Prince Music Theater's 09-10 Season Includes Cabaret Series And HAROLD & THE PURPLE CRAYON

The Prince Music Theater will offer a full 2009-2010 season of original productions, Morgans Cabaret, co-productions, plus performances, film festivals, and film programs by resident companies from September of 09 - July 2010. Program details will be announced in the next few weeks.

Since July of 2008, the Prince has been in an ongoing conflict leading to litigation with the theater's mortgage-holder, TD Bank. In the current environment, the Prince is not alone in its struggle to refinance and resolve issues with a large financial institution. Throughout this tough struggle, the creative spirit, ingenuity, and tenacity of the Prince artists, educators, young people, Board, and staff have remained strong, providing a remarkable renewable resource of perseverence and resilience. It is the people of the Prince who have given so much and enabled us to continue to produce and present from September to July.

This year, despite the obstacles, the Prince has welcomed more than 43,000 people to more than 265 live performances, educational performances, and films, for a highly diverse audience in age, race, and economic background. Our offerings have included the popular Morgan's Cabaret series, which had its most successful season ever; our distinctive education programs and youth performances serving thousands of at-risk public school students, plus major productions by the Prince, Curtis Opera, Enchantment Theatre, Rebecca Davis Dance Theater, film festivals and programs presented by the Philadelphia Cinema Alliance and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, PrideFest, and visiting productions including Buddy Greco's tribute to Peggy Lee and David Brenner, among others.

We see light at the end of the tunnel. Although we cannot comment on the pending litigation, we can report ongoing positive negotiations with TD Bank. We are optimistic that an amicable resolution will be completed very shortly.

We are grateful for the dedication and leadership provided by two exceptional law firms:

Special Litigation Counsel Steven M. Coren of Kaufman, Coren & Ress, nationally known for successful litigation with major financial institutions; General Counsel Robert B. Eyre and Gene A. Foehl of Foehl & Eyre, PC, with extensive banking expertise.

The Prince will be open and in full production during the 09-10 season.

Our program will include:

Prince Morgan's Cabaret series starting in October, with five artists - details of artists and scheduling to be announced in the next two weeks.

Prince Music Theater original Mainstage productions beginning in December, 2009, with a holiday show, plus two world premieres in the spring/summer of 2010. We expect to announce our Mainstage productions in August.

Enchantment Theatre's world premiere of Harold & the Purple Crayon, music by Charlie Gilbert, in December, produced by Enchantment in association with the Prince Music Theater like last season's Snow Queen.

Enchantment Theatre: a second production soon to be announced

Prince Youth Arts in Action: our award-winning performance-based education program for at- risk youth, with a fall tour to schools in West Philadelphia, and a fall-winter after-school and full-day program leading to a winter youth production. This program serves middle-school and high school students in Philadelphia public schools and will add in 09-10 a training program for youth from 17 - 24, out of school and unemployed, including graduates of the foster care system.

Resident companies' productions including Curtis Opera - three operas at the Prince; Philadelphia Cinema Alliance with two film festivals; First Glance Film Festival; Greater Philadelphia Film Office productions; Rebecca Davis Dance Company; Gay Men's Chorus; and others.

For more information, please call the Prince at 215-972-1003.