Weekly Entertainment Guide – Rare Bird

It’s cold outside!  Warm up inside with world premieres and Barrymore Award-winning acting, plus art exhibits, music, and more.  Robin Bloom shares her picks.

Art Appreciation

“Walter Robinson: Paintings and Other Indulgences” at Moore College of Art & Design

Walter Robinson: Paintings and Other Indulgences, the first museum survey of the prolific New York-based artist’s paintings from 1979 to 2014, is opening at Moore College of Art & Design on January 23. The only East Coast presentation of this show features 80 paintings that provide a broad selection of the Wilmington native’s work, including the pulp-novel romance paintings which garnered him critical recognition in the early 1980s, still-lifes featuring over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, recent representations of Lands’ End clothing models, online erotic selfies, and many others, through March 12, 20th Street and The Parkway, Philadelphia. Curated by Barry Blinderman, director of University Galleries at Illinois State University and accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue. Opening reception Friday, January 22, 6pm-8pm. Free and open to the public. Pictured: “Untitled” (Red Kitty).

“Rare Bird: John James Audubon and Contemporary Art” at Berman Museum of Art

Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College explores the world of a preeminent artist, naturalist and self-taught ornithologist who rose from his Montgomery County roots to become a beloved and influential figure in American History. Rare Bird: John James Audubon and Contemporary Art features original artwork by Audubon alongside unique works by 10 contemporary artists including Brandon Ballengée, Walton Ford, Harri Kallio, Nina Katchadourian, Kate MccGwire, James Prosek, Duke Riley, Alice Sharp, and the artist duo Susannah Sayler and Edward Morris. Works include examples of Audubon’s 19th century drawings, watercolors, and prints, as well as paintings, photographs, and sculptures by the other artists that reflect the legacy and spirit of Audubon, January 21 through April 3, 601 E. Main Street, Collegeville, PA. New this year, the Berman “Conversation Series” will pair exhibiting contemporary artists with Ursinus professors for an exchange of interests and ideas. Pictured: Harri Kallio Benares #4, Mauritius, 2004.

“Inside Out” at Delaware Art Museum

Delaware Art Museum’s Outlook Exhibition Series offers a community exhibition that showcases five local painters of national and international stature. Inside Out: Carol Tippit Woolworth, Catherine Drabkin, Pahl Alexander Hluchan, Colleen Randall, and Daniel Jackson features artwork that explores the concept of “place” – physical emotional, and spiritual – in their work, which ranges from abstract to realistic, January 23 through April 24, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE. Pictured: Bobcat, 2011 by Daniel Jackson.

Onstage

“Funnyman” at Arden Theatre Company

Arden Theatre Company teams up with Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Illinois for Funnyman, a new world premiere comedy by Philadelphia playwright Bruce Graham. Exploring the connection between show business and family relationships during the early days of television, Carl N. Wallnau (pictured) portays an aging comic forced to adapt to the changing tastes and times in post-war America 1959 and tries to remain relevant while his daughter struggles to uncover truths from her childhood that her father would rather keep hidden. Directed by Matt Pfeiffer and also starring Keith Conallen, Brian Cowden, Charlie DelMarcelle, Emilie Krause, and Kenny Morris on the Arcadia Stage through March 6. Related programs and events include post-show discussions, open captioned and audio described performances, 40 N. 2nd Street, Old City, Philadelphia. Photo by Mark Garvin.

“Oscar Wilde: From the Depths” at Lantern Theater Company

Lantern Theater Company continues its commitment to developing new work with Oscar Wilde: From the Depths, a world premiere production that gives new voice to the Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet. Written by Charles McMahon (Lantern’s Artistic Director), the original piece was inspired by “De Profundis,” a letter Wilde wrote to his lover from his prison cell, and designed to be both an exploration of his artistic mind and relevant to some of the broader issues in society today. Directed by Lantern’s Education Director M. Craig Getting with a cast including Marc LeVasseur in the title role (making his Lantern debut), Jered McLenigan, and David Bardeen, through February 14. Related programs and events include Directors in Conversation, Lantern Pub Night, Young Friends Night, Artists in Conversation, In Conversation Event, open captioning and more, St. Stephen’s Theater, 10th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Simpatico Theatre Project’s “The It Girl”

Simpatico Theatre Project explores progress and freedom and what it means to be in the spotlight with the expanded world premiere of The It Girl by Amanda Schoonover and Brenna Geffers. Geffers directs Barrymore Award-winning Philadelphia theatre artist Amanda Schoonover as silent film starlet Clara Bow, the foremost sex symbol of the “Roaring Twenties,” in a part silent film part vaudeville variety. Kicking off with half-priced previews and running through February 7 at the brand new Theater at The Drake, 1512 Spruce Street, Philadelphia (enter on Hicks Street). Simpatico is a founding resident partner of the Drake and this production marks its inaugural show. Related programs and events include Industry Night and $5 student rush on select Wednesdays.

