PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: January 12, 2010
PRESS CONTACT: Dan Berube, 978.654.7595, berube@merrimackrep.org
BOX OFFICE: 978.654.4MRT (4678)
VIEW THE ANNUAL REPORT: http://www.merrimackrep.org/images/about/2009%20Annual%20Report.pdf
MERRIMACK REP
RELEASES 2009 ANNUAL REPORT
30th Anniversary Season Full of Milestones and Praise
Company Operates Fourth Consecutive Year “In the Black”
Lowell, MA – Merrimack Repertory Theatre, the only fully professional non-profit theatre company in the Merrimack Valley region, has released its Annual Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 on the Company’s website and by mail to its over 1,200 donors, sponsors and supporters. The report highlights the organization’s artistic and financial accomplishments for the 2009-2010 Season, its 30th anniversary year, which the Company celebrated with a gala in June 2009. The report is available to the public on the “About MRT” page of the Theatre’s website, http://www.merrimackrep.org/. Printed copies are available at MRT’ administrative offices, located at 132 Warren Street in Lowell.
Highlights of the report and the year include:
- Unprecedented critical acclaim for Merrimack Rep artists, including eight Independent Reviewers of New England Awards, one Elliot Norton Award, and designation as the “Best Live Theatre of the North Shore.”
- Merrimack Rep sold its one millionth ticket, produced its first fully staged musical in 15 years (The Fantasticks), and produced its 200th professional production.
- An operating surplus for the fourth consecutive year.
- A total of 3,548 middle school, high school and college students served through MRT’s education and outreach programs, an increase of 18% over 2008.
- 50% of the theatre’s revenue coming from donations and contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations and government agencies, helping to keep the theatre accessible and affordable to all.
As predicted, the current economic crisis has been hard on the Massachusetts theatre community, with two major theatres closing in 2009. Thankfully, Merrimack Rep’s commitment to fiscal responsibility coupled with artistic excellence has kept the theatre in a strong position going forward. The Merrimack Rep Board of Trustees and the theatre’s staff, under the leadership of Artistic Director Charles Towers and Executive Director Tom Parrish, are committed to ensuring that the Theatre continues to thrive, even during these challenging times, and will be around to serve the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire for generations to come. While still in the middle of its 2009-2010 season, Merrimack Rep is already hard at work planning its 32nd season of providing high quality, affordable theatre for audiences in the Greater Merrimack Valley. The 2010-2011 season will be announced in April.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Don’t miss a single show! On sale now, Merrimack Rep offers subscription packages to fit every lifestyle and budget. With season subscription packages ranging from $45-$307, all subscriptions offer deep discounts off the single ticket prices as well as exclusive subscriber-only benefits, including free parking, restaurant and theatre discounts, lost ticket insurance and free, unlimited exchanges. For a season brochure or subscription information, call 978.654.4MRT (4678) or visit www.MerrimackRep.org.
TICKETS: Single Tickets $26-$56; Student/Senior/Group discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased at MRT’s Online Box Office at www.merrimackrep.org, or in person at 50 E. Merrimack St., Lowell, or by calling 978.654.4678. Groups of 6 or more save 25% off single ticket prices, and can call 978.654.7595 for more information.
For more information, bios, interviews, or photos, please contact Dan Berube at 978.654.7595 or berube@merrimackrep.org.
For MRT show times, tickets, season information, directions, or to request a brochure, please visit www.merrimackrep.org or call the Box Office at 978.654.4MRT (4678).
Merrimack Repertory Theatre is located in beautiful historic downtown Lowell at Liberty Hall, the Company’s 308-seat theatre, 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852 (adjacent to Lowell Memorial Auditorium). Each season, Merrimack Rep presents an eclectic mix of contemporary productions, engaging the best available actors, designers and directors in the country. Founded in 1979, Merrimack Rep’s mission is “To advance the cause of human understanding by creating theatrical productions at the highest level of artistic excellence and making them affordable to the broadest possible community.” Its unique artistic vision is shaped by a passion for excellence and a profound commitment to its community. Merrimack Rep strives to enhance the community’s quality of life while contributing to its economic strength, measuring success by the depth of the Company’s artistic and social contribution to the region.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre's 2009-2010 Season
Flings & Eros by The Flying Karamazov Brothers, September 10 – October 4, 2009; The Seafarer by Conor McPherson, October 15 – November 8, 2009; Heroes by Gerald Sibleyras, adapted by Tom Stoppard, November 19 – December 13, 2009; Fabuloso, A Play by John Kolvenbach, January 7 – January 31, 2010; Black Pearl Sings! by Frank Higgins, February 11 – March 7, 2010; The Last Days of Mickey & Jean by Richard Dresser, March 18 – April 11, 2010; The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead by Robert Hewett, April 22 – May 16, 2010.
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