PST Continues with the Razor-Sharp Pygmalion

Pygmalion, the second show of Princeton Summer Theater’s 2015 season, opens tomorrow at the Hamilton Murray Theater on Princeton University’s Campus. This timeless comedy by George Bernard Shaw is a sharply funny commentary on class, gender, and what it means to be true to yourself.

This vibrant and hilarious new production adapted and directed by Princeton lecturer in Theater and English R. N. Sandberg highlights the battle of wits and wills between Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Speech professor Henry Higgins makes a bet that he can transform cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle from a low-class nobody to the toast of society at an upcoming garden party. He soon realizes, however, that this feat might not be so easily accomplished; Eliza has strong opinions of her own, and she is prepared to fight Henry every step of the way on her transformation from street urchin to sophisticated duchess. The inspiration for the musical My Fair Lady, the story of Pygmalion has captivated audiences for decades. 

Starring guest artist Jake Robertson as Henry Higgins and Princeton Summer Theater company member Bits Sola as Eliza Doolittle. Also featuring Ross Barron (Pickering), Maeve Brady (Mrs. Higgins), Sarah Cuneo (Mrs. Eynsford Hill) Caroline Hertz (Mrs. Pearce/Miss Eynsford Hill), Kanoa Mulling (Freddy Eynsford Hill), and Evan Thompson (Mr. Doolittle).

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, directed by Princeton University lecturer in Theater and English R.N. Sandberg. Opens Friday, July 3. Performances run July 3-5, 8-12, and 16-19. Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Wednesday, July 8th at 8pm. Special talkbacks with the cast follow every Friday evening performance: join us on July 4th after the 2pm matinee for a reception with hoagies by Hoagie Haven!

Tickets are $27.50 for general admission, $22 for students and matinees. We also offer season subscriptions for only $60 (a 30% discount!), which ensures a reserved seat for each of our three remaining main stage shows this season. To order tickets, visit http://www.princetonsummertheater.org/ or call the PST box office at 1-732-997-0205.

Photo captions:

• Pyg1: Bits Sola (L) as Eliza Doolittle and Jake Robertson (R) as Henry Higgins in a scene from Pygmalion, opening tomorrow at the Hamilton Murray Theater.
• Pyg2: From right to left: Ross Barron as Pickering, Bits Sola as Eliza Doolittle, Jake Robertson as Henry Higgins, and Evan Thompson as Mr. Doolittle in a scene from Pygmalion. 
• Pyg3: Jake Robertson as Henry Higgins in a rehearsal for Pygmalion.
• Pyg4: From right to left: Sarah Cuneo as Mrs. Eynsford Hill, Jake Robertson as Henry Higgins, Caroline Hertz as Miss Eynsford Hill, Kanoa Mulling as Freddy Eynsford Hill, and Bits Sola as Eliza Doolittle.

PST's Annual Children's Programming

Dear Princeton Summer Theater community,

Our mainstage season is well underway: Metamorphoses closed to rave reviews and build has begun for Pygmalion, directed by Princeton University lecturer, director, and playwright R.N. Sandberg.

Amidst all the excitement for this year's season, we want to make sure that you don't miss out on our other projects, including our affordable and educational children's programming. As a company of young artists ourselves, we are so passionate about bringing the magic of theater to young audiences. 

This year's children's show is The Legendary True Story of Sparrow Jones and the Jersey Devil, a new play for young audiences written by PST veterans Maeli Goren and Brad Wilson and featuring Maeve Brady as our bookish but plucky heroineSparrow Jones!

"Have you seen the Jersey Devil? Sparrow Jones has been afraid of it her whole life, so when she finds herself lost in the Pine Barrens, she has to use all her strength, wits and courage to find her way out! Sure to engage audience members of all ages, "The Legendary True Story of Sparrow Jones and the Jersey Devil" is a musical, magical, and interactive journey through New Jersey flora, fauna and folklore."

The story of Sparrow Jones & the Jersey Devil is written to help kids think about themselves as participants in a larger world; a world in which they have the power to love their family, home and planet actively and compassionately. Empowering, exuberant, and laugh-out-loud funny, you and your family won't want to miss Sparrow Jones!

Tickets for the show are $10, free for children under 3. Shows are at 11am on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from July 2-August 8. After each performance, actors come out to meet with children, sign their programs, and talk about the characters and the play! We're also happy to provide discounted group rates and to accommodate parties: just give us a call 1-732-997-0205 or email us at contact@princetonsummertheater.org for more information.

We'll also be hosting a series of six Young Artists' Workshops for children ages 6-12. Come learn and play alongside the 2015 PST Company! Over the course of 6 weeks, we''ll explore some of the fundamentals of theater and work together to create our very own show, which we'll perform for family and friends at our last session together. Come to one or come to all -- we always welcome drop-ins!

All workshops are Friday afternoons from 1:30-4:30pm, July 3-August 7. Each workshop costs $30 to register -- save 20% by registering for all six workshops for $145! Register by emailing workshops@princetonsummertheater.org.

As always, feel free to contact us at 1-732-997-0205 or at contact@princetonsummertheater.org -- we love to hear from you. 

Sincerely,
Wesley, David, Kanoa & Sarah
The PST 2015 Executive Board

Metamorphoses opens tonight!

Company member Brad Wilson as Eros in a scene from Metamorphoses, which runs June 18-28 at the Hamilton Murray Theater

Metamorphoses, the first show of Princeton Summer Theater’s 2015 season, opens this Thursday at the Hamilton Murray Theater on Princeton University’s Campus. A retelling of a series of ancient Greek myths, director Maeli Goren’s inventive, physical production focuses on play, human connection, and the transformative power of storytelling.

This joyful production of Mary Zimmerman’s Tony-Award nominated play brings Ovid's classic tales to life through a mixture of contemporary and ancient styles, the use of musical accompaniment, and a world of shifting fabrics. An exploration of change, love, and the persistence of the human spirit, Metamorphoses takes classic stories and makes them achingly relevant to modern audiences. 

Starring Princeton Summer Theater’s 2015 company: Ross Baron, Maeve Brady, Caroline Hertz, Bits Sola, Evan Thompson, and Brad Wilson. The show is ensemble-based, with each actor transforming to play a wide variety of roles throughout. Directed by Maeli Goren, with original music by Steven Tran.

Company member Ross Barron as Ceyx in a scene from Metamorphoses, which runs June 18-28 at the Hamilton Murray Theater

Metamorphoses, based on the myths of Ovid, written and originally directed by Mary Zimmerman. Opens Thursday, June 18. Performances run June 18-21 and June 25-28. Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Special talkbacks with the cast follow every Friday evening performance: join us on June 19th for a talkback lead by Princeton University theater professor and director Tim Vasen. On June 21st, after the 2pm matinee, celebrate the beginning of PST's 2015 season with a cupcake reception sponsored by House of Cupcakes!

Tickets are $27.50 for general admission, $22 for students and matinees. We also offer season subscriptions for only $75 (a 32% discount!), which ensures a reserved seat for each of our four wonderful main stage shows this season. To order tickets, visit http://www.princetonsummertheater.org/metamorphoses/ or call the PST box office at 1-732-997-0205.

Get a sneak peek of the show -- watch the trailer now!