Guthrie Theater Celebrates Season 50 With Kickoff Weekend, Now thru 9/23

The Guthrie Theater today announced that the opening weekend of its 50th season and the celebration of prolific writer Christopher Hampton will also feature an innovative ticket sale. From today, September 21-23, Guthrie patrons will be able to enjoy multi-play packages and discounted single tickets with an exciting series of pricing options. Information about the Guthrie's Kickoff Weekend is available at http://www.guthrietheater.org/50kickoff.

Five Plays for $50
The first 50 people to come to the Guthrie Box Office when it opens Saturday, September 22, will be able to purchase a five-play subscription package for the price of $50. These packages will include Hampton Celebration plays Tales from Hollywood and Appomattox, as well as a choice of three other main stage productions from the 2012-13 season. The Guthrie building opens at 8 a.m. and sales begin at 10 a.m. Each of the first 50 patrons will be able to purchase up to two subscription packages.

Test Drive Your Seats
Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, the Guthrie's Wurtele Thrust and McGuire Proscenium stages will be open and attendees will have the opportunity to "test drive" a variety of subscription seats available for various days of the week. All available seats will be identified in the theaters, and patrons will be able to pull the card displayed on that seat, bring it to the Box Office, and secure the seat for the season. Many seats will be available for 50% off regular ticket prices, and Guthrie staff will be on hand to answer questions about tickets or any of the plays in 2012-13.

Single Ticket Deals
The Guthrie will offer a variety of single ticket deals throughout the weekend: Main stage preview tickets will be priced at $19.63 to honor the Guthrie's inaugural season; a 50% savings on previews in the Dowling Studio will also be available; and for September performances of Tales from Hollywood, patrons can purchase one full-price ticket and up to three more for $.50 each.

Ticket deals are subject to restrictions based on evenings of performance and seating areas. Multi-play packages and single ticket deals exclude A Christmas Carol.

In addition to the Kickoff Weekend ticket deals, the Guthrie Store will feature a range of Christopher Hampton-related merchandise including play scripts, DVDs of Hampton's work and Celebration-related apparel. In recognition of the Guthrie's 50th season, the Store also stocks Guthrie Theater: The First Fifty Years, a series of essays selected and compiled by lifetime Guthrie Board member Polly Grose that includes stories, anecdotes and histories from pivotal figures of the Guthrie's history.

For more information about offers or the Guthrie's Kickoff Weekend call the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224 or visit: http://www.guthrietheater.org/50kickoff.