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.