ACT 11 PLAYHOUSE, 56 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler, Pa. A hundred years ago a consummate London bachelor, Professor Henry Higgins, met a cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle. Their lives were never the same! Higgins bets his best friend, Colonel Pickering, that he can train Eliza to pass as an English lady. MY FAIR LADY is based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion and adorned with unforgettable songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” “Get Me to the Church on Time” and “I Could Have Danced All Night”, by Lerner and Loewe. Directed by Bud Martin, the cast includes Tony Braithwaite, Eileen Cella, Chris Faith, Mary Martello and Mike Corr. April 25-May 20: 215.654.0200.
BALLET X at The Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad Street. This internationally recognized contemporary company presents three intriguing works. First is a world premiere by Jodie Gates inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf. Second is Largo by Edwaard Liang based on the decorative tableaux Progress of Love, painted by Fragonard and set to the music of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Last, but never least is Matthew Neenan’s The Last Glass (which received critical acclaim at its 2010 premiere), set to the music of the indie rock band Beirut. Surprise pop-up performances by local artists will be featured during this run. April 18-22: 215.546.7824.
BRISTOL RIVERSIDE THEATRE, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa. Song and Dance man Ben Vereen is a legend on Broadway. He has been nominated for a Tony Award and became a household name after his performance in the T.V. series Roots. STEPPIN OUT LIVE WITH BEN VEREEN is a one-man show filled with song and dance, stories of his life and Vereen’s sense of humor. Along the way, he pays tribute to Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and of course Broadway. April 20-22: 215.785.0100.
CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC, 1726 Locust Street. The Alumni recital series presents Contralto Meredith Arwady, a favorite of Metropolitan Opera audiences since her 2008 debut. She performs with pianist Mikael Eliasen, Curtis Opera Theater’s artistic director. Arwady has performed in major roles at the San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and many other European opera houses. Sunday, April 29. 215.893.7902
EGO PO CLASSIC THEATER, The Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street.This version of THE GOLEM, a world premiere created by the ensemble of artists involved with the play, is a unique version of a very old tale. In 1940, a small group of Jews from Prague is forced onto a train whose destination is unknown. Separated from their families and loved ones, they share stories and dark myths to forge a new community of their own. The production brings new life to this ancient myth for a modern, adult audience with its inclusion of live Klezmer music, Jewish-Czech puppetry and more. Directed by Brenna Geffers, with strong performances from a talented cast including Dave Jadico, Ross Beschler, Genevieve Perrier, G.S. Amiense, Kevin Chick, Ross Beschler, Josh Totora, Lorna Howley and Sarah Schol. To April 15: 800.595.4TIX
FLASHPOINT THEATRE COMPANY, 2nd stage at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street. Local Playwright Jacqueline Goldfinger’s SLIP/SHOT makes its world premiere, directed by young, innovative Rebecca Wright. Set in the early 60’s in Florida, where two lovers escape from their dysfunctional families. When an ordinary night leads to a terrible crime, families get torn apart. SLIP/SLOT questions family loyalty and the influence of the past on our perspectives. Starring Keith Conallen, Kevin Meehan. Rachel Camp and Cathy Simpson. April 11- May 6: 215.665.9720.
PETER NERO AND THE PHILLY POPS, Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Streets. Go on a musical tour with a program of pop music with Peter Nero at the piano. Everything from swing to light classical to rock and roll reflects the talented attention of the Philly Pops Orchestra. ULTIMATE POPS guarantees something for everyone at this eclectic program of Pops favorites. April 11-15: 215.893.1999.
SIMPATICO THEATRE PROJECT, Off-Broad Street Theater, 1636 Sansom Street. A new play by Chekhov- how can that be? He’s been dead for years! Actually, David Rabe has adapted THE BLACK MONK from a short novel to create this Philadelphia premiere. A young scholar returns home to rest and perhaps save the family orchard estate. A visit by the legendary Black Monk seems to answer all of the scholar’s questions. The only trouble is that no one else can see or hear him! Directed by Allen Radway, with original music by John Greenbaum and Elizabeth Zook. Starring David Howey, Matt Lorenz, Sarah Van Auken, David Blatt, Janice Rowland, Bill Rahill, John Greenbaum, Shannon Remley, Eric Wunsch and Christoper Roche. April 10-29: www.simpaticotheatre.org for tickets.
THEATRE EXILE, Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street. In an Ohio dead-end town, a stranger comes to rest, relax, and believe-it-or-not find his hand! He has been pursuing it for 47 years. Add to the madness his encounter with a young drug dealing couple and a very sneaky hotel clerk. A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE by Martin Mc Donagh mixes equal parts of horrific humor, deranged obsession and senseless violence in a 90-minute exercise of hilarious terror. Directed by Joe Canuso starring Pearce Bunting, Amanda Schoonover, Matt Pfeiffer and Reuben Mitchell. April 19 to May 13: 215.218.4022.
