The
Philadelphia Theatre Company is presenting the World Premiere Musical of The Tattooed Lady through
November 20, 2022, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street.
Starring Jackie Hoffman, the musical is based on a book by Erin Courtney and Max Vernon with music,
lyrics, and orchestrations by Max Vernon. This is a very innovative show. Based
on some of the history of the tattooed ladies in circus side-shows in the19th
Century, The Tattooed Lady uses
songs, dance, and humor to make a plea for accepting differences in bodies and
embracing those differences. Jackie Hoffman portrays a Grandma, dressed in
sweats and sneaks, who is against any art that is not “normal” and is bothered
by an exhibit at the library which probably has some tattoos displayed. She encourages
her granddaughter, Joy (Maya Lagerstam)
to have her views. When Bob, ( Anthony Lawton) an old friend of Grandma’s, appears on her doorstep with a huge
trunk, lives are about to change. Joy gets sent upstairs. (This is a beautifully
constructed, two- story set. ) Then Bob begs Ida to return to her old life. After
she refuses, he opens the trunk to try to convince her, and out climb several
tattooed ladies, including a younger version of herself. Through song and dance
the story of her life is told in retrospect. There are many enjoyable musical
numbers in this rock musical. Joy returns downstairs and sings a powerful solo of her own, The show is
a fast-paced two-and one-half hour production. It is light and humorous yet generates some strong truths about the importance
of the acceptance of one’s own body and beliefs. Tickets
and more information are available at 215-985-0420, online at www.philatheatreco.org or in person
during box office hours.
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