Weekly Entertainment Guide – Fall Theater Sampler

Quantum electrodynamics, the United Methodist Church & gay marriage, fractured fairy tales, a Neil Simon classic, and more.  Robin Bloom offers her picks on what to see and do this week.

Onstage

Lantern Theater Company’s “QED”

Lantern Theater Company remounts QED by Peter Parnell, a limited return engagement, November 20 through December 14, starring Barrymore Award-winner Peter DeLaurier reprising his role as physicist Richard Feynman. The play, originally commissioned by Alan Alda, takes place on a fictional day in the life of the noted professor and scientist, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his individual contribution to our understanding of quantum electrodynamics (QED), and draws upon varied scientific themes, based on writings about Feynman’s life during the 1990s. Directed by M. Craig Getting, with Clare Mahoney making her Lantern debut as Miriam Friend, and set design by husband and wife team Dirk Durossette and Millie Hiibel, St. Stephen’s Theater, 10th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia. Related programs and events include The Quirks of Quarks: Richard Feynman’s Legacy, Sunday, November 23 and 30, discussions on the scientist’s discoveries and his impact on science with local physicists Paul Halpern, Physics professor at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Kenneth William Ford, theoretical physicist, free to ticketholders. Also, Conversation on Friday, November 28, 7pm, and open captioned performances.

Curio Theatre Company’s “The Matter of Frank Schaefer”

Curio Theatre Company takes on the story of Rev. Frank Schaefer, the Methodist minister in Lebanon, PA who was defrocked for officiating at his son’s gay wedding in 2007 and then recently re-frocked upon appeal. The groundbreaking, new world premiere production, The Matter of Frank Schaefer, opens Curio’s 10th anniversary season, and draws upon interviews with the pastor and the trial that garnered national and international attention, through December 6, Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia.

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella arrives in Philadelphia in her gilded carriage Tuesday, November 25 through Sunday, November 30. The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of South Pacific and The Sound of Music features a lavish, romantic production complete with the masked ball, pumpkin, glass slipper, colorful costumes, an orchestra and some new surprises in the contemporary take on the classic tale, Academy of Music, Broad Street, Philadelphia.

“Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon” at People’ Light

People’s Light celebrates its 11th year of staging holiday pantos that take well-known folk tales and favorite stories and change them in a surprising and interesting way, with Arthur and the Tale of the Red Dragon. Written by Pete Pryor (who also directs the show) and Samantha Bellomo with music and lyrics by Michael Ogborn, the show is set in the fictional land of Nrevlam during “Medieval panto time,” plagued by a red dragon, drawing upon the Arthurian legend in a funny and poignant musical through January 11 at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA. The talented cast includes Alex Bechtel, Jake Blouch, Kim Carson, Liz Filios, John Jarboe, Mark Lazar, Marc LeVasseur, Susan McKey, Jon Mulhearn, Christopher Patrick Mullen, Tom Teti, and Mary Tuomanen. For all ages. Special events include conversation about the production with the artists after select Thursday evening performances and Panto Brunch with Arthur characters.

“Lost in Yonkers” at Bristol Riverside Theatre

Lost in Yonkers is onstage at Bristol Riverside Theatre, Neil Simon’s coming of age dramatic comedy about two brothers who are left on their grandmother’s doorstep, and proceed to navigate through their dysfunctional family. Based on the playwright’s own family, the play, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, is directed by Keith Baker through November 30. The ensemble cast includes Joy Franz, David Nate Goldman, Bruce Graham, Eleanor Handley, Kyle Klein II, Karen Peakes, and Danny Vaccaro, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA. Related programs and events include Thirsty Thursday November 20 and Theatre Theology on November 30.

The Drama Group’s “Seminar”

The Drama Group presents Theresa Rebeck’s award-winning drama Seminar, through November 29 at The First United Methodist Church of Germantown. Four aspiring novelists have their work critiqued in a series of weekly and unorthodox seminars by a literary giant in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, starring Steven Roberson Butler, McKenzie Jones Clifford, Adam Corbett, Jackie Sherman and Dante Zappala. The show ran on Broadway for six months and was nominated for Best Play by the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama League. Contains strong language and sexual situations, 6001 Germantown Avenue, between High Street and Walnut Lane. Catch a post-show discussion with the cast and director, Marc C. Johnson, following the Friday, November 21 performance.

