Opening Night Reception: The Good Person of Setzuan at the Wilma Theater; On stage through April 21.
On April 5, Wilma Theater celebrated the opening of The Good Person of Setzuan with a reception for subscribers, supporters and friends. Something they do for every opening, which is so nice. The guests mingle with each other as well as with creative leaders of the Wilma and the play they are about to see.
Wilma Theater Managing Director Leigh Goldenberg, Justin Jain, Director and Yury Urnov, co-artisitc director The Good Person of Setzuan
Eva and Michael Leeds, Carl Sheingold and Janice Madden
The play was written by the German dramatist Bertolt Brecht, in collaboration with Margarete Steffin and Ruth Berlau. In Brecht’s play, Shen Te, a kind-hearted prostitute, struggles to maintain her goodness in a harsh world where survival often requires compromise and self-interest. When she inherits a sum of money, she uses it to open a tobacco shop and help those in need. However, her altruism is quickly taken advantage of, forcing her to create a ruthless alter ego, Shui Ta, to protect herself and her business interests.
Javier Mojica is the House Manager of The Wilma Theater
Jessica Johnson and Jaylene Clark Owens
Kevaughn Harvey and Gayle Smith
Jen Bohnenberger and Cat Bohnenberger
Debbie Fluck and Zoe Goldberg Smothern
Joan and Bill Goldstein
Donnell Powell and John Myers
Bash, Kel Fleming and Dezi
Theater goers in the Good Karma Cafe at the Wilma Theater waiting for the show to start. The Good Person of Setzuan at the Wilma Theater; On stage through April 21. INFO here.
Screenwriter Lanie Robertson and actress Laurin Talese backstage on Opening Night of LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL at Philadelphia Theatre Company
The time is 1959. The place is a seedy bar in Philadelphia. The audience is about to witness one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, given four months before her death. More than a dozen musical numbers are interlaced with salty, often humorous reminiscences to project a riveting portrait of the lady and her music, in a smooth, emotional 90 minute concert of her life.
Tony Award-winning Robert Kaplowitz returns to PTC as Sound Designer for this production, Barrymore winning Scenic and Lighting Designer Thom Weaver and Lanie Robertson, playwriter of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill
The creative team put a lot of effort into creating an immersive theatrical experience for the audience. By setting the show in a seedy bar and allowing the audience to watch while sitting on the stage, they are creating a unique environment that helps transport viewers into the world of the play. The involvement of local Philadelphia-based designers, as well as award-winning designers like Thom Weaver and Robert Kaplowitz, should help to ensure that the set, lighting, sound, and costumes are all top-notch, all the way down to the gardenia that Billie Holiday often wore in her hair.
Michael Lewis, Judge Kathryn Lewiis, Rosakyn Robinson and Warren English
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to close out our season with this fantastic musical event about the life and music of the extraordinary Billie Holiday,” says PTC Co-Artistic Director Tyler Dobrowsky. “And with Jeffrey Page at the helm, fresh off his Broadway debut, and the luminous Laurin Talese playing Lady Day, this will be a production you won’t want to miss. Join us for a page right out of Philadelphia history.”
Khemist O,Dani Allen, Senior Director of Education and Community Engagement at The Philadelphia Orchestra and Frank Machos, executive director for the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of the Arts & Creative Learning.
Laura Steel, Patricia Oelbaum and Elliott Schwartz, PTC Board Member
Ryan Schrader, Board of Directors and Yolanda Booker
Remember to get there at least 20 minutes before showtime, as your seat is on the stage and late arrivals will ruin it for the rest of us sitting down to relax and see the show, as well as disturb Billie who might just take it out on you.
Tickets for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill are on sale now. Tickets start at $25 and are available at Click Here, by calling 215-985-0420, or by visiting the Box Office. Connect with Philadelphia Theatre Company for the latest updates on social at @philatheatreco on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and @philatheatre on TikTok.
Philadelphia Theater Company sponsors posed backstage on opening with the star Laurin Talese who have made this production, and our season, possible. Honorary Producers for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill are Alice L. George and Lou Oschmann. Season Sponsors include Independence Blue Cross and Center City Film & Video.
So often when I post events I shoot, people tell me they wish they knew about such and such event beforehand. And even though I constantly promote most events on social media, we all know there’s a crush of info out there, as well as the algorithms that screw up the timelines. So I started something earlier this year where I compile a list of events that i think you might want to attend. I thought it would be clever to post it on Tuesday, like “To Do Tuesday”, and in the meantime you can also click on the hashtag #SaveTheDatePHL on Twitter, FB or Instagram and check out events there as well.
Hello Spring….
Philadelphia is so lucky to have a vibrant theater scene. To keep up with what’s happening in the Philadelphia theater scene bookmark this SITE.
Philadelphia Theatre Company Presents How to Catch Creation @ Suzanne Roberts Theatre -3/22/19 According to their website “this bold, imaginative play dissects the universal act of creation – creation of life, of family, of art – to inspire the dreamers and idealists in us all.” The show runs March 22 to April 14, 2019 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad Street. Tickets are available starting at $10 at philadelphiatheatrecompany.org or by calling (215) 985-0420.
I know Thursday 3/28/19 is the Phillies Home Opener, and the dawn of a new season of Philly baseball, but it’s also the day author Sherry Knowlton will be making an appearance at Shakespeare & Co reading her and signing her new book “Dead of Winter.”
Join Sherry at Shakespeare & Co. in Philadelphia on Thursday, March 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a book reading and signing event in celebration of her newest novel in the Alexa Williams suspense series, Dead of Winter. Free tickets to the event can be claimed here
The Party – Don’t Take Your Organs With You!!
This Friday March 29, 2019 at The Bellevue Hotel, Philadelphia This annual event is an evening of celebration, dancing,and tasting the best from our region’s top restaurants and vendors. The money raised at this event funds public education programs to increase awareness about the critical need for organ and tissue donors in our region, especially among young people and in the clergy and multicultural communities.
I really love this party, it’s laid back, fun, great music, fun people
and lots of dancing oh and did I mention the dessert table – all for a
noble cause. This is one of my choices where if you only attend one or
two events a year, this is a must do. INFO
“Joy and Pain” Saturday March 30, 2019 The stage is set and the lineup is in place to spark 80’s & 90’s throwback themed nostalgia in the heart of Springfield Delaware County for one unforgettable night. From the producers who brought you the area’s biggest Old Skool and Freestyle Events over the past 15 years, Flight Entertainment is bringing back their second installment of KETEL ONE VODKA’S WOW THAT’S OLD SKOOL PARTY with Rob Base, Cynthia, Johnny O and a special appearance by everyone’s favorite Delco’s Aunt Mary Pat. INFO & Tickets Here
Woof Definitely One of the Most Heartwarming Events of the Year. Reuniting Dog and the Soldiers they bonded with overseas.
No Dog Gets Left Behind provides financial support to reunite military personnel with the stray animals they found and bonded with while at war – a $5,000-per-dog expenditure that includes vaccines, medical treatment, transportation and more. While the financial investment is high, the relief, comfort and joy this program provides soldiers is immeasurable. To date we have funded over 60+ soldier/dog reunions. TICKETS HERE
