White Plains Performing Arts Center Announces 2012-2013 Season: AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, THE COLOR PURPLE and More

The White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC), a 410-seat professional regional theatre located on the third level of City Center in downtown White Plains; has announced it's 10th Anniversary season consisting of three MAINSTAGE Equity productions and two SPOTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS with all performances held at the White Plains venue.

The MAINSTAGE focus is on familiar, award-winning Broadway titles; that if you missed or really enjoyed them recently on Broadway, you can now see them in White Plains. SPOTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS, a new series at WPPAC this season, will do just that; shine a "spotlight" on the music and lyrics of a well-known musical, where that was the key factor in the production's success.

The season opens with the most award-winning contemporary play of the 21st century and soon to be major motion picture starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play – the WPPAC is proud to present the New York Regional Premiere of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY by Tracy Letts. The play focuses on the family patriarch who goes missing and his family who reunite at their Oklahoma home. What results is an explosion of repressed truths and unsettling family secrets that make up one of the most riveting plays ever to grace the Broadway Stage. AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY will run from October 5-14, 2012 and be directed by WPPAC Artistic Director Jeremy Quinn.

In February, we present another New York Regional Premiere and Pulitzer Prize winner, the soul-stirring musical THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker. Set to a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. The musical will run from February 1-24, 2013 and be directed by WPPAC Artistic Director Jeremy Quinn with Musical Direction by Stephen Ferri.

The final mainstage show of the season is Oscar Wilde's comedic masterpiece THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. In 2011, the Broadway revival garnered three Tony Award nominations including Best Revival of a Play. Dashing men-about-town pursue fair ladies when matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented to cover the gentlemen's on-the-sly activities-not to mention the disapproval of the formidable Lady Bracknell. It's high farce and witty dialogue have helped make this Wilde's most enduringly popular play. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST will play April 5-14, 2013.

The new SPOTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS series at WPPAC includes two semi-staged productions (with full orchestra on stage) of two of the greatest rock musicals ever to grace the theatrical stage.

THE WHO'S TOMMY is a rock musical by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff based on The Who's 1969 double album rock opera Tommy. This tale of a young boy's journey from pain to triumph is the most electrifying evening of rock and roll ever to play in a theatre and features songs like "Pinball Wizard", "See Me, Feel Me", "The Acid Queen" and "Smash the Mirror". Mature Subject Matter. THE WHO'S TOMMY plays December 7-8 & 27-30, 2012 and will be directed and choreographed by Greg Baccarini.

Finally, right off Broadway and the winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical; HAIR: THE AMERICAN TRIBAL LOVE-ROCK MUSICAL. HAIR tells the story of the "tribe", a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the "Age of Aquarius" living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against the draft into the Vietnam War. This musical features the songs "Aquarius", "Good Morning Starshine", "Hair" and "I Believe In Love". HAIR will run from May 3-12, 2013.

To purchase a subscription or single tickets to the upcoming season; visit the theatre box office, purchase the tickets online at www.wppac.com or call 914-328-1600. For Group Sales, please call 914-328-1600.