Founded in 2010, The Penny Seats Theatre Company performs outdoor live theatre in Ann Arbor’s West Park every summer, throughout July and August. The group also performs one indoor off-season show per year, in partnership with a local restaurant. Staffed by volunteers, the group operates as a professional nonprofit theatre company, paying all actors and crew.  Its budget is based on advance donations and grants (rather than ticket sales), so The Penny Seats can offer professional theatre at movie-ticket prices. Tickets are usually $10 for adults, and $7 for kids.

After 5 years of slow and steady growth, and with the recent addition of grant funding, the group has expanded its summer season to offer patrons exciting choices.  This summer, the company is doubling its occupancy at West Park, offering two fully-produced shows.  First up is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged], a hilarious comedy in which 3 actors try to perform all of Shakespeare’s works in just under 90 minutes.  Next comes Urinetown: The Musical!, a Broadway smash that lampoons capitalism, corporate greed, pie-in-the-sky optimism, and musical theatre itself.  Advance tickets and more information are available at the group’s website, www.pennyseats.org.