Kasser Family Ups Arizona Theatre Company Challenge Grant to $700,000

With more than $525,000 already contributed by Arizona Theatre Company donors, ATC supporters Mike and Beth Kasser have increased their challenge grant to $700,000 to help kick off ATC's 50th anniversary season.

Deadline for donations, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar, is 5 p.m. on June 30. Contributions can be made online www.arizonatheatre.org or by calling (520) 884-8210 in Tucson or (602) 256-6899 in Phoenix.

"Arizona Theatre Company is a statewide gem nearing its 50th season of extraordinary live theatre and educational outreach," said Mike Kasser, who also serves on the ATC Board of Trustees. "Beth and I are thrilled with the generosity of ATC supporters in response to our challenge match so far, and we wanted to give everyone an additional opportunity to confirm that they agree with us that Arizona Theatre Company is a huge asset to the Tucson and Phoenix communities, by enhancing our challenge."

The challenge grant follows ATC's operating surplus for the 2014-15 season and celebrates the current season which has played to both critical and public acclaim.

"The community's response to the campaign has been incredibly generous and we're deeply grateful to the Kassers for keeping the momentum going with their truly significant gift," said ATC Artistic Director David Ira Goldstein.

ATC's 50th Anniversary Season performance schedule includes: "King Charles III" (August 16 - October 23); "Act of God" (September 20 - December 4); "Fiddler on the Roof" (November 8, 2016 - January 29, 2017); "The River Bride" (This play is fully cast); "Ring of Fire" (This play is fully cast); "Holmes and Watson" a new play by Jeffrey Hatcher commissioned by ATC (March 21 - May 28).