Bristol Riverside Theatre's 25th Anniversary Season Breaks Records

   Bristol Riverside Theatre has announced a banner year of unprecedented successes during its 25^th Anniversary Season, with an enhanced season, a dramatic increase in subscription sales, and their highest grossing show to date.

                BRT boasts a 92% subscription renewal rate for its fiveshow mainstage season, and a record number of new subscribers leading to a 20% increase in total subscribership over the last two years. 

                Gypsy, starring Broadway powerhouse Tovah Feldshuh, recently closed as the highest grossing production in BRT history.  Adjusting for the length of run, Gypsy outsold the previous best-selling production (Evita) by 17%.

                “We are thrilled with the community response to our season.  The dramatic influx of new patrons demonstrates the renewed energy and excitement at Bristol Riverside Theatre. The high renewal rate is an indication that the thousands of new folks are joining a large and loyal audience base that BRT has enjoyed for many years,” said BRT’s Managing Director Amy Kaissar.

This year BRT expanded its season offerings to add seven special productions.  These events have not only established BRT as a year-round Performing Arts Center in Bucks County, but also enabled audiences to enjoy legendary performers, comedians and popular local artists.

                Much of BRT’s growth is the result of a 25^th Anniversary capital campaign. That campaign, already halfway to its goal, created a new scene shop and rehearsal studio opening 15 additional weeks on the mainstage.

The BRT mainstage season continues with the world premiere of A Raw Space by Jon Marans (January 31-February 19); Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling featuring an all-female cast of local favorites (March 20-April 8), and the mega-hit, award-winning musical Rent by Jonathan Larson (May 8-June 3).

Since 1986, BRT has brought consistently acclaimed professional theatre to Bucks County and maintained a long-term commitment to finding and developing new plays. The theatre is the recipient of over 66 Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre, given annually by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. In addition to its mainstage productions, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community, with such programs as children's theatre, community concerts and exhibitions of local visual arts. Currently under the direction of Artistic Director Keith Baker, Founding Director Susan D. Atkinson, and Managing Director, Amy Kaissar, BRT continues its 25^th anniversary season.  For information, visitwww.brtstage.org.