1812 Productions, Arcadia Stage at Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd Street: Philly’s only all-comedy theatre begins its 2015-2016 season with — what else? — a new comedy. The Philadelphia premiere of “THE SHOPLIFTERS”, written by Morris Panych, will be part of the 2015 Fringe Festival. As usual, the inimitable Jen Childs directs a stellar cast consisting of people who we enjoy far too much to be unbiased when previewing/reviewing this production. Take Mary Martello, winner of five Barrymore’s and on the stage for 50 plus years. In our eyes, she is still a seductress any time she wants to be one. Let’s not forget Johnny Hobbs Jr., one of the best actors, hands down, in the area. He is nominated for an award almost every time he sets foot on a stage! Johnny and Mary play a pair of senior citizens on opposing sides of a corporate juggernaut. While she “games” the system, he is under the heel of the same system. This corporate warfare takes place not on Wall Street but in the back office of a grocery store. Also making their 1812 debuts are Daniel Frederick and Marla Burkholder as the proteges of our two main characters. From August 27 to September 20: For more information and tickets call 215.592.9560
Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium, Independence Studio on 3 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street: When we hear that the author of a play is the great Ionesco we know enough to expect an absurdist classic — hilarity, a strangely twisted logic, but always witty, sparkling, mind-bending comedy and some very serious thoughts. IRC brings all this to life in Eugene Ionesco’s “EXIT THE KING.”
We love absurdist drama, perhaps because it combines a childlike directness with some very complex ideas. The big joke is about King Berenger. He’s 400 years old, has been having a ball in the crumbling Kingdom and doesn’t realize that the party is almost over. Can this be funny? You bet your life that it can be hilarious! Tine Brock directs Robb Hutter, Patricia Durante, Susan Giddings, Anne Lou Hearn, Jenna Kuerzi and Bob Schmidt. September 1 to 20: For more information call 215.285.0472.
People’s Light and Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA: What does it take to make a good Philly play? How about starting with a world class, yet local, playwright like Bruce Graham, who understands our Philly soul? Let’s follow that with three actors who never fail to get the most out of a part (in fact, sometimes they get too much out of it). The director should be someone who has worked on the local stage, knows every actor and is respected by all — a perfect description of Pete Pryor. Graham’s latest play is called “STELLA AND LOU”. It takes place in Lou’s South Philadelphia Bar where Marcia Saunders, Tom Teti and Scott Greer drink and schmooze while examining the human condition. This romantic comedy at least thinks that love is possible even for high mileage people. If you don’t see this one, well just blame yourself! To August 23: For more information call: 610.644.3500
Vulcan Lyric at Prince Theater, Broad & Chestnut Streets: We know that many of our readers may very well doubt the relevance of opera or its ability to speak to 21st Century America. For these readers, the Philadelphia premiere of “GLORY DENIED” might be a mind changer. This opera tells the true story of Jim Thompson, the longest held POW in American history, who was held in solitary confinement in a North Korean prison for five years. The opera is written for two men and two women, each playing younger and older versions of Thompson and his wife, Alyce. The text of the opera is based on actual statements from Thompson and over 100 other people who knew him, and the horrors he experienced in his brutal imprisonment, torture, and degradation. When he was finally freed, he was widely honored, but his family life and health disintegrated. Believe it or not, modern opera has something to say about modern warfare! Go to www.vulcanlyric.org for further information.