October 14, 2009
History tours of Old City might seem like they’re just for tourists (though, honestly, do *you* know why the stars on the American Flag have five points instead of six? Or just how many Philadelphia institutions were founded by Ben Franklin?) – but here’s a tour that breaks the typical mold: Spirits of ’76, a ghostly walking tour of historic Philadelphia, with stops at more than 20 haunted locations.
Led by black-clad tour guides, the groups wind their ways through graveyards, landmarks, and cobbled alleyways, listening to Philly’s ghostly tales. The tour’s tagline is “one part history, 2 parts haunt,†which means you get a little bit of background thrown in with the myths, folklore, legends, and stories of encounters – a truly spine-tingling combination. The tours are family friendly, so no one will jump out and scare the kiddies – which means that any sightings are the real deal! – (but if you want a more adults-only group, opt for the 9:30 tour instead of the 7:30).
In addition to the many haunted cemeteries, spooky highlights include the documented ghosts of Independence Hall, Ben Franklin’s restless spirit running amok in Library Hall, the burning bride of City Tavern, and the witch of Pine Street. The 75-minute tours focus mostly on Revolutionary-era hauntings (hey, with so many untimely deaths there are bound to be lots of Revolutionary-era ghosts!), and are the perfect way to spend an October evening. The tours are already running, but they get more frequent as Halloween approaches – check out the website for the full schedule, or to pre-book tickets!
Spirits of ’76 Ghost Tour
325 Chestnut Street (Outside Cosi Restaurant), Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 525-1776
www.spiritsof76.com
October 14, 2009
The History Boys is the best serious play I’ve seen in a long time. The production, currently running at the Arden, is having its Philadelphia premiere at the Old City theater after sweeping Broadway in 2006 and scooping up a whopping 6 Tony Awards. One of the most acclaimed plays of the decade, it’s clear why it’s such a favorite: the script is completely brilliant – at turns witty, searching, heartfelt, socially relevant, disturbing, intellectual, scandalous, titillating, and completely hysterical.
The plot involves a bunch of clever boys in their last year at a British boarding school in the 80’s. For years they’ve been taking classes with the aging yet motorcycle-riding Hector, their favorite teacher, who has delighted them with a teaching style that is less about learning the subject matter and more about imparting a broad, anecdotal, quotation-laden, “useless†tidbit-filled love of knowledge. In an effort to prepare the boys for admissions exams to Oxford and Cambridge, a new young teacher is brought in whose style is a stark contrast to Hector’s. The play is less about the plot than it is about how and what we learn, as well as the muddled and complicated feelings between adolescent peers and their teachers.
This all sounds awfully serious – but don’t worry, it isn’t! The play is peppered with tons of dialogue so witty that you need to think about it for a minute before dissolving in laughter, as well as impromptu songs and musical numbers. There’s also quite a bit of scandal amongst boys who care more about sports, sex, and one-uping each other than about scholastics. The Arden puts on a solid production, with talented young actors playing the students, and a versatile set of rolling desks and chairs. The play itself is so inspired that it would be hard to put on a production of it that’s anything but dazzling. (Full disclosure: it’s hard for me not to be enamored by a play that’s filled with quotations from A. E. Housman.) The play is so entertaining that you don’t even realize until afterwards how serious and thought-provoking it is. If there’s one show you should see this season, this is it.
The History Boys
Now through November 1st, 2009
Arden Theatre Company
40 N 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-8900
www.ardentheatre.org
October 13, 2009
Ah, fall. Sure, colder days mean the end to lying on the beach and dining outside while the sun sets, but the end of summer also means the beginning of the new theatre season, which lights up playhouses throughout the city. One of my favorite Avenue of the Arts theaters, The Wilma, is opening its 10th season with Coming Home, the third-ever production of the latest play by Athol Fugard, called “the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world†by TIME Magazine.
