PRESS ROOM

Hershey Theatre Announces 2008-2009 Classic Film Series (HERSHEY, PA) — Hershey Theatre has announced its 2008-2009 Classic Film Series. The season starts on Sunday, September 7 at 2 p.m. with the showing of 42nd Street. The 1933 classic musical drama, directed by Lloyd Bacon, stars Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ruby Keeler, Ginger Rogers and Dick Powell, and is being shown as part of Hershey Theatre’s 75th Anniversary celebration. Also showing will be the newsreel “The News Parade of 1933,” on loan from the UCLA Film and Television Archive.

The Maltese Falcon will be shown on Tuesday, October 7 at 7 p.m., in conjunction with JumpStreet and the National Endowment for the Arts’ “Big Read” initiative. This 1941 film-noir mystery was directed by John Huston, and stars Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, and Ward Bond.

Halloween will be celebrated in spook-tacular style, when the 1943 thriller Phantom of the Opera is shown on October 31 at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Arthur Lubin, Nelson Eddy, Susanna Foster, Claude Rains, and Hume Cronyn star in this classic tale of love sought and spurned beneath the Paris Opera House.

November 16 marks the beginning of Christmas in Hershey – so what better day to show the 1983 holiday film A Christmas Story. Directed by Bob Clark, and starring Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, and Peter Billingsley, this film will be shown at 2 p.m. and is sure to start the holidays off to a bang – one that “won’t put your eye out”.

And one holiday picture is not enough! America’s favorite holiday film White Christmas will be shown on December 6 at 7:30 p.m. This 1954 musical comedy was directed by Michael Curtiz, and stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen and Dean Jagger.
The new year will start with The Road to Singapore on January 11 at 2 p.m. The first-ever of the Road Movies, this 1940 film stars Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope, Charles Coburn, Anthony Quinn and Jerry Colonna.

February will highlight romance when The Princess Bride plays on Valentine’s Day, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. Rob Reiner directed this 1987 fantasy romance, starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Pantinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Andre the Giant, Fred Savage, Robin Wright Penn, Peter Falk, Peter Cook, Carol Kane and Billy Crystal.

On March 15 at 2 p.m., the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock favorite Rear Window will be shown. The cast includes James Stewart, Grace Kelley, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter and Raymond Burr.
Finally, Bond…James Bond. The first James Bond, that is. Dr. No will be shown on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. Written by Ian Fleming and Richard Maibaum, the film stars Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Jack Lord, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell and Peter Burton.

All tickets are $7.00 and are general admission only. They are available at the Hershey Theatre Box Office, which opens one hour before the film. A concert on the theatre’s historic four-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ precedes the films at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information, call the Box Office at 717-534-3405, or visit HersheyTheatre.com.

Hershey Theatre is celebrating its 75th Anniversary as one of the nation's premier historic theatres. An operating division of the non-profit M.S. Hershey Foundation, Hershey Theatre is committed to providing excellence in cultural and educational opportunities. To learn more about their offerings and history, visit HersheyTheatre.com.

The more beautiful you make something which people can see and use, the more enjoyment they will get out of it. – Milton S. Hershey, 1935

Hershey Theatre Celebrates 75th Anniversary (HERSHEY, PA) — Throughout his life, the community of Hershey was an enduring passion for Milton Hershey. Many of the institutions he created still are thriving today, part of his lasting legacy. One of the crown jewels, Hershey Theatre was opened in September 1933, and will inaugurate its 75th Anniversary Season with a Gala weekend of events September 5
through 7.

On Friday, September 5, a black tie optional Gala will usher guests back in time to the Theatre’s earliest days. With a red carpet entrance, guests will be welcomed back to the 1930s, with a Speakeasy cabaret downstairs, costumed actors, gaming tables, and an open bar including a signature drink. The highlight of the evening will be the 15-piece Bill Dayton Big Band, well known in metropolitan Washington DC and Baltimore for their dynamic renditions of the Big Band songbook. Guests will have the opportunity to listen, or to dance on an expanded stage area. The Gala is from 7 – 10 p.m.; tickets are $100.00 per person.

On Saturday, September 6 at 8 p.m., comedian Bob Newhart will be bringing his iconic wry humor to Hershey Theatre. Bob Newhart is a Jack-of-all-trades when it comes to comedic abilities. For the past four decades, Newhart has been entertaining audiences on stage and on TV with his smash variety show “The Bob Newhart Show.” Newhart has won an Emmy, TV Land’s prestigious “Icon Award,” a Golden Globe and three Grammy Awards—including Album of the Year for his comedy recording—just to name a few. He has also been inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame for his influences on contemporary comedians like Jerry Seinfeld. Tickets range from $49.50 - $75.00 (processing fees apply). As well, a combo ticket to both the Gala and Bob Newhart is available for $150.00 (a savings of $25.00).

On Sunday, September 7, Hershey Theatre will go back to its roots, showing the 1933 classic film “42nd Street”. As well, “The News Parade of 1933,” a vintage newsreel on loan from the UCLA Film and Television Archive, will be shown. Special prizes and surprises await the audience on this day, which will begin at 1 p.m. with a public tour, followed by a concert on the Theatre’s four-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ with Hans Gartner at 1:30 p.m.; and the films will start at 2 p.m. This event will be free, but patrons must have tickets.

