Weekly Entertainment Guide – Annie, Macbeth & St. Patrick’s Day fun

Pi, Paycock, poetry, parades, and plays that border between reality and the supernatural. Robin Bloom shares her picks. 

 

What’s Happening

PI at FI

The Franklin Institute celebrates Pi Day (3.14.15) on Saturday, March 14. Opening at 9:26am (3.1415926) for a day full of fun centered on the mathematical constant with measuring, reciting, launching and eating pi/pie, and a special appearance by Pi Man, through 4pm, 222 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia. Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute.

Tangle Movement Arts’ “Tell it Slant”

Tangle Movement Arts, the all-female circus arts company, employs dance, theater, and aerial acrobatics in their newest circus-theater show, Tell it Slant. Trapeze, aerial rope maneuvers, and acrobatics are used to tell the stories of seven women who dance up and down a rope at a crowded party, exploring wide-ranging relationships between women. Featuring Megan Gendell and Lauren Feldman, internationally performing duo trapeze artists, as guest performers. Staged in a set of fiber art sculptures by artist Julia Wilson with four performances, Thursday, March 12, 8pm, Friday, March 13, 8pm, and Saturday, March 14, 3pm and 8pm, Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Mike Ermilio.

Princeton Poetry Festival

Princeton University continues its tradition of nurturing poets with the Biennial Princeton Poetry Festival, Friday and Saturday, March 13-14. Coinciding with the New Jersey State Finals of Poetry Out Loud, the Festival features an international group of twelve poets including Ellen Bryant Voigt, Kwame Dawes, Paul Farley, and Michael Robbins, participating in readings and panel discussions organized by Princeton professor and poet Paul Muldoon, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall, Princeton, New Jersey. Pictured: Major Jackson, one of the poets to be featured at the Princeton Poetry Festival. Photo by Erin Patrice O’Brien.

Lyric Fest’s “Waxing Poetic”

Catch Waxing Poetic – In this Blue Room, a unique visual art, poetry and musical collaboration presented by Lyric Fest. Fine art batik works of Laura Pritchard will be on display. Her pieces inspired four local poets, Julia Blumenreich, Susan Fleshman, Siobhan Lyons and Donna Wolf-Palacio, to write the lyrics featured in a world premiere by composer-in-residence Kile Smith, Friday, March 13, 7:30pm in Widener Hall at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill and Sunday, March 15, 3pm, The Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. Artists include baritone Daniel Teadt and mezzo soprano Suzanne DuPlantis with Laura Ward on piano. Photo courtesy of Lyric Fest.

Cheltenham Center for the Arts’ Family Fun Day

Cheltenham Center for the Arts’ annual Family Fun Day is Sunday, March 15, noon-4pm. Dress accordingly for activities involving pottery, painting, printmaking, theater, and more, along with art demonstrations and performances by Two of a Kind. Take in the works of elementary and middle school children from the surrounding areas with the 7th Annual Regional Children’s Art Show on display. Admission is free and open to the public with some paid events, 439 Ashbourne Road, Cheltenham, PA. Photo courtesy of Cheltenham Center for the Arts.

Onstage

“Macbeth” at Arden Theatre Company

William Shakespeare’s dark and powerful tragedy Macbeth is on the main stage at Arden Theatre Company, directed by Alexander Burns. The Founding Artistic Director of Quintessence Theatre in Mt Airy has received critical acclaim for his extensive experience with Shakespearean productions and this thrilling play marks Burns’ Arden directorial debut. Starring Arden veteran Ian Merrill Peakes in the title role, with Judith Lightfoot Clarke as Lady Macbeth, plus Josh Carpenter, Ben Dibble, and Mary Tuomanen, through April 19, 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia. Related programs and events include post-show discussions on March 15, 19, 25, 29, and April 1, open captioned and audio described performances on March 27-28, and Teen Arden on March 22. Photo by Mark Garvin.

“Ghost, the Musical” at Media Theatre

The first regional professional production of Ghost, the Musical is onstage at Media Theatre. The Broadway show, based on the 1990 popular film starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, centers on Sam and Molly, who are attacked upon returning home one evening, resulting in Sam’s death. Through the help of a medium, the two lovers are able to connect. Written by Bruce Joel Rubin with music by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard. The romantic production is directed by Media’s Artistic Director Jesse Cline and features Zack Krajnyak (Sam) and Anna Giordano (Molly), making their Media Theatre debut, with Tamara Anderson as medium Oda Mae Brown. Dann Dunn choreographs with music direction by Chris Ertelt through March 29, 104 East State Street, Media, PA. Produced by Media Music Theatre Company. Photo courtesy of Media Theatre.

