Guthrie Theatre Kicks Off Play Care Partnership with YMCA Today with TAMING OF THE SHREW

The Guthrie, in partnership with the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, today announced Play Care, a new program offering discounted adult theater tickets and affordable child care onsite at the Guthrie during select Saturday matinees in the 2012-2013 season.

For $10 per child, the YMCA will provide child care in the Guthrie's Learning Center for children ages 4 to 11 while parents attend a matinee performance for $20-$25 (depending on seating area).

Tickets for 10 Play Care dates must be purchased in advance through the Guthrie Box Office: in-person or by phone at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE. For additional details, visit www.guthrietheater.org/PlayCare.

Aimed at busy parents, Play Care joins theater and child care under one roof. After youngsters are dropped off upstairs at the Guthrie Learning Center for an afternoon of movement, games and fun activities developed, led and supervised by the trusted child care professionals of the YMCA, the rest of the family can enjoy a performance on one of the Guthrie stages. It's the perfect way for parents to fit theater into busy schedules.

2012-2013 Play Care dates on sale Friday, February 8 at noon:

Saturday, March 16 at 1 p.m. - The Taming of the Shrew
Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. - Twelfth Night
Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. - Nice Fish
Saturday, May 18 at 1 p.m. - Nice Fish
Saturday, June 1 at 1 p.m. - The Primrose Path
Saturday, June 15 at 1 p.m. - The Primrose Path
Saturday, July 13 at 1 p.m. - Clybourne Park
Saturday, July 27 at 1 p.m. - Clybourne Park
Saturday, August 17 at 1 p.m. - Born Yesterday
Saturday, August 24 at 1 p.m. - Born Yesterday

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The GUTHRIE THEATER (Joe Dowling, Director) was founded by Sir Tyrone Guthrie in 1963 and is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. The Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater is dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature, developing the work of contemporary playwrights and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. With annual attendance of nearly 500,000 people, the Guthrie Theater presents a mix of classic plays and contemporary work on its three stages. Under the artistic leadership of Joe Dowling since 1995, the Guthrie continues to set a national standard for excellence in theatrical production and performance. In 2006, the Guthrie opened its new home on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Guthrie Theater houses three state-of-the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms and dramatic public lobbies. For more information, visit www.guthrietheater.org.

The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Y's engage 21 million men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. Visit www.ymca.net for more.

At the Y, we believe all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. In the Y's school-age care programs, youth are cultivating values, skills and relationships and have an extra support system that encourages them to achieve success. At the Y, we engage youth in meaningful and fun activities to keep them productive and experiencing new things. We create a safe, nurturing environment for children to learn, grow and thrive. Through age appropriate activities, art and crafts, group games, sports, and more, kids learn about caring, honesty, respect and responsibility under the guidance of YMCA staff. Fun-filled themes guide engaging activities and give kids topics to look forward to each day.