For more information on any of these events, or for tickets, call Hershey Theatre Box Office at 717-534-3405, or visit HersheyTheatre.com.

Hershey Theatre is celebrating its 75th Anniversary as one of the nation's premier historic theatres. An operating division of the non-profit M.S. Hershey Foundation, Hershey Theatre is committed to providing excellence in cultural and educational opportunities. To learn more about their offerings and history, visit HersheyTheatre.com.

Bob Newhart to Perform at Hershey Theatre (HERSHEY, PA) — Bob Newhart is a Jack of trades when it comes to comedic abilities. For the past four decades, Newhart has been entertaining audiences on stage and on TV with his smash variety show “The Bob Newhart Show.” He’ll bring his talents to Hershey Theatre on Saturday, September 6 for an 8 p.m. performance. Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 28 at 10 a.m.

To his name, Newhart has won an Emmy, TV Land’s prestigious “Icon Award,” a Golden Globe and three Grammy Awards—including Album of the Year for his comedy recording—just to name a few. He has also been inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame for his influences on contemporary comedians like Jerry Seinfeld.

For more information on Bob Newhart, visit bobnewhart.com.

Hersheypark Concert Deal:  Ride the day away at Hersheypark before you rock and roll all night!  Hersheypark offers a special discounted admission price of just $28.95 to concert go-ers when using a Park ticket on the day of the concert.  Just present your concert ticket at the Hersheypark Front Gate the day of the concert to receive the discount.  NEW! Purchase Park tickets at Giant Center Box Office when you purchase your concert tickets.

Tickets for this show are $75.00, $62.50, $49.50 (processing fees apply) and are available at Hershey Theatre Box Office, by calling 717-534-3405 or online at hersheytheatre.com. Hershey Theatre is located at 15 E. Caracas Avenue in downtown Hershey.

Comedian Brian Regan Coming to Hershey Theatre (HERSHEY, PA) — Comedian Brian Regan will be coming to Hershey Theatre for one performance only on Friday, August 22 at 8 p.m.  Tickets for this show go on sale Saturday, June 28 at 10 a.m.

Critics and peers agree that Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country.  The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations. 

Brian’s standard of excellence was set from the beginning.  Watching such masters as Johnny Carson, The Smothers Brothers and Steve Martin, Brian was enthralled with the world of comedy and tried stand-up right out of college at a Ft. Lauderdale club an hour from his hometown of Miami.  Touring the country constantly through the late 80’s and 90’s Brian won the 1996 American Comedy Award for Best Comedian, starred in two Showtime specials and performed on all the leading late night shows, including his life-long dream, “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.”

With his first appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” in 1995, Brian solidified his place on the show and has returned at least once each year since to visit Dave.  He now includes regular visits to “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” on his schedule.

Through prolific writing and tireless touring, Brian is the rare comedian to make the leap from comedy clubs to theaters without the exposure of his own TV show or film.  It is the quality of his material, relatable to a wide audience and revered by his peers, which continues to grow Brian’s fan base. 

For more information visit www.BrianRegan.com.

Hersheypark Concert Deal:  Ride the day away at Hersheypark before you rock and roll all night!  Hersheypark offers a special discounted admission price of just $28.95 to concert go-ers when using a Park ticket on the day of the concert.  Just present your concert ticket at the Hersheypark Front Gate the day of the concert to receive the discount.  NEW! Purchase Park tickets at Giant Center Box Office when you purchase your concert tickets.

Tickets for this show are $36.50(processing fees apply) and are available at Hershey Theatre Box office, by calling 717-534-3405 or online at HersheyTheatre.com. Hershey Theatre is located at 15 East Caracas Avenue in Downtown Hershey.

HERSHEY THEATRE'S SPOTLIGHT TOURS
Hershey Theatre has opened its doors to visitors for public tours, called Spotlight Tours. Spotlight Tours will take place each Friday morning at 11 AM. The tours will cost $7 per person, with tickets sold at the door.

The Hershey Theatre Spotlight Tour is a one-hour walking tour that departs from the main entrance of the theatre at 15 East Caracas Avenue in downtown Hershey. It travels throughout selective areas of the building, from the basement to the balcony. Its highlights include the majestic Grand Lobby, the gilded Inner Lobby, the historic four-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ (with over 4000 pipes), and a fully-restored atmospheric ceiling.

The Spotlight Tour takes patrons behind the scenes of Milton Hershey’s Entertainment Showplace. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of the tour only. This is a walking tour and includes many steps. Access to some areas on the tour is subject to change without notice. In addition, private tours are available for groups by appointment; call 717-533-6299 for more information or to make reservations.

Hershey Theatre is a non-profit theater, and is part of The M. S. Hershey Foundation. It is located at 15 E. Caracas Avenue, just off the square in downtown Hershey. For more information on this event, call the Hershey Theatre at (717) 534-3411.