Go behind the curtain with members of Arden Theatre Company's Sylvan Society! Following is a sampling of recent Sylvan Society events:

The Arden opened their production of Gee's Bend on October 15, and Sylvan Society members began the celebration in Old City at the home of Lynn and Don Haskin, longtime supporters of the Arden. Produced in conjunction with the Philadelphia Museum of Art's exhibit: Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt, the play is the true story of the Pettway women of Gee's Bend, Alabama whose quilts became beautiful works of art.

On September 17, the Arden kicked off its 21st season with a rousing opening night celebration of Candide. Sylvan Society members gathered for a pre-show party at The Clay Studio on 2nd Street, with fabulous hors d'oeuvres by M Catering. Honorary Producers Barbara and Leslie Kaplan raised their glasses to toast the new season before guests headed to the theatre. The Arden was thrilled to welcome three of Leonard Bernstein's children to the performance: Alexander and Jamie Bernstein, and Nina Bernstein Simmons.

On June 6, the Arden's biennial fundraising gala grossed $123,325 through ticket sales, table sponsorships, donations, and silent and live auctions. Nearly 300 attendees enjoyed a memorable evening at the Arden's home in Old City, including delicious cuisine, a cabaret starring some of Philadelphia's most talented theatre artists, and dancing to the lively music of LeRoy Hawkes and the Hipnotics. Tony Braithwaite, celebrated Philadelphia actor and Arden favorite, emceed a live auction. Harvey Kimmel and Arden Board Member Virginia Kimmel co-chaired the event, and fellow Board Member Ronna F. Hall served as special events committee chair. Michael A. Donato of Susquehanna Patriot Bank and Peter R. Sonzogni of World Travel were auction co-chairs. The evening's honoree was J. William Mills, III, President of the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region of PNC Bank.

The capstone of the Arden's 20th Anniversary Season, Our Town in Old City opened on May 28. A true celebration of community, the Arden partnered with Christ Church to produce an Our Town unlike any other; throughout the run of the show 108 community guests and 36 community choirs will participate. Prior to the performance, Sylvan members gathered in Christ Church North Garden and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails complements of Fork Restaurant. Linda Kurtz of CN8 interviewed Terry Nolen, Greg Wood, Chioma Dunkley, and Tappan Wilder, among others for their Red Carpet show. A special guest appearance by Honorary Producer Governor Edward G. Rendell delighted opening night patrons.

On May 6, members of the Sylvan Society attended the first read-through of our 20th Anniversary Season Finale, Our Town in Old City. Prior to the reading, attendees enjoyed a "Philadelphia-style" dinner with Terry Nolen and the cast. Then members experienced the treasures of Christ Church as Executive Director Don Smith led a tour of Philadelphia and English artifacts dating back to 1695. Guests then walked back to the Arden for the read-through of Our Town.

On April 19, families gathered for opening night of Go, Dog. Go! and shared a kid-friendly buffet, craft making and some quality time together. Members of Spiral Q Puppet Theater brought interesting puppets and props to entertain children, and adults! Following the performance, the audience was treated to an ice cream bar, thanks to Franklin Fountain. Go, Dog. Go! is adapted from the book of the same title by P.D. Eastman and features six agile actors in a veritable canine cabaret filled with acrobatics, music and physical comedy.

On April 8, Diane Dalto and Richard Woosnam hosted a preview party for the Arden's 20th Anniversary Granfalloon, which will take place on Friday, June 6, from 6pm-Midnight at our home in Old City. The Woosnams are longtime supporters of the Arden and Diane is a member of the Board. Granfalloon is the Arden's biennial fundraising event named after a word coined by writer Kurt Vonnegut, meaning a gathering of like-minded individuals. Granfalloon Host Committee members and sponsors enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres by Catering By Design, who will also be catering the 2008 Granfalloon. Barrymore Award-winner Ben Dibble entertained the guests by singing a few songs from the Arden's upcoming production of Candide, and Arden favorite artists Kala Moses Baxter, Scott Greer, Tom McCarthy and Greg Wood were also in attendance. Granfalloon tickets, corporate sponsorships and program ads are available by contacting Angela DuRoss, Manager of Individual Giving, at 215.922.8900 x25 or aduross@ardentheatre.org.

