Philadelphia Weekly

The 13th annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe is back for 16 days of cutting-edge theater, dance and music. This year’s Live Arts features 15 works while the Fringe (which is open to all artists wishing to participate) includes approximately 185 shows. With so many productions, deciding what to see can be a challenge; these 11 productions are a good place to start.

>> Inis Nua Theatre Company gets an early jump on the Fringe with the revival of Mark Doherty’s Trad . Initially staged by INTC at the 2007 festival and now called Trad The Remount (Sept. 3-26), this play tells the story of a 100-year-old man named Thomas and his difficult father. Though the father and son are often at odds, the pair unites in an effort to locate a child that Thomas may have sired 70 years earlier. Inis Nua artistic director Tom Reing helms a cast led by Barrymore Award-winner Mike Dees.


>> Fergie’s Pub hosts the world premiere of The Brothers Flanagan (Sept. 5-16), a new play by Bill Rolleri about two brothers who run an Irish pub in Center City (how appropriate!). Business at the bar is hopping until a killing spree leaves patrons frightened and the establishment on the brink of bankruptcy. For the duration of the run Fergie’s is offering ticketholders a “buy one entrée, get one free” deal before and after every performance.


>> Over the past two years the imaginative local choreographer/performer Kate Watson-Wallace has caused a sensation at the Live Arts Festival with the site-specific productions House and Car . At this year’s festival, Watson-Wallace and her company anonymous bodies complete their American Spaces Trilogy with the world premiere dance-theater work Store (Sept. 4-9). A timely look at America’s consumer culture, the show imagines a fully disposable world in which the protocol of shopping remains but the products are absent. 


>> If science-fiction is your thing, check out the new comedy The Annihilation Project (Sept. 4-9) at the new Arts Underground at the Wolf Building. The final installment in the trilogy that spawned the Fringe hits The Giant Squid (2007) and last year’s The Jersey Devil , Project follows an astronaut, his alien sidekick and their cyborg buddy as they battle to save humankind from destruction. The production is helmed by longtime Pig Iron Theatre Company director Dan Rothenberg and features a sound design by the talented Christopher Colucci.


>> The Washington, D.C. troupe The Art Riot Theatrical Co. makes their Philly debut with D.W. Gregory’s drama Salvation Road (Sept. 4-12). Inspired by the experiences of former cult members, Road focuses on a young musician who renounces her friends and family and joins a fringe religious movement. The show is directed by Aaron Oster, who helmed last year’s darkly effective Fringe production Bash: latterday plays .


>> Microworld(s) Part #1 (Sept. 4-19) is the latest effort from The Lucidity Suitcase Intercontinental, the company responsible for the innovative productions Flamingo/Winnebago and The Melting Bridge . In Microworld(s) the action is contained to a small white box inhabited by a Serbian intellectual named Milo (performer/designer Thaddeus Phillips). Milo’s only friend is his rubber ducky Fumio, and the pair initially seem perfectly content. The only problem is that the building housing Milo’s small unit is scheduled for implosion. Utilizing text from Hamlet and Alice in Wonderland , the far-reaching new work explores topics ranging from Micro Architecture to the use of alternative energy as a source for theater.


>> Iron Age Theatre presents William Shakespeare at his bloodthirsty best in Shakesploitation II: Iambic Boogalo (Sept. 5-19). A follow-up to the company’s 2005 Fringe smash Shakesploitation , Boogalo is actually three works in one. In “Friday the 13th Night,” playwright Andy Grigg sets Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in a world of horny camp counselors and throat-slashing serial killers. Another Grigg work, “Richard III: Cobra Commander” transports Shakespeare’s classic tragedy to a land filled with cartoonish heroes and villains. Rounding out the triptych is the riotous parody “Trapped in the Closet,” which teams rapper R. Kelly with the infamous Juliet on the violent, gun-filled streets of Verona.


>> The Fringe boasts plenty of alternative venues but few are as curious or fascinating as the American Philosophical Society. A majestic building boasting all manner of bizarre oddities, APS is hosting the world premiere of Darwinii: The Comeuppance of Man (Sept. 4-12 and Oct. 16-25). Penned by acclaimed playwright Glen Berger ( Underneath the Lintel ) the comic exploration of Darwinism stars Brett Keyser, who gave an impressive performance a few years back in the quirky sleeper hit Horribus! Horribus!


