The Arden to host Philadelphia's First Bike to Theatre Night 7/2

Arden Theatre Company will host Philadelphia's first ever Bike to Theatre Night on Friday, July 2, 2010 for the 8pm performance of Stephen Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park with George. Anyone who rides a bicycle to the theatre that evening will receive a special "Tandem Discount" for two-for-one tickets, as well as free valet bike parking provided by Neighborhood Bike Works. The Arden is proud to celebrate the growing cyclist community in Philadelphia and is partnering with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia to engage the bicycle riders throughout the area. Tickets for Bike to Theatre Night can be ordered in advance by calling 215.922.1122.

American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, CA held a Bike to Theatre night once during the run of each of its shows in 2009, inspired by the eco-friendly commuting habits of its staff members. ACT welcomed new audiences to the theatre, many of whom discovered the event through the San Francisco Bike Coalition. Similarly, a dozen staff and cast members at the Arden bike to work each week, taking advantage of an indoor bike rack nestled in the Arden's basement among set and prop storage. According to a 2008 survey by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, our city has seen a dramatic increase in commuters that bicycle to work, with over 36,000 people riding bikes to work at least once a month. With an additional increase in dedicated bike lanes and bike racks throughout the city, the Arden felt this was a perfect time to encouraging biking to theatre in Philadelphia.

"Bike to Theatre Night provides a great opportunity for theater-goers to forgo the hassle of finding car parking and experience the ease of using a bicycle as a convenient and free means of transportation," said Maria Dziembowska, Membership and Event Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. " Bicycling among Philadelphians is growing and the Arden is using a smart business tactic by encouraging and rewarding those customers who use bicycling as their transportation choice. " added Dziembowska "I am thrilled that the Arden is hosting Philadelphia's first Bike to Theatre Night and I hope more entertainment venues follow their lead."

Bike to Theatre night coincides with Old City's First Friday festivities, at which the Arden presents interactive creative opportunities to audience members and passersby.

Sunday in the Park with George
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Directed by Terrence J. Nolen
Production conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Terrence J. Nolen
On the Arden's F. Otto Haas Stage
On stage through July 4, 2010
Sunday in the Park with George celebrates the power of creation. Jeffrey Coon (Seurat) and Kristine Fraelich (Dot) star in this passionate production featuring Sondheim's full orchestrations and a commanding ensemble of 15.

"One of the strongest Sondheim productions of the past decade." -Wall Street Journal

"Graceful, intense new production...a recent Broadway revival has nothing over the Arden, the region's premier Sondheim producer" - Philadelphia Inquirer

Tickets and information is available online at www.ardentheatre.org or by calling 215.922.1122