For Immediate Release: April 28, 2005
Media Contact: Deborah Fleischman, for Philadelphia Theatre Company, 215.735.7356

Philadelphia Theatre Company proudly announces that the name of its new home on the Avenue of the Arts will be the Suzanne Roberts Theater in honor of actress, playwright and director Suzanne Roberts. The new theater space, located at the corner of Broad and Lombard Streets on the Avenue of the Arts, will feature a dramatic glass façade, a 365-seat traditional proscenium auditorium, and a studio space. The building is expected to be completed by Fall, 2007.

"We are very grateful for the generous gift from Ralph and Suzanne Roberts, which, with a challenge grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and other donors, leads PTC to launch a Groundbreaking capital campaign to raise $27.25 million in support of the state-of-the-art theater, and endowment for its continued operation, educational programming and bridge funds," said E. Gerald Riesenbach, President of the Board of Directors of Philadelphia Theatre Company. "Owning and operating our own theater is imperative for our long-term vitality and viability, and will allow us to continue and expand our award-winning tradition of artistic excellence."

"At last, we at Philadelphia Theatre Company step into our future with an inspiring new theater space to make our most imaginative theatrical visions come true!" said Sara Garonzik, Producing Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Theatre Company. "The Suzanne Roberts Theater is a symbol of new growth, and stands as eloquent testimony to Suzanne's artistic vision and to the vital role she has played in enabling the Philadelphia Theatre Company and the community we serve to embark on a bold new future with confidence."

"I wanted to congratulate the Philadelphia Theatre Company for its fine work and Ralph Roberts for his wonderfully generous gift to the capital campaign," said Governor Ed Rendell. "The Suzanne Roberts Theater will enliven the Avenue of the Arts and be another important building block in continuing to make Philadelphia one of the most vibrant cities in America."

"I am very honored to have my name on the new home of the Philadelphia Theatre Company. The company represents the high artistic standards I have spent my life in the theater pursuing," said Suzanne Roberts.

For more than 40 years, Suzanne has devoted much of her energy and talent to the Philadelphia theater community. An actress by training, Suzanne's extensive experience on the stage has served as a springboard for countless examples of meaningful public service beginning with World War II when she was called on by the U.S. Treasury and the International Red Cross to act in dramas that inspired the purchase of thousands of dollars in war bonds and the signing up of hundreds of donors to give blood. After World War II, Suzanne's career was distinguished by national appearances in plays discouraging racism and alcoholism, including "Lady on the Rocks," a play about alcoholism which was performed in factories, board rooms, medical schools and AA groups, and a weekly program called "Hate Inc" which exposed Nazi dominated groups in the United States.

Demonstrating her artistic range, Suzanne also performed on the radio in weekly dramatizations of eminent citizens entitled "Within Our Gates" and of works by William Shakespeare. Her programs won numerous awards including Best Philadelphia Actress (NBC), The Philadelphia Fellowship Commission for Program Originality, and two awards from the Board of Education for a television series she created and hosted on city government for high school students. Her direction of Joseph Clark's and Richard Dilworth's radio and television campaigns for Senator and Mayor, respectively, resulted in her book, "The Candidate and Television." Seeing a need for television programming for the over-45 population, Suzanne created the Emmy Award-winning program, Seeking Solutions with Suzanne.

A key focus of Suzanne's life has also been on using theater to improve the lives of young people which she has done through the Suzanne Roberts Cultural Development Fund. Her concern, generosity and vision have made a sustained and dramatic contribution to Philadelphia's cultural and educational community, a distinction honored by the Philadelphia Theatre Company at its 2003 Sweetheart's Brunch.

Philadelphia Theatre Company celebrates the best in new American theater. As it enters its 30th Anniversary year, PTC is proud to be known as an innovator, a risk taker and an educator. PTC has put the spotlight on established and emerging American playwrights, and emphasized the rich tradition, unique perspective and cultural diversity of the American experience. Ever mindful of its responsibility to provide a necessary forum and nurturing environment for the fresh creative voices that will keep American theater vital, PTC has introduced many award-winning premieres to audiences in Philadelphia and beyond, including three-time Tony Award-winning Master Class by Terrence McNally; Bruce Graham's According to Goldman; Daniel Stern's comedy Barbra's Wedding; John Henry Redwood's No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs; J.T. Roger's White People; David Ives' Lives of the Saints; Bunny Bunny by Alan Zweibel; and A Picasso by Jeffrey Hatcher which premiered at the Manhattan Theatre Club (NYC) this spring. Since 1995, PTC has received 83 nominations and 24 awards from Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards, most recently for The Last Five Years (Overall Outstanding Production of a Musical, 2002-2003) and A Picasso (Outstanding New Play, 2002-2003).

For further information, please call 215-985-1400 or visit www.phillytheatreco.com.

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