London’s Theatrical Dance Sensation Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands Makes Philadelphia Premiere At Academy of Music January 16 - 21
November 15, 2006
“Magical, witty… Scissorhands is a cut above... – London Evening Standard
“Bourne’s gleaming Edward Scissorhands is a triumph” – Daily Mail, London
“Matthew Bourne tells a story with extraordinary zest and originality. Nobody does it better” – Los Angeles Times
“Just bring your ears and eyes and marvel at the inventions of Mr. Bourne’s theatrical imagination” – The New York Times
Matthew Bourne and New Adventures are back with their latest creation — a magical new adaptation of the classic Tim Burton motion picture Edward Scissorhands. Following a record-breaking run in London and a sellout UK tour, this newest theatrical dance phenomenon will make its Philadelphia premiere at the Academy of Music for a limited engagement January 16 - 21. Part of the Kimmel Center Presents Broadway at the Academy theater series, tickets for Edward Scissorhands will go on sale Sunday, November 12 beginning at 10am.
Tickets, ranging in price from $25 to $75 are available by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust Streets (during performances only). A limited number of box seats tickets are available for $100. Groups of 20 or more call 215-790-5883. Performances include: Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm; Friday & Saturday evenings at 8pm; and matinees Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2pm.
A treat for the whole family, Edward Scissorhands features thirty dancers in a touching, witty, gothic fairytale story of a boy created by an eccentric inventor who dies leaving him alone and unfinished. Left with only scissors for hands, Edward must find his place in a strange new suburban world where the well-meaning community around him struggles to see past his appearance to the innocence and gentleness within.
Edward Scissorhands is devised, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, based on the original motion picture of the same name, by arrangement with 20th Century Fox. Music is composed, arranged and adapted by Terry Davies, based on the original motion picture score by Danny Elfman. Original screenplay and co-adaptation by Caroline Thompson. Set and costumes by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Howard Harrison and sound by Paul Groothuis. New Adventures, Martin McCallum and Marc Platt are producers. Tim Burton wrote the original story and directed the motion picture.
Edward Scissorhands broke all box office records when it premiered at Sadler’s Wells November 2005. The production is currently enjoying a successful 14-week tour of the UK, which will be followed by scheduled visits to Tokyo, Seoul and Paris prior to coming to North America this Fall.
Audiences of all ages have been captivated by the humor and charm of the leading character, Edward, who is an innocent soul forced to find his way in a world that doesn’t accept him. Matthew Bourne says, “I have been privileged to watch audiences take Edward into their hearts and roar their approval. What a delight it is to bring this fantastic story to audiences all over the world as a dance/theatre piece.”
Matthew Bourne(Director/Choreographer) most recently won London’s Olivier award for choreographing Disney’s new stage production of Mary Poppins, which comes to Broadway next season. Play Without Words brought him another Olivier Award for choreography, and opened to critical acclaim in New York in March 2005. His other credits include major revivals of classic musicals including Cameron Mackintosh’s productions of Oliver! (1994) and My Fair Lady (2002) as well as the National Theatre’s revival of South Pacific (2002). As the director and choreographer for Swan Lake (currently on world tour) Matthew Bourne is the only British director to have won the Tony Award® for Best Director and Best Choreographer of a Musical (1999).
Lez Brotherston (Set and Costume Design) won a 1999 Tony Award® for his work on Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and an Olivier Award for Cinderella. Other credits include Play Without Words, The Car Man and Highland Fling (all with Matthew Bourne) and works at the Donmar Warehouse, Royal National Theatre and on London’s West End.
Visit the official show website at: www.edwardscissorhands.co.uk
In addition to Edward Scissorhands, the 2006-2007 Broadway at the Academy theater and subscription season also includes: Disney Live! Mickey’s Magic Show(Nov. 24 – 26); The Beatles Experience performed by RAIN (January 4 – 7, 2007); Pippin (Jan. 11 – 15, 2007); Annie (March 1 – 4, 2007); Monty Python’s Spamalot (March 20 – April 8, 2007); Riverdance (May 15 – 20, 2007); and WICKED (July 25 – August 19, 2007).
All performances of 2006-2007 Kimmel Center Presents Broadway at the Academy are supported by the Philadelphia Coca Cola Bottling Company, WPVI-TV 6, The Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Broadway at the Academy.
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