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Narrated and photographed by renowned photographer Bob Krist, this quick video shows off some of the gorgeous fireworks and elaborate costumes from the New Year’s 2008 celebration.

Have a look, and get excited for Thursday!

Helene Yorke and Marcie Dodd in Wicked, Photo by Joan Marcus

For those of you who have yet to get in on the Broadway craze or want to take a trip back to the magical land of Oz one more time, Stephen Shwartz’ and Winnie Holzman’s Wicked is making its third appearance at the Academy of Music next week . The musical, based on Gregory Maguire’s best selling novel, has one 26 awards including three Tony Awards and a Grammy.

Wicked reveals the untold story of the two witches of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Without dishing out too many spoilers, let’s just say this whimsical production will change the way you look at the classic film forever.

The critically and publicly acclaimed musical will be shown as part of the Kimmel Center’s and the Shubert Organization’s Broadway Series from January 6th through the 24th. Tickets have been on sale since October and run anywhere from $30 to $100, so get to it if you want in on one of Broadway’s most imaginative and successful musicals in recent years.

Wicked Showing at the Academy of Music
January 6th-24th, 2010
Tickets from $30 to $100

The Academy of Music
1420 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 893-1999
www.academyofmusic.org

Art in the Open

This summer, Art in the Open is celebrating art created outside and on site.

From June 9th to June 12th, the Art in the Open Festival hits Philadelphia, welcoming artists to create works in a range of different styles, all outside and in public view, in several popular locations. This includes the Schuylkill River Banks, the Philadelphia Water Works, Bartram’s Garden, and City Hall.

Art completed during the four day event will be exhibit and sold at the Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, located at the University of the Arts.

Interested? Art in the Open is currently accepting entries, and artists working in all forms of media are welcome to apply. Applications are due by January 31st. For more information and to apply, visit AIO’s official website.

Art in the Open: Philadelphia
www.artintheopenphila.org

The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building, just across the street from the larger museum, is a 1927 Art Deco building housing: the museum’s user-friendly library; archives; the costumes and textiles collection; and “Collab,” a superb assemblage of modern and contemporary design. Stop in to view designs by Ruhlmann, van der Rohe, Breuer, Nelson and husband-and-wife team Charles and Ray Eames. (Photo by G. Widman)

Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building [gophila.com]

Scapin @ the Lantern Theatre, Photo by Jeffrey Stockbridge

If there were any doubts about the tone of The Lantern Theater Company’s production of Scapin, they disappeared as soon as a middle-aged puppet emerged and introduced himself as the company’s artistic director, Charles McMahon. He gave the usual spiel about cell phones, subscriptions, donations and word-of-mouth advertising and was eventually cut off by the start of the show. It was probably one of the most well-received usual spiels in the Lantern’s history.

The play is driven by the schemes and manipulations of its eponymous servant. As the only completely non-puppet character, Scapin provided most of the play’s motion both in movement and plot. Part Nathan Lane, part Three Stooges, Benjamin Lloyd had great energy and excelled at interacting with the puppets — kissing, beating and conning them jubilantly as the story progressed.

That story finds two wealthy bachelors each happily marrying less-than noble brides, much to their respective fathers’ chagrin. The mayhem that ensues, orchestrated by Scapin’s Iago-like manipulations, includes kidnapping, gypsies and a convenient ending where all the marriages work out thanks to everyone being related to everyone else.

This is the Philadelphia premier of Bill Irwin and Mark O’Donnell’s adaptation of Molière’s classic, Les Fourberies de Scapin. Unlike the Frenchman’s story, set in Naples, Scapin’s antics unfold in Venice. The cramped streets, gondola passings and looming buildings made for a great claustrophobic set. Puppets popped out of random windows and Lloyd’s Scapin was able to crawl over the entire stage like a deceitful overgrown monster — at one point literally portraying King Kong. The adaptation takes the Commedia dell’Arte flair of the original work and gives it a decidedly Vaudevillian spin. Modern references to Star Wars, Taxi Driver, Peanuts and A League of Their Own were only funnier thanks to period costumes and, of course, the puppets.

Scapin wraps up its run at the Lantern Theatre this Sunday, January 3rd. Start the New Year off right with one of Philadelphia’s best theaters.

Scapin
December 3, 2009 – January 3, 2010

Lantern Theater Company at St. Stephen’s Theater
10th and Ludlow, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 829-0395
www.lanterntheater.org

Inside Firecreek Restaurant

Firecreek Restaurant in Downingtown, PA have a great menu lined up for New Year’s Eve. Take a look!

