American Stage's MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Breaks Attendance Records

American Stage Theatre Company's recently closed production of Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM has become the most attended main stage production in the theatre's 32 year history, selling a total of 5,728 tickets through its five week run.

"The interest and support we have received from audiences has been amazing," said Todd Olson, American Stage's producing artistic director. "To have over 5,700 patrons come out to enjoy the fourth production in our commitment to be the only theatre of our size to produce all ten of preeminent African American playwright August Wilson's plays is incredible. While other theaters around America are forced to close down, American Stage has been so completely supported by this community."

The rest of the top five attended plays in American Stage's history are: DRIVING MISS DAISY (5,614), FENCES (5,391), BLITHE SPIRIT (4,853) and DOUBT (4,682).

Ma Rainey'S BLACK BOTTOM played from January 18 thru February 20, and starred ShaRon Scott, Brandii, Joe Parra, Kim Sullivan, Ron Bobb-Semple, Alan Bomar Jones, Ben Cain, Gregory Parker and Bill Karnovsky.

American Stage Theatre Company continues its 2010-11 season in the Raymond James Theatre with three time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee's, WHO'S AFRAID OF Virginia Woolf?, running Mar. 8 thru Apr. 23.

One of the landmark plays of the twentieth century, Edward Albee's masterpiece tells the story of George and Martha, an aging history professor and his razor-tongued wife who have returned home from another tedious faculty event at a small New England college. However, the night is far from over. Martha has invited a young professor and his mousey wife for late-night cocktails and parlor conversation. Pleasantries dissolve as the liquor flows, and the party devolves into an escalating war of words between George and Martha. The unsuspecting guests are soon drawn into the volcanic battle, exposing secrets within their own marriage. By dawn, no one remains unscathed. Winner of the 1963 Tony Award and New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for "Best Play". Mature subject matter and language.

Performances and ticket prices are as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening curtain is at 7:30 p.m.
(No Tuesday performances Apr. 5 or 12)
Friday and Saturday evening curtain is at 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinee curtain is at 3 p.m.

"Pay-What-You-Can" nights are Mar. 29 and Apr. 19 at 7 p.m.
"Pay-What-You-Can" matinees are Mar. 15 and 22 at 10 a.m.
Tickets prices are $29-$50 depending on date and time of performance.
Students Rush tickets are $10, 30 minutes prior to curtain.
Please call the American Stage Box Office at (727) 823-PLAY (7529)
or go to www.americanstage.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

American Stage Theatre Company is located at the Raymond James Theatre, 163 3rd Street North in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

American Stage Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. The company's mission is to create the most satisfying live theatre in the Tampa Bay area, accessible to all members of the community. Their vision is to preserve the greatest human stories from our past, while creating the most defining stories and storytelling of our time. American Stage presents its six play Mainstage Series in its brand new, 182-seat Raymond James Theatre each year. The theatre's other programming includes: American Stage in the Park, "After Hours" Series, Susan R. Hough Cabaret Series, School Tour and camps and classes for children and adults. The Hough Family Foundation is the Season Sponsor, Raymond James is the Mainstage Sponsor, Bank of America is the Education Partner, WEDU is the Media Sponsor and WUSF 89.7 is the Radio Sponsor of American Stage. This production is co-sponsored by Jean and Gary Carnes, Tim Watson and Joe Pugliano and Synovus Bank.

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