Coming Home, the fourth Fugard play that The Wilma is producing, tells the story of a young South African woman who returns home to her beloved grandfather’s farm after having her dreams shattered – years ago she had gone to Cape Town with grand aspirations of becoming a cabaret singer. Now she is a broken woman with a painful secret, but she is buoyed by undying optimism and the hope of a better life for her son. Fugard himself has called The Wilma “brave and courageous,†and his vision of theatre as both an educator and an entertainer jives perfectly with theirs.
While dealing with some harsh realities of South Africa, the play also takes a very hopeful view of the country’s future. The Wilma has assembled a stellar group of actors and designers for the moving production, and also arranged a coinciding lecture symposium. Check out their website for more details as well as tickets. If you’re lucky enough to be a student, special $10 tickets are available for some performances. Sweet!
Coming Home @ the Wilma
October 14 – November 15
The Wilma Theatre
265 South Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-7824
www.wilmatheater.org
October 7, 2009
Miro Dance Theatre is an awesome experimental dance company that blends contemporary dance with video and visual art, blurring the boundaries between the media and creating spellbinding original performances. The company’s studio is at Girard College, and in addition to performing their works (their new piece “How Am I Not Myself†will have its US premiere in January, and Generate.Degenerate†was recently seen at the Painted Bride Art Center as part of the Off The Grid Festival), they also hold monthly open studio showings.
Every month the company opens its studio doors to the public – for free – to offer sneak-peeks of works-in-progress. The mini-performances are complete with free food and booze, and your feedback is always welcomed. This Thursday the event will reveal the foundations of the company’s new work, “Punch.†To create the work Miro is looking to the roots of commedia dell’Arte, and just completed a workshop with Aaron Cromie, the master of the centuries-old masked art form.
Though rooted in history, commedia dell’Arte is still a relevant to today’s cultural touchstones (Krusty the Clown is the modern equivalent of the “Pulcinella†character, and many other “Simpsons†characters also have counterparts!). Go check out the Open Studio event this Thursday: refreshments, a performance, insight into the development of cutting-edge art (the work will premiere at the Kimmel Center is 2011), and a little entertaining cultural education, all without opening your wallet. How can you go wrong?
Miro Dance Theatre: Open Studio Event
Thursday, October 8th 6:30pm
(215) 962-4773
www.mirodancetheatre.org
Girard College
2101 S College Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19121
October 7, 2009
The Society Hill Playhouse is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the premiere of the hilarious new baby boomer musical The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What?
The musical for grown-ups is in the vein of the hit off-Broadway show I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and brings out the humor of the often depressing empty nest situation, poking lyrical fun at life over 50 – from divorce, to plastic surgery, to AARP dating. Endorsed by legendary producer Harold Prince (whose Philly roots run deep), the musical includes songs about casseroles, mistresses, and attempts to turn back the clock.
The production is bound to appeal to adults of all ages, but will probably resonate most with the baby boomer crowd. This is one show I know I’m bringing my mother to – I can just picture her rolling in the aisle!
The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What?
October 14 – November 2nd
Society Hill Playhouse
507 S 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 923-0210
www.societyhillplayhouse.org
October 6, 2009
The Walnut Street Theatre – the oldest theater in America, just opened its 201st season with a rollicking production of the hit musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. You may know the story from the Michael Caine/Steve Martin movie, but whether you’re familiar with it or not, the award-winning musical is a must-see.
Philly’s most Broadway-like theatre, Walnut Street regularly puts on huge, fancy productions. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a perfect choice for its stage, and the artistic team’s superb production values, including spectacularly colored lights and detailed, complex, opulent sets create lively casinos, palaces, and hotels. The production is so engrossing that the fun is contagious, making you feel as if you’re really part of the excitement.
The plot involves two feuding con-men who both want exclusive swindling rights to the French Riviera, where they scam innumerable wealthy women. The older, more suave crook is perfectly played by Paul Schoeffler, who manages be simultaneously malicious and endearing. The younger, devilish con artist, played by the wonderfully comic Ben Dibble, is the perfect opposite of the first. This is the role Steve Martin played on film, and I think he’d give Dibble a standing ovation. The men meet their match when a sexy American heiress hits the town and they compete to see who can “clean her out†first. I’ll stop there, so as not to ruin the surprise ending!
