Mama Mia! Wedding Giveaway

THE KIMMEL CENTER AND GARCES

 EVENTS PRESENT

MAMMA MIA! WEDDING

GIVEAWAY

IN CELEBRATION OF THE HIT

MUSICAL’S

                  FAREWELL RUN IN PHILADELPHIA

    COUPLES CAN ENTER TO WIN ALL-EXPENSES-PAID WEDDING DAY

                           AT THE KIMMEL CENTER

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in partnership with Garces Events announces the Mamma Mia! Wedding Giveaway, celebrating the farewell tour of Mama Mia! as part of the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season, presented collaboratively by the Kimmel Center and the Shubert Organization. The contest, running from December 1-21, offers couples the opportunity to win an all-expense-paid wedding, including venue, catering, flowers, wedding attire, photography, videography, and a one night stay in a luxury hotel in Philadelphia. The prize wedding is valued at $55,312. The giveaway celebrates the wedding at the heart of the story line of the smash hit musical Mamma Mia! that will play at the Kimmel Center’s Merriam Theater December 27-31.  Full details and rules can be found at www.kimmelcenter,org/weddinggiveaway Couples wishing to enter are invited to share their love story in a 30 second video posted to either Instantgram or Twitter using the hashtag #MiaWedding PHL, submitted as a comment on related posts on the Kimmel Center’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/kimmelcenterphilly)or sent as a brief essay to weddinggiveaway@kimmelcenter.org.  Please note Instantgram and Twitter accounts must be set to public. All entries must be received by 11:59 on December 21. Finalists and the winner will be selected at random. Finalists will be invited to attend the opening night performance of Mamma Mia! on December 27 at the Merriam Theater.  The winning couple will be announced from the stage at the conclusion of the performance.

Hans Brinker And The Silver Skates

girls race for the silver skates

The Arden Theatre Company, located at 40 N 2^nd Street, is presenting the electrifying World Premiere of HANS BRINKER AND THE SILVER SKATES on the F. Otto Haas stage through January 31, 2016. Upon entering the theatre and finding their seats, both adult members of the audience and children seeing this presentation of the Arden Children’s Theatre are mesmerized first by the striking sight of five whirling windmills and second by a stage that appears to be a sheet of ice.  Scenic Designer Davis P. Gordon has done an incredible job of recreating a set of the frozen canals of 19^th century Holland, replete with falling snowflakes. Hans Brinker (Brian Ratcliffe) and Gretel Brinker (Lauren Hirte), two poor teenagers who have only hand carved wooden skates, are ridiculed by most of the neighborhood teens until Heidi van Gleck (Ciji Prosser) and Peter van Holp (Matteo Scammell) befriend them. Hans and Gretyl join local boys and  girls as they enter a skating contest to win a pair of silver skates. The race is nerve-racking as first the girls, then the boys skate around the stage, exit, re-enter, and circle again .When skaters change the lead in each lap, the uncertainty has the audience cheering on their favorites. Make sure you see this incomparable world premiere by Laura Eason. Children and adults alike are exhilarated by this astounding production. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at www.ardentheatre.org.

Equivocation

play rehearsal for the king

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N. 2^nd Street, is presenting Equivocation on its Arcadia stage through December 13. The production boasts an exceptionally  talented and seasoned ensemble cast. With the exception of Eric Hissom, who gives a commanding performance as Shag and Campbell O’Hare who is making her Arden debut as Judith, the rest of the cast deftly play multiple roles.  Dan Hodge, Sean Lally, Ian Merrill Peakes and Anthony Lawton so quickly morph from friends of Shag’s, to actors in the Globe Theatre Company, to members of the King’s court, and back again that it is sometimes difficult to keep track of the plot. The complex story line involves an historical event known as The Gunpowder Plot in which there was an assassination attempt on England’s King James I in 1605. The plot was discovered and many plotters were tortured and hung for treason. Shag is commissioned to write a play about the event but both he and his fellow actors have trouble finding the drama believable as they rehearse various rewrites. Fortunately the king who has commissioned the play is Scottish and loves witches, which gives Shag some last minute reprieve. If the plot of Equivocation is sometimes bothersome the acting never is. The entire cast turns in outstanding performances. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122, visit online at www.ardentheatre.org or walk –up to the box office at 40 N. 2^nd Street.

