Hillbarn Theatre Seeks To Raise $150k By 5/31 In Order To Keep Full 09-10 Season

Hillbarn Theatre, the Peninsula's premier community theater, who, in recent years, has been redefining community theater's excellence, will be forced to greatly curtail its 2009-2010 season unless $150,000 in funding is raised by May 31, 2009 it was announced today by the Hillbarn Theatre Board of Directors.

Based in Foster City, the acclaimed 68-year old company experienced a meteoric rise in quality, success and community participation since the 2000-2001 season when the then Board of Directors hired Lee Foster as Executive Director. Hillbarn has since produced over sixty quality productions and brought significant acclaim and support to the theatre.

At the April meeting of Hillbarn Board of Directors, faced with the knowledge that donations, ticket sales, and conservatory class revenues were down by 50%, Ms. Foster was asked to take on the role of President of the Board and to provide the leadership necessary for the theater recovery. The Board unanimously agreed to complete its current season and summer youth conservatory with funds held in reserve. Ms Foster has since indicated that planned significant budget reductions will not be sufficient to support continuous operations; immediate assistance from the community that has been so wonderfully supportive in the past will also be required. In 2001, Hillbarn raised the funds for a new roof for Hillbarn Theatre as the result of the efforts by the supportive community," said Ms. Foster. She added that she knew, "Hillbarn will come back from this and that a new, exciting season is in the works!"

Foster says that Hillbarn Theatre is hoping to attract a combination of corporate support and individual donations to underwrite the 2009-2010 season. "We are extremely grateful for the generous support that the community has provided in the past and they will be excited by the planned 2009-2010 season. The new season will include for the first time ever on the Hillbarn stage Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, the comedy-drama Steel Magnolias, The Sinatra Holiday Bash Christmas My Way, the outrageous comedy Bermuda Avenue Triangle, the returning and ever popular Subscriber Celebration Night, and a musical, that because of a national tour, is allowed to only be listed as To Be Announced - this rich ever-popular story is of man who tries to instill traditional values of his tight-knit Jewish community to his daughters while all face the life-altering events around them.

Pledges and donations can be made by contacting Hillbarn Theatre at (650) 349-6411 or mailing a check to Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 East Hillsdale Blvd. , Foster City , CA 94404 .

Two major fundraising events are planned - the first called "Cocktails with the Wizard"- is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 6:00 pm at a private home in San Mateo . The benefit will include a visit by Special Guest: the great and powerful David Garrison star of Wicked, currently at San Francisco 's Orpheum Theatre. The second event is scheduled for the Fall of 2009 at the Carolands Estate: Dr. Carol Channing and Mr. Harry Kullijian will be presented with the Hillbarn Theatre's highest honor: the 21st Annual BRAVO! Award. For details for our May event and to purchase tickets, go to www.hillbarntheatre.org or call 650 349-6411.

Hillbarn Theatre will present its final 2008-2009 season subscription performances on May 8-June 7 of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

For more information, visit www.hillbarntheatre.org.