The fabulous orchestra combined with the all-star cast with to produce bouncing songs and dance tunes, and every bit of the show, from the opening dance number to the final scene, was peppered with hysterically witty lines. The lyrics are also surprisingly dirty, with raunchy lines stuck in right and left, delivered to a hooting and hollering audience. This was the most fun I’ve had at the theatre in a long time!
The Walnut Street Theatre’s website has show times, tickets, and more info. Don’t forget the half-price tickets available the day of the show, and the special limited $10 tickets, which are an amazing deal.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Now through October 25th
Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-574-3550
www.walnutstreettheatre.org
September 29, 2009
You’ve heard of book releases and CD release parties, but a wine release? That’s one event you’re sure to find me at! The wine in question is Chaddsford Winery’s special “Essence†blend, which is being released for its first public tasting. Just the description has me thirsty: a blend of seven different reds, the wine has “a bright, dark plum smell with hints of smoke and vanilla, an elegant, medium body with fine, grainy tannins and clean acidity, with flavors of plum, coffee, toffee, chocolate, and red fruit.†Yum!
Located in Chester County, Chaddsford is Pennsylvania’s premiere winery. The “2007 Essence†blend is a study in terroir, a term that describes the special characteristics that particular geography and climates bestow upon a wine. Fittingly, the wine supposedly captures the “essence†of the PA land.
The festivities are going down this Wednesday evening at Pinot: Everything but the Grape, an awesome wine paraphernalia boutique in Old City. It’s free and open to the public, and the winemaker will be on hand to introduce his new creation. If you miss it, there are all sorts of other “Essenceâ€-related events going on throughout October, some free and some costing a pretty penny (the limited edition wine is $75 a bottle, so a free tasting is as awesome as it gets). You can check out the other happenings on Chaddsford’s website. Come discover the essence of Philly’s favorite vineyard!
Chaddsford Winery’s “Essence†Release Party
Wednesday, September 30th, 6pm-8pm
Pinot Wine Boutique
227 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA19106
(215) 627-WINE
www.pinotboutique.com
September 22, 2009
Meritage, the cute and classy wine bar and restaurant in Rittenhouse Square, has just gone through a major overhaul. It has a new chef, a new look, and new budget-friendly drink and dining menus.
A veteran of Susanna Foo and Le Bec Fin, new executive chef Anne Elizabeth Coll certainly knows her stuff. Drawing on past experience, her vision for Meritage’s new menu mixes French techniques with Asian-influenced flavors to create truly unique and decadent dishes. Walk past the hopping bar area to the swankily spare dining room beyond, which is fresh off the heels of a total renovation. Once seated, flip open that wine list. At first glance I was daunted by the overwhelming list of impressive bottles, but the last few pages offer a newly expanded list of $8 wines by the glass, as well as some special cocktails. The “Irene Somethin’ Somethin’†is a good choice if you’re in a cocktail mood. It’s delicious and fruity, made with fresh squeezed juices.
Mertiage’s menu is divided into “Snacks,†“Small Plates,†and “Large Plates.†The large plates are like your standard entrees, and there’s only a handful of them. The way to go here is definitely to sample a smattering the smaller dishes. With snacks ranging from just $4 to $6 and small plates from $6 to $13, you can try all sorts of little bits of fanciness without breaking the bank. Whether you’re ordering thhe Corn and Crab Custard (my absolute favorite) or the Fois Gras, it’s all delicious.
Seared Diver Scallops
I’m a big scallop fan, and when I saw seared Cape May Diver Scallops on the Small Plates menu I couldn’t resist. Presented beautifully, with a swirl of lightly curried cauliflower puree and a Thai Basil emulsion, the three giant scallops were succulent and filling. The show-stealing appetizer, though, was the Tuna Tartare (my mother’s choice again… I should really start listening to her more). Topped with soy wasabi foam, organic micro greens, and an adorable fried quail egg, the mound of blood-red tuna looked almost too good to eat. But once I started, I couldn’t stop. I also tried the Ginger Glazed BBQ Scottish Salmon, which was superbly prepared and melted in my mouth. The dish, which has a subtle kick, re-invents salmon – don’t reject it because you think you know it.
