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 28th. Sit
down and settle back as you imagine yourself transported back in time to the
end of the 19th 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.
Just saw the play last week. Was an AWESOME play! I'd recommend it anyone who hasn't seen it yet. What I loved about it most is that even during the intermission the actors maintained their characters, when they were sitting at the bar playing a card game. I just loved it!
ReplyDelete