PHS Pop Ups host cabaret shows by Bearded Ladies

The PHS Pop Up Gardens, located at 15th and South Streets and 9th and Wharton Streets, will host a new cabaret created especially for the gardens by the Bearded Ladies theatrical troupe from July 1 to 19. Titled “Bitter Homes and Gardens: A Botanical Hoe-Down,” the comical musical production asks: If plants had voices, what would they sing?

“PHS is very happy to host performances by the Bearded Ladies in the Pop Up Gardens,” said Margaret McCarvill, Interim Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “The gardens are the perfect setting for their summer cabaret, and we can’t wait to experience their production created just for our audiences.”

The hour-long show in the Pop Ups in Center City and South Philadelphia features flowers, ferns, weeds, veggies and scientists singing and dancing their way through the questions that face plants and the humans that grow them. Led by a friendly ear of corn named Jebediah Eatin-Good, the bio-diverse cabaret includes audience participation and features music from Bill Withers, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, RaeLynn and Faith Hill, as well as original songs by resident composer Heath Allen.

“We are thrilled to bring the Bearded Ladies’ unique brand of experimental cabaret to the PHS Pop Up Gardens,” said Bearded Ladies Associate Artistic Director and “Bitter Homes” director Sally Ollove. “Bearded Ladies performances and the PHS Pop Up Gardens have become two of Philadelphia’s favorite summer activities, and we can’t wait to see what happens when these two traditions collide!”

The Bearded Ladies is the resident cabaret company of the Wilma Theater. They fuse cabaret and theater to tackle the politics of gender, identity, and artistic invention with sparkle and wit. Only four years old, they have created over nine original Caba-Plays including the Bastille Day Cabaret performed at Eastern State Penitentiary.

All performances of “Bitter Homes and Gardens” are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $15 to $20.  A limited number of VIP reserved tickets are available for a $150 advance donation. Call 215.802.1105 for more information.

A preview will be offered July 1, 6 p.m., in the PHS Pop Up at 9th and Wharton.