BALLET X AT THE WILMA THEATER, 265 S. Broad Street. Two world premieres bring together dance, fashion and film. CASTRATI by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and A SOLILOQUY AMONG MANY by Roger C. Jeffrey are joined by a company premiere of IT’S NOT A CRY by Amy Seiwert and BALLET X’S first short dance film by Gabrielle Lamb. Award winning choreographer Ochoa reflects on the phenomenon of the castrated singers of 16th-18th century Italy who were maimed in the name of art. Jeffrey’s new work explores the journey of a free spirited individual in a close knit community who does not subscribe to its beliefs. Seiwert’s premiere is set to Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen as a compelling portrait of a relationship between partners during dark times. Lamb’s film explores the dreaming mind of dancers. Her structured improvisations and structured texts navigate the dancers through the bizarre and colorful world of their dreams creating a one of a kind film collage. July 20-24. 215.546.7824.
BRISTOL RIVERSIDE THEATRE, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol, Pa. The summer menu at Bristol continues with the music of Richard Rodgers. THE SWEETEST SOUNDS, AN EVENING WITH RICHARD RODGERS AND FRIENDS captures some of the best known melodies of this master composer for the Broadway Stage and Screen. Rodgers wrote dozens of musicals from “South Pacific” to “The Sound of Music” to “Pal Joey”. We look forward to hearing Keith Baker and the BRT band and seeing what four delightful singers do with his music i.e. Keith Spencer, Niffer Clarke, Philip Chaffin and Lindsay Roberts. Can you imagine hearing “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair”, “Getting To Know You”, “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”, “The Sound of Music” and lots more from the pen of the master on a cool summer evening?. July 14-24: 215.785.0100.
HELLA FRESH THEATER COMPANY @ PAPERMILL THEATER 2825 Ormes St. There’s a fresh new independent theater company in Kensington run by John Rosenberg. He’s written and directed a play with a dramatic premise as wild as the name of his outfit- QUEEN OF ALL WEAPONS. It’s the story of Anna, a Red Army faction German terrorist who invades 1976 San Francisco to carry on the world revolution! Look out capitalism, imperialism and anything else to which Anna (a traitor to the Bader Meinhoff group) takes a dislike. We’ve never seen this company so we are taking a chance in recommending it-chalk it up to our love of wild things or our delight at finding a new theater in Kensington. July 9-31 with all performances at 2pm Saturday & Sunday only. Visit www.queenofallweapons.com for $10 tickets.
PLAYPENN, @ ADRIENNE THEATER 2030 Sansom St. Here’s a very special free-bee for those of our readers really devoted to theater! Playpenn is a professional new play development organization ending its 7th annual workshop/conference by presenting free staged readings of works in progress, on July 21, 22, 23 & 24. You must make a reservation for these unusual events by calling 215.253.8838. Here’s your chance to help six playwrights take the next step in the development of their work while enjoying theater you know you’ve never seen before!
RITZ THEATRE CO. 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township N.J. What do you get when you mix the music of Elvis with the magic of small town American family life and a feel good musical? The answer is ALL SHOOK UP! In this musical tribute to the KING, a mysterious leather-jacketed guitar-playing stranger makes a surprise visit and teaches the townsfolk the magic and power of rock & roll. Steven Calakos, the mysterious stranger, leads the cast in performing 24 Presley classics including Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, Blue Suede Shoes and Burning Love. Anastasia Bokas is his love interest with David Mooney, Caleb Whipple, Michael Angelini and Kelly Rosado in key supporting roles. Slip into your blue suedes, climb onto your motorcycle & join the fun. July 7-Aug 6: 856.858.5230.
WILMA THEATER, 265 S. Broad Street. LIFE IN A MARITAL INSTITUTION: 20 YEARS OF MONOGAMY IN ONE TERRIFYING HOUR is performed by Writer/Performer James Braly and directed by Hal Brooks. This production is a sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking monologue about love, sex, family, betrayal, death and of all things–dinner parties. This autobiographical comedy is set in a hospice where the author is at the bedside of his dying sister. Her deathbed wedding allows the author to confront his own marriage, infidelity, near-death childbirth and the roots of romantic and familial love. The London Times called it, “a stylish monologue reminiscent of those of Spalding Gray.” The show premiered at the Edinburgh festival to critical acclaim and sold out off Broadway. This production at the Wilma is the first stop on a national tour. July 5-16: 215.546.7824.
