Playhouse to open season

The Village Playhouse is celebrating the beginning of its 10th anniversary season with the state premiere of "August: Osage County."

Season tickets are on sale for the 2010-11 season, which includes two award-winning Broadway musicals, a holiday story, a new version of a literary masterpiece and two comedies.

Kicking it all off is "August: Osage County," the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play that tells the story of the Weston family of Pawhuska, Okla. The play features Samille Basler in the role of the family matriarch, Violet.

Joining her are Cristy Landis as oldest daughter Barbara Fordham, Mary Cimino as Mattie Fae Aiken, Josh Wilhoit as Little Charles, Katherine Chaney as Jean Fordham, Robin Burke as Steve Heidebrecht, Jeff Jordan as Sheriff Deon Gilbeau, Nat Jones as Charlie Aiken, Dave Reinwald as Bill Fordham, Sierra Garland as Johnna Monevata, Angela White as Ivy Weston, Tracy Abeles as Karen Weston and Tom Sterns as Beverly Weston.

Written by Tracy Lett, the play tells the story of the Westons, a large extended clan that comes together at their rural Oklahoma homestead after the alcoholic patriarch disappears.

Keely Enright is the producing artistic director for the Village Repertory Co.

"August: Osage County" is for mature audiences only due to adult language and content.

Shows are 7 p.m. Aug. 26; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27, 28, Sept. 3 and 4; and 5 p.m. Sept. 5.

Tickets are $27 for adults, $25 for seniors and $20 for students with $12 student rush tickets sold at the door (subject to availability).

Purchase at www.villageplayhouse.com or call the box office at 856-1579. Season memberships also are available online or by phone.

The Village Playhouse is at 730 Coleman Blvd. in Mount Pleasant in the Brookgreen Town Center behind the Starbucks.