Olney Theatre Center Presents SLEUTH, 6/13-7/8

Olney Theatre Center today announced the opening of the mystery thriller, Sleuth, as well as says goodbye to long-time Artistic Director Jim Petosa. Sleuth will play Olney Theatre Center's Mainstage from June 13 to July 8, 2012.

Sleuth, a thriller by Anthony Shaffer which won the Tony Award for Best Play and inspired two film versions. When an older wealthy mystery writer invites his wife's lover to his elegant and isolated mansion try estate, a complex game of wits and gamesmanship begins, which could potentially end with deadly results.

"We are honored to have had Jim at Olney for so long during which time he was a vital part of the theatre's successes," said Managing Director Amy Marshall. "We wish Jim all the best as his continues his career in the theatre industry."

Petosa has been Olney Theatre Center's Artistic Director since 1993 and has directed dynamic plays that have earned him and Olney Theatre Center local, regional and national recognition and awards throughout the years, including the prestigious Helen Hayes Award for his direction in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Among his other recognitions, Petosa was also named Montgomery County's Outstanding Artist/Scholar at the Montgomery County Executive's Excellence in the Arts and Humanities Awards ceremony in Maryland in 2008. Throughout his tenure at Olney Theatre Center, Petosa has been a dynamic driving force for the Theatre's artistic and financial growth, and was instrumental in the expansion of the Olney Theatre Center campus to provide year-round productions and additional educational opportunities to the local community.

"I am pleased to be at Olney for this production," says Petosa. "Working with these fine actors and design team is the perfect way to complete my time as Artistic Director. This company represents for me the kind of excellence and commitment to quality that reflects the high esteem I hold for the many actors, designers, and other theatre makers with whom I have collaborated during these many years."

Petosa is continuing his theatre career as the new Artistic Director at New Repertory Theatre in Watertown, MA. He will also continue as Director of Boston University's College of Fine Arts School of Theatre, a position he has held for the last ten years as well as his work as Co-Artistic Director for the Potomac Theatre Project in New York City.

Tickets for Sleuth start at $26; please contact the Olney Theatre Center Box Office at (301) 924-3400 to make reservations.