Walnut’s Independence Studio Opens THE PRINCE, 1/21

The Walnut Street Theatre's 2009-2010 Independence Studio on 3 season continues with the world premiere of THE PRINCE. Conceived by Walnut Street Theatre Artistic Director Bernard Havard and written by Philadelphians Armen Pandola and Bill Van Horn, THE PRINCE is a powerful story ripped from today's headlines about a politician that serves his constituents (and himself) by any means necessary. Directed by Bill Van Horn, the production starts on January 19th, opens January 21st and continues through February 7th in the Walnut's Studio on 3.

"Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times."
-Niccoló Machiavelli

Paul ‘Duke' Ducachevski (Bill Van Horn) is the consummate politician. There are men who inspire truth; The Duke inspired action. All things to all people, he could make political magic happen anywhere, be it one-on-one or in a room of constituents. Charismatic, funny, driven, ruthless...the Duke was all of these and more. He held on to power through guile and glad-handing. Now he faces the biggest battle of his life. Told through the words of his lawyer and confidant Professor Nick Collas (Armen Pandola), This World Premiere is a wonderfully dynamic tale about power, passion, greed and corruption.

Late in 2008, the Walnut's Producing Artistic Director, Bernard Havard, was searching for a new story to tell. He asked of himself, "Where is drama in the world today?" His answer was found on front page papers all over the country. Havard then commissioned local playwrights Armen Pandola and Bill Van Horn to craft this story. Mixing drama with a crisp script, the production is, as put by playwright Armen Pandola, "a humorous look at a very serious problem." Pulling inspiration from Machiavelli to this morning's newspaper, THE PRINCE is the tale of a man for whom the ends always justified the means. The Duke is not pure evil, but is no saint either. He does good deeds for his friends and constituents, but there is a price to pay for power. In a world rife with moral ambiguity, THE PRINCE paints a portrait of one man's imperfect journey through our political landscapes many shades of grey.

Both playwrights will also bring THE PRINCE to life onstage. Playwrights Armen Pandola and Bill Van Horn star as well. Armen Pandola (Prof. Nick Collas) is a Playwright, director and actor who received the Walnut Street Theatre's Edwin Forrest Playwriting Award for his Forrest: A Riot of Dreams which premiered at the WST in 2006. His Homeward Bound, the final play of his trilogy about post-9/11 America which includes Devils Also Believe (a New Play Network Finalist) and Terror at the White House (a Stanley Drama Award finalist) premiered in NYC in March, 2009. Other productions include Friends For Life, Hedda Without Walls, The Gift of Giving, Mrs. Warren's e-Profession and Zelda & Scott: Boats Against the Current.

Bill Van Horn (Paul ‘The Duke' Ducachevski) has appeared at the Walnut in a number of different roles over the past few seasons. He has appeared onstage with La Vie En Bleu, Man of La Mancha; Carousel; Studio 3's The Dishwashers and The Fantasticks (among others). Backstage, Bill has directed productions for all three Walnut series, including A Christmas Carol, The Dishwashers, Forrest: A Riot of Dreams and 2008's hit production of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple. This past season, Bill wrote and starred in our acclaimed Studio 3 production of O Captain, My Captain: Whitman's Lincoln. Bill is a resident of South Philadelphia, and spends his summers with the Theatre at Monmouth in Maine.

Behind the scenes, the Walnut welcomes back Scenic Designer Glen Sears (O Captain, My Captain: Whitman's Lincoln); Costume Designer Mary Folino (The Irish and How They Got That Way); Lighting Designer Shon Causer (The Tuna Series) and Sound Designer Matthew Lorenz (Criminal Hearts).

Season sponsors for the 2009-2010 Independence Studio on 3 Season are The Independence Foundation and Macy's East. Media season sponsors are Philadelphia Weekly and WRTI Radio. Tickets are $30 and are now available at 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234. Tickets are also available at WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

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