Philadelphia Theatre Company announces a one-week-only extension of Tony Award-winner Bill Irwin's The Happiness Lecture. The new performance dates are Thursday, June 19 at 8PM; Friday, June 20 at 8PM; Saturday, June 21 at 2PM and 8PM; and Sunday, June 22 at 3PM. Tickets are $46 to $58, with discounts for students, seniors and groups. Tickets are available by calling the PTC Box Office at 215-985-0420 or visiting www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.

The Happiness Lecture is conceived and performed by Bill Irwin with an ensemble cast including local artists Nichole Canuso, Jennifer Childs, Melanie Cotton, Aaron Cromie, Lee Ann Etzold and Makoto Hirano as well as New York artists Ephrat "Bounce" Asherie and Cori Olinghouse.

"With many of our performances selling out and tickets to the remaining shows going quickly, the audience and critical response to The Happiness Lecture has been incredible. We're hearing words like 'gleeful,' 'dazzling,' 'spectacular,' and 'joyful' relating to the production. In times of public cynicism and civic apathy, it is wonderful to offer people an opportunity to laugh and have a good time!" said Sara Garonzik, Producing Artistic Director of PTC.

In The Happiness Lecture Bill Irwin leads this versatile ensemble of eight actors and dancers on an adventure in the pursuit of happiness. A unique and imaginative evening of delightful vignettes and physical comedy, this world premiere event is a wild theatrical ride that spoofs theatrical conventions while exploring the sheer joy of laughter.

The Happiness Lecture was commissioned by the Philadelphia Theatre Company and made possible in part by a grant from the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, a program of the Philadelphia Center for Arts and Heritage, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by The University of the Arts.

For more information on The Happiness Lecture or Philadelphia Theatre Company, call 215-985-0420, visit the website at www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org, or stop by box office at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre at Broad and Lombard Streets.