Subscriptions Now on Sale for Westport Country Playhouse's 2011 Season

Subscriptions are now on sale to the general public for the 2011 season at Westport Country Playhouse, marking its 80th anniversary with a variety of outstanding plays and playwrights. New this year is the ability to purchase subscriptions online at www.westportplayhouse.org. Four and five play subscriptions start at $25 per ticket.

In time for holiday giving to colleagues, employees, family and friends, gift subscriptions to The Playhouse's full season from April through October, in addition to gift certificates for individual productions, are available online or at the box office.

Playhouse subscribers receive benefits not afforded the regular ticket buyer, including saving an average of 45% off single ticket prices; guaranteed, preferred seat location; special ticket discounts; advance notice of special events; free ticket exchanges; and a Referral Reward program in which subscribers can earn gift certificates and free subscriptions for referring friends to subscribe.

The 2011 season, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos, includes:

"Beyond Therapy," written by comic master Christopher Durang and directed by Tony Award winner John Rando, will play April 26 - May 14. The wickedly funny comedy looks at the days and nights of the young and single, with a ceaseless parade of sexual mix-ups, relationship neurosis and a serious lack of impulse control.

"The Circle" by W. Somerset Maugham and directed by Nicolas Martin, will run June 7 - June 25. A scintillating and witty comedy of manners, "The Circle" is a seamless blend of romance and repartee.

"Lips Together, Teeth Apart," written by Terrence McNally and directed by Mark Lamos, will play July 12 - July 30. The perceptive comedy is about people fortifying themselves against life's disappointments with food, drink, and an escalating series of wry observations and stinging barbs.

"Suddenly Last Summer," written by Tennessee Williams and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, will be staged August 23 - September 10. The poetic, sensual and evocative drama is about a handsome poet who died under mysterious circumstances.

"Twelfth Night, or What You Will," written by William Shakespeare and directed by Mark Lamos, will run October 11 - October 29. The beguiling comedy/romance is full of passionate intensity, laughter, poetry and song.

Subscription prices range from $125 to $250 for a five-play package; $100 to $220 for a four-play package. 50% discounts are available for students and educators; 30% discounts for groups of 10 or more. Single tickets will be on sale Tuesday, March 1, noon.
About The Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater, serves as a treasured home for the performing arts and is a cultural landmark for Connecticut. Under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos and management direction of Michael Ross, The Playhouse creates quality productions of new and classic plays that enlighten, enrich and engage a diverse community of theater lovers, artists and students. The Playhouse's rich history dates back to 1931, when New York theater producer Lawrence Langner created a Broadway-quality stage within an 1830s tannery. The Playhouse quickly became an established stop on the New England "straw hat circuit" of summer stock theaters. Celebrating its 80th season in 2010, Westport Country Playhouse has produced more than 700 plays, 36 of which later transferred to Broadway, most recently the world premiere of "Thurgood" and a revival of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" with Paul Newman, and in earlier years "Come Back, Little Sheba" with Shirley Booth, "The Trip to Bountiful" with Lillian Gish, and "Butterflies Are Free" with Keir Dullea and Blythe Danner. For its artistic excellence, The Playhouse received a 2005 Governor's Arts Award and a 2000 "Connecticut Treasure" recognition. It was also designated as an Official Project of Save America's Treasures by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is entered on the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places. Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2005, The Playhouse transformed into a year-round, state-of-the-art producing theater, which has preserved its original charm and character. In addition to a full season of theatrical productions, The Playhouse serves as a community resource, presenting educational programming and workshops, a children's theater series, symposiums, music, films and readings.

For more information or subscription purchases, call the box office (Tues. - Sat., 12 to 6 p.m.) at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Subscriptions and gift certificates may be purchased online at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse) and/or follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse).