The Limelight Theatre’s 2009/2010 season will kick off with the opening of Picnic, by William Inge, on September 18th on the Matuza Mainstage. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Critic’s Circle award, The New York Times praised, “Inge has made a rich and fundamental play” from “commonplace people.”

The play takes place on Labor day Weekend in the joint backyards of two middle-aged widows. The one house belongs to Flo Owens, who lives there with her two maturing daughters, Madge and Millie, and a boarder who is a spinster school teacher. The other house belongs to Helen Potts, who lives with her elderly and invalid mother. Into this female atmosphere comes a young man named Hal Carter, whose animal vitality seriously upsets the entire group and alters their lives forever.

The cast includes, Krista Tutor, Patrick Barry, Daisye Tutor, Adam Kessler, Kady Speeks, Nancy Grote, Margaret Kaler, James Gelter, Rachael McClure, Stephanie Trull, and James D. Bennett. Picnic is directed by Limelight veteran, Patsy Butler.

In 1956, the screen adaptation of Picnic was released starring William Holden and Kim Novak. The critically-acclaimed film garnered two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a listing as one of the ten best films of 1955. Also, when premiered on Broadway in 1953, a little known actor named Paul Newman made his Broadway debut.

Picnic runs September 18 through October 18 with a special champagne reception on opening night. Showtimes are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00. Tickets are $25, with a special Terrific Tuesday performance September 22 featuring two tickets for $25. Special preview tickets are also available for September 17 at $10 per ticket.

Reservations are strongly suggested and may be made by phoning the box office at 904-825-1164 or online at www.limelight-theatre.org. The Limelight Theatre is located at 11 Old Mission Avenue in uptown St. Augustine. The Box Office is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am – 4pm.