Local Theatre Companies to Honor Tickets for Actors Theatre Patrons

Six Valley theatre companies will exchange tickets purchased for Actors Theatre productions before the 29-year old organization announced that it is ceasing operations.

Actors Theatre will liquidate all assets and close its doors within the next 60 days.

Arizona Theatre Company, Arizona Broadway Theatre, ChildsPlay, Phoenix Theatre, Stray Cat Theatre and Theater Works have agreed to let Actors Theatre patrons swap tickets.

"We are very grateful on behalf of our patrons to these four theatre companies," said Actors Theatre Producing Artistic Director Matthew Wiener. "Knowing that they will be taken care of really does ease our minds."

To exchange tickets, Actors Theatre patrons should contact the respective theatre company box office:

• Arizona Theatre Company (www.arizonatheatre.org), 222 E. Monroe, Phoenix; (602) 256-6995

• Arizona Broadway Theatre (www.azbroadway.org), 7701 West Paradise Lane, Peoria; (623) 7765-8400

• Childsplay (www.childsplayaz.org), 900 S. Mitchell Drive, Tempe; (480) 921-5700

• Phoenix Theatre (www.phoenixtheatre.com), 100 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix; (602) 254-2151

• Stray Cat Theatre (www.straycattheatre.org), 132 E. 6th St., Tempe; (480) 227-1766

• Theater Works (www.theaterworks.org), 8355 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria; (623) 815-7930.

Actors Theatre productions canceled this season include Annapurna, Stage Kiss and The Year of Magical Thinking.

"We are incredibly proud of Actors Theatre's legacy over nearly 30 years." Wiener added. "We know that many patrons left most of our productions affected by and talking about what they saw on stage. Perhaps we will again see those or similar productions and the high professional quality of what went on both on and behind the stage. In the meantime, and in spite our deep, deep sadness at this time, we do know that there are many great arts and cultural opportunities in the Valley. Perhaps we will be part of them again sometime in the future."