Mayors Coleman, Rybak Issue Joint Proclamation of Sept 21, 2012, as Twin Cities' Christopher Hampton Day

Today Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman issued a joint proclamation declaring September 21, 2012, Christopher Hampton Day in both cities. The announcement comes on the same day as the opening of Hampton's Tales from Hollywood on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie, the beginning of the Guthrie's celebration of Hampton's work and the first show of its 50th season.

Rybak and Coleman's declaration cited Hampton's prolific and varied work in theater, film, translations and adaptations among several factors in declaring Christopher Hampton Day. It also mentioned Tales from Hollywood, Appomattox and Embers as the three works occupying Guthrie stages during the Hampton Celebration, as well as the educational and community events that will take place surrounding the theatrical offerings.

The proclamation additionally cited Hampton's many other awards and honors, including two Tony Awards, an Olivier Award, an Academy Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award and the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. The Christopher Hampton Celebration will run at the Guthrie through November 11.

The GUTHRIE THEATER (Joe Dowling, Director) was founded by Sir Tyrone Guthrie in 1963 and is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. The Tony Award-winning Guthrie Theater is dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature, developing the work of contemporary playwrights and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. With annual attendance of nearly 500,000 people, the Guthrie Theater presents a mix of classic plays and contemporary work on its three stages. Under the artistic leadership of Joe Dowling since 1995, the Guthrie continues to set a national standard for excellence in theatrical production and performance. In 2006, the Guthrie opened its new home on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Guthrie Theater houses three state-of-the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms and dramatic public lobbies. For more about the Guthrie, go to www.guthrietheater.org.