American Stage Set For 09-10 With DRIVING MISS DAISY & More

American Stage Theatre Company, the Tampa Bay area's only professional equity regional theatre, has announced its 2009-2010 season, the first in the brand new, state-of-the-art Raymond James Theater in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.

"After nearly three years in the making, we are finally able to bring the best in theatre to our patrons in the first brand new building ever constructed for a professional theatre in Tampa Bay," said Todd Olson, American Stage's producing artistic director. "To commemorate this momentous occasion, we are announcing our best season ever."

Next season American Stage will be performing its next chapter in the August Wilson Century Cycle, FENCES; the holiday classic about second chances, THIS WONDERFUL LIFE; the Noel Coward classic farce, BLYTHE SPIRIT; the most requested play by American Stage patrons, DRIVING MISS DAISY; the rock musical HAIR at American Stage in the Park; Pulitzer Prize winning playwright David Mamet's new hit comedy, NOVEMBER; and the Wall Street Journal's "best new play," THE SEAFARER.
The Third Installment in American Stage's August Wilson's Century Cycle!

FENCES

September 25 thru October 11, 2009

"The strongest, most passionate American dramatic writing since Tennessee Williams...FENCES gave me one of the richest experiences I have ever had in the theatre." - New York Post

August Wilson's towering masterpiece, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for "Best Play". Set in 1957, FENCES explores what holds families together (and drive them apart) in a powerful story filled with humor, love, hope, failure, and triumph.

The Holiday Classic About Second Chances

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE written by Steve Murray, conceived by Mark Setlock November 20 thru December 27, 2009

"A must-see during this holiday season. A pure joy to watch." -Richmond.com

It's Christmas Eve and George Bailey stands on a snowy bridge ready to jump...when a guardian angel intervenes! Thus begins the most irresistible "what if" story of all time, a visually stunning stage adaptation of the classic holiday film that is sure to capture your heart and captivate your spirit. The perfect start to the holiday season.

Noel Coward's Classic British Farce

Blithe Spirit

January 22 thru February 7, 2010

"Riotously witty stuff!" -Daily Mail

A smash on Broadway and on London's West End, this comic classic from the author of Private Lives and Hay Fever is the story of cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, who is re-married but haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife. When a "happy medium" conjures the late wife's spirit, all the personalities - real or ghostly - clash with hilarious results.

The Most Requested Play American Stage's Patrons

DRIVING MISS DAISY by Alfred Uhry

March 12 thru 28, 2010
"A perfectly poised and shaped miniature on the odd-couple theme." -NY Post

Winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize, DRIVING MISS DAISY tells the post-World War II story of a rich, sharp-tongued Jewish widow who meets her new black chauffeur. Over a series of absorbing scenes spanning 25 years, the two grow to have one of theatre's great friendships.

25th Annual American?Stage in the Park

HAIR by James Rado, Gerome Ragni, and Galt MacDermot

April 23 thru May 16, 2010
"HAIR seems more daring than ever" -Time Magazine

Overflowing with the timeless spirit of progress and hope for a better world, HAIR is the story of a group of young Americans searching for love and peace during the Vietnam era. With a groundbreaking rock score featuring such classics as Aquarius, Let the Sunshine In and Good Morning Starshine, HAIR depicts the birth of a cultural movement that changed America forever.

David Mamet's New Hit Comedy

NOVEMBER

June 11 thru 27, 2010
"A laugh machine! The audience provides a wall-to-wall laugh track!" -NY Times

This new comedy by Pulitzer Prize winning satirist David Mamet proves once and for all that there is no lower place than the highest office in the land. Upon learning that he lacks the funds to campaign or construct a legacy-ensuring library, the incumbent President taps an unlikely income source on the eve of the next election: the turkey industry. Thanksgiving, Indian casinos and the prospect of officiating a live, televised lesbian wedding demand attention in this riotous, oval office romp. Very strong language.

Wall Street Journal's "Best New Play"

THE SEAFARER

by Conor McPherson

July 23 thru August 8, 2010
"A midnight-black comedy, THE SEAFARER may just be the pick-me-up play of the season." -NY Times

A darkly funny new play about the sea, Ireland and the power of myth. It's Christmas Eve in Dublin. In the rundown house where Sharky cares for his blind brother, Old Acquaintances gather for a card game joined by an ominous stranger. As the booze flows and the game intensifies, Sharky discovers that he may be playing for his very soul. In this eerie tale, celebrated Irish playwright Conor McPherson examines how we face the demons of our past, and struggle for redemption.

Performances and ticket prices are as follows:

Wednesday and Thursday evening curtain is 7:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday evening curtain is 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinee curtain is 3 p.m.
Tickets prices are $26-$45 depending on date and time of performance.

Students Rush tickets are $10, 30 minutes prior to curtain.
Subscription prices range from $91 to $209 and can be purchased at

727-823-PLAY or americanstage.org

American Stage Theatre Company at the Raymond James Theater is located at 163 3rd Street North in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

American Stage Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1977. The company's mission is to create the most satisfying live theatre in the Tampa Bay area, accessible to all members of the community. Their vision is to preserve the

greatest human stories from our past, while creating the most defining stories and

storytelling of our time. American Stage presents its six play Mainstage Series on its brand new 186-seat Raymond James Theater each year. The very popular American Stage in the Park celebrates its 25th Anniversary year. The theatre's other programming includes: School Tour, classes and summer camp for children. The Hough Family Foundation is the Season Sponsor, Raymond James is the Mainstage Sponsor, Bank of America is the Education Sponsor and WUSF 89.7 is the Radio Sponsor of American Stage.

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