The not-for-profit organization "celebrates its roots with the entire month of October dedicated to new plays," according to the season announcement. Titles will be revealed.
PTC's 2010-2011 season will also include the Tony Award-winning musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with music and lyrics by William Finn (Nov. 12–Dec. 12), directed by Marc Bruni in a co-production with Paper Mill Playhouse; the Philadelphia premiere of Anna Deavere Smith in her one-woman, award-winning show about the body and mortality, Let Me Down Easy (March 18–April 10, 2011), directed by Leonard Foglia; the Pulitzer Prize-winning play about women oppression (and finding hope) in an African Civil War zone, Ruined by Lynn Nottage (May 20–June 12, 2011), directed by Maria Mileaf; and a fourth play to be announced (Jan. 21–Feb. 13, 2011).
The fall play-reading series will include new play readings and public conversations "with exciting, contemporary writers, continuing its long-held commitment to nurturing America's finest playwrights and composers." In 2009-19, PTC staged Golden Age, a new play by Terrence McNally which later played at The Kennedy Center, and Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins by sister journalists Allison and Margaret Engel starring Kathleen Turner.
This summer, PTC will offer The Second City’s 50th Anniversary Tour July 13-25. This marks The Second City's return to PTC after last summer's show The City of Nutterly Love.
Subscriptions for the 2010-2011 season are currently available by calling PTC at (215) 985-0420 or visiting PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org. *
Founded in 1974, Philadelphia Theatre Company's mission today is "to produce, develop and present entertaining and imaginative contemporary theatre focused on the American experience that both ignites the intellect and touches the soul." By developing new work through commissions, readings and workshops — alone or in collaboration with others — "PTC generates projects that have a national impact and reach broad regional audiences." Sara Garonzik has been PTC's producing artistic director since 1982, and Diane Claussen became its managing director in 2007.
In October 2007, PTC moved into a home of its own, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Center City Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts, solidifying the Company's status as a major player on the American theatre scene.
