Olney Theatre Center Announces Changes to 2009 Season

Olney Theatre Center has announced programming changes to its 2009 season, citing the economy as the reason for the changes. Artistic director Jim Petosa says in a statement: “We decided to revisit this year’s programming in order to offer top notch productions while making the best possible fiscal choices for the theater. These changes have allowed us to cut expenses from the budget and further utilize resources in which the theater is already invested, such as our National Players tour. However, we have not, and will not, compromise excellence.”

A Passion for Justice: An Encounter with Clarence Darrow, a solo show featuring Paul Morella as the famed defense attorney, will replace Waste, August 12-September 6. The Fats Waller revue Ain’t Misbehavin’ will replace the rock musical Two Gentlemen of Verona, July 7-August 2. In lieu of the previously announced Taming of the Shrew, Olney will present Shakespeare’s comedies As You Like It (May 8 and 9) and Much Ado About Nothing (August 28 and 29).

Olney’s season will also include Call of the Wild, April 8-May 3, a Jon Linsky-Bill Barclay musical based on the works of Jack London, directed by Clay Hopper; Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, May 29-July 5, directed by Petosa; The Millionairess, by George Bernard Shaw, June 17-July 12, with John Going at the helm; Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams, September 30-October 25, directed by Going; and Camelot, the Alan Jay Lerner-Frederick Loewe musical, November 18-January 3.

For more information, call 301-924-3400 or visit olneytheatre.org.