Also this issue: Star Crossed David Stephens’ installation at Gallery Joe takes a new look at an old symbol. -Susan Hagen Phantoms, No Opera -David Shengold Urban Tap -Janet Anderson MacHomer -Steve Cohen Heckler -Toby Zinman A View From The Bridge -David Anthony Fox Magic Flute -David Shengold

February 27-March 5, 2003

artpicks

The Fever

by Debra Auspitz

Philly actors find themselves in all kinds of places these days for site-specific performances -- smoky bars, dingy basements, even questionably stable abandoned buildings. The actors in Brat Productions' new mini-festival of works by Wallace Shawn definitely hit the site-specific lottery -- Shawn's The Fever and The Designated Mourner will be set in the penthouse suite of the tony Radisson Plaza Warwick Hotel.

Brat artistic director Madi Distefano is ecstatic about the space. "They gave me all of these keys to the penthouse suite for a bunch of artists to take up work residence. "They are being so amazing, they're giving it to us for a very small fee that probably really barely covers housekeeping."

There's much more to Brat's latest work than chichi surroundings and room service, though. In The Fever, a man taking a luxurious vacation in an unnamed country falls ill with a terrible fever and is plagued by what some might call "liberal guilt."

"What is our responsibility to the world as American citizens and do we owe anything to anyone? I think with all of the anti-American activity going on right now it's a really good question to ask," Distefano says. "There's no answer posed in this play, it's just kind of one man asking the question. Are we oppressing other people just by living the privileged lives that we lead?" The piece is directed by Matt Pfeiffer, and Peter Pryor takes on the role of the tormented narrator.

The Warwick accommodations should serve The Fever nicely, as it's set in a posh hotel room. The suite also comes in handy for the second play, The Designated Mourner, which is set in a living room. In that play, which also takes place in an unnamed country, a renowned poet (played by H. Michael Walls) involves his son-in-law (Tim Moyer) in his intellectually elite circle, which is being persecuted by an oppressive government regime. Christy Parker plays the poet's daughter; the director is Bruce Walsh.

Brat is known for its thought-provoking, site-specific work, and this may be their most unusual performance venue to date. Each show can only accommodate 40 audience members, so get your tickets early.

Brat Productions presents The Fever Feb. 28-March 30; The Designated Mourner, March 6-30, $10-$20, Radisson Plaza Warwick Hotel, Penthouse Suite, 1701 Locust St., call 215-413-0975 for times and reservations.