“House of Blue Leaves” at South Camden Theatre Company

South Camden Theatre Company continues its season with House of Blue Leaves by John Guare. The award-winning dark comedy about a struggling songwriter trying to keep the pieces of his life together in New York City during Pope Paul VI’s visit in 1965 is directed by Susan Jami Paschkes and stars Damian Muziani, Joshua McLucas, Gabrielle M. Affleck, Susan Chase, Adriana Alveario, Marjorie Sokoloff, Jessi Meisel and Colleen Marker, through January 31, Waterfront South Theater, 400 Jasper Street, Camden, NJ. $5 tickets available to Camden City residents with proof of residency.

University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players’ “Wait Until Dark”

University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players presents Frederick Knott’s Wait Until Dark. The murderous thriller – that inspired the classic film of the same name starring Audrey Hepburn – has been adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher in the style of a Hitchcock noir chiller, set in New York City in 1944. Directed by Michael Gotch, the production is onstage through February 6 with free pre-show presentations and post-show talkbacks with cast members, a lecture on the thriller genre in popular culture, and a conversation with the director, Roselle Center for the Arts, 110 Orchard Road, Newark, Delaware. Onsite parking available. Photo by Nadine Howatt.

“Assassins” at Eagle Theatre

You might be blown away with Eagle Theatre’s production of the musical Assassins, Stephen Sondheim’s chilling, lesser-known comedy that focuses on nine individuals who attempted to assassinate a President of the United States. Ted Wioncek III directs a cast headed up by Barrymore Award-winner Jeffrey Coon (who plays John Wilkes Booth) through February 21, 208 Vine Street, Hammonton, NJ. Enjoy talk back sessions after select performances, a “please touch” performance, and visit the on-site wine lounge. On-site parking available.

Music

LiveConnections

LiveConnections brings together musicians of diverse backgrounds who may not typically perform together with a special concert Friday, January 22, 8pm. Jazz singer Joanna Pascale joins Curtis 20/21, the new music ensemble of the Curtis Institute of Music, for a performance of Jazz-influenced classical music. Enjoy songs of film composer Michel Legrand, seminal works by George Gershwin and Darius Milhaud, and a world premiere of a new vocal work written for Pascale by Curtis Fellow Gabriella Smith, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

Joshua Davis at the Tin Angel

Indie troubadour and “The Voice” finalist Joshua Davis comes to the Tin Angel to perform, Friday, January 22, 8pm. The singer-songwriter blends the roots of American music with gritty rock ‘n roll and vintage soul, 20 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia.

With the Kids

PAPAYA at the Painted Bride Art Center

PAPAYA (PA Performing Arts for Young Audiences) returns to the Painted Bride Art Center for a third season with live performances designed to engage young audiences. As part of the International Family Series, performers from Norway and the United Kingdom join forces to create an epic work inspired by true stories of the Kindertransport, the organized effort to rescue Jewish children during the Holocaust. The New International Encounter (NIE) is an international company that mixes language, physicality, live music, storytelling and a European ensemble, presented using a six piece band on stage, multiple languages and an array of theatrical styles for The End of Everything Ever, Saturday, January 23, 5pm and Sunday, January 24, 2pm with a school matinee on Friday, January 22, 10am. Performances include a talkback with the artists and an opportunity for audience members to experience the PAPAYA LAB, 230 Vine Street, Old City, Philadelphia. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Photo by Marusya Galtsova.

Mummenschanz

Mummenschanz returns to our area with a performance at McCarter Theatre Center, Wednesday, January 27, 7:30pm, with a brand new show celebrating 43 years. The Swiss troupe, veterans in nonverbal theater, are known for their inventive use of shadow, light and creative manipulation of objects to silently tell a story, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ.

 

 

Each week, the Entertainment Guide spotlights interesting local arts offerings happening now, including music, dance, theater, museums, special exhibitions and other arts events from across the region.

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