LOVE LETTERS, BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE and More Set for Delaware Theatre Company's 2014-15 Season

Delaware Theatre Company, under the artistic leadership of Bud Martin, announces the five-play lineup for its 36th anniversary season, including the return of Michael Learned, an East Coast premiere of a new work, a hilarious holiday comedy, a chilling retelling of a literary classic, and a heartwarming new musical in pre-Broadway development.

"Delaware Theatre Company's 2014-2015 season is themed "Something to Talk About" as the greater Wilmington community has truly caught wind of our transformation", says Executive Director Bud Martin. "Coming off of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', the highest grossing production in Delaware Theatre Company's 35 year history, our audiences have re-invested in us, providing us with the means and ability to continue producing live theatre of a Broadway caliber for Delaware prices".

"I hope you'll join us this season as we embark on five truly individual endeavors, each artistically challenging in their own merit, and I am certain that audience will be captivated with each performance."

2014-2015 Subscription Series:

LOVE LETTERS

By A.R. Gurney

Directed by Bud Martin

Starring Michael Learned

September 17-October 5, 2014

The Pulitzer Prize-winning two character play explores the bittersweet relationship between Andrew Makepeace Lad III and Melissa Gardner. Over the span of fifty years, the two sympathize (and amiably bicker) throughout marriages, children, divorces, love affairs and careers that take them down different paths. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an evocative, touching and frequently funny reflection that makes it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years. Poetic, elegant, and profoundly touching, LOVE LETTERS shows that, despite how things seem, what divides us is rarely as powerful as what connects us, and love comes when you least expect it.

What Bud has to say: A portion of our audience got to see the Governor and First Lady, Jack and Carla Markell, delight audiences for one performance only. Now, for a much smaller ticket price, audiences will have the chance to come see Michael Learned and the co-star of her choice. Who will she fall in love with at DTC?

REST, IN PIECES

By Steve Bluestein

Directed by Bud Martin

An East Coast Premiere

November 5-23, 2014

The death of a family member is never easy and seldom funny; nor is it easy to accept or deal with. Written by Los Angeles based comedy writer Steve Bluestein, REST, IN PIECES is a fresh dramatic comedy about a delightfully dysfunctional family. Join this seemingly never ending chess game as audiences voyeur into a family's loss from three separate perspectives; each of the three acts unveiling how two of the characters respond when the third leaves this Earth. We all cope with loss in our own way, but REST, IN PIECES evokes strong emotions as we see reactions we don't expect, don't agree with, or can't help but laugh at.

What Bud has to say: Who better than a brilliant, Los Angeles based stand-up comedy writer to conceive a funny play about death? Steve Bluestein gets us to take a good look at the importance of family while making us laugh and cry at the same time.

MY MOTHER'S ITALIAN, MY FATHER'S JEWISH, AND I'M HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Written and Performed by Steve Solomon

Because everyone has to go home for the holidays...

December 3-21, 2014

Peace on Earth? Joy to the World? Not this December! In the sequel to his Off-Broadway hit comedy My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy! comedian Steve Solomon returns to Wilmington with all new stories of Christmases and Hanukkahs past, complete with bickering parents, motherly guilt trips, and teenage daughter drama. Once everybody arrives home at Grandma's house, the riotous holiday celebration begins, where if you're under age 55 you still sit at the kid's table and 35 overfed people share one couch.

What Bud has to say: No one can put the "fun" in dysfunction like Steve Solomon, and regardless of your religious persuasion, My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish, and I'm Home for the Holidays is a great reminder of how "fun" and horrifying holiday dinners can be.

NORA

By Ingmar Bergman

Directed by Michael Mastro

A Five Character Adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House"

February 4-22, 2015

NORA is a riveting reduction of Ibsen's famous "A Doll's House". Adapted by internationally acclaimed film and theatre director Ingmar Bergman, this five-actor adaptation about a woman who unwittingly risks losing everything to save her family is filmic, fast-paced, and as provocative as the original. Secrets, lies and struggles for power continue to test relationships between men and women today. At time when we could pay a women 70% of what we would pay a man, this play will certainly resonate for those who question whether or not women have really penetrated the "glass ceiling."

What Bud has to say: When a highly regarded journalist can say (at the most recent annual correspondents' dinner in Washington, D.C.) that if Hillary Clinton were President we could pay her 70% of what we would pay a man, NORA truly focuses on a woman's choice to stand up and make herself heard.

BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE

Book by Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde)

Music by Duncan Sheik (Tony Award Winner for Spring Awakening)

Animal Direction by Bill Berloni

A New Musical Based on the Award-Winning Novel by Kate DiCamillo

April 8-May 3, 2015

A new Broadway-bound musical based on the award-winning children's novel by Kate DiCamillo, BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE is poised to become the first Broadway musical starring a live dog as the main character! A gentle, warm and enthralling story about the intimate friendship between a young girl and her dog, WINN DIXIE shows how the smallest act of kindness can ripple into a celebration of community. Was there a family pet that taught you how to love and forgive? Tickets will sell fast for this show-the only way to guarantee seats is to subscribe. Young and old, alike, will find their lives changed...because of Winn Dixie.

