'Sweat' to open Philadelphia Theatre Company's 2018-19 season
PHILADELPHIA - Champagne glasses clinked as the crowd excitedly waited to hear what would be included in Philadelphia Theatre Company's 2018-19 season Tuesday night.
After a brief video about other projects PTC has been involved in, Paige Price, the company's new producing artistic director, took center stage to share that "Sweat," Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning play based in Reading, will open the upcoming season, set to run Oct. 12 through Nov. 4.
"I wanted us to tell a story about Pennsylvania, and it turns out we didn't have to go very far," Price told the audience at Suzanne Roberts Theatre in Center City.
Reading residents will remember that Nottage's survey and observations of the city concluded with the installation, "This Is Reading," which was shown at Franklin Street Station in July.
The Philadelphia production is the play's official debut in Pennsylvania, beyond a stripped-down preview that was performed at the Miller Center for the Arts in December 2016.
"The whole season is women-focused. We wanted to tell this story about friends who are really struggling; there's so many layers which I find interesting, and it's a difficult story to tell," said Managing Director Emily Zeck, who is also new to PTC. She joined PTC in August, after Price, a former colleague and old friend, coaxed her to join the team.
"A lot of theaters in Pennsylvania wanted it (the play), so there was a negotiation in getting the rights," Zeck said. "After being dark for a year, we're going in full force with a big show."
Auditions in Philadelphia will be held "very soon," Zeck said, as the team aims to use as many actors from the area as possible before talent commits to other Philadelphia theaters for the next season.
Also on PTC's bill for the next season are "Bridges of Madison County," (running Feb. 8 through March 3, 2019) as well as the world premiere of "How to Catch Creation," by Christina Anderson, from March 22 to April 14, 2019. "How to Catch Creation" comes from the Los Angeles-based Kilroy List, which is a collective of female writers, producers, directors, actors and others who compose a list of shows that have never been produced; PTC is the first American theater to select a Kilroy production. This year, the Kilroy-selected plays featured a special focus on shows written by women of color.
The company did not produce work for the 2017-18, but did present theatre, comedy and music during the regular season, and will show the Ars Nova production of "Small Mouth Sounds" in March. PTC is reviving its subscription program for past members as well as creating incentive programs for prospective members.
Ticket sales for the general public will be available this summer, while subscription packages are already available to purchase; those interested can purchase tickets by calling 215-985-0420 or by visiting the box office. The Suzanne Roberts Theatre, the home of PTC, is at 480 S. Broad St., Philadelphia.