“Rumors” at Steel River Playhouse

Neil Simon’s Rumors, takes to the stage at Steel River Playhouse, March 12. Drucie McDaniel directs this light comedy, the only farce by the prolific playwright and screenwriter, which takes the audience on a path of miscommunication as characters fall into one hilarious misfortune after another, through March 22, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA. Photo courtesy of Steel River Playhouse.

University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players’ “Juno and the Paycock”

University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players presents Sean O’Casey’s classic Irish drama Juno and the Paycock, one of the most highly regarded and often performed plays in Ireland. The powerful and moving story about a mother’s dream of a better life for her children during the tragedy of Ireland’s civil war is directed by Ben Barnes, former artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s national theatre and founding artistic director of Opera Theatre Company, Ireland’s national touring opera company. The production, onstage through March 22, features free pre-show presentations and post-show talkbacks with cast members, Roselle Center for the Arts, 110 Orchard Road, Newark, Delaware. Onsite parking available. Photo by Nadine Howatt.

“The Graduate” at Colonial Playhouse

The Graduate takes to the stage at Colonial Playhouse Friday, March 13 with a unique musical twist. The Delaware County premiere of the Broadway play (adapted for the stage from the hit film starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft) features songs from the 1960s including the film’s soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel, reimagined by local indie band Stu and the Gurus, with arrangements and musical direction by local guitarist Millard Brown. Directed by Kathy Quinn and starring Barrymore Award nominee actress Nina Harper, Thom Harmon, Benjamin Braddock and Virginia Lawler, through March 28, 522 W. Magnolia Avenue, Aldan, PA. Photo by Lauren Reilly.

“Annie” at the Academy

Annie stops in Philadelphia on its national tour, March 17-22. The latest incarnation of the beloved musical about the adventures of a little orphan and her dog, is directed by the original lyricist and director Martin Charnin, with a book and score by Charnin, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse. Starring Issie Swickle as Annie, Lynn Andrews as Miss Hannigan, Gilgamesh Taggett as Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, and Sunny, a 4 year old rescue terrier mix as Sandy with all of the unforgettable songs like “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” “Tomorrow,” and more, Academy of Music, Broad Street, Philadelphia. Photo by Joan Marcus.

St. Patrick’s Regional Parades & Parties

Philadelphia’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a tradition since 1771, will take place this Sunday, March 15 beginning at noon, 16th & JFK Blvd in Philadelphia. Pictured: Mayor Michael A. Nutter makes a public appearance at St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the center city streets of Philadelphia. Photo by Bas Slabbers.

After the parade, check out Sober St. Patrick’s Day Philadelphia, Sunday, March 15, 4pm-7pm, aiming to provide an alternative celebration to the binge drinking and public intoxication often associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Hosted by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann-Delaware Valley, the worldwide Irish music, dance, language and cultural organization, and Frank Daly of American Paddy’s Productions (producer of the Philadelphia Fleadh and An American Celtic Christmas) the event is designed for families with children. Emceed by WHYY’s Ed Cunningham and featuring internationally acclaimed musicians and dancers, All-Star Céilí Band, led by John Whelan, children’s activities, and much more, held at WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia.

In New Jersey, Trenton’s 30th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off on Saturday, March 14 at St. Anthony’s Church at 12:30pm and marches down Hamilton Avenue. In Atlantic City, the parade begins at 1pm on the Boardwalk ending at Albany Avenue and the Boardwalk, Saturday March 14.

Wilmington’s 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Saturday, March 14 at noon at 4th and King Streets, Wilmington, DE. Catch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Hooley after the parade at 14th & King Streets.

St. Patrick’s Day at World Café Live

World Café Live celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with the John Byrne Band (pictured) and No Irish Need Apply, Friday, March 13, show at 8pm, doors open at 7pm. Barleyjuice takes to the stage Tuesday, March 17, show at 8:30pm, doors open at 7:30pm, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Photo by John Hayes.

St. Patrick’s Day Party at Sellersville Theater

Join the St. Patrick’s Day party at Sellersville Theater with the Glengarry Bhoys and their blend of traditional Scottish and Irish music with modern Celtic and contemporary sounds, Friday, March 13, 8pm. Also, Bill Monaghan and Celtic Pride performs on Tuesday, March 17, 7:30pm, 24 W. Temple Avenue, Sellersville, PA. Photo courtesy of Glengarry Bhoys.

Burning Bridget Cleary

The international Celtic band Burning Bridget Cleary brings its high energy sound to Musikfest Café Saturday, March 14, 7:30pm, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA. Piper’s Request opens and cabaret seating available. Photo by Jake Jacobson.

Dervish at the Grand

The traditional Irish band Dervish comes to the Grand on Wednesday, March 18, 8pm, with its soulful take on Celtic music, 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE. Photo by 67 Music.

 

 

To submit an event to be considered, email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.