For Immediate Release: September 14, 2006
Media Contact: Albert DeCola, The Merriam Theater, 215.732.5997

Jeffrey Finn Productions is proud to announce the National Tour of the stunning new production of Ernest Thompson's Academy Award winning family comedy-drama ON GOLDEN POND. Starring in this Tony nominated new production is Tony Award winner Tom Bosley and four time Emmy Award winner Michael Learned. Under the direction of Leonard Foglia, ON GOLDEN POND plays the Merriam Theatre October 31 through November 5, 2006 as part of the Broadway Across America - Philadelphia 2006-2007 Season. Tickets are available beginning Sunday, September 17, 2006.

ON GOLDEN POND is a heartwarming and hilarious celebration of the everyday struggles and ultimate triumphs of life, love, and family. Retired New England professor and lovable curmudgeon, Norman Thayer, Jr., and his spirited wife, Ethel, decide to spend one final summer at their family's lakeside cottage in Maine. They are soon interrupted by the arrival of their daughter Chelsea, who, en route to a European vacation, leaves behind her fiancé's young son. Colliding generations soon forge common ground.

Tom Bosley has been enjoying a remarkable career in entertainment for over 50 years and has had great success in theatre, film and television. In 1959, Mr. Bosley was chosen by George Abbott to star in the Broadway musical Fiorello! for which he won the Tony Award. His motion picture debut was in 1962 when he landed a co-starring role opposite Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen in "Love with the Proper Stranger."

After that he continued his film success working with stars such as Peter Sellers, Angela Lansbury, Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball and Paul Newman. Mr. Bosley also found success in television and has worked on over 500 television productions. For 11 years he starred in one of the most successful TV series of all time, "Happy Days" for which he received 2 Emmy Award Nominations. He then teamed up with Angela Lansbury again for four years on the hit series "Murder, She Wrote" after which he went on to do his own series, "Father Dowling Mysteries." In 1995 Mr. Bosley returned to the stage starring as Belle's Father in Beauty and the Beast in New York and Los Angeles. Afterwards he joined the National Company of Show Boat as Cap'n Andy and toured for 18 months. Mr. Bosley recently returned to Broadway for 10 months starring in the acclaimed production of Cabaret. After 59 years in show business he's been asked, "Why haven't you retired?" He replied, "Actors spend half their career in retirement".

Michael Learned initially achieved national recognition as Olivia Walton in the long-running hit television series "The Waltons" for which she won 3 Emmy Awards for Best Actress. Ms. Learned's Broadway credits include Gore Vidal's The Best Man, The Sisters Rosensweig, and Three Sisters. National Tours include Three Tall Women and Love Letters. She performed Off-Broadway in All Over, Time of The Cuckoo, Three Sisters , God Slept Here, The Loves of Anatol, and premiered in Lee Blessing's A Body of Water (Guthrie). Ms. Learned also starred in "Nurse," "Hothouse," "Living Dolls," "Law & Order SVU," "Scrubs," and numerous TV films. Her film credits include "Loggerheads," "Lethal Eviction," "Life During Wartime," and Sidney Lumet's "Power." These are only a few of the many and varied successes in the long career of Ms. Learned who has garnered the following accolades: 4 Emmy Awards for Best Actress, the People's Choice Award, 3 Golden Globe nominations, the Hollywood Dramalogue Critics Award; an Outer Critics Circle nomination.

ON GOLDEN POND received the Tony Award nomination in 2005 for Best Play Revival, starring James Earl Jones and Leslie Uggams. The acclaimed 1981 film version starring Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Jane Fonda and Dabney Coleman was nominated for nine 1982 Academy Awards, winning three for Fonda, Hepburn and author Ernest Thompson for the screenplay he adapted from his own play. For his screenplay, Mr. Thompson also won the Golden Globe and Writers Guild of America awards.

Treasure this once in a lifetime opportunity to see America's favorite dad, Tom Bosley and America's favorite mom, Michael Learned in ON GOLDEN POND. Performances run October 31 through November 5 at the Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad Street, at the University of the Arts. Showtimes are Tuesday through Friday at 8:00pm; Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:00pm and 6:30pm.

Tickets for this award-winning production, go on sale to the general public Sunday, September 17 at 10:00AM. Tickets range from $25.00 to $64.50 and can be obtained by calling Ticketmaster in Philadelphia, at 215-336-1234; in New Jersey 856-338-9000 and in Delaware, 302-984-2000. Tickets may also be ordered on line at www.ticketmaster.com or at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Philadelphia.

Broadway Across America - Philadelphia 2006-2007 Season Tickets are also still available and may be purchased at BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com or by calling 1-888-451-5761 (M-F 10-5).

Local sponsors of ON GOLDEN POND are CBS3, THE INQUIRER, KYW NEWSRADIO, THE HILTON FAMILY HOTELS, and B101.

ON GOLDEN POND is presented as part of the Broadway Across America - Philadelphia 2006-2007 Season at the Merriam Theater.

About Broadway Across America
Broadway Across America presents annual subscription series of first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of 50 North American cities. Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all patrons and is committed to presenting productions of the highest quality. Broadway Across America's season ticket holders enjoy exclusive special services and benefits to over 500 performances throughout the network each year. Broadway Across America also is a leader in group sales and services across the country and in New York City. Broadway Across America is a division of Live Nation (NYSE: LYV), a leading live content and distribution company focused on creating superior experiences for artists, performers, corporations and fans. For information or to purchase tickets go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

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