>> Madhouse Theater Company, a troupe that never follows the beaten path, returns to the Fringe with the world premiere of John Stanton’s Happy Hour (Sept. 8-17). Developed from a number of earlier sketches, the play’s structure is deceptively simple. In one corner of a bar, two guys are chatting. In an opposite corner, two women are having a conversation. Eventually the pairs spot each other across the room. They meet, sparks fly, and according to Stanton, “mayhem ensues.”


>> Philadelphia’s quintessential performing arts company Headlong Dance Theater returns to the Live Arts with their new work more (Sept. 10-14). Creators of past Festival hits Hotel Pool and the masterful Cell , Headlong reinvents itself with each new show. In more, Headlong draws on the work of acclaimed choreographer Tere O’Connor to create a piece where the impossible is possible and change is inevitable.


>> In this year’s Live Arts Festival there may not be a show as visually wondrous as Chunky Move’s Mortal Engine (Sept. 17-19), which makes its U.S. debut at the Wilma Theater. A mind-blowing new dance piece from the visionary Australian company, Engine employs body technology, sound responsive projections, mesmerizing choreography and a troupe of talented dancers to forge a work that evokes the variability and beauty in evolution. ■

For tickets and show times call 215.413.1318 or visit livearts-fringe.org. 


THEATER opening night The Chairs Fri/4, 7:30pm. $20 An elderly couple engaging in painstaking theatrical preparations in order to share their lifelong message with the world. This extraordinary comedy showcases the physical slapstick and dazzling language that made Eugene Ionesco one of the most beloved playwrights of the modern experimental theater. Thru Sept. 16. The Red Room, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St. 215.413.9006. Katie and Pitark Tues/8, 7pm. $10. A science fiction romantic musical and spin-off of Planet Discord , a science fantasy musical also written by Kate Quinn. Thru Sept. 15. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. 215.951.9989. Salvation Road Fri/4, 8pm. $15. A story of a talented young musician caught up in a new religious movement. Inspired by true life experiences of former cult members. Thru Sept. 12. Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio, 825 Walnut St. 215.574.3550. walnutstreet theatre.org Welcome to Yuba City Wed/2, 8pm. $20-$30 An absurb performance work presenting fragments of mythic America in an outpost on the edge of civilization. Thru Sept. 19. The Hub, Festival Theatre 626 N 5th St 215.413.1318 ART first friday Artist’ House Gallery 5-8:30pm. Various artists: ”Art of the Still Life.” Thru Sept. 27. 57 N. Second St. 215.923.8440. artistshouse.com Cerulean Arts 5-9pm. Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Susan Puleo and Illeana Johnson: ”Face to Face.” Thru Oct. 2. 1355 Ridge Ave. 267.514.8647. ceruleanarts.com Edge Gallery 6-9pm. Mike Watson: ”Autumnal Visions.” Thru Sept. 27. 72 N. Second St. 215.413.7072. edgegalleryllc.com Highwire Gallery 5-9pm. Miyung (Michelle) Lee and R. Alexander Trejos: ”Journey Toward My Inner World.” Thru Sept. 27. 2040 Frankford Ave. highwiregallery.com Mulberry Art Studios 5-9pm. Gary Greene: ”Nature, An Intimate View.” Thru Sept. 30. 19-21 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster. 717.295.1949. mulberryartstudios.com Muse Gallery 5-9pm. Lorraine Raywood: ”Mixed-Media Works.” Thru Sept. 30. 52 N. Second St. 215.382.1691. musegalleryphiladelphia.com Ocean Galleries 7-10pm. Jane Seymour: ”The Art of Jane Seymour.” Thru Sept. 6. 9618 Third Ave, Stone Harbor, N.J. 609.368.7777. oceangalleries.com Rodger Lapelle Galleries 6-10pm. David Febland: ”Heat Seekers.” Thru Sept. 27. 