"For the Love of Pig Iron"

by Debra Auspitz

fundraiser

Last year, Pig Iron Theater Co. decided to hold its first official fundraiser, held at the Ethical Society and designed to be a low-key affair. It was anything but. Jammed to the gills with friends and fans of the lauded physical theater company, the benefit, featuring performances by company members and their artistic peers, was a raucous evening that moved from an overflowing auditorium-full of people dancing to Dito van Reigersberg's hilarious/slightly scary rendition of "Tell Me Something Good" to a DJ'ed party upstairs. The smart Pig Ironers decided not to mess with success, and are holding their second annual benefit, "For the Love of Pig Iron," in the same spot with some of last year's favorite acts (more from van Reigersberg's twisted cabaret star, Martha Graham Cracker, company member Quinn Bauriedel reprising his role as the evening's emcee), and new performances. Guests include Hotel Obligado's Dawn Falato, New Paradise Labs' Lee Ann Etzold performing with Pig Iron's Emmanuelle Delpech-Ramey, She-Haw's Amy Pickard, members of Brothers Suggarillo and Dhamaka, a University of Pennsylvania-based all-male South Asian dance troupe. For 15 bucks, which goes to support some of the most innovative theater being produced in this city, you get all of the above plus a party with local actor David Disbrow as your DJ. A word to the wise: Get your tickets in advance, get there really early and prepare to be smushed.

"For the Love of Pig Iron," Fri., Jan. 16, doors open at 7:30 p.m., cabaret begins at 8 p.m., after-party at 9:30 p.m., $15 for cabaret and party, $10 for party only, Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Sq., 215-627-1883.

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