New theater brings music, comedy, and good old-fashioned fun to the Northeast

The Mayfair CDC and Fuse Management, LLC are proud to announce the Devon Theater’s sure-to-please 2009-2010 inaugural season this September. Fresh off the success their widely acclaimed production of Nunsense, The Devon will showcase old favorites as well as little-known gems in their newly renovated, state-of-the art performance space. Conveniently located on Frankford Avenue, the Devon will bring professional theatre to communities in the Northeast and the Greater Philadelphia area. In addition to in-house theatrical productions, the Devon will also present concerts, comedians, family attractions, dance, and educational programming throughout the year. "We believe the community is the heartbeat of this theater and we will engage them not only as patrons but also participants in as many ways as imaginable," says Artistic Director, Michael Pickering.

The Devon’s exciting inaugural season opens with monster-hit musical comedy, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, on stage September 9th-20th. In this kooky cult classic, a down and out floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an ill-tempered, mean-spirited, R&B-singing carnivorous plant who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite. Fertilized with a wicked score and witty lyrics from the legendary Disney songwriting team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS was one of Off-Broadway’s longest running shows - proving that sometimes it is easy being green! The Devon invites you to turn over a new leaf by seeing this old favorite in a brand new space.

Not to be outdone by a giant singing plant, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT promises audiences a rainbow ride through biblical Egypt, running November 11th-December 13th. Written by musical theatre masterminds, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, JOSEPH is an irresistibly hilarious re-telling of the story of Joseph, his jealous brothers and one very loud garment. This colorful musical will have you singing and dancing in your seats to songs that span all the way from calypso to rock to disco to country. This worldwide phenomenon has been an audience favorite for more than thirty-five years!

The Devon rings in the New Year with the famously funny farce NOISES OFF, running January 27th-February 14th. The show delights in exposing the onstage, offstage and backstage tomfoolery of a travelling troupe of hapless British actors. During their ill-fated touring production of the fictitious farce Nothing On, these antic actors try (and spectacularly fail) to cope with slamming doors, fooling around, backstage drinking, and, of course, plates upon plates of sardines. Everything that can go wrong does, as actors desperately fumble to hang on to their lines, their performances and the furniture. Critically hailed as “the funniest farce ever,” NOISES OFF is an unrivalled delight for anyone who thinks that falling down is funny, that underwear is outerwear, and that theater is a metaphor for life itself.

Another highlight of the inaugural season includes the intoxicatingly enjoyable PUMP BOYS & DINETTES, running March 3rd-21st. Welcome to Highway 57! Home to fun-loving gas station pump boys Jim and LM and the very vivacious Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, waitresses at the Double Cupp Diner. This charismatic crew lives in their own country, blues and rock-n-roll heaven - singing through their days and dancing the nights away. Whether they’re crooning over the heart-throb cashier at Woolworths or just hankering for heftier tips, these sensational singers will get you into the groove of their rockin’ tunes. This charming musical is a little-known gem that received a Tony Nomination for Best Musical in 1982 and became a fan favorite as it toured nationally. Join in on the fun as the boys go fishing, the girls brew up some homemade beer and the whole gang plans a trip to Florida… in Uncle Bob’s Winnebago.

The season wraps up with a little nostalgia and a lot of laughs as the Devon presents FOREVER PLAID, running April 7th-25th. FOREVER PLAID is one of the most popular and successful musicals in recent memory. This deliciously goofy revue centers on four young, eager male singers killed in a car crash in the 1950s on the way to their first big concert. Miraculously, they come back to Earth 25 years later for a chance to fulfill their dreams of fame and fortune before finally returning to Heaven. Talk about a blast from the past! The show is filled with the catchy pop hits of the 1950s songs and delightful patter that will have audiences rolling in the aisles.

For the inaugural 2009-1010 season, evening performances will run Wednesday - Sunday at 7pm, with matinees on Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Preview performances will take place on the first Wednesday of each run and will feature a lively post-show discussion with the director and select members of the cast. Order early and save by purchasing a five-show season subscriptions at the unbelievable value of just $100 for Devon Theater Members and $125 for non-members. Subscribe today and you will receive a Devon Theater Membership (a $200 value) for FREE. You will receive preferential seating, advance notice of upcoming events, special deals, promotions, and more. Subscribe online at www. devontheater.org or call 215-338-6300 for more information.

The Devon Theater was established in 2009 to serve its community, enhance the physical environment, increase the economic vitality and improve the quality of life in the Mayfair Community and beyond. Local community goals include developing and implementing programs that encourage commercial partnerships, creating employment opportunities, and developing cultural programs for the population of Mayfair. The Devon Theater will be a part of the community and collaborate with other organizations to attract programs and services that will enhance the community and all its residents. We are committed to providing programming that will entertain, engage, educate, and inspire our audiences through a vital and dynamic program of theater, entertainment, performances, projects, and events the whole family can enjoy, making an essential contribution to the quality of the arts and life in our community and beyond.

FACT SHEET FOR Devon Theater’s Inaugural Season, 2009-2010
Produced by Fuse Management & The Mayfair CDC @ The Devon Theater, 2009-2010

PERF. DATES/TIMES:
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Book & Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Preview: Weds.. 9/9/09
Opening Night: Thurs. 9/10/09
Closing: Sun. 9/27/09

JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
Book and Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Preview: Weds. 11/11/09
Opening Night: Thurs. 11/12/09
Closing: Sun. 12/13/09

NOISES OFF
By Michael Frayn
Preview: Weds. 1/27/10
Opening Night: Thurs. 1/28/10
Closing: Sun. 2/14/10

PUMP BOYS & DINETTES
Book, Lyrics, & Music by John Foley, Mark Hardwick,
Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel, & Jim Wann
Preview: Weds. 3/3/10
Opening Night: Thurs. 3/4/10
Closing: Sun. 3/21/10

FOREVER PLAID
Book by Stuart Ross
Music & Lyrics by Various Artists
Arrangements by James Raitt
Preview: Weds. 4/7/10
Opening Night: Thurs. 4/8/10
Closing: Sun. 4/25/10

THEATRE: Produced by Fuse Management, LLC & The Mayfair CDC at the Devon Theater

LOCATION: Devon Theater, 6333 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19135

TICKET PRICES: Season Subscriptions just $100 for Devon Theater Members, $125 for non-members

SPONSORS: Coca-Cola Philadelphia Bottling Company

PRESS INFORMATION: Kimberly Reilly, Assistant to the Artistic Director: kreilly@fusemanagement.net

TICKET INFORMATION: Buy online at www. devontheater.org; Call 215-338-6300; Purchase in person at our box office: 6319 Frankford Ave, Phila. PA 19135.