Take an adventure into the Hundred Acre Wood with the world's most beloved Pooh Bear in the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's production of Winnie the Pooh, now on stage through August 4. Performances are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10am, with additional 2pm matinees June 23, July 21, 24, 26 and August 2.

All seems well in the Wood until big news creates a stir. Oh, bother! Rumors of a strange and frightful animal have reached the ears of Pooh and his pals and they begin hatching a plan to protect their forest from the impending threat of this dreadful creature and her dangerous soap. Once they meet the "terrifying" Kanga and her young child Roo, it seems that there is nothing to be afraid of. Or is there?

With a set design by five-time Emmy Award winner Bob Phillips, and direction by PSF's new full-time Education Director, Erin Mullen, this gentle classic by A.A. Milne comes to life in the intimate setting of the newly renamed Schubert Theatre. The excitement and adventure continue after the 50-minute show, when the audience is invited to meet the cast in the lobby for pictures and autographs.

The Production Sponsors for Winnie the Pooh are Steve and Jane Auvil and the Production Co-Sponsors are Capital BlueCross and The Century Fund.

The cast, the PSF acting intern company, is composed entirely of students from DeSales University's Theatre program. Sophomore Chris Brossman, from Schuylkill Haven, PA, portrays the title character, Pooh. Caitlin Kinsella, a returning PSF intern and graduating senior from Allentown, plays Pooh's sidekick and inquisitive best friend Piglet. Other returning interns include Andy Wertner (Greencastle, PA), Ryan Whalen (Canandaigua, NY), Andrew Kane (Quakertown, PA), and Tom Hodgskin (Glen Gardner, NJ), all graduating seniors. The actors bring an exciting energy to the show through their wildly animated and zany portrayals of Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, and a tiger, respectively.

Victoria Bonito, a sophomore from Downingtown, narrates the story of Pooh and his friends. Sarah Polk, a senior from Dickson City, PA, plays the maternal Kanga with the help of sophomore Mary Anne Furey (Upper Darby, PA) who portrays Kanga's mischievous, bouncy child, Roo. Senior Brian Donnelly (Levittown, PA), junior Ryan Kelly (Allentown, PA) and freshman Julia Stroup (Haverford, PA), play a colorful crew of sprightly forest creatures. Nick Snyder ('09) from Allentown portrays Pooh's two-legged friend, the sweet, young Christopher Robin.

Director Erin Mullen returns for her eighth season with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival to put her own special touch on this classic family tale. Winnie the Pooh features costume design by Amy Lobmeyer, resident costume designer at DeSales University for the past six years. DeSales alum Matthew Given designed the sound for the production. His work has been heard in such places as the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Rutgers University, and the Gala Hispanic Theatre in Washington D.C. Lighting is provided by Solomon Weisbard, whose credits include PSF's Othello and Sleuth, and many regional productions in the U.S.

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival is a professional theatre company in residence at DeSales University in Center Valley. PSF is recognized by Jim Volz, editor of quarto, the newsletter for the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America as one of the leading Shakespeare festivals in the nation. As the official Shakespeare Festival for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PSF attracts audiences that range from 25,000 to 30,000 people from 22 states each year.

Tickets for Winnie the Pooh are $13 for adults and $11 for children (12 and under). For ticket information, contact PSF at 610-282-WILL [9455] or order securely online at www.pashakespeare.org.

Media contact: Lisa Higgins at 610.282.WILL, ext. 4; or e-mail Lisa.Higgins@desales.edu PSF Box Office: 610-282-WILL [9455], ext. 1

Also at the Festival this season: The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare June 13 - July 1 Amadeus by Peter Shaffer June 20 - July 8 The Mystery of Irma Vep by Charles Ludlam July 11 - August 5 The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare July 18 - August 5

The free outdoor Green Show completes the season's offerings and is performed one hour prior to each evening performance.

Linda Lapos and Paul Wirth are the 2007 Season Sponsors. Associate Season Sponsors are: The Harry C. Trexler Trust, The Morning Call and Service Electric Cable TV & Communications.