STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Bucks County Playhouse Breaks Box Office Records!

As of Thursday, June 9, 2016 Bucks County Playhouse's star-studded production of Robert Harling's "Steel Magnolias," under the direction of Oscar nominee Marsha Mason, becomes the highest-grossing show in Bucks County Playhouse's history.

The production surpasses the record set by the Playhouse's 2014 production of Christopher Durang's Tony-winning comedy, "Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike," which starred playwright Durang and Marilu Henner.

Mason is overjoyed at the news of breaking the box office record. "I truly want to thank the amazingly talented cast of women who joined me in this production and we are all thrilled that the response has been so amazing," says Mason. "To watch them take the stage every night and hear the audiences laugh and enjoy themselves makes it all worthwhile. Thanks to the wonderful producing team at Bucks County Playhouse for allowing me to helm this great show."

Playwright Robert Harling, who attended the opening night performance, also reveled in the success of the production. "Marsha Mason's direction and the extraordinary cast's energy and humor give a fresh, hip spin to the true story of the play," says Harling. "It is a pure joy to watch. And to be a part of the Playhouse's legendary history is very special."

"I love this play so much I produced it twice" said Bucks County Playhouse Executive Producer, Robyn Goodman, who also produced the most recent Broadway revival.

"Steel Magnolias," which opened on May 28 for a limited run through June 18, features Clea Alsip ("Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike" at Bucks County Playhouse) as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, Lucy DeVito (Nora and Delia Ephron's "Love, Loss and What I Wore") as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto, Elaine Hendrix (FX's "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll") as Truvy Jones, Patricia Richardson as M'Lynn Eatenton ("Home Improvement"), Susan Sullivan as Clairee Belcher (ABC's "Castle") and Jessica Walter as Ouiser Boudreaux ("Arrested Development").

"From its founding in 1939 through the 1960s, Bucks County Playhouse was known as America's most famous summer theaters -heralded for the roster of stars that brought Broadway and Hollywood to New Hope," adds Alexander Fraser, Producing Director. "It feels absolutely fitting that 'Steel Magnolias', a production which mirrors that era so beautifully, should become the our top-grossing show. We look forward to producing many more productions that recall this great era in our history. We thank Marsha and an extraordinary cast for honoring us with their terrific work."

Harling's Southern comedy kicks of the 2016 season after a highly successful 2015 season with two productions heralded by The Wall Street Journal as among "The Best Theater of 2015." The season at Bucks County Playhouse continues June 24 with the Big Broadway Musical, "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" directed by Hunter Foster with choreography by Lorin Latarro. Other shows in the season include Charles Busch and members of the original New York Cast starring in "Charles Busch's The Divine Sister," Adam Gwon's the new musical "Cake Off" (featuring a score by Adam Gwon), and Jonathan Tolins' "Buyer & Cellar" starring Nick Cearley.

At Truvy's Beauty Salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana the hair is big and the gossip is juicy. While their coifs are perfected and daily lives debated, six distinctly different women forge a unique bond of sisterhood - one that even when put to the test, only grows stronger. Infused with heart and humor, "Steel Magnolias" is a hilarious story of love, loss, and enduring friendship.

What critics are saying about the BCP production:

"An engaging, star-studded production"- The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Bright and energetic ... you'll enjoy the terrific cast, and the whole Bucks County experience." ?- Philadelphia Magazine

"This is a 'Steel Magnolias' not to be missed. It is hard to imagine it being done any better."- New Hope Free Press

"Mason's production of 'Steel Magnolias' in New Hope is top-notch, bringing out the familiar elements that have given Robert Harling's comedy such lasting popularity but adding warmth, depth, and faultlessly timed humor." - Delaware County Times

"Sharp, sassy and smart." - PA Theater Guide

"You'll feel as if you know these six indomitable ladies, and you'll wish you could spend more time with them." ?- DCMetroArts

"As Truvy says, 'Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.' That's a rare achievement on stage, and Bucks County Playhouse has found just the right mix of talent to pull it all together ... If you like feel-good theater that delivers chuckles and puts a lump in your throat, this one's a winner." - The Princeton Packet/CentralJersey.com

"If you think you already know the show from seeing the popular movie version, think again. The stage presentation, featuring a full lineup of talented actresses, is an experience of its own, and well worth making the trip to New Hope." - The Bucks County Herald

Single tickets to "Steel Magnolias" are still available for performances through June 18. For full details, and to purchase tickets, please visit buckscountyplayhouse.org, call 215-862-2121, or visit the box office at 70 South Main Street, New Hope, PA.

ABOUT BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE

Bucks County Playhouse, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, is the oldest and largest professional Equity performing arts center in Bucks County. Under the direction of Tony Award-winning producers, Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman, the Playhouse provides first class professional theatrical entertainment as well as community events, partnerships and arts education programming for visitors and residents of New Hope, Doylestown, Lambertville and the Delaware Valley.

Located between Philadelphia and New York, Bucks County Playhouse opened in 1939 in a converted 1790 gristmill after a group of community activists, led by Broadway orchestrator Don Walker and playwright Moss Hart, rallied to save the building. The Playhouse quickly became one of the country's most famous regional theaters, featuring a roster of American theatrical royalty including Helen Hayes, Kitty Carlisle, George S. Kaufman, Grace Kelly, Robert Redford, Bert Lahr, Walter Matthau, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters, Alan Alda, Tyne Daly, Liza Minnelli and Audra McDonald and remained in continuous operation until December 2010. In 2012, the Playhouse re-opened thanks to the efforts of the Bridge Street Foundation, the nonprofit family foundation of Kevin and Sherri Daugherty, and Broadway producer Jed Bernstein.

Since its renovation, significant productions include Terrence McNally's "Mothers and Sons" starring Tyne Daly, which moved to Broadway and was nominated for two Tony Awards, and "Misery" by William Goldman based on the Stephen King novel which also went on to a Broadway run in the 2015-16 season. Two of the Playhouse's recent productions -- "Company" starring Justin Guarini, and William Finn's "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" -- were named by Wall Street Journal to its "Best of Theatre" list for 2015.