EgoPo's 20th Anniversary Gala

Tall Ship Gazela

Ego Po is having an incredible 20^th Anniversary Gala aboard the tall ship Gazela from 6:00-9:00 PM on Wednesday July 25. The ship is docked on Penn’s landing south of the Independence Seaport Museum. A gourmet dinner will be catered by Stephen Starr and will include such delicacies as shrimp cocktail, lobster Mac and cheese bites; Peppercorn crusted Filet Mignon, Roasted Salmon, Wild mushroom tart, vegetable lasagna and dessert Tapas. In addition, there will be an open bar with sea-themed cocktails, wine, beer and over-flowing champagne. If this doesn't seem like enough cause for celebration, performers from the last 8 years of EgoPo’s work will be on hand to sing live sea shanties and fireworks will be lit from Penn’s Landing after sunset. During the evening, the 2014-15 season of the Great American Dream Festival will be officially announced. A remarkable silent auction will include items such as tickets to museums, theaters, sporting events and dinner packages.  And that is not all.  The featured item is a live auction of a week’s stay at any luxury Marriot Villa in the US and Caribbean, including Aruba and St. Kitts. Tickets for EgoPo audience members are $150 and $200 for the general public.  You must hurry for they must be purchased by Monday June 23^rd. To purchase tickets, visit online at www.egopo.org or contact EgoPo at 267-273-1414 to confirm your reservation for a night you won’t forget. In the event of rain, EgoPo’s Gala will be postponed one day to Thursday, June 26^th .

COLIN QUINN UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The Philadelphia Theatre Company, housed in the Suzanne Roberts Theatre at Broad and Lombard Streets, is presenting Colin Quinn’s uniquely satirical take on the constitution and this country’s founding fathers through July 6. Unlike the 3 R’s we all learned in school,  Unconstitutional  is irreverent, irredeemable, and irreplaceable with another type of history lesson. Quinn’s matchless way of pointing out the foibles of our country and what Washington and Madison envisioned has the theatre filled with laughter as each anecdote brings forth more hilarity. Presidents George Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Obama are thrown into the mix along with the media-popularized Kardashians. Nothing is sacred in Quinn’s inimitable monologue except the constitution itself and the ever present desire to bring unceasing amusement to the audience, which he does with a certain panache.  For more information or tickets, call 215-735-7356 or visit www.PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org.

Ritu Comes Home

Ritu and her new family

InterAct Theatre, located at 2030 Sansom Street, is doing what it does best...tackling interesting and always thought provoking topics. This time it is in the form of a World Premiere, Ritu Comes Home by playwright Peter Gil-Sheridan. The production runs through June 22. There are multiple scenes in this two-act drama which are artfully separated by extreme blackouts on stage, allowing actors David Bardeen, portraying Brendan, Jered McLenigan, portraying Jason and Annie Henk, portraying their friend Yesenia to reposition themselves on the stage in various stages of drunken stupor.  Brendan and Jason live an affluent life-style in the suburbs of Bryn Mawr, thanks to Jason’s high-powered job. Their weekends are spent in drinking and shopping and corresponding with the Bangladeshi child they have supported for years by sending 80 cents a day to Bangladesh. Ritu’s sudden appearance in their home causes an unforeseen ruckus. It is unclear, and purposely so, which character is more surprised to see the other.  The play wrestles with several important themes, among them racism, adoption by a gay parent, the needs of one member in a gay partnership versus the desires of the other, and the possible outcomes of harboring an illegal runaway.  Be prepared for a surprise ending! Young actress Rebecca Khalil is excellent as Ritu.  Watch for more performances from her as she completes her studies. Annie Henk has been “work-shopping” this piece on and off for two years and is exquisitedly believable as Yesenia.  For more information or tickets, call 215-568-9079 or visit online at www.interacttheatre.org. 