FIRST COURSE
Crab & Corn Chowder + Corn Bread Croutons
Cognac Scented Lobster Bisque + Snipped Chives

SECOND COURSE
Pan Crispy Crab Cakes + Warm Tomato-Cream + Basil Chiffonade
Black Pepper Seared Scallops + Saffron Beurre Blanc + Mizuna Salad

ENTREES
Petite Filet Mignon & Lobster Pot Pie + Basil Asparagus (or)
Veal Chop Morel Cream Sauce + Butternut Squash Risotto (or)
Yellowfin Tuna + Crispy Coconut Rice Cake Spicy Red Curry Broth + Sauteed Edamame

The New Year’s Eve menu is $50 a person, includes dessert, and for an extra $25, includes wine. For more info on Firecreek, check out their official website.

Firecreek Restaurant
20 East Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335-2823
(610) 269-6000
www.firecreek-restaurant.com

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday — and a great weekend, to boot! (Photo by J. Smith)

The Holidays in Philadelphia [gophila.com]

Stop by the Academy of Natural Sciences for Animal Day on Sunday!

Friday

Top 5 Philly Rock & Roll Christmas Traditions
Our buddies at Philebrity have a great list of rock and roll Christmas traditions. Have a look and tune in.

Saturday

Pop Up Shopping in Rittenhouse Square
A great temporary store is opening on Saturday, with wild discounts on designer merchandise. It’ll only be open til Tuesday, so get there before everything clears out.

See Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker
The PA Ballet’s annual performance of The Nutcracker runs this weekend and wraps up on December 31st. See it while you still can.

Annual Champagne & Dessert Wine Tasting Gala
The Wine School of Philadelphia is hosting their annual gala event, with tickets priced at about $60. They collect wines from all over, and you get to taste them all.

Winter Wonderland @ the National Constitution Center
Stop by and vote in the NCC’s annual Gingerbread White House contest. Lots of activities for kids as well; they can make arts and crafts, as well as their own tiaras!

Candlelight Tours @ the Fonthill Museum
The Fonthill Museum is hosting a special guided tour of Fonthill. Explore the castle by candlelight.

Sunday

Boxing Day Beer Festival @ Memphis Taproom
The Memphis Taproom is hosting their annual Boxing Day Festival, with cheap beer and drinks.

Animal Day @ the Academy of Natural Sciences
The ANSP will let out their critters and take them around the museum… with their handlers, of course. Come meet some of the Academy’s animals!

Storytelling Sundays @ the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Stop by the PAFA for a free story telling session with award winning storyteller Queen Nur.

Pre-holiday shopping and planning got you tuckered out? This ridiculously comfortable-looking bed at The Rittenhouse Hotel beckons you to take a nap. Sweet dreams! (Photo courtesy of The Rittenhouse Hotel)

The Rittenhouse Hotel [gophila.com]

The Kimmel Cener on New Year's Day, Photo by Evelyn Taylor

Looking for a great place to watch the parade and keep warm? Then look no further. The Kimmel Center has got you covered.

The Kimmel Center will be open on Friday, January 1st from 9am to 6pm, welcoming in guests with free live music, a bird eye’s view of the Mummers Parade, discounted ticket sales, and a special Cadence Celebration Brunch for those of you who are hungry.

While all the other events are free, the brunch is $80 a person, $35 for kids. The New Year’s Day menu includes banana and regular French toast, spinach and boursin frittata, breakfast potatoes and meats, tenderloin of beef and whole carved turkey, an omelet station, assorted pastries, sliced fresh fruit, smoked salmon and bagels, and a dessert buffet. Yum!

Select shows at the Kimmel Center’s box office will be on sale for $20.10… you know, cause it’s 2010. And the free festivities in the Commonwealth Plaza? Have a look.

9am – 6pm: Resolution Wall to post New Years resolutions for all to see
10am – 2pm: Free face-painting and balloon twisting for kids
10am – 3pm: Free craft station to mummerize yourself with a mummer hat, mask or umbrella
10:30am: World Music concert for kids with multi-cultural performer Daria
Noon: Cake-cutting to honor all the New Years Day babies
Noon: Interactive family concert by Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band
1:30pm: A lively performance for all ages, performer to be announced

The Kimmel’s Peco Cafe will be open during the day as well, with freshly prepared sandwiches, pretzels, soups, salads, etc.

For more info, visit the Kimmel Center’s official website.

The Kimmel Center
Broad and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 893-1999
www.kimmelcenter.org