Arden Theatre Company Presents SUPERIOR DONUTS, Closes 4/3

Arden Theatre Company continues its 2010/11 season with Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwright of August: Osage County. It will be directed by the Arden's Associate Artistic Director Edward Sobel and closes April 3, 2011.
 
Sobel, who joined the Arden in 2009, was previously Director of New Play Development at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and has a longstanding connection with Letts and his work. At Steppenwolf, Sobel oversaw the development of August: Osage County and was the dramaturg for its successful Broadway run, as well as the Chicago and Broadway productions of Superior Donuts.
 
Comments Sobel, "Having worked with [Letts] on the play since its inception, I have some idea about what is important to him in it.  I've also had the benefit of being intimately involved with two incarnations.  It's kind of a ridiculous luxury to be able to Monday morning quarterback the productions in Chicago and New York."
 
A comedy that takes place in a rundown donut shot, Superior Donuts addresses issues of isolation and explores how we navigate the barriers of life's disappointments. Letts uses his characters to assert that we are unable to sustain a solitary life and must learn to make personal connections. "[Letts] has an innate sense of theatrically and vividly draws each of his characters, creating roles actors are dying to play," says Sobel. Craig Spidle, a Chicago-based actor, brings his hometown knowledge to the role of Arthur, the aging hippie who owns the donut shop. Arthur is forced to confront his isolation when a young aspiring writer named Franco seeks a job with him.  James William Ijames, a Philadelphia-based actor who has appeared at the Arden in Romeo and Juliet, James and the Giant Peach, and An Empty Plate in the Café du Grande Bouef, plays Franco.

Additional local cast members returning to the Arden include Peter Pryor (The BFG, Closer, Three Days of Rain) as Luther, Brian Anthony Wilson (The Piano Lesson, Our Town) as James, and Nancy Boykin (James Joyce's The Dead, Twelfth Night) as Lady.  Making their Arden debuts are local actors Jake Blouch as Kevin, Ian Bedford as Kiril and Jim Gushue as Max. Rounding out the cast is New York based performer Jennifer Barnhart (Broadway's Avenue Q) as Randy.

"Tracy Letts is one of the great storytellers writing for the theatre today.  His plays crackle with theatrical energy and, as an accomplished actor as well, he has an incredible ability to engage audiences in his characters and their lives. I'm thrilled that Ed's directorial debut at the Arden is by a playwright with whom he's had such a fruitful relationship," says producing artistic director Terrence J. Nolen.  "Bringing together our family of Philadelphia theatre artists with the Chicago actors and designers whom Ed has brought to the production unites these two great theatre cities in an exciting way." The design team includes Chicago-based set designer Kevin Depinet, lighting designer Michelle Habeck, and Philadelphia-based costume designer Alison Roberts and sound designer Rob Kaplowitz (2010 Tony Award winner for Fela!).

The final dress rehearsal of Superior Donuts on Wednesday, March 2 at 8pm is open to the public as a Pay-What-You-Can performance, with all proceeds collected donated to The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program which unites artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives.

Superior Donuts previews begin on Thursday, March 3, 2011. Preview performances run March 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. Opening night is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 9. Closing is set for Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Single ticket prices are $29- $48, with discounts available for seniors, students, military and educators. Groups of 10+ enjoy significant discounts; please inquire about group rates. Call the Arden Box Office at 215.922.1122, order online at www.ardentheatre.org, or visit the box office at 40 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.

The Arden is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices and large-print programs at every performance. Open Captioned and Audio Described performances will take place on Friday, March 25 at 8pm and Saturday, March 26 at 2pm. Reservations are required for accessible seating and may be made by calling the Arden's Box Office at 215.922.1122.