The Wolves

 

The Wolves, written by Sara DeLappe and directed by Nell Bang-Jensen was originally scheduled to be produced on stage by Philadelphia Theatre Company last March when the world was turned upside -down by the Corona virus epidemic and theatres were forced to close. High School girls from different schools play on a recreational soccer team, The Wolves. As the play opens in Week One, there are nine zoom boxes with girls talking. In subsequent weeks, there may be fewer zoom boxes with girls inside and then additional ones which slide open as more girls join in. In the beginning, the girls seem to talk all at once and pay little attention to each other. As they begin to stretch and warm up there is some glimpse of a soccer team, beyond chatty teens. As the weeks progress, the audience can appreciate the magic of the work of the director, the designer, and the zoom boxes in the sharing of orange slices with teammates and the running off to visit a coach, giving information to a scout,  and running back to join the team. After a week’s break, in Week Six, a few have returned to play soccer and the rest of the team slowly straggles in. The girls’ comments about feeling ill at ease and events in the last week leave clues about what has happened. It is a strongly written section and each actor plays her part exceeding well. The Wolves is now streaming for a 48 rental from Philadelphia Theatre Company for a pay- as- you- can until December 20, 2020 .  This play is being streamed including the original cast so the audience gets a virtual experience just as it would have been produced on PTC’s main stage in March. It is extremely well done.  To rent it, log in to your PTC account or contact the Virtual Box Office M-F between 12:00 pm and 5:00:pm at 215-985-0450. The Wolves runs for 90 minutes with no intermission. You might very well want to watch it more than once. I know that I did.

 

Vinny DePonto Presents Mental Amusements virtually at Bristol Riverside Theatre

Mentalist Vinny De Ponto is giving a mind-blowing virtual performance sponsored by the Bristol Riverside Theatre. He speaks of his show, Mental Amusements, as a carnival, and it is certainly a carnival for the mind. The combination of psychological tricks and illusion must be seen to be believed. Vinny asks someone in the “front row”  to think of a zodiac sign and concentrate on it while he writes it down. He then shows it to the participant after she names the sign and it is the same. This is only one of many ways in which he interacts with his audience. He also asks everyone, including people in general admission seats, to make a pendulum with dental floss and a ring. The things that he could make the pendulum do remotely are fascinating.  There are two ways to enjoy this amazing production. If you want to be part of the show and interact with Vinny, purchase a $50 ticket. If you want to just sit back and be amazed and even follow along with some “tricks “ on your own, purchase a general admission ticket for $35. Due to popular demand, the show has been extended to November 6. While you might hesitate and think twice before purchasing tickets at this price for a virtual show, I can guarantee that it is worth it!

The (Virtual) Days of Re-Creation at PTC

 

Philadelphia Theatre Company is producing The Days of Re-Creation, on September 30, 2020, a virtual play written entirely by people of color. While 2020 will be recorded as a year of fear, and death, it will also be remembered as a year of change, rebirth and re-creation. The Days of Recreation: A Virtual Play is seven 10 minute plays on this theme of re-recreation which relate in some way to one of the days of creation from the Book of Genesis. The show runs for 80 minutes with no intermission beginning at 7:00 pm. There will be a talkback after the show. There will be an announcement of the theatre’s plans for the upcoming theatre season at 6:45 before the show begins. For more information on how to get your free   tickets, visit https://philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/the-days-of-re-creation/ or call 215- 985- 0420.

 

Virtual Mental Amusements at Bristol Riverside Theatre

Bristol Riverside Theatre is beginning its fall season with a brand new interactive magic show. The Bucks County theatre is bringing award-winning Mentalist Vinny DePonto’s virtual show, Mental Amusements, into the audience's homes September 24-26. Mental Amusements is a brand new, interactive, virtual magic show brought to you by the award-winning mentalist Vinny DePonto. DePonto’s mind-reading skills will exhilarate and flabbergast everyone.  DePonto is bringing the carnival into audiences’ homes. Once getting a ticket, audiences are granted admission into a carefully crafted carnival of the mind, designed exclusively for the virtual stage  Two types of tickets are available for this show. There are Front Row Tickets that put audiences right into the action. Front Row Ticket holders can participate in the show and have their minds read. Front Row tickets cost $50. General Admission tickets allow audiences to watch the show and comment without being seen or heard. General Admission tickets cost $35. The show runs approximately 60 minutes.  Tickets and more information are available online at brtstage.org or by calling the box office at 215-785-0100. More information about the show can also be found at:mentalamusements.com.

