Walnut Street Theatre Features GOD OF CARNAGE, KING AND I, et al. in 2011

 

Walnut Street Theatre, America's oldest theatre and the State Theatre of Pennsylvania, is pleased to announce its landmark 203^rd season of live entertainment and its 29^th season as a not-for-profit producing theatre company. Boasting over 56,000 subscribers, the Walnut is not only the most popular theatre company in Philadelphia, but also the most subscribed theatre company in the world!

Bernard Havard, Producing Artistic Director, is proud to announce the 2011-2012 Mainstage season. The upcoming season will include three Broadway musicals - audiences will by treated to Andrew Lloyd Webber's ASPECTS OF LOVE, Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I and BUDDY - THE Buddy Holly STORY. In addition, they'll experience Agatha Christie's classic thriller, THE MOUSETRAP, as well as the Tony Award-winning comedy, GOD OF CARNAGE. 

THE SEASON

The Walnut opens its 203^rd season with Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic musical, ASPECTS OF LOVE (September 6 - October 23). This musical is filled with passion, love and loss across three generations of a family and their companions, and is set against the background of 1940's France and Italy. Alex Dillingham, a young student traveling through France, falls in love with the alluring actress Rose Vibert. As the pair embark on a passionate affair, the unexpected arrival of Alex's uncle changes their lives forever. This is a love story spanning twenty years binding six people and three generations as they come to appreciate that "love changes everything." Andrew Lloyd Webber's (The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita) soaring melodies will touch your heart and make this a thrilling opening to our season!

The Walnut will have you "whistling a happy tune" this holiday season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I (November 8 - January 8). This classic musical has captured the hearts and minds of millions with its charming story of the British governess brought into the court of Siam to tutor the King's many children. Once within the splendor of the Royal Palace, Anna and the King grow to understand one another and learn about each other's cultures. This unique love story is told with one of the most glorious and unforgettable scores ever written. The much-loved songs and sweeping melodies from the show include: "The March of the Siamese Children," "Getting to Know You," "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Hello Young Lovers" and the unforgettable "Shall We Dance." This spectacular new production promises to be the musical event of the holiday season!

Agatha Christie, the mistress of mystery, brings you her most popular creation, THE MOUSETRAP (January 17 - March 4). When a group of strangers are trapped together at a manor house during a snowstorm, they soon discover one of them is a murderer! Is it the newlyweds whose rampant suspicions nearly wreck their marriage? Maybe it's the spinster with the curious background. It could be the architect, the retired Army Major or maybe the odd man who claims his car overturned in a snow drift. We'll never tell... You would think audiences would know whodunnit by now, but after more than half a century they are still guessing! Currently celebrating its 59th year in London, THE MOUSETRAP will have you gripping the edge of your seat.

Next up is the Philadelphia premiere of Broadway's smash hit GOD OF CARNAGE (March 13 - April 29). This internationally acclaimed comedy takes you into the most dangerous place on Earth: parenthood. The play is about two pairs of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park, who meet to discuss the matter in a civilizEd Manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into unmannered chaos. From the writers that brought you the hit comedy Art comes this savagely funny Tony Award-winning Best Play that will leave you roaring with laughter!

Lastly, the Walnut brings you the man, the music, the legend, BUDDY - THE Buddy Holly STORY (May 15 - July 15). Buddy Holly was a brilliant musician who changed the face of popular music and paved the way for the next generation of rock 'n' rollers. Follow Buddy's meteoric rise to fame, from his humble country music roots to the top of the record charts and his untimely death in 1959. You'll be cheering for more, with such rousing fifties favorites as "Peggy Sue," "Oh Boy," "Maybe Baby," "That'll Be the Day," "Raining In My Heart", Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba" and the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace." This joyous celebration of a musical legend has been seen by more than 20 million people across the globe. BUDDY - THE Buddy Holly STORY will have you ending the season by dancing in the aisles!

The only way to guarantee the best seats is to subscribe. Renewals for the 2011-2012 season are already exceeding last year's numbers. Subscriptions are available for as little as $90 a season - up to a 78% savings off regular ticket prices! Individual tickets do not go on sale until August 2011. All show titles, dates and subscription prices are subject to change. For information on season subscriptions, call the Walnut at 215-574-3550 ext. 6 (10AM - 10PM) or visit our website at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org. 

 

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