ERIC MAYBERRY breaking news The Publisher of the Metro is leaving , PHILLY PLAYWRIGHTS AND A READING

Last night I was invited to the home of Kelly Boyd, of KB Consultant’s, where she played host to patron of the arts and the Philadelphia Young Playwrights. Also hosting was Metro Publisher Eric Mayberry. It was here that Eric informed the room that he would no longer be the publisher of the Philadelphia Metro, instead has founded SmartBoy Enterprises, a media and entertainment management. He will begin a once a week column that will be featured in the paper. Metro newspaper becomes one of his first clients in his new company.
Enjoying the evening was Young Playwrights board member Nessa Forman, formerly of WHYY and now on her own doing wonderful things, Producer Mary Patel and Joseph Conners. Mary tells me that she has been working with producrs Jonathan Sanger and Jack O’Halloran on an HBO project. The Mark Webber project is on hold, but only until Webber is done with his latest film in Vancouver. Also spotted at the party, politician Tom Knox, who seems to be getting out more and more these days.
Actress Wendy Staton interprets the words of The Monologue F.A.T. authored by Kya Johnson (Aimee Leong, authored the Monologue Torn Between). My favorite line was when the character decided she didn’t need to change for someone else, that she was happy the way she looked and she would remain FAT – Fabulous and Thick, and that she “would be a model with curves like a bottle.”
Actor David Raphealy channels the words of Marshall Johnston. Founded in 1987 by Adele Magner, and led today by Executive Producing Director Glen Knapp, Philadelphia Young Playwrights is an award-winning program that taps the potential of youth and inspires learning through playwriting in up to 50 public and private K-12 schools each year. Now in its 22nd year, the organization remains the only theater arts program in the region promoting literacy through playwriting and supporting the development of each student’s distinctive voice.
Patron of the arts Philadelphia Magazine’s Carol Saline (and some of you know my neighbor growing up in Cherry Hill) who sits on the Board of the Suzanne Roberts Theater, Chihuahua lover Tina Bregman and Arden Board Member Virginia Kimmel

Proud dad Lindsay Johnston, Marshall Johnston (writer) and proud mom Vivian Gadsden; In celebration of its 22nd year, Philadelphia Young Playwrights will hold its annual benefit, Write On! A Celebration of Student Voices, on Wednesday, June 3rd from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia). Tickets start at $125, with admission for PYP students, alumni and teachers available for $50. Producers’ Circle contributors ($1,000) will be invited to attend an exclusive pre-party hosted by Harvey and Virginia Kimmel on May 18. Tickets can be purchased by calling Young Playwrights at (215) 665-9226 or visiting www.phillyyoungplaywrights.org. The benefit serves as a fundraiser for Young Playwrights’ programs throughout the year.
Another proud mom, Kelly Boyd with Gracie

Cort Day and Kate Egan; Owners of Egan Day, fine jewelry and decorative objects, in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square area. The shop is the exclusive representative of the nature-inspired works by renowned designer, Ted Muehling, and will feature his sterling silver and oxidized bronze candlesticks produced by E.R. Butler. Egan Day also showcases the figurative and highly imaginative creations of Gabriella Kiss, exquisitely set semi-precious gems by Maria Beaulieu, and finely wrought enameled and carved rock crystal cameos by Jonathan Wahl. Eagen Day 260 South 16th Street between Spruce and LatimerPhila CineFest Development Director Thom Cardwell, with Metro’s Cynthia Williams, and Laura Powers
Jeffrey Boyer enjoying a laugh with Rey Ayala, the Resident Concierge at The Residences at the Ritz Carlton. Info on Philadelphia Young Playwrights 7 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Floor 2
Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 665-9226 – phone
Eric Mayberry, Marshall Johnston, Kya Johnson, Glenn Knapp, and Nancy Stuski with the Young Playwriters. Generous support for Write On! is provided by award sponsors Beneficial Bank, Harmelin Media, Metro Philadelphia, and The Philadelphia Foundation. Advocates Circle Sponsors include Accordion Films, Henkels and McCoy Inc., Independence Foundation, Sheehan Events, and Target.
Under the direction of Mayberry, Metro Philadelphia improved its profit by more than 27% in his first full year as Publisher. Earlier this year Eric tried to buy the newspaper, but as far as I was concerned he had made it so successful it was out of reach to purchase. After travelling to China earlier this year, Eric told me he had an ephiphany, and needed to take his life in a different direction and came to this decision. “When I was introduced to Eric, I thought he was one of the most impressive publisher candidates that I had ever met. His legacy at Metro is solid and he is leaving Metro Philadelphia in much better shape than when he arrived. We respect his decision to start SmartBoy.” said Per Mikael Jensen, President of Metro International. Mayberry will not be replaced and the Philadelphia office will fall under the leadership of Metro NY.