The Beauty Queen of Leanne

The Lantern Theater Company, located in St. Stephen’s Church, 10th and Ludlow Streets, is presenting its much awaited completion of Mike McDonagh’s trilogy with The Beauty Queen of Leanne. The Beauty Queen… is actually McDonough’s first produced play, but it is the final play in the trilogy produced for the eagerly awaiting Lantern audiences. Due to popular demand, the play has been extended through February 10. Those who have been privileged to see The Lonesome West  and A Skull in Connemara as I have, might be fascinated to uncover the similarities among the three

 McDonagh’s characters are a pathetic lot; yet we can identify with their plight and see the humor in their situations.  The two brothers, Vilene and Column in The Lonesome West torment each other unmercifully as do the mother and daughter in The Beauty Queen of Leanne. The objects of contention are so ridiculous - (from potato chips to lumps in the Complain) that the audience howls. Yet all three plays are not only comedies but tragedies as well.  Mick, the central persona in A skull in Connemara, is a complex character who can readily charm and leaves an unwitting audience unprepared for a surge of plot twists. Likewise, Maureen, played by Megan Bellwoar in The Beauty Queen of Leanne, is a frustrated spinster whose liberation points the way to plot twists that leave the audience reeling.

If you have never seen any other part of Mike McDonagh’s trilogy, do not let that deter you from seeing this masterpiece. It is a Tony-Award winning satire of mother and daughter relationships that certainly blazes with intensity on its own merit.  See it to witness the evil machinations and deceptions of the helpless mother Mag Folan played by Mary Martello. Observe the many faceted Mary Marcello with a new stoned-faced persona. Sit on the edge of your seats while waiting to note who has the “last word.”  You don’t need to book a flight to Ireland, but you do need to call the Lantern box office at 215-829-0395 or visit online at lanterntheater.org. before tickets to this stroke of genius are sold out.

Dave and Aaron Go to Work

1812 Productions, located at Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Street, is presenting the world premiere of Dave and Aaron Go To Work through December 31.  Perhaps best described as Laurel and Hardy's entering The Odd Couple’s domain, this piece has been touted as a silent film for the stage. As in any silent film, the actors must replace dialogue with physical comedy. Dave Jadico and Aaron Cromie are masters of the art. Every movement on stage is clear-cut.  Spoiler Alert !   Don’t blink or you might miss one of many small details in their precise routine of every-day life that will lead to an “aha” moment near the end of the show!  That Dave and Aaron are friends is obvious. How two men who are completely opposite can harmoniously occupy a space not much larger than a dog house is less obvious, but it is rife with comedic moments.  Add a quest for the perfect job and the chuckles begin; giggles follow; chortles take over and then...Oh why ruin the fun? Come and remind yourself why you laughed at those silent slapstick delights of yesteryear. For more information or tickets call 215-592-9560 or visit online at www.1812productions.org.

Missionary in Manhattan: Big Philly Style

·         The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Brooklyn will be presenting Missionary in Manhattan: Big Philly Style for two performances only in the third floor studio of Plays and Players Theater located at 1714 Delancey Street.  This Philadelphia premiere can be seen on Friday Dec 7^th and Saturday Dec 8^th at 10:30PM.  Directed by Kaleigh Malloy, the cast includes Caitlin Davis, Elizabeth May, Dave May and Lily Narbonne. Missionary in Manhattan: Big Philly Style is a musical comedy about three polygamists –pop stars searching for their brother husband in the City of Brotherly Love. Said husband went missing after the election and was last seen with his vocal coach.  Using their ukuleles to turn pop songs into “God” songs, the wives will stop at nothing to find the father of their seven children. This rapid-fire show is brief and sure to be a hoot.  Tickets are $15 and are available online at www.greatuke.com.

Freud's Last Session

Freud and C.S.Lewis

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N 2^nd Street in Olde City, Philadelphia, is presenting Freud’s Last Session on its Arcadia Stage through December 23, 2012.  Freud, the father of modern psychology invites a young C.S. Lewis to his office at the start of England’s entrance into World War II The playwright, Mark St. Germain lets his imagination fly to spark the discussions of  two brilliant men with wholly different philosophies of life. Their constant bantering back and forth has the audience totally engaged.  David Howie portrays an ill and aging Sigmund Freud and Todd Scofield plays a young C.S. Lewis just beginning his literary career.  The repartee is gentle, yet forceful, with neither one persuading the other to his point of view ... Or does one?   Sigmund Freud was an ardent collector of artifacts from around the world and his study contained over 2000 pieces.  Scenic Designer David P. Gordon has done an excellent job of recreating Freud’s office. The set is replete with replicas, many borrowed from the University Of Pennsylvania Museum Of Archaeology and Anthropology cast collection.  Theatre goers are encouraged to use a ticket stub from the show to get a $3 discount at the museum.  Make plans to see this show and let your ticket stub be more than just a reminder of the provocative dialogue you have just encountered. For tickets or more information, call 215-922-1122 or visit www.ardentheatre.org