Bristol Riverside Riverside Theater Announces Season

An award-winning musical, a Broadway superstar and a world premiere highlight Bristol Riverside Theatre's 25th Anniversary season featuring Barrymore by William Luce, Gypsy with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents, A Raw Space by Jon Marans, Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling, and Rent by Jonathan Larson.

"We are very excited about our upcoming anniversary season as it exemplifies BRT's twenty-five year contribution to the regional theatre landscape, showcasing the talents of our Artistic Director in Barrymore, a world premiere of a play that had an early reading at BRT, and popular musicals and dramas cast with local favorites," said Susan Atkinson, founder of BRT.

The season kicks off with Barrymore by William Luce on October 11-30 about matinee idol John Barrymore. Possessed with a roving eye and a colorful reputation for high-jinx, the legendary Philadelphia native comes to life as BRT's Artistic Director Keith Baker portrays this legendary actor preparing for his return to the stage as Richard III.

The holiday season is filled with song with the ever-popular musical Gypsy with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents on December 6-January 15 starring Broadway powerhouse Tovah Feldshuh. This four-time Tony nominee, who last appeared at BRT in Golda's Balcony as part of the Jewish Theatre Festival, takes on the role of the indomitable Mama Rose, belting out such hit songs as "Everything's Coming up Roses," "Some People," "Rose's Turn," and "Together."

BRT begins the new year on January 31-February 19 with a new play, the world premiere of A Raw Space by Jon Marans, author of this season's acclaimed Old Wicked Songs. Developed as part of BRT's America Rising reading program, A Raw Space tells the story of two high-powered couples during a private design competition. When a woman masterminds a cat-and-mouse game in which her husband, her best friend, and her best friend's husband unknowingly participate as competitors, the shocking end results in an elegant interplay between architectural design and marriage.

Spring is abloom with Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling on March 20-April 8 featuring an all-female cast of local favorites as the loveable, zany women of Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana. Set in the beauty parlor of Truvy Jones, Shelby, her mother M'Lynn, cranky Ouiser, the Mayor's wife Clairee, and the new girl Annelle prepare with courage and humor, laughter and tears, for some of life's biggest moments.

The season concludes on May 8-June 3 with the mega-hit, award-winning musical Rent by Jonathan Larson. Winner of the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award and the Pulitzer Prize, Rent endures as one of the longest running shows in Broadway history, defining a generation coming of age in the era of AIDS.

BRT continues to enhance the theater experience with a series of lifestyle-based audience add-on events during the run of each show including: Friday Festival, on the first Friday of each run featuring guest speakers providing background information on the play or the production; Wine-Down Wednesday on the second Wednesday of each run featuring a chance to wind down with complimentary wine, crudités, and dessert before the performance; and the brand new Cold Springs Beverage Thirsty Thursday on the third Thursday of each run featuring unique beer selections to complement the production.

Subscriptions for the 2011-2012 Season are currently available starting at only $104 by calling the BRT Box Office by visiting brtstage.org or calling 215-785-0100. Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, PA.

Since 1986, BRT has brought consistently acclaimed professional theatre to Bucks County and maintained a long-term commitment to finding and developing new plays. The theatre is the recipient of over 60 Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre, given annually by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. In addition to its mainstage productions, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community, with such programs as children's theatre, community concerts and exhibitions of local visual arts. Currently under the direction of Artistic Director Keith Baker, Founding Director Susan D. Atkinson, and Managing Director, Amy Kaissar, BRT is concluding its 24th season. For information, visit www.brtstage.org.

 

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