As the holiday season approaches, are you confronted by the idea of giving gifts to friends and family who already have all that they need? Or, friends and family members who could use a break from the hustle, bustle and stress of the daily grind? If so, then this holiday season, give the gift of live theatre in America’s first great theatre city! Attending theatre can not only give you a break from the everyday, but also offers experiences which will create memories for years to come.

In Philadelphia this season, shows abound from the classic to the comedic, family-friendly to nights out for the adults. Some highlights running between Thanksgiving and New Years’ include:

* Enjoy dinner and a show at The New Candlelight Theatre’s production of The Music Man.
* Every Friday night check out the riotus comedy of improvisational theatre with The N Crowd.
* For family-friendly shows without a holiday theme, check out The People’s Light & Theatre Company’s annual Panto Cinderella, James and The Giant Peach at Arden Theatre Company, or Sleeping Beauty by Storybook Musical Theatre.
* For some holiday-specific fun check out Christmas City Follies IX at Touchstone Theatre, A Christmas Carol at Hedgerow Theatre, The Snow Queen at Enchantment Theatre Company, or 1812 Productions’ Cherry Bomb: The Worst Act in Vaudeville for the Holidays.
* Want your holidays with a little bit of something different for the adults? Then check out BCKSEET Productions’ irreverent The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, or the revisioning of A Christmas Carol by Curio Theatre Company as a ghost story of Christmas.
* For some thought provoking entertainment check out Gee’s Bend at Arden Theatre Company, Sidewalk Café by Represented Theatre Company, Mambo Italiano at Allens Lane Theater, Talk Radio (Revised) at New City Stage Company or Women on the Verge: Ibsen, Nora and Hedda at Temple Theaters.
* Music abounds in productions of Oliver! at The Media Theatre, An Evening of Russian Romances by The Academy of Vocal Arts, and Theatre Horizon’s American Songbook: An Evening of Music.
* Lantern Theater Company offers one comedic satire leading into another with The Government Inspector followed by a limited engagement of The Great Divorce.
* Not interested in the holidays but don’t want to feel like the only one not doing something? Check out the comedic offerings of Act II Playhouse’s Look Mom, I’m Swell, Picasso at the Lapin Agile at Delaware Theatre Company, or The Wilma Theater’s Schmucks.

And tickets to these events are both affordable and ecologically friendly! You could spend hundreds of dollars and gas on tickets and travelling elsewhere this season, or you can stay in Philadelphia, America’s first great theatre city, and experience the same quality for less! Ticket prices to these events average only $26! That’s a huge value for the memorable experience offered. Additionally, the money spent on a theatre ticket in goes back into the local economy. There is no better gift this holiday season! Information and links to all of these productions can be found online at www.theatrealliance.org.

Not sure what show your friends and family would most enjoy? Purchase Theatre Alliance Gift Certificates, good at any of the shows above and many more throughout the year! Gift Certificates are redeemable at over 50 theatres in the Philadelphia region as well as at the Theatre Alliance. They can be used for tickets, merchandise or even theatre classes for children and adults! Certificates are sold in $20 denominations, include a personalized message, and are good for one full year from the date of purchase. The gift certificates can be sent to you, or directly to the recipient, along with a list of participating theatres. Gift Certificates can be purchased online by visiting www.theatrealliance.org/giftcerts or over the phone by calling (215) 413-7150. To guarantee receipt by Hannukah orders delivered by regular mail should be received no later than December 15th and for Christmas orders should be received by December 19th.

So this season, give an economically friendly gift; a green gift; a gift of an experience; a gift of memories; give the gift of theatre!

Family and friends don’t live in the Philadelphia area? Gift Certificates are also available in the following cities across the nation:

* Atlanta, GA Gift Tix at 404.588.9890 or www.atlantaperforms.com
* Austin, TX GiftTix at 512.474.TIXS or www.nowplayingaustin.com
* Boston, MA BosTix Gift Certificates at www.bostix.org
* Charleston, SC Theatre Charleston Gift Certificates at 843.813.8578 or www.theatrecharleston.com
* Chicago, IL Play Money Gift Certificates at 312.554.9800 or www.chicagoplays.com
* New York City, NY TKTS Gift Certificates at 212.912.9770 x374 or www.tdf.org
* Toronto, ON T.O. Tix Gift Certificate at the T.O. Tix Booth
* Washington D.C. Washington Theatre Tixcertificates at 202.337.4572 or www.washingtontheatretixcertificates.org

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia
Founded in 1990, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia strengthens and leads the region's richly diverse theatre community by promoting positive awareness and serving as a resource for information, professional development, and advocacy. The Theatre Alliance is a member-based leadership and service organization composed of non-profit professional theatres, individual theatre artists, and affiliated organizations within the Greater Philadelphia region.

For a full list of theatre events all year long, and a complete list of Gift Certificate participating theatres visit us online at www.theatrealliance.org.