Delaware Theatre Company Announces 2009-2010 Season; Kicks Off With FIRE ON THE BAYOU 10/14

The Delaware Theatre Company has announced their upcoming 2009-2010 Season.

Delaware Theatre Company, founded in 1979 and currently celebrating its 29th season, is one of Delaware's premier cultural institutions. In its beautiful 389-seat facility on Wilmington, Delaware's Christina Riverfront, DTC serves over 38,000 adults and 5,000 students annually. DTC's programming includes a mix of the classics as well as contemporary plays and musicals. Under the leadership of Producing Director Anne Marie Cammarato, DTC is quickly becoming a home for new works, with the goal of producing a world premiere each season. Past world premieres at DTC include Partners by Allan Katz, Stinkin' Rich by Henry Woronicz, Wake Up, Lou Riser by Kia Corthron, and Open Charge by Richard Thomsen. DTC's artistic programming has been awarded 8 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

In addition to its artistic work, the Theatre's award-winning education and outreach programming includes the Delaware Young Playwrights Festival (a state-wide playwriting contest for middle and high school-aged students that culminates in professional productions of three winning scripts), theatre classes for children and adults, and a popular summer theatre camp, Summer on Stage. DTC has been nationally recognized for its work with Youth at Risk, including Totally Awesome Kids (a yearly program for children and adults with cognitive disabilities) and Arts Across the Curriculum at Ferris School for Boys in Wilmington. DTC has also created innovative programs which use theatre to combat teen addictions and the spread of HIV/AIDS among adolescents. At the 1999 Barrymore Awards, DTC received the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service.

Delaware Theatre Company is a proud member of the League of Resident Theatres, Theatre Communications Group, Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and the Arts Consortium of Delaware.

To purchase tickets, you may purchase tickets online at www.delawaretheatre.org, by calling 302.594.1100, or in person at the box office (200 Water Street, on Wilmington's Riverfront).

Season Details:

FIRE ON THE BAYOU
A Mardi Gras Musical Extravaganza
Written and directed by Kevin Ramsey
October 14 - November 1, 2009

Kevin Ramsey (creator of Sam Cooke: Forever Mr. Soul and star of last season's No Child...) returns to DTC with his musical extravaganza, Fire on the Bayou. We're opening our season with this history of the jazz of Kevin's hometown, New Orleans, as told through the lens of Hurricane Katrina survivors. A celebration of the musical style that defines Louisiana, and the spirit of its people, Fire on the Bayou is sure to spice up the DTC stage. (Best enjoyed by audiences ages 10 and up.)

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
A Live Radio Play
By Joe Landry | Directed by Anne Marie Cammarato
December 2 - December 20, 2009

The classic Frank Capra film is re-told in the format of a 1940s radio show, complete with man-made sound effects, old-style commercials and live music. An ensemble of performers bring the characters of this beloved holiday favorite to life, and remind us why every life has an impact on its community. Great holiday fun for the whole family, this timely play is a wonderful holiday treat, which celebrates a wonderful life. (Best enjoyed by the whole family.)

MY NAME IS ASHER LEV
Adapted by Aaron Posner | From the novel by Chaim Potok
Directed by Jeremy Skidmore
(Co-production with Round House Theatre)
February 10 - February 28, 2010

Exploring the questions of art, family, religion and loyalty, this adaptation of Chaim Potok's novel is a powerful coming-of-age story. Asher Lev, born into a Hasidic Jewish family, tries to balance his artistic genius with the demands of his family. A poignant and elegant drama, The Philadelphia Inquirer called this play "exquisite" and Talkin' Broadway labeled it "a truly theatrical experience." (Due to brief nudity and adult subject matter, this play is best enjoyed by audiences ages 15 and up.)

10 MONTHS
The Wilmington Voices Project
Conceived and directed by Anne Marie Cammarato
March 17 - April 4, 2010

As began with last season's No Child..., DTC continues its Community Series exploring the voices of Wilmington on our stage. 10 Months asks, "How does our city define itself? What can happen to a community in ten months' time?" Through interviews, video and live actors, DTC will explore ten months in the life of Wilmington, both in the past and present. Audiences will follow stories of their neighbors, community leaders - and sometimes those of forgotten voices - through ten-month time periods in Wilmington's early history, the occupation by the National Guard in 1968, and in present-day Wilmington. (Best enjoyed by audiences ages 15 and up.)

THE FOOCY
By Anthony Lawton | Directed by Matt Pfeiffer
April 28 - May 16, 2010

Philadelphia artists (and DTC favorites) Anthony Lawton, Matt Pfeiffer and Aaron Cromie return in this funny folktale and theatrical event full of surprises and thrills for adults and children alike. A puppet comedy with masks and music, this fascinating approach to storytelling is a wondrous tale of good against evil. A hideous witch travels the Russian countryside and lands in the village of Vrinsk, where the citizens devise a number of ways to appease her. This playful and creative comedy is theatre at its best. (Best enjoyed by audiences ages 10 and up.)

 

For more information, visit www.delawaretheatre.org.