The Bristol Riverside Theatre, located at 20 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa, is presenting the local premiere of the musical What a Glorious Feeling through November 18. Witness the back-story to the movie musical Singing in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly and Debby Reynolds with the ensemble cast featuring Summer Broyhill, Vincent D’Elia, Zak Edward, Liz Filios and Charles Osborne. And what a glorious feeling you will have as you sit in the theatre and are swept away by the tapping feet.  Author and playwright Jay Berkow tells how the here-to-fore unknown private lives of Gene Kelly, his co-director, Stanley Donen, and his ex-wife (aka Gene’s assistant Jeanne) affect the making of the movie. Hats off to choreographer Stephen Casey who had my feet tapping along at my seat (and I don’t even know how to tap!) The surprising last scene was very well staged. For more information on how to enjoy a delightful night out and get a glorious feeling of your own, call 215-785-0100 or visit online at brtstage.org.

What A Glorious Feeling

The Bristol Riverside Theatre, located at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa, is presenting the local premiere of the musical What a Glorious Feeling through November 18.  Witness the back-story to the movie musical Singing in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly and Debby Reynolds with the ensemble cast featuring Summer Broyhill, Vincent D’Elia, Zak Edward, Liz Filios and Charles Osborne. And what a glorious feeling you will have as you sit in the theatre and are swept away by their tapping feet.  Author and playwright Jay Berkow tells how the here-to-fore unknown private lives of Gene Kelly, his co-director, Stanley Donen, and his ex-wife (aka Gene’s assistant Jeanne) affect the making of the movie. Hats off to choreographer Stephen Casey who had my feet tapping along at my seat (and I don’t even know how to tap!) The surprising last scene was very well staged. For more information on how to enjoy a delightful night out and get a glorious feeling of your own, call 215-785-0100 or visit online at brtstage.org.

The Exit Interview

Cheryl William and Dan Hodge

InterAct Theatre Company is presenting The Exit Interview on the Main Stage of The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street, through November 11. It has been written by Williams Missouri Downs and is directed Seth Rozin.  The night I saw the performance, an announcement was made to the eagerly awaiting theatre goers in the lobby that the curtain would be delayed by 30 minutes as it had just been discovered that a laptop had been stolen which held all of the actors’ cues and work had to be done to reconstruct them.  Offers were made to give rain checks, but everyone waited and believe me, it was worth the wait. The playwright treats the bold question, “do things really happen for a reason?”  in a cheeky manner, much to the audience’s delight.  Dick Fig, an agnostic college professor who has just lost his job, is forced to endure a parting conference with a devout Christian examiner.   While Fig alludes to the virtues of Berthold Brecht in trying to convince his examiner that God does not exist, William Missouri Downs, with his tongue in his cheek, offers up all the elements of an epic Brechtian play. While the exit interview is being conducted to the tune of nearby gunshots. there are actors who speak directly to the audience; explanatory placards; stage directions spoken aloud; songs used to interrupt the action and several small vignettes within a loosely held plot. Commercial plugs for the second act are the height of the ridiculous This is irreverent comedy at its best. For more information or tickets call 215-568-8079 or visit online at www.interacttheatre.org.

Stars of David

The Philadelphia Theatre Company’s World Premiere of Stars of David is a sheer delight.  It can be seen at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard Street, through November 18.  Based on Abigail Pogrebin’s best-selling book of the same name, Stars of David gives glimpses of Jewish life through interviews with prominent public figures.  Over a dozen lyricists use humor and fortitude to breathe life into these interviews. The four member ensemble cast change clothes and wigs so frequently that it  is difficult to remember the cast is not composed of a dozen or more characters. Kudos should go to costume designer Alejo Vietti.  Bravos as well to set designer Beowulf Boritt, Lighting Designer Howell Binkley and Projection Designer Jason Thompson for the filmed coverage  of personalities, TVs, library stacks and an evolving synagogue. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy the hysterical routine put forth by the artists mimicking Fran Dresher or Joan Rivers. Nor is your ethnicity a requirement to enjoy the magic performed by a young Leonard Nemoy.  Don’t miss the show everyone is sure to be talking about.  It is a wonderful experience. There are several talk-backs and special events scheduled as well. For more information or tickets, call 215-985-0420 or visit online at PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.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.