February Set As New Play Month in Philadelphia

Important new works for the stage are regularly being produced all across Greater Philadelphia in significant numbers! Currently, at the Walnut Street Theatre, two new plays can be seen - one a timeless look at the corrupt politician (The Prince by Bill Van Horn and Armen Pandola), and the other about the seeds of change that brought our national politics to where it is today (The Eclectic Society by Eric Conger). Meanwhile, Philadelphia Theatre Company is presenting Terrence McNally's exploration of the exquisite and passionate world of opera with Golden Age, and will follow that up with Kathleen Turner in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins. Across Broad Street, The Wilma is gearing up for Yussef El Guindi's Language Rooms, a provocative dark comedy about the cost of the War on Terror and the true meaning of "loyalty." Yussef El Guindi is an up-and-coming Egyptian-born playwright, whose piece won The Edgerton Foundation's prestigious New American Play award.

These are just a few examples demonstrating the Philadelphia theatre community's outstanding commitment to the development of new works. As such, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia has declared February as New Play Month to celebrate the vibrancy and excellence of new play activity throughout the region, and the growing national attention that it is bringing to this world-class theatre town. The most recent example is the feature of Welcome to Yuba City by Pig Iron Theatre Company on the front page of American Theatre magazine's February issue. The world premiere of Welcome to Yuba City achieved much critical and audience acclaim at the 2009 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival this past fall. Three ensemble companies, including Chicago's Neo-Futurists and New York City's Nature Theater of Oklahoma in addition to Pig Iron, are profiled in the magazine for their work creating new ensemble-based theatre. We are proud that Pig Iron was the company honored with cover-page status.

A recent report, published by the Theatre Alliance in collaboration with Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, found that Greater Philadelphia produces world premieres at a rate of 26% of all productions -14 percentage points higher than the national average. In addition, the region frequently produces regional, US and East Coast premieres and supports workshops and readings and commissions of new works. Many of the new plays produced locally in Philadelphia are also going on to receive high acclaim in other regions including New York. Most notable are the Arden Theatre Company's Opus by Michael Hollinger which received a Lucille Lortel Award, Pig Iron's Chekhov Lizardbrain which went on to receive an Obie Award, and the Tony Award-winning Master Class which received its world premiere at Philadelphia Theatre Company. "Of course we all want to see the shows that we are familiar with" says Margie Salvante, Theatre Alliance Executive Director, "but new plays are also great because of what they say about the joys, sorrows, powers and passions of our lives today. Besides, with the quality of new work being developed in this city, it's a safe bet that you will see the next great American play in Philly first!"

A full listing of new works on stage in Philadelphia in February follows. To find a new play taking place in February, and beyond, visit www.PhillyTheatreTIX.com.

FEBRUARY 2010: NEW PLAYS ON STAGE
Any Given Monday, World Premiere
Theatre Exile & Act II Playhouse
By Bruce Graham, Directed by Harriet Power
February 4 - March 28, 2010

Becky Shaw, Philadelphia Premiere
The Wilma Theater
By Gina Gionfriddo, Directed by Anne Kauffman
December 30, 2009 - February 7, 2010

Blue Door, Philadelphia Premiere
Arden Theatre Company
By Tanya Barfield, Directed by Walter Dallas
January 14 - March 14, 2010

The Breath of Life, Philadelphia Premiere
Lantern Theater Company
By David Hare, Directed by Kathryn MacMillan
February 4 - 28, 2010

City of Numbers: mixtape of a city, World Premiere
InterAct Theatre Company & The Mural Arts Program
By Sean Christopher Lewis
January 22 - February 21, 2010

Divine Words, World Premiere
Temple Theaters
Adapted from Ramon de Valle-Inclan by Robert Smythe, Directed by Felipe Verara
February 9 - 21, 2010

The Eclectic Society, World Premiere
Walnut Street Theatre
By Eric Conger, Directed by Ed Herendeen
January 19 - March 7, 2010

Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue, Philadelphia Premiere
Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio on 3
By Quiara Alegría Hudes
February 23 - March 14, 2010

Golden Age, World Premiere
Philadelphia Theatre Company
By Terrence McNally, Directed by Austin Pendleton
January 22 - February 21, 2010

Mort, World Premiere
New Paradise Laboratories & University of the Arts
Directed by Whit MacLaughlin
February 18 - 28, 2010

Other Hands, United States Premiere
Luna Theatre Company
By Laura Wade, Directed by Lena Mucchetti
January 20 - February 14, 2010

The Prince, World Premiere
Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio on 3
By Bill Van Horn & Armen Pandola
January 19 - February 7, 2010

Pyretown, Philadelphia Premiere
Simpatico Theatre Project
By John Belluso, Directed by Carol Laratonda
February 26 - March 14, 2010

READINGS, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
Dreamland
Theatre Exile's Studio Xhibition Series
By Arden Kass, Directed by John Bellomo
February 15, 2010

Low Hanging Stars
Bristol Riverside Theatre
By Sarah Saltwick
February 21, 2010

Presentation by Todd London, Executive Director of New Dramatists
For members of the Philadelphia New Play Initiative
7pm on February 16, 2010 at Plays & Players

RinR: Loved Ones
Philadelphia Dramatists Center
By Robin Rodriguez
February 1, 2010

Inside the Gatehouse
Plays & Players & Philadelphia Dramatists Center
By Bill Hollenbach, Directed by Amanda DeMarco
February 5, 2010

Writers Circle
Philadelphia Dramatists Center
February 13, 2010

Young Voices High School Monologue Festival
Philadelphia Young Playwrights
& InterAct Theatre Company
February 3 - 6, 2010

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theater community, with more than 100 member organizations and 300 individual artists, by promoting positive awareness and serving as a resource for information, professional development and advocacy. Major funding for the Theatre Alliance provided by the William Penn Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative, The Philadelphia Foundation, The Philadelphia Cultural Fund, The Shubert Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Berwind, Hotel Obligado, The Barra Foundation, and the Samuel S. Fels Fund. For further information, visit www.theatrealliance.org or call the Theatre Alliance at (215) 413-7150.
http://www.PhillyTheatreTIX.com