JANE AUSTEN'S EMMA Breaks TheatreWorks Box Office Records

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley today announced that the company has broken all box office records with the sparkling musical Jane Austen's Emma, created by Tony-nominated Broadway composer Paul Gordon. This revival production, which closed its extended run on January 2, has become the highest grossing show in the company's 46-year history, surpassing the previous record-holder ... the original production of Emma, which received its world premiere at TheatreWorks in 2007. Emma, which sold more than $500,000 in tickets, including $316,494 in single tickets sales, was presented as a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the novel's publication, and of the holidays, with performances from December 2, 2015 through January 2, 2016 at Palo Alto's Lucie Stern Theatre.

TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley helmed this effervescent musical based on the classic novel by Jane Austen. Bringing one of literature's most delightful heroines to the stage, Jane Austen's Emma was originally developed at TheatreWorks in 2006, as part of the company's New Works Festival. It was presented on the mainstage to open TheatreWorks' following season, in August 2007, as the company's 50th world premiere. The show was an instant hit with audiences and critics, smashed box office records, and captured the title of the most-attended production in TheatreWorks' history. It has gone on to be performed at major theatres across the country.

With some 100,000 patrons per year, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has captured a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity, often presenting Bay Area theatregoers with their first look at acclaimed musicals, comedies, and dramas, directed by award-winning local and guest directors, and performed by professional actors cast locally and from across the country. A home for artists developing new works, it was at TheatreWorks that Memphis, the 2010 Tony Award-winning musical that played on Broadway for three years before embarking on a 19-month national tour, was first workshopped and received its world premiere. It is currently enjoying an extended run on London's West End, where it recently captured two Olivier Awards.

More information is available at www.Theatreworks.org.

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