Rizzo

Scott Greer & Amanda Schoonover

The set of Theatre Exile’s production of Bruce Graham’s world premiere of Rizzo is minimalistic, but the performance of Scott Greer and the ensemble cast is anything but. Scott Greer’s performance is explosive as he portrays the volatile Frank Rizzo journeying through his years as a Philadelphia policeman, Police Commissioner and Mayor. While Damon Bonetti, as a reporter, keeps Rizzo on track throughout, the ensemble cast of Robert Daponte, Akeem Davis, Paul L Nolan, William Rahill and Amanda Schoohover weave flawlessly through Rizzo’s life-story  animatedly appearing as multiple characters front and center and dynamically interacting with Scott Greer. The Rizzo years are vividly retold by this exceptionally talented cast. Theatre Exile’s production of Rizzo, based on Rizzo: The Last Big Man in Big City America by Sal Paolantonio is being presented at the Christ Church Neighborhood Playhouse through Nov. 7. Whether you were a fan of Frank Rizzo during his tenure, couldn't abide the man, or never lived anywhere near Philadelphia during the Rizzo era and had no personal connection with the larger-than-life politico, you will be enthralled by this performance.  Tickets are available by calling (215) 218-4022 or visiting online at www.theatreexile.org. 

Disney's THE LION KING

Jelani Remy as Simba

Broadway Philadelphia, in collaboration with the Kimmel Center and the Shubert Organization, is presenting Disney’s THE LION KING through Sunday June 14 at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Streets.  The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 15 million theatre-goers.  Having already played in more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING is joyfully leaping into its return engagement at the Academy of Music. Whether or not you have ever seen this stunning production, you must make plans to see it before it leaves the Academy of Music stage. The opening number, “Circle of Life” is nothing short of spectacular. As music comes from the orchestra pit and from percussion instruments in the mezzanine boxes, and the sun rises onstage while the animals parade down the aisles, you are not merely watching a show, you are in the Serengeti. Young children are fascinated by this production. Although based on Disney’s animated film, it definitely is not for children only. Younger audiences lack the sophistication and the eye to appreciate the incredible staging of the leaping impalas in the first act and the skeletal remains in the second. Nor do they have the ear to understand the subtle change of the female lionesses singing and dancing in a joyous manner in the first act which later turns to minor key laments during the time of famine under the rule of Scar. The score features a fusion of Elton John and Tom Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs they wrote for this production as well as additional South African music. The combined result is breathtaking. Whenever Tshidi Manye, portraying Rafiki the baboon, belts out an African chant, the audience is spellbound.  It is no small wonder that THE LION KING won six Tony Awards in 1998, among them Best Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical. The show’s original director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The mask designs are exquisite. L. Steven Taylor, portraying Mufasa and later Jelani Remy, portraying Simba has to “face off” against Patrick R. Brown, as Scar, the lion who would be king. As each lowers his head and twists his body, the mask lowers in an incredible manner. No matter how good the wordsmith, none could give this incomparable production justice.  You simply must come and see it for yourself.  Tickets are available at the Kimmel Center Box Office, Broad & Spruce Sts. (open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust Sts. (open during performances only), online at the kimmelcenter.org/broadway, or by calling 215-731-3333.  Orders for groups of 20 or more may be placed by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947.

Beauty and the Beast

One Week Extension for

Beauty and the Beast

Due to popular demand the Arden Theatre Company has announced a one week extension of Beauty and the Beast based on the book by Charles Way and directed by Whit MacLaughlin. It will  appear on the Arden’s F. Otto Haas Stage, 40 N. 2^nd Street through February 8, 2015.  Four of the added shows are 10 am student group performances.  Arden group sales Manager Sam Congdon says, “10 am student shows are a great way to introduce young audiences to live theatre.  Teachers receive a study guide ahead of time that they can review with their students and students get a Q & A and Meet and Greet with the cast following the performance."  Single tickets discounts are available for students, seniors, military and educators.  This production is NOT just for children.  It is an excellent performance and the creative team is top notch. For more information or tickets, call 212-922-1122, visit online at www.ardentheatre.org, or walk up to the box office at 40 N. 2^nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.

