Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Begins 25th Anniversary Celebration with Annual Luminosity Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2016

Center Valley, PA – Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival will kick of its 25th Anniversary season on June 4, 2016 with Luminosity, a gala evening featuring performances by PSF artists, a chef-curated dinner, and distinctive auction prizes, to be held in the University Center on the campus of DeSales University. All event proceeds benefit PSF’s artistic and education programs.

Performances will include scenes and songs performed by cast members of upcoming productions including West Side StoryJulius Caesar, and The Taming of the Shrew. New to the Festival this year are Keith Hamilton Cobb (All My Children, Emmy nominee) in the role of Julius Caesar, and Linda Thorson (The Avengers) as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit. Returning Festival favorites include Greg Wood, Zack Robidas, Emmy nominee Marnie Schulenburg, Ian Merrill Peakes, Eleanor Handley and many more.

Guests can look forward to a menu inspired by Producing Artistic Director Patrick Mulcahy’s upcoming production of Julius Caesar, along with unique cocktail offerings and interactive appetizer stations. Live and silent auctions boast prizes including ticket offerings to the Metropolitan Opera and premiere regional theatres; vacation getaways to Rockport, ME Ocean City, NJ and others; as well as gift certificates to top-tier Lehigh Valley restaurants.

Honorary Chairs of the event are David B. and Patrina L. Rothrock of Breinigsville, with Joel and Molly Gilley of Zionsville as Committee Chairs. Rev. Bernard F. O’Connor, OSFS, president of DeSales University, will be presented with the Festival’s annual Will Shakespeare Award. After record-setting attendance of more than 500 guests at last year’s Gala, the 2016 program promises to be PSF’s largest and most exciting event to date.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, a professional company in residence at DeSales University, is the Official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth and a professional, not-for-profit theater company. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, PSF receives support from DeSales University and relies on contributions from individuals, government agencies, corporations and foundations.

PSF is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Shakespeare Theatre Association, the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, and Discover Lehigh Valley.

PSF’s 25th Anniversary Season includes, on the Main Stage, West Side Story, June 15 through July 3; The Taming of the Shrew, July 13 to August 7 in repertory with Blithe Spirit from July 21 to August 7; and Shakespeare for Kids from July 27 to August 6. In the Schubert Theatre, the Festival will present Julius Caesar, June 22 to July 17; Love’s Labour’s Lost from July 27 to August 7 and The Little Mermaid from June 3 to August 6.

PSF dedicates the 25th Anniversary season to Founder Gerard J. Schubert, OSFS – 1929-2015.

To reserve tickets for the Gala, call 610.282.WILL [9455] ext. 6 or purchase online at www.pashakespeare.org.

Media contacts: for interviews and photos, please contact Melissa Kerr at Melissa.Kerr@pashakespeare.org.