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is producing the Tony Award winning musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying on its mainstage through July 13^th. With its 20 musical numbers, many accompanied by dance routines, the audience does not need the applause sign which appears briefly, because applause continues non-stop throughout the production. Jeremy Morse, portraying J. Pierrepont Finch, window washer seeking a career up the corporate ladder, is only one of the many talented cast members.  Becky Gulsvig, portraying his love interest Rosemary Pilkington, has a very strong voice. But watch out for Joliet F. Harris, playing J.B. Biggley’s secretary, Miss Jones. Her moves and the way she can belt out a song will have you rockin’ in your seat. Mark Jacoby, playing J.B. Biggley, the president of the corporation, not only has a wonderful stage presence, but a  mellow baritone to match it  Thanks to the creative choreography of Michele Lynch, and a very talented ensemble, the dancing routines of both the men and the women bring the house down. Outstanding set designs are not uncommon for Walnut Street’s mainstage but scenic designer  Robert Andrew Kovach had his work cut out for him with  the many scenic changes required for this show, including several with an elevator. All are beautifully executed with a two-story stage. Everyone who has played a part in this extravaganza is to be congratulated for an effort exceptionally well done. Come out and join in the fun. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreetthreatre.org.

The Screwtape Letters

Anthony Lawton in Hell

The Lantern Theatre Company, located in St. Stephen’s Church, 10^th and Ludlow Streets, is presenting a return engagement of Anthony Lawton’s adaptation of C.S.  Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters through June 15.  Don’t assume that if you’ve seen this presentation once you needn’t see it again. I’ve seen this production 3 times and this one is by far the crispest and most polished. Anthony Lawton’s skill onstage for the entire production is unsurpassed as he reads letters from his nephew, Wormwood, and gives him advice on how to corrupt an individual’s soul. His lengthy monologues are interspersed with delightful sultry (and sometimes sado/masochistic) dancing routines with his equally agile secretary Toadpipe, portrayed by Sarah Gliko. He also throws in an occasional fire-eating demonstration, and a duel. This production is not a picture of hell that one might expect.  Every moment has a new surprise. Lawton is engaging as a demon who becomes frustrated in his attempt to instruct his nephew in the finer nuances of corrupting a soul. Gliko is a breath of fresh air in what must be a very hot environment. For more information or tickets, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheatre.org            

Altar Boyz

11^th Hour Theatre Company, located in the Arts Bank of the Avenue of the Arts, is presenting its mainstage production Altar Boyz, through June 1. The Altar Boyz - Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham, are a fictitious Christian boy-band near the end of a national tour. Their mission is to save souls and they bring down the house in their attempt to do so. They’ve interspersed clever quips along with the engaging lyrics and a bit of histrionics. The ensemble cast of Robert Hager, Adam Hoyak, Billy Kametz, Michael Linden and Nicholas Park are extraordinarily talented. Although the Boyz come to the conclusion that there is “no harmony in a single voice”, each and every one of them has a strong solo voice. And oh the feet! These young men can dance with acute precision. You’ll be rocking in your seats. For more information or tickets for this limited run, call 267-987-9865 or visit online at 11^th hourtheatrecompany.org.

Little Shop of Horrors

Seymour and Audrey II

The Bristol Riverside Theatre, located at 120 Radcliffe Street, is presenting Little Shop of Horrors through June 8.  This fun-filled upbeat musical is somewhat of an antithesis to Sweeny Todd, the musical in which a maniacal barber has men killed and ground into best-selling meat pies.  Little Shop… revolves around a majestic carnivorous plant, Audrey II, who brings fame and fortune to her creator as long as she is fed. Unfortunately, her appetite isn’t appeased for long. This production has an outstanding ensemble cast. Seymour, portrayed by Andrew McMath, grew the strange and unusual plant from a clipping, encouraged by fellow flower shop worker Audrey, portrayed by melodic-voiced Laura C. Giknis. Shop owner Mr. Mushnik (Daniel Marcus) belts out a song and dance as well as anyone on the stage until he is no longer there.  Danny Vaccaro, playing multiple roles, brings comic relief as well as a booming voice. Nate Golden, puppeteer, and Carl Clemons-Hopkins, the voice of Audrey II, work hand-in-hand to make this incredible production work.  Lindsey Warren, Candace Thomas and Berlando Drake are a phenomenal dancing and singing trio, equally at home with rag-tag skid row routines or in long sequined gowns reminiscent of the  Motown of the. Supremes. The award winning members of the production team do a brilliant job as well: Kudos to Set Designer Jason Simms for his rotating set, Costume Designer Linda Bee Stockton for the many costume changes developed and Lighting Designer Charles Reece. This show may shock you, may make you want to sing and dance, may make you jeer or cheer, but it will never make you regret having come to see it. For more information or tickets, call 215-785-0100 or visit online at brtstage.org.