The 2006 Season offers a change of pace for Bucks County Playhouse audiences when it serves up a play instead of traditional musical fare. The Graduate is set for a one week run beginning Wednesday, June 21 and continues through Sunday, June 25, 2006. The play will also return for a one week in November.

Based on the novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, The Graduate centers on recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock who is trapped into an affair with Mrs. Robinson, wife of his father’s business partner. Benjamin soon finds himself falling in love with Mrs. Robinson’s teenage daughter.

The Graduate features a newcomer to the Bucks County Playhouse stage. Janet Gray will perform the role of Mrs. Robinson. Area audiences have seen Janet in productions on stages throughout the region. Most recently, Janet was seen as Imogen in Murder By The Book at the Off-Broadstreet Theatre in Hopewell, NJ, Barbara in The Constant Wife at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, PA and Diana in California Suite at the Somerset Valley Playhouse in New Jersey. She has played numerous roles on television including appearances on HBO’s “The Sopranos” and NBC’s “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” and “Law and Order: SVU”. On the big screen, Janet has been seen in such movies as The Stepford Wives, Dark Water and the upcoming The Devil Wears Prada. Playing the role of Benjamin Braddock is Playhouse regular, Peter Martino. Peter, known for his musical theatre talents, was seen on the Bucks stage in last season’s productions of Hello, Dolly! as Ambrose Kemper, Gypsy, and Once Upon A Mattress where he played the leading role of Prince Dauntless. The Graduate will be directed by Michael Licata who just recently directed this season’s production of Into the Woods and directed last season’s critically acclamed production of Gypsy starring Joyce DeWitt.

The Bucks County Playhouse production of The Graduate runs from Wednesday, June 21 thru Sunday, June 25, 2006. Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 2 PM and 8 PM, Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 4 PM and 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. Ticket prices are $22 or $24. A “Day of Show” discount is available to students ages 21 and under and all active military. Discounts are available day of only with valid identification. For information and reservations, call the Box Office at 215-862-2041. The Bucks County Playhouse is located at 70 South Main Street in historic New Hope, Pennsylvania.

The Graduate Production Shot - 300 dpi

Janet Gray as Mrs. Robinson and Peter Martino as Benjamin Braddock in the Bucks County Playhouse production of The Graduate running from Wednesday, June 21 thru Sunday, June 25, 2006. The production will return for an additional week from Wednesday, November 15 thru Sunday, November 19, 2006.

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