Walnut Street Theatre is America's oldest theatre (first built 201 years ago) and the State Theatre of Pennsylvania. As a 27-year-old not-for-profit theatre operation, it boasts 56,000 subscribers — the most subscribed theatre company in the world.

January 2010 will see the world premiere of Eric Conger's The Eclectic Society (Jan. 19–March 7, 2010). According to WST, "It's the 1960s, and in order to become the big man on campus, you've got to play the game. In this fraternal society, new recruits need testing and traditions need to be upheld. This new American play celebrates the spirit of youth and the mischief that follows."

Noël Coward's comedy Fallen Angels (March 16–May 2, 2010) concerns "Julia and Jane, two upper-class society ladies, [who] have been friends for ages and have shared everything. When Jane receives news that her former lover, Maurice, is coming to town, the past catches up with both women! How do they escape the attentions of this dashing and daring French former lover? What if their inattentive husbands find out? Will old passions be rekindled?"

The 2009-10 season launches with the musical comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Sept. 8-Oct. 25). The story of two con men who try to out con each other on the French Riviera has a score by David Yazbek.

Oliver!, Lionel Bart's musical version of Dickens' "Oliver Twist," will play Nov. 10, 2009–Jan. 10. 2010. Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein's Fiddler on the Roof, the tale of changing traditions, will play May 18-July 18, 2010. For subscription information, call (215) 574-3550 ext. 6 or visit www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.