Artsong Repertory Theater Company’s “10,000 Cigarettes”

Artsong Repertory Theater Company opens its second season with 10,000 Cigarettes, based on a ten minute play by Australian playwright Alex Broun, about four “Glorias” with distinct personalities who struggle with life’s little and big questions. Cara Latham (soprano), Paula Rivera-Dantagnan (mezzo-soprano), Jennifer Beattie (mezzo-soprano), Hilary Bucell (soprano), and Jillian Zack (piano) perform songs by Bizet, Shostakovitch, Respighi, Larsen, Copland and Schubert. Directed by Cory O’Neill Walker, Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22, 8pm, First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. ARTCy pushes the boundaries of presentation and showcases classical art songs.

Renaissance Music Theatre Company’s “Kiss Me, Kate”

Backstage becomes onstage in Renaissance Music Theatre Company’s reinvented musical Kiss Me, Kate, the Tony Award winning play about a traveling theater company’s opening night performance of Shakespeare’s classic The Taming of the Shrew. Twelve actors stay onstage in the intimate Skybox at the Adrienne Theater the entire time, directed by Lance Moore and accompanied by a five piece band playing Cole Porter’s most-loved tunes, November 22 through December 13, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia. Renaissance Music Theatre Company specializes in the reinvention of the classic book musical.

“Into the Woods” at Eagle Theatre

Don’t miss the reimagined interpretation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award winning hit Into the Woods, onstage at Eagle Theatre. Performed by a cast of 14 including Will Connell, Jeff Reim, Jordan O’Brien, Elena Camp, the production, which mixes the plots of classic fairy tales, features the original score with undertones of commedia dell’arte and theatrical gimmicks, through December 6, 208 Vine Street, Hammonton, NJ. While there, visit the on-site wine lounge!

Art Appreciation

“Peter Blume: Nature and Metamorphosis” at PAFA

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) hosts a retrospective of a 20th century master who helped define American modernism. Peter Blume: Nature and Metamorphosis spans the entire career (1924-1990) of the painter and draftsman who was among the first Americans to use Surrealist methods. The exhibit, the first since 1976, includes 159 objects, including 56 paintings and 103 drawings that explore rebirth and transformation, considers the political background of his imagery, and reveals the artist’s work methods. On view through April 5, 2015 with related programs and events including a Family Arts Academy, Sunday, November 23, 2pm-4pm, Samuel M. V. Hamilton Building, 128 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia. Pictured: Tasso’s Oak (1957-1960), Blume’s largest painting, inspired by Italy, and not seen in public since 1961.

Tyler Park Center for the Arts’ “Manifestations of the Feminine”

Tyler Park Center for the Arts hosts a group art show, Manifestations of the Feminine, featuring new pieces by Gloria Kosco, a Bucks County ceramic artist, small scale work by Philadelphia based sculptor Won Choi (pictured), and pieces by Jennifer Miller, Executive Director of the Center. Opening reception is Saturday, November 22, 7pm, with a concert featuring Jackie Bobbi, Justin Rudy, Tina Margot, and Michael Notarangelo and Samuel Haines. The display can be seen through December 21, 10 Stable Mill Road, Richboro, PA.

Music

The Motet at Underground Arts

The progressive funk collective The Motet stops in Philly on their nationwide tour this Thursday, November 20 at Underground Arts, bringing along their unique mix of funk, afrobeat, disco, jazz and soul. Following recent sellout shows, the group is promoting their self-titled 7th release of original songs, using traditional analog recording methods including tape, tubes and transistors. Doors open at 9pm with Philadelphia Funk Hustle opening. Pictured: the group at Summer Camp Music Festival (photo by Brian Spady).

PRISM Quartet

Saxophone ensemble PRISM Quartet, two-time winner of the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, performs two regional concerts this weekend on Saturday, November 22, 2pm, Bethel United Methodist Church, Lewes, DE as part of the Coastal Concert Series, and on Sunday, November 23, 1pm at Delaware County Community College, Media, PA.

Holiday Light Shows

Gingerbread House Competition & Display at Peddler’s Village

Peddler’s Village hosts the annual Gingerbread House Competition & Display, debuting Friday, November 21, with a show of confections in categories including traditional, authentic reproduction of a significant building, amateur, Student and KidsOnly, through January 3, 2015 in the gazebo. Friday, November 21, 6pm-9pm is the Grand Illumination Celebration, as Santa switches the outdoor holiday light display on to kick off the holiday season, with cider and marshmallow toasting, Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, Bucks County, PA. Free admission and free parking.

Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show

Shady Brook Farm’s annual Holiday Light Show opens Saturday, November 22, as millions of lights illuminate acres of farmland with familiar characters and whimsical displays, 5pm-10pm nightly. After the show, enjoy a bonfire and treats through January 4, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA. Ride in your car or on a wagon ride.

 

 

To submit an event to be considered for the Weekly Entertainment Guide email Robin Bloom at artscalendar@whyy.org.