For Further Ticket Information:
BRT Box Office
215-785-0100
brtstage.org
For Further Press Information:
Deborah Fleischman
215-735-7356
debbie@fleischmangerber.com
BRISTOL RIVERSIDE THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2015-2016 SEASON
Bristol Riverside Theatre announces its 2015-2016 season including a classic romantic comedy, a stirring biodrama, a bittersweet, humorous love story, a Neil Simon farce, and a Tony Award-winning musical. The new season features Bus Stop by William Inge, Mountain: The Journey of Justice Douglas by Douglas Scott, The Language Archive by Julia Cho, Rumors by Neil Simon, and Man of La Mancha with music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion, and book by Dale Wasserman.
The 29th season opens with William Inge’s Bus Stop directed by Susan D. Atkinson, running September 29-October 18. In this classic romantic comedy, a busload of travelers seeks warmth and shelter when they are stranded at a Kansas diner waiting out a snowstorm. An undertow of sex, lies, and a touch of perversity are served to this motley crew, which includes a young loudmouthed cowboy bent on marrying a nightclub singer against her will, a pretentious professor, wise-cracking waitresses, and the peace-keeping sheriff, as they spend a night together filled with love, laughter, and heartache.
Law and order come to the stage on November 3-22 with Mountain: The Journey of Justice Douglas by Douglas Scott, directed by Susan D. Atkinson and starring Keith Baker. William O. Douglas was one of the most accomplished and controversial justices ever to serve on the Supreme Court. From his childhood in the Cascade Mountains to his accomplishments as a Yale law professor, chairman of the SEC, and as a defender of civil liberties, personal privacy, and the wilderness, he spent life on the edge as an outspoken maverick. But, as he lays on his deathbed, Douglas struggles to find the meaning of his life, questioning the sacrifices—his fight against poverty and sickness as a youth, his failures as husband and father—he made.
Next up is the Philadelphia premiere of The Language Archive by Julia Cho on January 26-February 14. George, a linguist consumed with preserving the dying languages of far-flung cultures, is losing his chance to preserve another language when its last two speakers refuse to talk to each other. Closer to home, though, language is failing him. He doesn’t know what to say to his wife, Mary, to keep her from leaving him, and he doesn’t recognize the deep feelings that his lab assistant, Emma, has for him. Directed by Adam Immerwhar, this lyrical, bitterwsweet comedy explores whether love a universal language or just a well-intentioned dream that leaves us all at a loss for words.
Spring roars in laughing as the season continues with Neil Simon’s Rumors, directed by Keith Baker, and running March 22-April 17. Hilarity abounds as guests arrive at the New York City Deputy Mayor’s townhouse to find the host has shot himself (though it’s only a flesh wound), his wife is missing, and there isn’t any food! The party guests are desperate to hush up the scandal, if that’s what it is, that surrounds their unseen host. As the confusion and miscommunication mount, the evening soon spins out of control in this non-stop laugh-out-loud Neil Simon farce.
The season concludes on May 10-June 5 with five-time Tony winning Man of La Mancha, with music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion, and book by Dale Wasserman. Directed by Keith Baker, BRT’s annual musical production features the return of Robert Newman (from BRT’s Gypsy) as the quixotic Don Quixote. Inspired by one of the greatest novels of all time, Man of La Mancha features Miguel de Cervantes and his faithful servant, who channel the power of storytelling to recount the legend of knight errant Don Quixote and his trusty sidekick Sancho as they embark on a journey full of laughter, love and unruly windmills. Don Quixote’s quest dares everyone to dream “The Impossible Dream.”
BRT continues to enhance the theater-going experience with pre- and post- performance programs during the run of each production, including: post-show discussions (first Tuesday and Wednesday of each run), Opening Night post-performance reception (first Thursday of each run), Friday Festival (first Friday of each run) featuring guest speakers providing background information on the production; Wine-Down Wednesday (second Wednesday evening of each run) featuring pre-show crudité, desserts, and wine complimentary of Got Wine?; Thirsty Thursday (third Thursday of each run) featuring unique beer selections from local breweries; and Theatre Theology (third Sunday of each run) featuring a post-show discussion of the Jewish themes and issues in the production.
Since 1986, BRT has brought consistently acclaimed professional theatre to Bucks County and maintains a long-term commitment to finding and developing new plays. The theatre is the recipient of over 70 Barrymore Award nominations for Excellence in Theatre, given annually by Theatre Philadelphia. In addition to its Mainstage productions, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community, with such programs as children’s theatre, community concerts and exhibitions of local visual arts. Currently under the direction of Artistic Director Keith Baker, Founding Director Susan D. Atkinson, and Managing Director Jameson Gilpatrick, BRT begins its 29th season. For information, visit www.brtstage.org.