Beauty and The Beast

Matteo Scammell     &
Brian Anthony Wilson

Beauty and The Beast will be playing on the F. Otto Haas Stage of the Arden Theatre, 40. N. 2^nd Street, in Philadelphia through Feb 1.  Although Beauty and the Beast is a classic children’s tale of courage, kindness, and honor, its audience should not be relegated to children and their families alone. Children will surely be mesmerized by Matteo Scammell’s portrayal of the beast. (One child in the audience opening night wanted to know why the beast ate so funny). Others might want to know (as my granddaughter did) "If Belle (portrayed by Emilie Krause) wasn’t really asleep on the stage, how did she stay so still?” There is no doubt that the acting is first-rate. E Ashley Izard plays The Housekeeper you love to hate.  Kevin Meehan shocks many when he discloses he has been masquerading as another character, so well does he play both roles. What brings this production beyond its denotation of children’s theatre is the superb work of its creative team: Sebastienne Mundheim/White Box Theatre, Designer of Shadows and Shadow Objects; Rob Kaplowitz, Sound Designer; Brian Sidney Bembridge, Lighting Designer; Richard St. Clair, Costume Designer and David P. Gordon, Scenic Designer. The special effects that this team has created are incredible. With great attention to detail, every aspect of design is noteworthy.  Even if you are not a huge fan of the storyline of Beauty and the Beast, you must come to see   this presentation for both the complexity and the simplicity of the production.  For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at ardentheatre.org. 

La Bête

Scott Greer and Ian Merrill Peakes

The Arden Theater Company, located at 40 N. 2^nd Street, is beginning its 2014-2015 Season with La Bête, (The Beast). It will run on the Arden's F. Otto Haas stage through October 12. Ian Merill Peakes portrays Elomire, leader of an acting troupe in Prince Conti’s court.  Scott Greer is Valere, a troubadour that the Prince (Dito van Reigersberg) wants to bring to court to join the troupe. Elomire finds Valere bombastic beyond belief and wants no part of him. In French, bête not only means “beast,” but also, “stupid or idiot”.  “Etre bête" (to be stupid) is to believe in something so much that you cannot see anything else and therefore miss the point. Thus the foundation is set for this ludicrous farce.  Scott Greer is a comic genius. He is outrageously funny. Never before have so many words conveying so little meaning been uttered so exquisitely. Non-stop laughter fills the theatre while at the same time audience members are shaking their heads in disbelief at the utter nonsense of it all. Ian Merrill Peakes gives an outstanding performance as a principled troupe leader who takes a firm stand for the integrity of his craft. Despite the Prince’s wishes, such opposing views cannot peacefully co-exist. Someone’s, perhaps everyone’s, world must collapse in the aftermath. For more information or tickets to this intriguing show which is done completely in verse, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at ardentheatre.org. 

The Happiest Song Plays Last

Staged reading

In conjunction with its production of Water By the Spoonful, The Arden Theatre Company, located at 40 N. 2^nd Street, conducted a staged reading of the first and third plays in the trilogy written by the very talented playwright Quiara Algria Hudes. The first one, A soldier’s Fugue, was set prior to the events occurring in Water By the Spoonful.  The Happiest Song Plays Last follows two of the major characters after the death of a family member.  As the staged reading occurred on a Monday night, the theatre was “dark.” but Water…..is still in production.  It is very appropriate that the reading occurs on this set as characters can be set apart with their chairs and script stands on two different levels, delineating Philadelphia and Jordan.  This was very helpful to the audience    Armando Batista who plays Elliot in Water…. and Maia De Santi who plays his cousin Yaz read those parts in the reading. Yaz speaks from her old neighborhood in North Philadelphia. Elliot is adding his soldier's expertise to a movie role in Jordon. An appreciative audience also enjoyed the reading of Rasha Zamamiri who portrayed Shar, an actress on the set in Jordon with Elliot.  Damien Wallace gave an incredible performance as a slow-witted person that Yaz had adopted.  Hudes’ third play in her trilogy is currently playing in NYC at the Second Stage Theatre where Water By the Spoonful played before it.  Hopefully the Arden will be able to bring it to Philadelphia sometime in the near future.  Be sure to watch out for it.

Water By The Spoonful

chat room for recovering narcotic addicts

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N 2^nd Street, is presenting Water By The Spoonful, the middle play of Quiara Algria Hudes’ trilogy, through March 16 on its Arcadia Stage.  It is easy to get lost in the beginning of the show as the emphasis shifts from two cousins to unrelated people logging in and out of a chat room.  By the end of the first act a common thread appears leading to an “aha” moment. Such a moment is not necessary to appreciate the brilliance with which Hudes tells her tale. While the piece is set in Philadelphia, Puerto Rico, Japan and California, the primary setting is cyber-space.in a chat room for recovering narcotics abusers.  Very real emotional ties are forged and bonds formed amongst those who regularly support each other online. It is when the physical world and the cyber world come head-to-head that apple carts are upset. Water By the Spoonful is a very powerful work and each member of the ensemble cast gives a commanding performance.  The set is stark but allows actors’ movement throughout the entire stage area and encourages audiences to use their imagination when envisioning the different scenes.  This was a 2012 Pulitzer Prize winning play.  Don’t miss an opportunity to see it. A reading of the first work in the trilogy, Eliot, A Soldier's Fugue, will be held on Monday February 24 and a reading of the final part of the trilogy, The Happiest Song Plays Last will be read at the Arden on Monday, March 10.  For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at www.ardentheatre.org. 