The Arden rang in the New Year with a brand new play! David Davalos' Wittenberg opened on January 23, marking the Arden's 28th world premiere play. Wittenberg was workshopped last season at the Arden under the auspices of the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase, and features Shawn Fagan, Scott Greer, Kate Udall and Greg Wood in a smart battle of wits. Prior to the performance, Sylvan members gathered at Triada Restaurant and Lounge on Market Street for cocktails, where Jim Schermerhorn of Fox Chase Bank spoke of their sponsorship of the production and commitment to supporting the arts.

On December 1, Sylvan members were invited to a reading of Chaim Potok's My Name is Asher Lev, adapted and directed by Arden co-founder Aaron Posner, and featuring Eric Hissom, Karl Miller and Suzanne O'Donnell. The reading was co-produced with Two River Theater Company in Red Bank, NJ, where Aaron serves as Artistic Director. The Arden produced the world premiere of Aaron's and Potok's adaptation of Potok's novel The Chosen during our 1998-99 season. Since then, The Chosen has been produced throughout the country. The Arden commissioned Aaron to write My Name is Asher Lev in 2006 as part of the Independence Foundation New Play Showcase.

The Arden launched its second production of the season with a rousing opening night celebration of An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Boeuf, by local playwright Michael Hollinger. Before the performance, Sylvan members gathered at the hip Triumph Brewing Company on Chestnut Street for cocktails, where the production's Honorary Producer, Fred Anton, said a few words about his passion for Michael's work over the years. Following the performance, 200 guests shared a lovely French-inspired spread and celebrated the opening of this lovely play.

Over 400 Arden friends and supporters kicked off the Arden's 20th anniversary season at the opening night of Assassins on September 19. Sylvan Society members gathered before the performance at Ristorante Panorama on Front Street for a celebratory pre-show party, where Terry Nolen welcomed the group and thanked them for their support. Following the performance, the opening night crowd raised a glass of champagne to the 20th anniversary season, in a toast led by Arden co-founders Amy Murphy, Terry Nolen, and Aaron Posner. The Arden received a special visit from the folks at the Mütter Museum, who brought two specimens that had never before left the museum! The thorax of John Wilkes Booth and the brain of Charles Guiteau were on display during the post-show reception.

Over fifty Sylvan Society members were treated to a family-style dinner with Terry Nolen and the cast of Assassins on August 21 before heading into the Haas Theatre to enjoy the very first sing-through of the show. Sylvan members shared a meal of BBQ and cornbread (in all-American style) with cast members such as Ben Dibble, Jeff Coon, Jay Pierce, and Mary Martello. The cast then made their way onto the expansive set – still a work-in-progress – to sing-through Sondheim's challenging score. All who attended got a sneak-peek of this exciting 20th Anniversary season opener!

On Wednesday, August 1, a group of thirty board, Sylvan Society and staff members boarded a bus for New York to see a production of Michael Hollinger's Opus (which premiered at the Arden during the 2005/06 season). In celebration of the show's off-Broadway premiere and Terry Nolen's off-Broadway directorial debut, our Arden group enjoyed dinner at the Cinema Café with Terry and Michael before walking over to Primary Stages' 59E59 Theater. Following the performance, we raised a glass of champagne along with the cast of Opus to toast a successful run.

Last Spring, Sylvan Society members Nancy and Al Hirsig hosted a party in their Haverford home to bring together two distinguished Philadelphia groups: Arden Theatre Company's Sylvan Society and the Rosenbach Museum & Library's Delancey Society. The groups came together to celebrate a love for the work of Lewis Carroll. The Arden was about to open Lookingglass Theatre's production of Lookingglass Alice, a fantastical, acrobatic adaptation of two of Lewis Carroll's most beloved works and the Rosenbach spoke about their Lewis Carroll collection, including rare manuscripts and illustrations from Carroll's books.