ACT 11 PLAYHOUSE, 56 E. Butler Ave, Ambler, PA. If someone said, “make a list of the best actor/comedians in the Philadelphia area” almost everyone’s list would include Tony Braithwaite and Jen Childs. In 2012 they developed a wildly successful “LET’S PRETEND WE’RE MARRIED”. Now they’ve come up with a wonderful follow-up: “LET’S PRETEND WE’RE FAMOUS.” Tony and Jen treat their audience to a trip celebrating the famous and infamous of today and yesterday, with classic and original skits, songs, dancing and improv. Incidentally, the improv changes each night and Owen Robins provides top notch piano accompaniment for these brilliant performers. Jan. 7 to 26: 215.654.0200.
ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY, 40 N. 2nd Street. Playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes takes full advantage of her Philly background to tell this Pulitzer Prize winning story of pain, recovery and redemption. In ”WATER BY THE SPOONFUL” a returning Iraq war veteran of Puerto Rican descent works in a Philly sandwich shop while he tries to cope with wounds that are both physical and mental. A parallel interacting story line involves an online chat room dedicated to recovering addicts. The adult language in this show makes it a no-no for children not in the 9th grade or above. Call for information on special events i.e. post show talks, first Friday free beer and more! Jan. 16 to Mar. 16: 215.922.1122.
CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC at the Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts. The Curtis Symphony Orchestra presentation on Jan. 26 at 3PM embodies an interesting duality- 2 conductors, 2 pianists and 2 percussionists! Yannick Nezet-Seguin, music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra makes his premiere appearance with Curtis, conducting Shostakovich’s impassioned “Symphony #7 in C major”. Kensho Watanabe, a Curtis alumnus, opens the program with Glinka’s “Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila”. The program includes Bartok’s “Concerto for 2 Pianos, Percussion & Orchestra”, with Phila. Orchestra principal timpanist Don Liuzzi, Curtis grad Benjamin Hochman as pianist, Mari Yoshinaga, percussion & Natalie Zhu, piano. Even if we’re not fervent fans of the classics, it warms our heart to see how great the Philly music scene has become with something for everyone. 215.893.1999.
PEOPLE’S LIGHT & THEATRE, 39 Conestoga Rd. Malvern, Pa.: It’s hard to realize that Henrik Ibsen “the father of modern drama” wrote “GHOSTS” in the 19th century! Nothing seems taboo to this critic of family values, social conventions and the role of women. Insanity, infidelity, venereal disease, stupidly moralistic Pastors are only a few of the topics which this play brought to the stage for the first time. This translation from the original Danish, by Lanford Wilson, captures the revolutionary fervor of Ibsen and brings a modern energy to an old classic. Ken Marini, cofounder of PLTC, nominated for multiple Barrymore Awards, directs some of our favorite actors including a newcomer to us and PLTC – Mary Tuomanen. The rest of the cast are simply consummate professionals i.e. Peter DeLaurier, Ian Merrill Peakes, Kathryn Petersen and, making his PLTC debut but well known and respected by us-Keith Conallen. Jan. 15 to Feb. 9: 610.644.3500.
WALNUT STREET THEATRE, 825 Walnut St. Family secrets are the most explosive and interesting! In “OTHER DESERT CITIES” a novelist returns to her family in Palm Springs and prepares her conservative Republican parents and her eccentric liberal aunt for the publication of an explosive memoir, focusing on a hidden chapter in the family history. “Other Desert Cities” comes to Philly from an off Broadway premiere, which garnered plaudits from the critics and several mentions for “Best New Play.” The cast contains some of Philly’s best, i.e. Greg Wood, Susan Wilder, Ann Crumb, Krista Apple and Matteo Scammell, making his Walnut debut. Jan. 14 to Mar. 2: 215.574.3550.
WALNUT STREET THEATRE INDEPENDENCE STUDIO ON 3, 825 Walnut Street “DRIVING MISS DAISY” is an American classic! As a play and a film, this tale of a journey involving an elderly southern woman and her Afro-American chauffeur won almost every possible critical award. The journey begins when Miss Daisy can’t drive anymore due to an accident. Reflecting the attitudes of 1948 Atlanta she, initially “will not have” an Afro-American, hired by her son, “chauffeuring” in her car. Before their journey ends, however, the two have become fast friends. The playwright, Alfred Uhry won a Pulitzer Prize, the Outer Critics Circle Award plus an Academy Award and a Tony Award. Bernhard Havard, actor, stage manager and producer, directs this deeply moving journey with a dream cast, i.e. Johnnie Hobbs Jr. is Miss Daisy’s new driver, Wendy Scharfman is Miss Daisy and Bill Van Horn is her son. Jan. 14 to Feb. 2: 215.574.3550.