The Big Time: New Vaudeville for the Holidays

Greg Nix & Dave Jadico-mirror image

1812 Productions, operating out of Plays and Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Street, has a wonderful treat in store this holiday season.  Philadelphia’s all comedy theatre company is presenting The Big Time: New Vaudeville for the Holidays through December 31.  You won’t find a better place to experience the fun of constant in-your-face humor.  The show is a series of skits paying homage to vaudeville styles and well-known comedic routines.  With Greg Nix acting as a stage hand and turning the cue cards to announce each act, the audience thinks it’s aware of the content of each upcoming act but remember... this is 1812’s production and not everything will be as it seems. Burns and Allen had nothing on Greer and Childs and The Smothers Brothers better move over to make room for Nix and Jadico.  Quick costume changes?  There must be magic going on in the back of the Italian bakery. Be prepared to be surprised.  Be prepared to chuckle, laugh and guffaw. Greg Nix, Dave Jadico, Scott Greer and Jen Childs are just that funny.   For more information or tickets, call 215-592-9560 or visit online at www.1812productions.org. 

Parade

Ben Dibble as Leo Frank in courtroom

The Arden Theatre Company, located at 40 N. 2^nd Street, Old City, Philadelphia, is producing Parade through November 3.  Playwright Alfred Uhry was inspired to tell the true story of a Jewish factory manager in Georgia who is accused of murdering a young girl.   Uhry’s great uncle actually owned the factory where the murder took place.  Audience members can get a glimpse of the Southern culture in Atlanta throughout the early 1900’s, which was unsympathetic to Jews as well as Yankees .  Leo Frank, unfortunately, was a member of both groups. Artistic Director Terrence J. Nolan and scenic and video designer Jorge Cousineau worked brilliantly together to turn a minimalistic stage into multiple scenic backgrounds through the use of a large projection screen.  In addition, the screen is used to scream out headlines from a variety of newspapers of the day and to announce dates, denoting the passage of time.   Although this is not a musical with lyrics that will have you singing on your way out of the theatre, the music serves to move the story along and the harmonies are very strong  The fifteen member cast reads like a who’s who of Philadelphia musical theatre.  Ben Dibble, Rachel Camp, Scott Greer, Anthony Lawton, and Jennie Eisenhower are only a few of the actors whose voices fill the stage.  Much of the singing is acappella and all fifteen voices are forceful. This is not a show for the faint of heart but a heartfelt drama that will leave you reeling at the end of the final curtain. It is like no parade that you have ever seen.  You may not want to join those who are in it, but you won’t want to let it pass you by.  For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at www.ardentheatre.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.

Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story

There wasn't  a day the music died in Philadelphia. Buddy Holly is alive and well, hiding out at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, sometimes using the name Christopher Sutton. You will not convince any member of the 300 person audience of Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story that he isn’t witnessing a Buddy Holly performance.  While making no effort to keep my own feet still, I glanced around the theatre and saw that no one was sitting motionless in his seat.  Walnut Street’s main stage brings you an absolutely foot-tapping, hand-clapping, and body-swaying total immersion into the experience of the rise of Buddy Holly.  Christopher Sutton not only looks remarkably like the musical genius who met his untimely death at the age of 22, but on several of his songs he sounds exactly like him as well.  The audience can’t get enough and when you go, you'd better bring your dancing shoes and be prepared to dance in the aisles. Miguel Jarquin-Moreland portrays a vibrant Richie Valens as he sings La Bamba and shimmies his way across the stage.  When Philadelphia favorite Scott Greer  belts out Chantilly Lace, he appears to be the reincarnation of The Big Bopper. There is so much energy on the stage from the show’s beginning to end; there should be a way to bottle it and save it for a power failure.. But the word failure and The Buddy Holly Story should not be mentioned in the same paragraph for this production is anything but one. From the casting to the direction, from the staging to the choreography, from the lighting to the sound….everything about this performance screams success. Don’t be the last of your friends to see the show that everyone is bound to be talking about. Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story will be appearing at the Walnut Street theatre through July 15.  For tickets or further information, call 215-574-3550 or visit online at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.