Touchstone Announces 38th Season Of Original Theatre

Touchstone Theatre prepares for a new season of original works created by its resident ensemble of artists and presented works created by notable international guest artists. The 38th season begins in October.

Founded in 1981, Touchstone Theatre produces and presents both original and re-imagined classic productions. The theatre works to foster collaboration on a local, national, and international level through educational and youth empowerment programs and by using theatre as a community-building tool.

The 38th season opens with the Ukrainian company Teatr-Pralnia - their high-energy, musical puppet cabaret TseSho? (What's That?) explores identity, changing times, and our era of sensationalized information. The season continues in December with Touchstone's beloved holiday tradition Christmas City Follies, a variety show for the holiday season now in its nineteenth iteration. In the new year, Japanese artist Keiin Yoshimura shares her original work Sakura, a requiem for Hiroshima and Nagasaki, during Bethlehem's 5th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival in April.

In addition to these mainstage shows, Touchstone features two new performance series. Sam's Secret Stash, hosted by Touchstone Ensemble Affiliate Samantha Beedle, promises a number of workshop and work-in-progress performances throughout the year, created by Lehigh Valley artists; and The Kitchen Chronicles, a new original work by Touchstone Ensemble Member Mary Wright, will be making its premiere performances in private kitchens around the Lehigh Valley. The Kitchen Chronicles will also feature in fall 2019 as part of Touchstone's upcoming Festival UnBound, an arts festival celebrating the spirit, identity, and future of Bethlehem.

"This season, Touchstone continues its longstanding tradition of hosting exceptional international talent for Lehigh Valley audiences to enjoy. In the current global climate, it's important to keep that dialogue going, seeing the work and stories of fellow artists from around the world," states Artistic Director Jp Jordan. "And of course, we're rounding it out with a new showcase of work cultivated by local artists, an original piece of immersive kitchen theatre, and another great year of Follies. Lots going on at Touchstone this year!"

The season's special events include Jakopa's Punch Bowl, a Mardi Gras-themed musical revel of a fundraiser (February); The Young Playwrights' Festival and Gala, an annual celebration of elementary, middle, and high school playwrights in the Lehigh Valley (May); and Fresh Voices, a showcase performance and peek into the creative process with Touchstone's apprentice corps (June).

Touchstone's season is supported locally by season sponsor RCN. WDIY provides media sponsorship and Working Dog Press provides print sponsorship.

Touchstone's 2018-19 season begins October 5 & 6, 2018 with TseSho? (What's That?). For a complete listing of Touchstone's season, visit www.touchstone.org

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