The Vertical Hour

Joe Guzman & Genevieve Perrier

The Lantern Theater Company, located at 10th and Ludlow Streets, is presenting the Philadelphia premiere of British playwright David Hare’s The Vertical Hour through February 16, 2020. Genevieve Perrier brilliantly portrays Nadia, the retired American foreign-war correspondent-turned college professor engaged to a British ex-pat. Marc Levasseur  portrays Philip Lucas, her fiancé. Even though she is a successful college professor at Yale, Nadia has never quite gotten over the war in Iraq and the inequities there. Philip suggests a short vacation to meet his parents and Nadia is charmed by Lucas, Philip’s hippie father, portrayed by Joe Guzman. The two have several heart-to-heart talks about war, love, and life. Philip is unsettled by their closeness. Rounding out the ensemble cast are newcomers to the Lantern, Ned Pryce and Sydney Banks, both of whom portray Nadia’s students  at Yale. The sets are beautifully arranged and the set changes are intriguing. This is a very thought-provoking play on many levels. For more information or tickets, call 215-829-0395 or visit online www.lanterntheater.org

Ensemble Cast

The Kimmel Center, as part of its 2019-2020 Broadway Philadelphia series, is presenting The Band’s Visit at the Academy of Music through January 19, 2020. This one-act is a surprising vision of stark sets, delightful projections and phenomenal music.

 A Superscript begins with:

 No one has ever heard this story

 It is not very important.

 An Egyptian orchestral ensemble appears on the doorsteps of an Israeli cafe which is located in the middle of nowhere. Laughter ensues as the language barrier between the owner and the bandleader explains the confusion. The band has chosen the wrong destination for their expected concert the following evening. Dina, the café owner, declares that speaking in English would help everyone. Perhaps out of boredom, perhaps because she is inherently kind, Dina, (Janet Dacal) offers to feed the band in the café and later to put them up for the night. Yet we see another side of Dina as she sits in a night spot with the band leader (Sasson Gabbay). Dina sees her lover out with his wife in “their” place and becomes jealous so she calls out to him. A short angry exchange in Hebrew ensues between Dina and her boyfriend Sammy (Marc Ginsburg) as his wife walks offstage. It is brief and doesn’t matter whether or not the audience can understand the words. She then turns all of her attention back to the bandleader Tewfiq. The Band’s Visit begins with a minimalistic set with a partial circular revolving stage. This leads to the ease of multiple set changes by adding chairs, lamps and tables. The bare walls are a surprising set-up for future projections which play an integral part of this beautiful production. As scenes progress, they become progressively more complex. Bare walls turn and rooms have a small amount of furniture. Egyptian band members  interact with Israelis, finding common ground. Music is the universal language that connects them. Walls turn again and Dina is magnificently shadowed on a back wall as she slowly moves across the stage, singing “Omar Sharif". Underlying everything is the music. There is always the band’s music, either accompanying the singers or playing in groups of two or three in the corner of the stage or solo as part of the script. It is delightfully both Middle Eastern and contemporary. The music sets a basis for commonality in the two distinct cultures. There is a comedic note running throughout the story. A Telephone Guy (Mike Cefalo) waits by a phone booth for a girl to return his call. As various characters pass him, some will ask “Has she called yet?” to which he always replies, “Soon.” He tries to fend off others from using the phone booth in case he should miss his call. What a joyful moment when the phone rings! After the band has departed the following day, Dina closes the café with a parting, “This is not a very important story.” It is, however, a very important story. It is a story of people from one culture helping to solve problems in another; it is the story of people forgetting their differences and joining together over their similarities.  To see the wonderful acting of this ensemble cast, the marvelous blend of melodies in their singing, and the breathtaking music of the band, visit www.kimmelcenter.org for tickets or more information. It is not music that you will sing on your way out of the theatre but it is music that you will revel in while you are there.

