Philadelphia Theatre Company announces the addition of the hit Broadway musical Grey Gardens, book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, and lyrics by Michael Korie, to its 2008-2009 subscription season. Named Time magazine's #1 show in 2006, this hilarious yet heartbreaking musical is based on the widely-popular documentary film about the notoriously reclusive Little Edie Beale and her mother Edith Bouvier Beale, the deliciously eccentric aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Grey Gardens runs from May 22 - June 28, 2009.

Grey Gardens joins a stellar subscription line-up featuring the world premiere of Unusual Acts of Devotion by pre-eminent American playwright Terrence McNally; Resurrection, a new play by rising star and 2007 Obie Award-winner Daniel Beaty; and a soon-to-be-announced Philadelphia premiere by Edward Albee, the distinguished playwright of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Zoo Story. Grey Gardens is 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.

"We are delighted to be furthering our relationships with Terrence McNally and Edward Albee, two of the foremost playwrights of our generation, as well as forging relationships with rising stars Daniel Beaty and the creative team of Doug Wright, Scott Frankel, and Michael Korie," said Sara Garonzik, Producing Artistic Director of Philadelphia Theatre Company. "With our mission of supporting and developing contemporary American work, we are committed to showcasing the talents of both new and established American playwrights."

Opening the season on October 22 - November 23, 2008, Unusual Acts of Devotion spotlights the residents of a Greenwich Village walk-up, gathered together on a hot summer evening on the roof to celebrate Josie's return to town and the wedding anniversary of Leo and Nadine, only to inadvertently confront some of the uncomfortable truths that inform their lives and relationships. Described by McNally as a "love letter to New York - its energy and its people," the play looks at things done - and not done - all in the name of love. This is Philadelphia Theatre Company's sixth collaboration with Terrence McNally, having produced the world premieres of his Tony Award-winning play Master Class and Some Men as well as the Philadelphia premieres of Love! Valour! Compassion!; Lips Together, Teeth Apart; and Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune.

In Resurrection, January 23 - February 22, 2009, five African-American men ranging in age from 20 to 60 have their lives transformed by the extraordinary mind and spirit of a 10-year-old boy. This joyous new work by Obie Award-winning actor, singer, writer and composer Daniel Beaty, examines what it means to be a black man in America today. Beaty recently won national praise for his complex and lyrical production of Emergence-SEE!.

Philadelphia Theatre Company is also presenting a one-woman, limited engagement show as part of their 2008/2009 season. Emmy-winning writer/actor/comic Judy Gold brings the hilarious yet poignant 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother to Philadelphia for five performances on December 18 - 21.

PTC continues to augment the theater experience with a series of lifestyle-based audience add-on events during the run of each show including: Meet the Artists, an in-depth, behind-the-scenes discussion following each play; two Wine Tasting nights, with opportunities to sample top wines selected by noted sommelier, Luca Mazzotti; Night OUT, a LGBTQ-friendly pre-show reception; and NEXT, for The Young Patrons of PTC between the ages of 26 and 40 with a passion for theater.

Subscriptions for the 2008-2009 Season are currently available starting at only $132 for a four-play series by calling Philadelphia Theatre Company at 215-985-0420 or 866-985-0420, or visiting online at www.Philadelphia TheatreCompany.org. For patrons looking to choose their own series, special Flex subscriptions are also available beginning at $132.

Managing Director Diane Claussen welcomes PTC patrons to the Suzanne Roberts Theatre: "Everyone has been moved or inspired at some point in his or her life by the power of a theatrical experience. As we enter into Philadelphia Theatre Company's 33rd season and our second in our beautiful new home on the Avenue of the Arts, I urge Philadelphia audiences to come back to our theatre - whether it's for the first time this year, the first time in many years, or the first time ever!"

Philadelphia Theatre Company is Philadelphia's only non-profit professional theater dedicated exclusively to producing world and regional premieres of works by contemporary American playwrights. Sara Garonzik has been the company's Producing Artistic Director since 1982, and in October 2007, Diane Claussen became its Managing Director. Philadelphia Theatre Company has had ever-increasing national impact, having produced 34 world premieres of new American plays and musicals in its 32 seasons. Recent world premiere productions include: The Happiness Lecture by Bill Irwin; Nerds://A Musical Software Satire by Jordan Allen-Dutton, Erik Weiner, and Hal Goldberg; Some Men by Terrence McNally (recently produced at Second Stage Theatre); Adrift in Macao, a musical by Christopher Durang and Peter Melnick (produced at Primary Stages last winter); Bruce Graham's According to Goldman; Jeffrey Hatcher's A Picasso; Daniel Stern's comedy Barbra's Wedding (moved to the Westside Arts Theatre in 2003); John Henry Redwood's No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs; J.T. Rogers' White People; David Ives' Lives of the Saints; three-time Tony Award-winning Master Class by Terrence McNally, starring Zoe Caldwell; Bunny Bunny by Alan Zweibel (Lucille Lortel Award, 1997); and the American premiere of Birdy by Naomi Wallace, among others.

Philadelphia Theatre Company has received numerous "Best Theater Company" citations from media sources such as the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia Style Magazine, and Philadelphia City Paper. Since 1995, Philadelphia Theatre Company has received 134 nominations and 36 awards from Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards.

PTC now enters its second season in its new home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre designed by KieranTimberlake Associates LLP. This new state-of-the-art venue includes a 365-seat traditional proscenium auditorium designed to envelope both the actors and audience, a dramatic lobby and mezzanine level reception areas with an expansive view of the Avenue of the Arts, as well as superior patron amenities, box office facilities, handicapped accessibility and an elevator to all floors.

For further information on Philadelphia Theatre Company and the upcoming 2008/2009 season at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, call 215-985-0420 or visit www.Philadelphia TheatreCompany.org.

For subscription information,call 215-985-0420 or 866-985-0420, or visit www.Philadelphia TheatreCompany.org.

UNUSUAL ACTS OF DEVOTION
A World Premiere
By Terrence McNally
October 22-November 23, 2008
Opening Night: Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 PM

Judy Gold in 25 QUESTIONS FOR A JEWISH MOTHER
A Special Holiday Production
Written by Judy Gold and Kate Moira Ryan
December 18-21

RESURRECTION
A New Play
By Daniel Beaty
January 23-February 22, 2009
Opening Night: Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 PM

PLAY TO BE ANNOUNCED
A Philadelphia Premiere
By Edward Albee
March 20-April 19, 2009
Opening Night: Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 PM

GREY GARDENS
A Philadelphia Premiere
Book by Doug Wright
Music by Scott Frankel
Lyrics by Michael Korie
May 22 - June 28, 2009
Opening Night: Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00 PM

Evening performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 8:00 p.m., with Wednesday performances at 7:00. Matinee performances are some Saturdays 2:00 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 p.m., and some Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Open captioned and audio described performances will be offered during each production.

Call at 215-985-0420 or 866-985-0420 for exact schedule and prices or visit www.Philadelphia TheatreCompany.org.