Asheville Community Theatre will present the glittering, fast paced and deliciously witty comedy The Philadelphia Story, by Philip Barry, opening on Friday, May 2nd at 8:00 pm and running for three weekends through May 18, 2008. Performances are held on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 pm. Asheville Community Theatre is located at 35 E. Walnut St. in downtown Asheville. On Opening Night, a pre-show complementary champagne reception will be held.

 

The Philadelphia Story centers on Tracy Lord, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy Philadelphia family. On the eve before her wedding to George, a man of national importance, her former husband C.K. Dexter Haven appears, as does Mike Connor, a dashing young reporter sent from a gossip magazine to detail her wedding festivities. As her family finishes the wedding preparations, Tracy is faced with a disappointed fiancé, a house full of wedding guests and two additional marriage proposals. Will Tracy do the expected and marry George, or will she be seduced anew by "Dext," her onetime beau? Or will down to earth Mike sweep the goddess Tracy off her feet? Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart starred in the classic MGM film version after the show premiered on Broadway in 1939.

 

The Philadelphia Story is directed by Bernie Hauserman, who has previously directed The Raindrop Waltz, Moon Over Buffalo and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? for Asheville Community Theatre.

 

The Philadelphia Story stars the luminous Kelly Christianson (The Food Chain) as Tracy Lord and a handsome trio of actors - Steve Wilde (Southern Hospitality), Dan Clancy (A Few Good Men) and Waylon Wood (Moon Over Buffalo) - as her would-be suitors. They are joined onstage by ACT veterans Michael Boulos and Art Moore and ACT newcomers Jim France, Margaret Butler, Beth Ely, Peter Ely, Jeff Corpening and Delina Hensley. The set is designed by Jack Lindsay, with lighting design by Jason Williams, and costume design by Linda Underwood.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for college students and seniors (over 60), and $12 for children (17 and under). Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.ashevilletheatre.org, over the phone by calling the ACT Box Office at 828-254-1320 or in person at the Box Office, located at 35 East Walnut Street . Box Office hours are 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday – Friday. For more information, please call 828-254-1320.

 

At A Glance