Seattle Repertory Theatre 50th Anniversary Season to Include WAR HORSE, GLASS MENAGERIE, PULLMAN PORTER BLUES

Seattle Repertory Theatre has announced the first three titles confirmed for its upcoming 50th Anniversary season, which runs September 2012-May 2013. The theatre will produce Seattle playwright Cheryl L. West's new work Pullman Porter Blues, the Tennessee Williams classic The Glass Menagerie in an intimate and imaginative new staging, and will partner with Seattle Theatre Group to present the Broadway hit War Horse.

The full season will be announced March 31, 2012.

To prepare for the milestone season, Seattle Rep established a council of artists and long-time Seattle Rep advocates-including Lily Tomlin, Bill Irwin, Kevin Kling, and HAl Holbrook-to gather stories from the organization's history. The theatre is also unveiling a new logo and tagline: "50 years of life onstage."

Patrons will be able to purchase subscriptions starting March 31, 2012.

About the plays

Pullman Porter Blues
In 2008, Seattle Rep commissioned playwright Cheryl L. West (Holiday Heart, Play On!) to write Pullman Porter Blues. Since re-energizing the New Play Program, this is the first Seattle Rep commission to premiere on the main stage. Set in 1937 on the Panama Limited train out of Chicago, Pullman Porter Blues centers on three generations of porters working the sleeping cars the night of the famous Joe Louis/James Braddock boxing match. The play is woven with live blues music.

The Glass Menagerie
The theatre had originally announced this beautiful Tennessee Williams classic as part of the current season, but decided to postpone it in order to feature the play in the 50th Anniversary celebration. It will get an imaginative, intimate new staging in the Leo K. Theatre.

War Horse
Seattle Rep will partner with Seattle Theatre Group to bring Seattle audiences this magical, touching Tony award-winning masterpiece as part of Seattle Rep's subscription series. The Broadway hit will be mounted at the Paramount Theatre.

Seattle Rep will also continue work with its New Play Program, which will include readings and workshops with local and national playwrights throughout the season.

Seattle Repertory Theatre was founded in 1963. Prior to the 1960s, audiences from the Northwest had to travel to New York to see great professional theatre. Buoyed by the cultural success of the 1962 World's Fair, a handful of community leaders-with Bagley Wright at the helm-envisioned for Seattle a professional theatre company to rival the best in New York. Seattle Repertory Theatre was founded to realize that vision. 

"I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing institution to celebrate such an important milestone," said Artistic Director Jerry Manning. "This season will be a sort of 'Best of the Rep,' showcasing the things we do so well-from reimagining classics to staging recent Broadway hits to giving a first look at the most exciting new work. I can't wait to celebrate with the Seattle community."