Fountain Hills Community Theater
PRESS RELEASE
2-26-2009

The cult comedy that defined a generation is back! The novel was a 60’s cult classic; the film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and is listed as #7 on the American Film Institutes list of the top 100 movies. In 1996, The Graduate was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It also ranked as the seventh greatest film of all time on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies. It made stars out of Dustin Hoffman and Katherine Ross and the acclaimed stage version of this comical, iconic slice of American pop culture has seduced the West End, Broadway and soon, you. The Graduate opened at Broadway’s Plymouth Theater in April of 2002. It featured Jason Biggs and Alicia Silverstone in her Broadway debut and starred Kathleen Turner as Mrs. Robinson.

Benjamin Braddock returns home from college with excellent grades, proud parents and an uncertain future. His father’s good friend, Mr. Robinson, recommends that Ben seize every opportunity that comes his way and so he does - specifically, Mrs. Robinson. Life seems to be on the up for Benjamin when he meets Elaine and falls in love. But there's only one problem: she's Mrs. Robinson's daughter!

Please note: Local audiences should be warned that the stage production of The Graduate is rated ‘R’. No one under 18 will be admitted without parent or guardian age 21 or older and this show is not recommended for those who are easily offended or shocked. In accordance with the script requirements, Mrs. Robinson appears nude in the play as does a nearly nude female stripper. There are scenes in which Mrs. Robinson and Benjamin share a bed and appear to make love. Those who find this unacceptable are urged to avoid the production as to not be offended.

The Graduate is produced by Steve Mancarella and directed by Peter J. Hill. The production stars Scott Duncan as Benjamin, Elizabeth Rowe as Elaine and Christi Sweeney as Mrs. Robinson. The cast also includes Charlie LeSueur as Mr. Robinson, Michael Druckman as Mr. Braddock and Karen Hellman as Mrs. Braddock. The ensemble includes Alex Bradley, Linda Ferington, Bob Feugate, Sean Owen, Lindsay Schoenrock and Doug Simmons.

The Graduate will open March 20th and play through April 5th, 2009. Curtain times are 8:00pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 P.M. Individual tickets are $25.00 for adults. Senior price of $20 is available for all Thursday performances. Student rush and group discounts are also available. All performances are at Fountain Hills Community Theater on its Mainstage at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. (the Corner of Saguaro and Rand). Tickets are available through the theater Box Office at (480) 837-9661 x3. Box Office Hours are 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Visit our website at www.fhct.org.

For additional information not contained in this press release please call the Fountain Hills Community Theater Box Office at (480) 837-9661. Visit us at www.fhct.org


Patty Torrilhon
FHCT Publicity

Captions: Christi Sweeney as Mrs. Robinson and Scott Duncan as Benjamin Braddock