The Philanthropist finds humor in the happy oblivion of Philip and five dinner guests as Philip’s world of unintended inferences and an avoidance of any conflict or criticism quickly becomes a calamitous affair of subtle comedy. Philip is a professor of philology at Oxford, a study that is perfect for his love of words, their meanings, and the avoidance of any harsh literary critique. The professor has invited five people to this gathering, as the outside world fears the consequences of the assassination of the Prime Minister, his cabinet, and the death list containing 25 of the greatest living authors in Britain.

The guest list includes his colleague Donald; his significantly younger fiancée Celia, who is still an undergraduate student; a popular author who is not sure if he should be relieved or appalled that his name is absent from the death list; Liz, who pines after Philip; and the sexually aggressive Araminta. As the world outside the dining room falls apart, Philip’s own carefully contrived world is put on its head as lust soon takes over the dinner party and unintended pairs are formed. The Philanthropist runs satirically against Moriere’s The Misanthrope, with the main character wishing not to offend, but having his own words misconstrued and finding offensive targets.

The Philanthropist is written with subtle humor by Christopher Hampton, the famous playwright and screenwriter. The comedy is one of his early works, written in 1969 when he was 23 and performed the following year by the Royal Theatre Company. Hampton went on to famously adapt Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Sunset Boulevard for the stage and Mary Reilly and Atonement for the silver screen.

Matthew Broderick will star as Philip in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of The Philanthropist at the American Airlines Theatre, which is set for a performance schedule beginning on April 10, 2008. The comedy will be Broderick’s return to the Broadway stage after a year away and will find a role perfect for him and the current mood of the nation.

The Seats will have The Philanthropist tickets for the entire production run with great seats in a terrific selection with views from throughout the seating chart nearly every night. The affordable prices make The Philanthropist tickets a great purchase and set the tone for a fabulous evening of wonderful theater.