Theatrical Buffet
The biggest news of the 2006-2007 theater season is the first-ever Philadelphia New Play Festival, happening February 8-18 at theaters in and around the city. The collaboration, organized by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, features nine main-stage world-premiere productions by the region’s leading theater companies, 14 new play readings, and a host of related symposia and workshops. There are 28 events in all. Here are the highlights:
*Philadelphia Theatre Company is playing Nerds://A Musical Software Satire, an irreverent new work about computer pioneers Bill Gates and Steve Jobs as scribed by Jordan Allen-Dutton and Erik Weiner, writers for the Cartoon Network’s “Adult Swim” show Robot Chicken (through Feb. 25).
*Theatre Exile will host a free evening Feb. 19 celebrating the “Greatest Hits of Philly Playwriting,” a performance dedicating to sampling quintessential works from the City of Brotherly Love.
*The University of the Arts is playing host to a pair of high-powered playwright symposiums, February 10 and 17, featuring Christopher Durang, Jeffrey Hatcher, Michael Hollinger, and others.
*The Vagabond Acting Troupe is going it alone for the Solo Works Festival, featuring 16 area playwright/performers showcasing 10-minute pieces over two different nights, February 13 and 20.
*The Wilma Theater is staging Sarah Schulman’s adaptation of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s post-World War II tale Enemies, A Love Story (Feb. 7 – March 11).
Many of the main-stage shows continue after the New Play Festival comes to a close February 18, but discounted tickets – available with a $20 festival pass – are only available during the festival’s 11-day run. The festival pass also will get you discounts at participating Philadelphia restaurants and businesses. So take a week off from work and immerse yourself in exciting new work by Philadelphia theater companies. Philadelphia New Play Festival, various Philadelphia venues, 215.413.7150; www.theatrealliance.org/newplayfestival.com
Love Bites
If you love supporting small theater companies but aren’t as keen on love itself, then BCKSEET Productions’ third “Valentine’s Day Sucks” benefit February 14 is for you. The evening of rock and raffles will spotlight a competition of theatrical up-and-comers, who will each perform one ballad, one up-tempo song, and one cover of a love song. So in addition to being anti-Valentine’s Day, think of it as the anti-American Idol, too. And best of all, admission includes a “Valentine’s Day Sucks” compilation CD. Valentine’s Day Sucks, $25, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St., Philadelphia, 215.923.0210; www.bckseet.com
All Hail the King
Touring-show presenter Broadway Across America has something for all you hound dogs, the Broadway hit All Shook Up, which combines Elvis Presley songs with a rock ‘n’ roll story about how a young girl’s dreams come true when a guitar-playing roustabout swings into her small town. The song-filled spectacle shakes its hips into the Merriam Theater for eight performances February 20-25. All Shook Up, $25-$73.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, 215.336.1234; www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/philadelphia
Program Notes
Explore your inner id and ego with the latest in the Lantern Theater Company’s “Symposia Series,” Kilian Fritsch’s February 18 lecture “The Psychology of Sex: Freud’s Legacy Onstage.” … If you loved the book, you can now see the stage version of Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays With Morrie, playing February 7 to March 4 at the People’s Light & Theatre Company in Malvern. … The Broadway at the Academy of series continues with the seemingly ubiquitous Irish spectacle Celtic Woman February 26-27.
AroundPhilly Staff
