We dedicate this column to Reuben Mitchell, a promising young actor who died tragically in a motorcycle accident in November.
ARDEN THEATRE COMPANY, 40 N. 2nd Street. One character can’t stand up, the other can’t sit down and neither can leave the room! They’ve shared this space for who knows how long. For them, the end is in the beginning! ENDGAME by Nobel Prize winner Samuel Beckett (directed by Edward Sobel) was written with a wicked sense of humor and an absurdly grim approach that confounds comedy with unhappiness. The cast is as strong as we’ve ever seen on a local stage. Scott Greer and James Ijames play the co-dependent trapped men. Dan Kern and Nancy Boykin are confined to trashcans as they play the parents of one of the men. This is classic world theater at its strangest and best. January 16 to March 10: 215.922.1122.
BROADWAY AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Broad and Locust Streets. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN was nominated for four Tony Awards and six Drama Desk Awards. The play is based on the astonishing true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a world-class con artist who passed himself off as a doctor, lawyer, and jet pilot before he was 21. He was pursued by F.B.I. Agent Hanratti and hampered by the bonds of a passionate love affair. The jazzy score matches the constant emotion of the adventure. The book is by Terrence McNally. January 15 to 20: 215.893.1999.
CURTIS INSTITUTE OF MUSIC, 1726 Locust Street. If you like hearing a bass voice you will love the alumni recital series presentation of Grammy-winning bass Matthew Rose, accompanied by Curtis faculty member Mikael Eliasen. Rose performs Schubert’s heartrending song cycle WINTERREISE. Schubert’s song is based on Wilhelm Muller’s poems depicting a young man’s love trials with touching emotion and atmosphere.Rose has been praised time and again for his beautiful resonant voice. January 20 (3PM): 215.893.7902.
HEDGEROW THEATRE, 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, PA. Never seen a Nunsense production? Then you really don’t know the meaning of wild hilarious comedy. In MESHUGGAH-NUNS by Dan Goggins, the Little Sisters of Hoboken are on an all-expense-paid cruise. Seasickness prevents the scheduled entertainers from performing Fiddler On The Roof. The Captain recruits the Sisters to fill in. The result is an ecumenically flavored musical comedy with songs like “Contrition”, “Say It In Yiddish”, and “If I Were a Catholic”. Directed by Penelope Reed, the cast includes Micki Sharpe, Heidi Starr, Connie Norwood and the ever-popular Susan Wefel—plus a surprise performance by Tom Teti! To January 27: 610.565.4211. We saw it—we laughed—we recommend it!
INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY, 2030 Sansom Street. The World Premiere of ASSASSIN by local playwright David Robson is a co-production with Act 11 Playhouse. It’s based on the real life 1978 football game tragedy which left the Patriot’s Darryl Stingley paralyzed for life. The drama opens 30 years after the brutal tackle, with the “Assassin” a diabetic alcoholic now seeking a televised reconciliation with his victim. The retired football star and quadriplegic Darryl Stingley’s lawyer begin a careful cat and mouse game which quickly becomes an evening of stinging accusations and startling confessions. Seth Reichgott directs Brian Anthony Wilson and Dwayne A. Thomas. January 18 to February 10: 215.568.8079.
SIMPATICO THEATRE PROJECT, at the Walnut Street Theatre – Studio 5, 825 Walnut Street. In 2006 a terrifying schoolhouse shooting took place in an Amish community in Lancaster, PA. THE AMISH PROJECT is a moving examination of this episode in our seemingly endless cycle of American violence. Three strictly separate communities were involved and although the nation seemed polarized the Lancaster community became united. This seven character, one woman show investigates how an initially divided community reconciled a crushing loss in spite of a sea of cultural differences. Written by Jessica Dickey and directed by James Stover this is a co-production with Renegade Company and stars Janice Rowland. January 15 to February 3: 215.423.0254.
WALNUT STREET THEATRE, 825 Walnut Street. Oscar Wilde’s AN IDEAL HUSBAND has been a perennial hit since its 1895 London opening. This witty story of romance, insider trading and scandal reminds us that our present political problems have a long history. When a highly respected politician with a spotless reputation is threatened by the revelation of a dark secret from his past who can he turn to? Only his womanizing, party-loving best friend is dishonest enough to come to his aid. Morality, both public and private, is explored in Wilde’s masterpiece. Malcolm Black directs the 12 actors. We mention just a few, i.e. Ian Merrill Peakes, Jennie Eisenhower, Luigi Sottile, Grace Gonglewski, Charlotte Northeast and Paul L. Nolan. January 15 to March 3: 215.574.3550 or 800.982.2787.
WILMA THEATER, 265 S. Broad Street. What do Harvey Weinstein and Donald Trump have in common? They need ASSISTANCE! Enter Nick and Nora, in their twenties, working for a tyrannical tycoon, juggling phone calls and jumping through hoops to please this impossible monster of a boss. ASSISTANCE was an off-Broadway comedy hit and will give birth to a T.V. sitcom in the coming year. This is the second offering in Leslye Headland’s “Seven Deadly Sins” series. After the January 10, 17 and 30 performances there will be a discussion with members of the cast. Directed by David Kennedy, the cast includes Kevin Meehan, Kate Czajkowski, Emily Althaus, Jake Blouch, Michael Doherty and Kahyun Kim. January 2 to February 3: 215.546.7824.
