Breaks Company's Box Office Records; Performances Added

Round House Theatre opened its 2006/2007 season in September with the DC-area premiere of A Prayer for Owen Meany, Simon Bent's new adaptation of John Irving's celebrated 1989 novel, directed by Blake Robison, the company's Producing Artistic Director.

An epic story spanning nearly three decades, A Prayer for Owen Meany is a sublime meditation on faith, predestination, and the power of friendship set against a backdrop of turbulent times in America. The story centers on John Wheelwright and his friendship with Owen Meany, a man of diminutive stature with a high-pitched voice, who claims to be an instrument of God. A tragic Little League Baseball incident forever links the pair and catapults Wheelwright on a spiritual journey for his faith

The production has proven to be an across the board major critical and popular hit, shattering the Round House Theatre's previous box office records for a non-musical offering. "I am so pleased that audiences and critics alike have embraced our production of this powerful story. It is a terrific way to begin the new season with a hit that is the talk of the DC theatre community," said Robison.

Critics have loved the show. "Owen Meany soars . . . a towering production" said The Washington Post. A "far- reaching, visually majestic and sublimely acted production" proclaimed The Washington Times. The production garnered Washingtonian's maximum four star rating and Washington's City Paper praised the show's "rousing, handsome stage" while Potomac Stages called it "theatrical magic." Owen Meany indeed fulfilled its promise as Washington Theater Review's "#1 pick for the fall."

Owen Meany has not only been a critical hit, but it has become the company's highest grossing play ever. Capacity audiences have cheered the cast in rousing, thunderous standing ovations. The production has proven to be so popular that performances have been added on October 3 at 7:30 p.m. and October 8 at 8 p.m. Ticket availability for these and all remaining performances is limited. Remaining performances are October 3-4 at 7:30 p.m., October 5-8 at 8 p.m. and October 7-8 at 3 p.m. at Round House Theatre Bethesda, 4545 East-West Highway. Tickets are $25-$55 and may be purchased at the Round House Theatre box office, 240.644.1100, or online at www.roundhousetheatre.org. Unfortunately, Owen Meany cannot extend beyond its announced October 8 closing date.

A Prayer for Owen Meany is sponsored in part by the generous support of Judy and Leo Zickler and Esthy and Jim Adler.