The Plough and the Stars

Harry Watermeier  &
Victoria Rose Bonito

The Irish Heritage Theatre, located in the Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Place is presenting The Plough and the Stars through June 11 in honor of the 100^th Anniversary of the Easter Rebellion.  It is the third play in Sean O’Casey’s trilogy and also considered the most controversial.  Many of its themes are relevant today… a patriot feeling the call to serve his country by bearing arms, a loved one wanting him to choose to stay at home with her, feelings of bereavement over a loss leading to a loosening on one’s grip on sanity. The sets are simple yet effective as bars moving across the stage change the scene from a view inside a tenement building to a view outside a street corner.  Projections on a black curtain are shown as the stage is readied between acts. The Irish brogue is very strong and much of the dialogue is difficult to understand in the first two acts. There is a lot of arguing and very quick-paced shouting back and forth.  In the third and fourth acts, the pace seems to have slowed a bit and the dialogue is a lot more comprehensible. Michelle Pauls is an excellent Mrs. Gogan, Irish to the core and very set in her ways.  Mary Pat Walsh plays a stern neighbor, Bessie Burgess, always at odds, as she is a staunch supporter of the crown.  By the third act, with the men gone off  to war, the two women have made a peace of sorts.  Victoria Rose Bonito portrays Nora Clitheroe who desperately tries to keep her husband home. She is a self- centered character in the beginning of the play and this becomes even more apparent by the end. This is an interesting look at a view of war and the toll it takes on many. Although written about Ireland 100 years ago, countless truths can be found in it today. For production information and to purchase tickets, visit www.irishheritagetheatre.org.

The Jungle Book

Mowgli  with  Mother & Father Wolf

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N 2^nd Street in Olde City is presenting Greg Bank’s play version of The Jungle Book on its Arcadia Stage through June 21. This world premiere production is nothing short of incredible for kids and adults alike.  Imagine yourself in Rudyard Kipling’s jungle with Shere Kahn the Tiger, Bagheera the Panther and Mowgli the man-cub climbing all around you. Listen to the hissing of Kaa the python, and the caws of the vultures.  Laugh at the foolishness of the monkeys. Witness the protective nature of the Mother and Father wolf.  The show is not amazing merely for the set, which truly places the audience right in the middle of the jungle and all the action. And it is not the only show which has portrayed animals with clever costuming.  Nor is it remarkable simply because each of the cast members plays the role of four different animals in the jungle with the exception of Thaddeus Fitzpatrick who is visible almost the entire time as he portrays Mowgli, the man-cub. Taysha Canales, Charlie DelMarcelle, Sean Lally and Nikki E. Walker change their costumes faster than you can blink and become new persona, swinging from trees, climbing vines, or slithering through the jungle. All are agile and fleet of foot and leap through the jungle before your very eyes. The sound system is extraordinary and the jungle sound effects must be heard to be believed. The most memorable parts of this delightful production, however, are the frequent sounds of young voices laughing. While adults may chuckle, youngsters are hysterical and this is a production of Arden’s Children’s Theatre, after all. This is definitely a show to be enjoyed by everyone, but if you have young children in your life, be sure to take them to see this production.  You’ll certainly enjoy their reactions.  For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at ardentheatre.org.