 

 

RED ALERT : LIVE EVENTS in support of Entertainment and Arts Workers

 

Live Events Industry Has Organized Movement for Buildings

 And Venues Nationwide to Light up Red in Support of

Entertainment and Arts Workers

PHILADELPHIA LOCATIONS WILL INCLUDE THE SUZANNE ROBERTS  THEATRE, THE PENNSYLVANIA

CONVENTION CENTER, THE KIMMEL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, LIVE NATION VENUES, AND MORE

  Philadelphia members of local chapters of event, stage, and venue organizations are banding together and imploring the US Congress to offer economic relief to the Live Events Industry by passing the RESTART ACT (S.3814.) Shuttered since March 2020, putting millions of people out of work, the industry is organizing a national ‘Red Start’ campaign on September 1, 2020 when buildings, venues and iconic locations in Philadelphia and nationwide will light up red from 9 pm  to 12 midnight to raise public awareness that the Live Events Industry is on Red Alert for its very survival and to create congressional pressure to act now. The North American event comes on the heels of a similar event held on August 11 in the UK  when over 700 buildings were lit, calling attention to the same plight facing the Live Events Industry there.

 

SUMMER MUSIC FEST: A Night At the Movies

Artistic Director Keith Baker on keyboard leading the 5 piece band, various singers and musical groups have joined the fun over the years. This year, of course, the theatre closed its doors to the public in March due to the Corona virus pandemic. Keith Baker and his crew were not to be deterred. They’ve scheduled a three-part Summer Fest which can be accessed online after purchasing a ticket. I’ve just seen the second one, A Night At the Movies, and it was remarkable. Keith Baker, co- founder and Artistic Director, hosted the concert live from his living room and interviewed the soloists. Rebecca Robbins, Sean Thompson, Demetria Joyce Bailey and guitarist, Neil Nemetz and violinist Claudia Pellegrini before they performed. When Rebecca performed San Francisco in her living room, she was in one of five zoom squares surrounded by the band. With her gorgeous soprano voice she lifted her champagne glass voice high to match her voice! Sean Thompson has a soothing pure voice that is a pleasure to listen to as he sings Moon River and Unchained Melody. Demetria Joyce Bailey sings Stormy Weather and Goldfinger and if you close your eyes you could picture her in Porgy and Bess… a phenomenal voice. The 5 member band is frequently featured as you see and hear 2 guitars, a keyboard, a drum set and a violin. Although this is a virtual event, every soloist is featured in a visually unique and appealing way in a well-designed zoom arrangement. 

The last concert of the series a Broadway Summer Spectacular is scheduled for September 2, 4, 6.  It will feature Broadways bests from composers like Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein.               

      

SUMMER MUSIC FEST: A Night At the Movies

Bristol Riverside Theatre is continuing its 25 year tradition of its Summer Music Fest. Held annually, these music events not only raise funds to help keep the theatre afloat during the regular theater season, but delight the audiences as well. With Co-Artistic Director Keith Baker on keyboard leading the 5 piece band, various singers and musical groups have joined the fun over the years. This year, of course, the corona virus dictated that the theatre close its doors in March due to the pandemic. Keith Baker and his crew were not to be deterred. They’ve scheduled a three-part Summer Fest which can be accessed online after purchasing a ticket. I’ve just seen the second one, A Night At the Movies, and it was remarkable. Thanks to Keith Baker and his production team, this BRT virtual presentation is one that everyone will be talking about for virtually days on end.

Keith Baker, hosted the concert live from his living room and interviewed the soloists Rebecca Robbins, Sean Thompson, Demetria Joyce Bailey and guitarist, Neil Nemetz and violinist Claudia Pellegrini before they performed. When Rebecca performed San Francisco in her gorgeous soprano voice, she lifted a champagne glass voice high to match the high notes she achieved at the song’s end. Sean Thompson had a soothing, pure voice that was a pleasure to listen to as he sang Moon River and Unchained Melody. Demetria Joyce Bailey's deep throaty voice was mesmerizing as she sang Stormy Weather and Goldfinger.  . In this virtual event, every soloist was featured from a different visual perspective. The zoom arrangement was well designed and unique.  The last concert of the series, a Broadway Summer Spectacular, is scheduled for September 2, 4, 6.  It will feature Broadway's bests from composers like Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein.