Playhouse Merceds New Name and Energy Creates Buzz in Central Valley

The just concluded 2002 -- 2003 season at Playhouse Merced achieves unprecedented success

Merced, CA (PRWEB) July 5, 2003 -- Under the direction of Managing Artistic Director Claude Giroux, with outstanding supporting performances by General Manager Jerry Deal, the volunteers, Board of Directors, season sponsors, pre-professionals and staff, Playhouse Merced had the most outstanding season in its history.

The 2002 -- 2003 seasons single ticket sales, season subscriptions and conservatory enrollment all doubled-and in some cases-tripled. Nearly 18,000 single tickets were sold, an increase of 50 percent over the previous season. Season subscriptions also more than doubled to 607. And the Conservatory program has experienced amazing growth, accommodating triple the number of students learning the craft of theater. (See page 2 for data)

Giroux and Deal attribute this success to a variety of factors all working together.Id call it chemistry," says Giroux. What stands out to me are the moments of pure genius that occurred simply as a function of the right people being in the right places at the right times and knowing clearly why they were there and what gap they had to fill to make things work."

Everyone at Playhouse Merced puts in a staggering about of time and devotion," agrees Deal. These are people who have a love for the arts and are committed to producing professional theater in the Valley."

Mike Boardman, founder and CEO of Boardman Mitchell Partners, the theatres marketing partner and season sponsor agrees, Its been great participating in the phenomenal growth at Playhouse Merced. Cultural growth is a real success story for this region."

In 2003-2004, Playhouse Merced anticipates an even more amazing year starting in September 2003, its 10th anniversary season-packed with blockbuster musicals, thought-provoking dramas, and laugh-out-loud comedies.

Playhouse Merced enters its 10th anniversary season this September in Merced, CA. Productions have included Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning plays along with timeless classics that delight audiences time and again. The Youth Conservatory trains young actors and presents plays that the whole family can enjoy. Playhouse Merced is the only Central Valley theatre offering a full season of professional-quality productions. For more information on upcoming Playhouse Merced programs directed to serve the Latino community, regular season productions, or performance classes at the Youth Conservatory, please call (209) 725-8587 or visit www.playhousemerced.com.

For more information contact:

Kelli Matthews            
Boardman Mitchell Partners      
(866) 246-4263      
3144 North G" Street #125-214   
Merced, CA 95340         
kelli@boardmanmitchell.com