February Events on Kimmel Cultural Campus

The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus in association with AEG presents the cast of the award-winning podcast, The Sceptics’ Guide to the Universe, to the Perelman Theater on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. joined by host and musician George Hrab. Hosted by Dr. Steven Novella, the cast explains the tenants of critical thinking, debunks some of the biggest scientific myths, fallacies and conspiracy theories Since beginning in 2005, the show has been one of the most popular science podcasts on itunes.

The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus presents the Philadelphia presents the Philadelphia premiere of the humorous, fantastical plat, Grey Rock, at the SEI Innovation Studio from Thursday, February 6, 2020 through February 9, 2020. The play will be performed in English by a cast of actors from across Palestine. Set in the present day, Grey Rock muses on the American 1969 moon landing and sets out to build a space rocket so that Palestine could have a presence on the moon. The play is about man’s absolute right to dream. This is a designated BYO performance. Acceptable forms of BYO are a 6-pack and/or 750 ml bottles of wine per two guests.

THE TONY AWARD-WINNING BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL

WILL RUN AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC

ON THE KIMMEL CENTER CULTURAL CAMPUS

FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 1

 HELLO, DOLLY!

   

Hello, Dolly!, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival starring Carolee Carmello, will run in Philadelphia February 19 – March 1, 2020 at the Academy of Music on the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus, as part of the 2019-20 Broadway season.  It is being brought to Philadelphia with the help of a very successful revival team. Hello Dolly! has broken box office records on Broadway and the touring company is paying tribute to the original work of   legendary director/choreographer Gower Champion – It has stagings hailed as one of the greatest stagings in musical theater history. Led by four time Tony award-winning Director Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle, the entire creative team of the Broadway production is reprising their roles for this national tour. This is a catch -your-breath production that you absolutely cannot miss! Tickets are on sale now and start at $20.00. Tickets can be purchased by calling (215) 893-1999, visiting www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (215) 790-5883. More information at www.kimmelcenter.org. 

This Is the Week That Is

Ensemble Cast in Top 40 sketch

1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s all comedy theatre located at 1714 Delancey Place in Center City, is presenting its annual political comedy This Is the Week That Is through January 4, 2020. As Dave Jadico begins his curtain speech, interspersed with numerous puns, one by one additional cast members come on stage, are introduced, and complain about the excessive use of puns. Two hold up signs petitioning an impeachment from the curtain speech. All cast members agree, followed by an impeachment trial which is left up to the audience. Due to popular demand, 1812 Productions has been including This IS The Week That Is in their season schedule for the past 14 years. This year the delicious satire in the first act is fresh and innovative. Relying heavily on the theme of elections, the ensemble cast outdid themselves in quick costume change, gender reversal and role play. “Steve Harvey” introduces contestants for The New Pyramid. When “Bernie Sanders”, “Joe Biden”, “Elizabeth Warren” and “Cory Booker” take the stage, the audience erupts in laughter. No less humorous are some of the categories on the board, such as Nicknames, Big Words and Porn Stars. When the categories are revealed, big Ooooohs are emitted from the audience. In a perfect world, one would expect these categories to be easy but of course, neither candidate scores a point. By now the audience expects a similar result from Warren and Booker and they are not disappointed. There are several hysterical numbers in the America Top 40 Countdown. One of the funniest is a cast member ensconced in a huge globe that is browner than green decrying climate change, singing “You Let Me Down.”  Perhaps the piece de resistance was a   Hamilton riff with all the Democratic Presidential candidates who had not been previously seen on stage. For those who like tradition, Patsy still sits on her stoop; there is still news from the News Desk and an Interview from the Lobby. But please don’t hesitate getting tickets to this performance thinking you have seen one just like it last year, because you haven’t.  This is 2020.0 – brighter, fresher, and more edgy. For more information or tickets, call 215-592-9560 or visit online at www.1812productions.org.