122 N. Third St. 215.592.0232. rodgerlapellegalleries.com 3rd Street Gallery 5-9pm. Various artists: ”New Members Show.” Thru Sept. 27. 58 N. Second St. 215.625.0993. 3rdstreetgallery.com Wexler Gallery 5-8pm. Kiki Smith, Dana Major Kanovitz, Monica Cook and Melanie Bilenker: ”The Self & Beyond.” Thru Oct. 31. 201 N. Third St. 215.923.7030. wexlergallery.com receptions Marginal Utility Gallery Thurs/3, 6-8pm. Hadassa Goldvicht: ”Schlaf (sleep).” Thru Oct. 25. 723 Chestnut St. Philadelphia Sketch Club Sun/6, 2-4pm. Jim and Lynn Lemyre: ”Untitled.” Thru Sept. 19. 235 S. Camac St. 215.545.9298. sketchclub.org Saint Joseph’s University Thurs/3, 6-8pm. Alison Stigora: ”MornigStar.” ThruSept. 25. Boland Hall, Lapsley Lane at City Ave. 610.660.1840. sju.edu/gallery galleries Amberella Gallery Ken Penn: ”Epic Birthday.” Thru Sept. 15. 1050 N. Hancock St. amberellagallery.com AxD Gallery Various artists: ”Dog Days of Summer Art Sale.” Thru Sept. 5. 265 S. 10th St. a-x-d.com Delaware Center for Contemporary Art Hratch Babikan: ”Origins, visited.” Thru Oct. 18. 200 S. Madison St. 302.656.6466. www.thedcca.org Dupree Gallery James Dupree: ”Student Exhibition.” Thru Sept. 30. 703 S. Sixth St. 215.413.3884. dupreestudiosinc.com Gallery 339 Sarah Stolfa: ”The Regulars Revisited.” Thru Sept. 5. 339 S. 21st St. 215.731.1530. gallery339.com Gallery 13W David Wing: ”Mystery and Intrigue.” Thru Sept. 5. 4505 Regent St. 215.432.5729. gallery13w.com Langman Gallery Fay Sciarra: ”Embellished Reality.” Thru Sept. 30. 2500 Moreland Rd., Willow Grove. 215.657.8333. langmangallery.com The Smile Gallery Kathryn Pannepack and David Foss: ”Parallel Lines.” Thru Sept. 7. 105 S. 22nd St. 215.564.2502. thaismilecafe.com TKP Gallery Meezan: ”Hip Pop Art.” Thru Sept. 30. 1509 Walnut St. 267.979.8107. Topaz Arts Greg M. Stowell: ”The Divide.” Thru Sept. 12. 55-03 39th Ave. 718.505.0440. topazarts.org museums Academy of Natural Sciences Various artists: ”Geckos, Tails to Toepads.” Thru Sept. 7. 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. 215.299.1000. ansp.org American Philosophical Society Museum Various artists: “Dialogues with Darwin.” Thru Oct. 17. 104 S. Fifth St. 215.440.3442. amphilsoc.org National Constitution Center Various artists: ”Napoleon.” Various artists: ”Into the Open.” Thru Sept. 7. 525 Arch St. 215.409.6693. constitutioncenter.org elsewhere Chemical Heritage Foundation Various artists: “Slowlife.” Thru Dec. 31. 315 Chestnut St. 215.925.2222. chemheritage.org City Hall Various artists: ”In Your Dreams.” Thru Sept. 11. Broad and Market Sts., NE Corner, 215.686.9912. phila.gov/artincityhall Grounds for Sculpture Various artists: ”Spring/Summer Exhibition 2009.” Thru Sept. 29. 19 Fairgrounds Rd. 609.977.9664. groundsforsculpture.org Morris Aboretum Various artists: “The Texture of Trees.” Thru Sept. 30. 100 Northwestern Ave. www.morrisarboretum.org Philadelphia Cathedral Zoe Cohen: “Sacred Origins: An Interfaith Art Project for West Philadelphia.” 3723 Chestnut St. philadelphiacathedral.org schools & universities The Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design Various artists: ”Bicycle: People and Ideas in Motion.” Various artists: ”Bicycle Design’s Communter Bike for the Masses Competition.” Thru Oct. 13. 20th St. and the Parkway. 215.965.4065. morre.edu Morris Arboretum Various artists: ”Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway ‘09.” Thru Oct. 12. 100 Northwestern Ave. 215.247.5777. morrisarboretum.org Penn Museum Various artists: “Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya.” Thru Jan. 31. 3260 South St. 215.898.4000. upenn.edu Ursinus College, Berman Museum of Art Various artists: ”Philadelphia/ Tri-State Artist’s Equity Anniversary Exhibition.” Thru Sept. 4. 601 Main St. 610.409.3500. ursinus.edu