THE PHILADELPHIA STORY Opens Tonight at Theatre Memphis

The Philadelphia Story opens tonight, April 24 and runs through May 10, 2015, on the Lohrey Stage at Theatre Memphis. A classic American comedy, this sophisticated fun and zany satire takes a witty look behind the scenes of a posh socialite wedding. Tracy Lord is all set to walk down the aisle for a second time when suddenly confronted by an ex-husband and a charming reporter covering the wedding for a national magazine. Tracy will walk down the aisle ... but with whom?

Directing The Philadelphia Story, Jason Spitzer takes on the challenge of bringing a well-known 1941 comedy movie adaption from screen back to the stage where it was initially a hit in 1939 with Kathryn Hepburn. He says, "In reviving this effervescent social satire for the stage one naturally has to tip one's hat to such a successful film. Audiences expect that, I think. I went about casting the show looking for certain qualities: intelligence, wit, grace, and a kind of patrician elegance for the lead character, Tracy Lord." He says that lead cast member Natalie Jones embodies those qualities and Kinon Kiplinger, as the "devil may care" ex-husband, has the charm of the leading man of that genre. Other cast members include Steven Brown, John Moore, Carly Nahon, Jude Knight, Evan McCarley, Mark S. Rutledge, James Dale Green, Aliza Moran, Charles Hodges, Edna K. Dinwiddie, Joseph Prestigiacomo, Meredith Koch and John Reynolds.

Spitzer does not see this as an old play since the subject is universal ... including the contemporary situation of the media interfering in the lives of celebrities. "As a society, we're obsessed with the rich and famous," Spitzer offers. "We want to pry into their lives and live vicariously through their exploits (think the Kardashians). For that reason alone, this play remains uncannily relevant. It's actually incredible that Hollywood hasn't remade the film yet." He adds, "The story plays as well today as it did in 1939."

Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch delights in The Philadelphia Story being a part of the Theatre Memphis season. "You just can't beat a tried and true comedy," she laughs. "And it adds to the variety we offer our patrons that includes dramas and musicals, too."