Snow Queen

 Eunice Akinola

Arden’s Children’s Theatre is presenting Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen on their main stage through January 26, 2020. The ensemble cast is very talented as every member plays multiple roles with the exception of   Eunice Akinola  and Daniel Ison who are limited to two apiece and Mary Fishburn who must maintain her regal presence in her titular role. Ms. Fishburne is an excellent Snow Queen who cares nothing for any of her subjects but only for her herself and the perfection of her own reflection. When a sliver of her mirror falls to the ground and lands in the eye of Gerda’s best friend Cei, (Daniel Ison) he turns from friendly to sullen and follows the siren song of the Snow Queen as she leads him away. This delightful tale is told with intermittent singing and  music backed up by a fiddle and flute. Gerda, played so convincingly by Eunice Akinola, is determined to rescue her best friend Cei. She sets out on her journey in the red boots her grandmother has given her with some vague idea that Cei and the Snow Queen have headed North. Special effects in this production are outstanding for children. Non-essential characters come to the stage with buckets of "snow" and heap it all over the stage. Other “snow” falls lightly from buckets above the cat walk. Gerda has fascinating exploits in the spring when she interacts with flowers and a white picket fence and children in the audience cheer when brilliant beach balls announce the arrival of summer. Traveling through each season with Gerda as she searches for her friend Cei is an enchanting adventure for children and adults alike. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at www.ardentheatre.org or visit the Arden Box Office at 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia Pa.

Cirque Dreams: Holidaze

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, November 4, 2019) – Cirque Dreams: Holidaze brings its latest electrifying and re-

imagined live family holiday spectacular to Philadelphia December 26 – 29, 2019, at the Merriam Theater on the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus for eight unforgettable performances during the holiday season. This critically-acclaimed extravaganza is both a Broadway musical and new Cirque adventure wrapped into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family! 

“This magical stage spectacle is the perfect show the entire family can experience together during the holiday season,” said Anne Ewers, President & CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “Part of our ongoing, back-by-popular-demand Family Discovery Series, this engagement has wide appeal, from Broadway to cirque fans. It also forwards our Cultural Campus mission to engage the community – and our littlest arts lovers – with live performance and education.”

The one and only Cirque Dreams: Holidaze has been hailed by The New York Daily News as “A delicious confection of charm, sparkle and talent by the sleighload.” It’s “the perfect holiday gift and show everyone will enjoy,” raved BroadwayWorld of the sold-out performances that “dazzled…at The Kennedy Center,” Washington Post. The Tennessean proclaimed it “A dazzling Holidaze Spectacle…for both young and old” at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Broadway Director and Cirque Dreams Founder, Neil Goldberg, has searched the world to assemble a remarkable cast of incomparable cirque artists, singers, dancers, and talent to mesmerize audiences with new acts, holiday scenes, theatrical innovation, and much more in 2019.

Set in a multi-million-dollar wonderland of elaborate scenes and dozens of original holiday production numbers, this spectacular show celebrates the most wonderful time of the year as they experience over 300 spectacular costumes and 20 of the world’s most astonishing acts. 

Broadway singers perform original music along with a new twist on seasonal favorites such as “Deck The Halls,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” On the edge-of-your-seat acrobatics are performed by toy soldiers, snowmen, penguins, candles, reindeer, gingerbread, carolers, Santa, plus colossal ornaments flying, balancing, and stretching imaginations in this groundbreaking holiday stage spectacular. It’s “Las Vegas…meets family entertainment…meets musical theatre” touts the Boston Globe.  

CIRQUE DREAMS: HOLIDAZE

Performances are at the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater on

Thursday, December 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.,

Friday, December 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.,  3 p.m.,  and 8:00 p.m. and

Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

Cirque Dreams: Holidaze is part of the Family Discovery Series, sponsored by Santander and is recommended for ages 5 and older.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (215) 893-1999, visiting www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (215) 790-5883. More information at www.kimmelcenter.org.