Kean Theatre Presents Premiere of "The Graduate"
Theatre launches fifth season
Gibsonia, Pa. - Aug. 21, 2006 - The Kean Theatre is proud to be the site of the Pittsburgh premiere of "The Graduate" - kicking off the Kean's fifth theatrical season Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30 at The Washington Place, 5847 Meridian Road.
"We are thrilled to host the Pittsburgh premiere of 'The Graduate.' It has never been staged by a local company," states Tom Madden, managing director of the Kean Theatre. "This season is special, marking the fifth anniversary of the Kean, we have experienced tremendous growth to where we will see more than 13,000 community members pass through our doors this year alone."
Tickets are available for $19 for general admission or $25 for Director's Circle seating by calling 724-444-KEAN (5326) or by visiting www.keantheatre.com. Audience members have the option of attending dinner at 6 p.m. in The Washington Place's Mount Vernon Restaurant. Dinner and the show are $37. The backstage bar and box office open both evenings at 7 p.m.
Terry Johnson's adaptation of the Oscar-winning film won critical praise in its London and Broadway runs, as well as a world tour that continues to seduce audiences. Kathleen Turner, Morgan Fairchild, Anne Archer, Jerry Hall and Linda Grey have appeared throughout the world as the unforgettable Mrs. Robinson in this 2002 comedy.
Gregory Caridi, Theresa Hune and Jessica Ream head the cast of the show that will kick off the fifth season at the Kean. Caridi makes his third appearance on the Kean stage, playing the role of Benjamin. A Pittsburgh native, he received his bachelor of arts degree in theatre from Point Park University and has appeared in more than 30 productions. Theresa Hune returns to the Kean stage playing the notorious Mrs. Robinson. Hune is an English teacher who has 15 years experience directing student actors; she has appeared in numerous stage productions as well as regional and national television. She lives in Hampton Township with her three children. Making her Kean debut, Jessica Ream will play the role of Elaine. Ream is an actor, dancer and singer who has performed with the Civic Light Opera and The Point Park Playhouse. She has also performed along the east coast of the United States, Brazil and Poland. Ream is a performing arts student at Point Park University. "The Graduate" is directed by Tom Madden, the managing director of the Kean Theatre, and a veteran of the Pittsburgh theatrical scene.
The laughs continue all season at the Kean with a delightful mix of classic comedy, farce and flat-out funny. In November, the Kean Theatre presents the Neil Simon comedy, "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" followed by the hysterical farce, "Lend Me a Tenor" in January and the season will wrap-up in April with the Noel Coward classic, "Private Lives."
"The Graduate" is sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, an Oscar-level sponsor of the Kean Theatre, NexTier Bank and North Pittsburgh Telephone Company are Emmy-level sponsors, and Armstrong is a Grammy-level sponsor.
The Kean Theatre is open to the public and has built a reputation for its convenient location, free parking, quality entertainment and elegant setting. The theatre is operated by St. Barnabas Charities, the fund-raising arm of St. Barnabas Health System. The Health System also includes St. Barnabas Nursing Home, Valencia Woods at St. Barnabas, The Arbors at St. Barnabas, The Village at St. Barnabas, The Woodlands at St. Barnabas, The Washington Place at St. Barnabas, and St. Barnabas Medical Center. Theatre proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund.
Contact:
Kathleen Brenneman
(724) 444-5530
kbrenneman@stbarnabashealthsystem.com
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