What Bud has to say: I would never have thought of kids, a dog and Duncan Sheik in the same sentence, but Duncan's wonderful blend of alternative rock and melancholy, mixed with a taste of the South is extraordinary. Coupled with Nell Benjamin's intelligent book and lyrics, and for the first time in theatre history, a dog being a principal character in the staging, BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE promises to break new ground in the theatre and provide wonderful family entertainment.

2014-2015 Special Presentations:

Bob Dubac's THE MALE INTELLECT: an oxymoron?

Written and Performed by Bob Dubac

Back by popular demand

March 5-8, 2015

$30 Regular/$25 Subscriber

As he guzzles down beer, six characters from Bobby's past emerge to help him discover the elusive answer to the same age-old question: what exactly do women want? Written and performed entirely by Robert Dubac, this show is 90 minutes of razor sharp wit and keen observation.

Bob Dubac's THE BOOK OF MORON

Written and Performed by Bob Dubac

The hilarious sequel to The Male Intellect: an oxymoron?

March 12-15, 2015

$30 Regular/$25 Subscriber

"Hilarious," "Intelligent," "Provocative," "Scorching" all describe Robert Dubac's new solo show THE BOOK OF MORON! Dubac buckles you up for a fast-paced joy ride over the pot-holed highways of cultural hypocrisy. Riding shotgun with intelligence and absurdity he crashes head first into the barriers of sex, race, religion, politics and the media. It's comedy on steroids. Think your funny bone can handle it?

Putting it Together - ONE WEEKEND ONLY

Words and Music by Stephen Sondheim

A Co-Production with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra

May 15-17, 2015

Tickets are $60.00 for DTC and DSO Subscribers/$75 for non-subscribers

A humorous, poignant and sophisticated musical "review," Putting It Together is a thematic celebration of the stage and screen work of multiple Tony Award-winner Stephen Sondheim, the foremost theatrical composer/lyricist of our time. Featuring a cast of Broadway's "Who's Who", Putting It Together is studded with material from a number of Sondheim's original musicals and films including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods and Assassins. Call our Box Office today to ensure your favorite seats for this limited engagement!

ABOUT DELAWARE THEATRE COMPANY: DTC has been producing professional theatre for 36 years, during which time more than one million residents and visitors of Delaware have attended a show (more than 165 shows produced) or participated in one of DTC's education or outreach programs. More than 100,000 area youth have attended a student matinee performance since the theatre's inception in 1979. DTC is a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and the Delaware Arts Alliance. DTC has an administrative and production staff of 11, led by Executive Director, Bud Martin. Martin's vast theatre experience includes producing and directing on Broadway. He also started five successful companies during the period from 1982 to 2008, and in 2006 received the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Season tickets and flex subscriptions for main season productions are now available by calling 302-594-1100. Online subscription sales begin June 23, 2014. Standard Season Subscription Packages: $131.75 - Preview Performances (First Three Performances) $153.00 - Weekday Performances (Wednesday 2pm, Thursday 7pm, and Friday 8pm); $174.25 - Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2pm $195.50 - Saturday Night Performances at 8pm $70.00 - Student Subscription (With Student ID - Middle/High School/Undergraduate). Flex packages: $150.00 (Five passes to use for any performance of any Season production); Single tickets for season plays range from $30 to $50 and go on sale July 15, 2014.

While single tickets to the 2014-2015 season will go on sale later this summer, DTC subscription packages are currently available to those looking to save. The best deal is DTC's Classic subscription with discounts up to 15% off single ticket prices and is available for shows Wednesday through Sunday. DTC will also continue to offer its Flex Passes, geared toward people with busy schedules. Flex Passes gives patrons five passes to see any show on any night (or day) of their choice. Rather than of commit to a date in advance, Flex Passes may be redeemed up to 24 hours before a chosen performance.

In addition to saving up to 15% off single tickets, subscriber benefits include free ticket exchanges, 10% off at local restaurants on the night of your performance, discounts on acting classes and additional single ticket purchases, and one free ticket to introduce a friend to DTC.

The theatre is wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices and large format programs are available for all performances. Wheelchair seating can be reserved in advance by calling the DTC Box Office at 302.594.1100.

Discounts: Available to full-time students, military, and seniors. Group Sales: The savings begin at $10 off per ticket for groups of 8 or more, $15 for 50 or more. Box office: Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Call 302.594.1100. Box Office Hours: 10am-4pm. Visit www.DelawareTheatre.org for more information.