NEXT TO NORMAL, THE TEMPEST, & More Headline PTC 2011-12 Season

Pioneer Theatre Company has announced its 2011-2012 season, which will include the blockbuster musical Man of La Mancha as the season closer, the popular family musical Annie during the holidays, and the Utah premiere of the 2010 Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal to open the season. The season also includes a sparkling adaption of a beloved Jane Austen novel, the return of an original comedy by PTC Artistic Director Charles Morey, the world premiere of a new play by Wendy MacLeod, and one of Shakespeare's most magic-filled romances.

The theatre's seven-play season opens with the musical Next to Normal (September 16 through October 1, 2011); followed by Shakespeare's The Tempest (October 21 through November 5, 2011); the timeless rags-to-riches musical Annie, which will include an additional week of performances the week of Christmas (December 2 through December 23, 2011); the world premiere of Find and Sign by Wendy MacLeod (January 13 through January 28, 2012); Jane Austen's Emma (February 17 through March 3, 2012); Laughing Stock by Charles Morey (March 23 through April 7, 2012); and the triumphant musical Man of La Mancha (May 4 through May 19, 2012).

Remarking on the season, Artistic Director Charles Morey said, "Many have asked, ‘Are you going to do something special for your final season as artistic director of PTC?' I confess to being somewhat confused by the question in that it suggests ‘something special' would be different from what we've always done. I think our seasons here have always been special: uniquely and carefully crafted for our community, our wonderful theatre space and our company of gifted artists and craftspeople. One of the great joys of working at this theatre for 28 years has been the fact that we have never limited ourselves to one genre, a single aesthetic, or attempted to play to any particular demographic. We are (sometimes wildly) eclectic as we try to appeal to the broadest segment of the community and simultaneously stretch our own artistic boundaries. The 2011-2012 season is a distinctive Pioneer Theatre Company blend of the classic and the contemporary; the new, the familiar, the edgy, and the comfortable. Sounds like a PTC season to me. I think that's pretty special in and of itself."

Season tickets range from $77 to $286, which means that season ticket patrons pay between $11 and $40 a ticket to see shows that cost over $100 on Broadway or National Tours. Notes PTC Managing Director Chris Lino, "For the price of one or two tickets to a Broadway show theatergoers can have a full season of entertainment at PTC, and be assured of the best seats and the convenience of exchanging their tickets if they can't make their regular performance. And, as our long-time patrons know, you'll be seeing the same actors who appear on Broadway stages, and the same spectacular sets and costumes that you would see on Broadway."

For season tickets contact Pioneer Theatre Company's Box Office at 801-581-6961 or visit online at www.pioneertheatre.org.

Pioneer Theatre Company, Utah's premier professional theatre, performs at the Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, located on the University of Utah campus at 300 South and 1400 East, Salt Lake City UT 84112-0660. The theatre is equipped with an elevator, hearing assistance devices, and handicapped parking.

Free parking within a block of the theatre is available for all performances.

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