Finally, I’d be remiss not to mention dessert. The whole dessert menu is tempting, but don’t debate: go for the Chocolate Banana Flourless Torte. A mound of intense chocolate, caramelized bananas, and a plate dotted with delicious salted caramel… it puts your typical chocolate dessert to shame.
Oh, and you know restaurant week is going on, right? Check out their special menu on their website.
Meritage Restaurant and Wine Bar
500 S 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 985-1922
www.meritagephiladelphia.com
September 17, 2009
Seated on risers, equipped with headphones, and staring out at the busy stretch of 40th Street between Locust and Walnut on the edge of Penn’s campus, my fellow audience members and I waited for the show to begin. To the casual passerby, waiting is probably what we seemed to be doing for a full hour. Actually, we were watching the intense drama of Back to Back Theatre’s “Small Metal Objectsâ€, performed by four actors who seemed just like everyone else who was walking by, grabbing a cup of coffee to go, or hanging out on the street corner waiting to meet up with a friend.
“Back to Back Theatre†is an Australian company brought to Philly for the Live Arts Festival (and performing this weekend only!). The company has a unique twist – their main actors all have disabilities. Using personal experiences as fodder, the experimental works they develop focus on concepts and feelings of being “other.†In Small Metal Objects, there are two simultaneous story lines. The first, which slowly emerges from the gathering dusk as the actors stroll into view, is the story of two men who are both marginalized by society, yet forced to interact with it. The profound friendship between the characters is the most moving part of the linear story.
The other, more unusual story, is the one the audience takes part it – are they observers? Voyeurs? Innocent bystanders? Or something less innocuous – facilitators, perhaps? Privy to the words of the actors only because they’re being piped directly into their ears through the headphones, the audience is removed from the rest of the normal world, but everyone walking by and uninvolved with the show is utterly baffled. The public’s interactions were some of the funniest byproducts of the production. At one point a group of young girls decided to put on a performance for the captive audience, dancing and twirling in front of us. At another point an oblivious couple approached two actors with an inquiry, but quickly crossed the street before they could get their question out when one character unleashed a hysterically profane line – perfect timing!
Small Metal Objects is a very fun, funny, and moving production, and the use of the streets of West Philadelphia as its stage makes for a wonderfully environmental piece of theatre. Back to Back Theatre’s performance and the use of technology as a unifier (uniting the audience and the actors) and a divider (separating the audience from the rest of the world) is brilliant. It’s a performance you’ll certainly remember.
Small Metal Objects
September 16 – 19th, 2009
www.livearts-fringe.org/details.cfm?id=6847
September 17, 2009
Photo by Mark Gavin for the Arden Theatre
The History Boys is one of the most acclaimed new plays of the decade – and it’s got the awards to prove it. Over 30 of them, in fact, including 6 Tonys. It first hit stages in 2004, but hasn’t yet been to the City of Brotherly Love. So what’s a Philly theater-goer to do, hop a train to NYC? Nah, the Arden has you covered: their season opener will be the Philadelphia premiere of the play, hitting the Old City stage at the end of the month.
The story centers around a group of clever high school students at a British boarding school in the ‘80s. The boys don’t care so much about school, but they do care about “sex, sport, and admission to Oxford or Cambridge.†(Replace “Oxford or Cambridge†with “Harvard or… Penn!†– we’re in Philly after all!) Two different history teachers with very different philosophies are rivals for the students’ attention. The play tackles serious and academic themes of how we teach and understand history, but don’t get dismayed – it also takes a hilarious and provocative look at adolescent anarchy and rebellion. It’s intellectual, base, serious, saucy, and silly all at the same time!
Check out the Arden’s website for details and tickets. If your wallet is feeling the recession’s squeeze, remember the final dress rehearsal on September 23rd. It’s pay-what-you-want, with all proceeds going to charity.
The History Boys
September 24th – November 1st
Arden Theatre Company
40 N 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 922-8900
www.ardentheatre.org
