Long Beach Playhouse Presents Shaw's THE PHILANDERER, 5/24-6/21

The Long Beach Playhouse is pleased to announce its production of George Bernard Shaw's The Philanderer will open in its Mainstage Theatre on May 24.

"George Bernard Shaw wrote The Philanderer in 1893, but British censorship laws at the time prevented its production until 1902," said Andrew Vonderschmitt, Executive and Artistic Director for the LBP.

"It was included in Shaw's Plays Unpleasant trilogy which included Widowers' Houses and Mrs. Warren's Profession. Shaw wrote the three plays to raise awareness of social problems of the time."

The play's plot revolves around Leonard and two women who are actively pursuing him. "Julia is a 'modern' woman, clinging to romantic attachment, despite her professed progressive views, while Grace is a genuinely liberated widow who doesn't resort to Julia's histrionic wiles," said Vonderschmitt.

What's a Philanderer to do? Further complicating matters are the fathers of Julia and Grace. The first a conventional fellow who thinks he's dying, and the other, is a theater critic flummoxed by youth. Leonard's attempts to extricate himself from Julia culminate in a witty and blazing battle of the sexes as well as generations.

"Although written 121 years ago, the themes are timeless and are particularly relevant today," says Vonderschmitt. "Proof of that is its recent run on Broadway and its inclusion in two Shaw festivals later this year."

Directing this production of The Philanderer is Playhouse veteran Elaine Herman.

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

Pay what you can Thursday May 22 - community can see this production for whatever they can afford
Two for One Preview Friday May 23 - Tickets are $12.00

Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on May 24- Tickets are $27.00

Adults are $24.00, seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees.