore Awards, a program of Theatre Philadelphia.

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