Signature Theatre Opens Its Season With DIRTY BLONDE 8/11

Signature Theatre, recipient of the 2009 Regional Theater Tony Award®, opens its 20th anniversary season on August 11 with the Broadway hit Dirty Blonde, a comedy with music about the notorious film legend Mae West. Called the "best new American play of the [2000] season" by The New York Times, Dirty Blonde runs in Signature's ARK Theatre from August 11 through October 4, 2009.

Signature's production of Dirty Blonde stars Tony Award®-nominee and Signature favorite Emily Skinner in the two roles she was born to play - the charismatic Mae West and West's most fixated fan Jo. Skinner says, "Mae West always played the woman who men desired, had the last word, and who WON. What actress wouldn't be drawn to a play an icon with such wit, humor, and utter confidence? Playwright Claudia Shear puts it perfectly in her script: ‘She was my teenage fantasy, my mother's revenge. She had my favorite quality, attitude.'"

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer stated, "Dirty Blonde is the perfect way to kick off our 20th anniversary season. This production celebrates two great musical theatre artists - Mae West and Emily Skinner. It's going to be a sexy start at Signature!"

"No evening of mere impersonation," Dirty Blonde is a "smart, tough, and tenderhearted comedy" (New York Times), revealing the spirit behind Mae West's sexy celluloid façade and examining why individuals like Jo are so mesmerized by the provocative sex goddess. Nominated for five Tony Awards® in 2000, Dirty Blonde will be directed by Signature Artistic Associate Jeremy Skidmore. Three-time Helen Hayes Award nominee Hugh Nees plays Jo's friend Charlie and characters ranging from W.C. Fields to West's trial judge. Three-time Helen Hayes winner J. Fred Shiffman takes on seven roles including Frank Wallace, Mae's abandoned husband and director Edward Elsner, and plays the piano as well. Set design is by Dan Conway, costume design by Helen Huang, lighting design by Dan Covey, and sound design by Matt Rowe.

Dirty Blonde runs in Signature's ARK Theatre from August 11 through October 4, 2009. The press performance is Sunday, August 16 at 7:00 pm. Show times are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 pm, Thursday and Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. There are no Dirty Blonde performances Saturday, August 15 at 2:00 pm and Tuesday, August 18 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets for Dirty Blonde, ranging in price from $47 - $71, are available by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-SEAT (7328) or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Group discounts are available for parties of ten or more by contacting carlj@signature-theatre.org.

Signature's 20th anniversary season continues with Show Boat, I Am My Own Wife, Sweeney Todd, [title of show], the world premiere of Sycamore Trees, and the world premiere run of "First You Dream" The Kander & Ebb Concert.

Photo by Thomas Hoebbel Photography