Gint

Gint Ensemble Cast

EgoPo Classic Theatre is presenting Gint, Romulus Linney’s adaptation of Ibsen’s Peer Gynt through May 11 in the Christ Church Neighborhood House.  Set in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, rather than ice-covered Norway, this production sets the tone with a half hour hootenanny before the actual performance begins. The singing and instrumentation is so captivating that there is a moment when the audience doesn’t want the singing to segway to the drama, but such a sense lasts for only a moment or two. Everyone is quickly drawn into this incredible transformation of the Norwegian legend into an Appalachian folktale. According to Ibsen expert Rolf Kristen Stang, Norwegian and Appalachian folklore both “value community, a sense of self and a common use of storytelling to get through difficult times.” Linney was thus able to adapt Ibsen’s tale and set it in the mountains of Kentucky. Director Lane Salvadore with incredible foresight has taken Linney’s bare-bones script and has brought it to life with music and constant scene changes using little more than wooden crates. Members of the marvelously talented ensemble cast sing, perform as stage hands and play multiple roles throughout. Sean Lally, as Pete Gint, gives us a peek into the complexity of human nature as he takes us on a wild ride from his meager beginnings in Appalachia to wealth gained and lost on the west coast. Throw in stolen brides, women scorned, fantasy sequences with the Devil and talking hogs and you have your typical tale.  This production is nothing short of brilliant.  It is one of EgoPo’s very best. Before you go to see it, however (and you should definitely make plans to see it) familiarize yourself with the storyline of Peer Gynt so that you can appreciate this fascinating adaptation. For more information or tickets, call 267-273-1414 or visit online at www.egopo.org.  

The Lady from the Sea

The Stranger & Ellida

EgoPo Classic Theatre Company is producing The Lady from the Sea as the second in its three- part series of Ibsen’s works this year.  It can be seen at the Christ Church Neighborhood House on American Street through March 2. Genevieve Perrier, a much acclaimed Philadelphia actress, portrays Ellida, the mysterious woman from the sea.  Her passions for the sea and a young sailor she knew in her youth are strong, yet not easily identifiable. Finding herself in a marriage with a domineering man and unnamed yearnings of fulfillment, Ellida comes to a crossroads when she once again meets the strange sailor from her past.  Ed Swidey gives a fine performance as Ellida’s husband. As a doctor he professes to know what is best for her but she obviously has little input into their lives together. Ensemble members Ross Beschler as Arholm, K.O.DelMarcelle as Bolette, Lee Minora as Hilde and Kevin Chick as Lyngstrand are an excellent addition to the cast and add some levity to the piece.  Set Designer Dan Soule and Lighting Designer Matt Sharp have made a delightful set which is intermittingly behind the curtains.  This show is having a short run so don’t hesitate to call 267-273-1414 for tickets or visit online at www.egopo.org. 

The Life (and death) of Harry Houdini

EgoPo Classic Theater Company, located at 17^th and Delancey Streets in Plays and Players Theater, is presenting The Life (and death) of Harry Houdini through April 7. With a fascinating production twist, the audience is seated on-stage to get a behind-the-scenes view of Harry Houdini’s routines. Never before have you had an opportunity to see an illusionist so intimately.  If you are puzzled by the very first scene, you will see it again at the end of the performance, as the tale begins and ends with Houdini’s last moments and his meteoric rise to fame flashes before his eyes in-between.  Great performances are given by the ensemble cast of Robert DaPonte, Lee Minora, Griffen Stanton-Ameisen, Tyler Horn and MaryRuth Stine.  Especially effective is the segment of the heavily accented Yiddish-speaking of Rabbi and Mrs. Weiss with son Eric (later to be known as Harry Houdini) pleading, “Speak English, Speak English ! ”  Robert DaPonte, portraying Houdini, mesmerizes audiences with his escape from a straightjacket and handcuffs.  Almost as a joke, the audience is “let in” on the escape from the box illusion. .DaPonte commands quite a presence on the stage.  Learn how Houdini takes life’s punches in stride…until he doesn’t.  Don’t wait to be let in on all the secrets for this show has a short run.  For more information or tickets call 267-273-1414 or visit egopo.org

The Assassination of Jesse James

EgoPo Classic Theater is the only Philadelphia area theater to take its audience on a journey through a genre each theatre season.  This year they are celebrating the American Vaudeville Festival and have opened with The Assassination of Jesse James. The upstairs studio of Plays and Players Theater at 17th and Delancey Street has been transformed into an authentic 19th Century Saloon, complete with sawdust floors, barrel tables and an open bar through October 28^th.   Sit down and settle back as you imagine yourself transported back in time to the end of the 19^th Century…a time when outlaws were revered by some, tolerated by others, and ignored by many.  Enjoy the  acapella harmonies belted out on the stage as the all-female ensemble begins to tell the tale of Jesse James and his recruits. Melanie Julian, who was dynamite as Mrs. Frank in last year’s production, gives Jesse James a swagger that could only be outdone by Jesse himself.  Kate Brennan, Maria Konstantinidis, Colleen Hughes and Amanda Schoonover all show their versatility as cowboys of the Old West.  The design team does an incredible job.   Huge cue cards, turned over to announce each new scene reinforce the nostalgic feeling of vaudeville. Flashes of light to illuminate shootings as well as highlight slow motion fights and escape attempts are outstanding. You forget your surroundings as you witness slow motion horseback riding on backwards chairs. There is much to enjoy in this performance. A glimpse of our history of The Wild West, the fantastic descants that waft through the air and the awesome special effects all constitute a night in vaudeville you won’t soon forget.  For more information or tickets call 267-273-1414 or visit online at www.egopo.org.