Best of the Fest

We think at this point you should probably trust us. That's why we're offering the following gentle suggestions for what to do during Live Arts and Fringe this year. However, we understand your fickle ways, dear readers. So check the full Live Arts/Fringe listings online at www.citypaper.net, or for tickets and more information, stop by the Live Arts/Fringe box office at the National Building, side door, 119 Arch St., call 215-413-1318 or visit www.livearts-fringe.org.

Bardo
Leah Stein brings her great gifts for choreographic calm and silence to an interpretation of Bardo, the Buddhist term for the suspended moments between life and death. She poetically selected the transition time of twilight for this dance performance. Then, with her unerring eye for perfect on-site locations, she chose a Broad Street vacant lot, a transition place of possibility and lost opportunity smack in the middle of Avenue of the Arts bustle.
--Janet Anderson
Sept. 1-4, 8-11, 15-17, 7 p.m., $20, UArts Lot, 313 S. Broad St., 60 min.

Blizzard '96
Thirty inches of snow in Philadelphia. Schools closed for a week. Thousands of flights canceled. Comic genius. The Lunch Money troupe is banking on the fact that audiences recall the Blizzard of '96 with some fondness, as they present three stories of "snow, drugs, and rock and roll in the storm that kept most of northeast America indoors."
--Lori Hill
Sept. 6-7, 13-14, 8 p.m., $10, Ulana's, 205 Bainbridge St., 120 min.

Brown Girl
Picking up where Ntozake Shange's '70s choreopoem left off, five ladies of the Montazh Performing Arts Company are communicating the essence of being born as brown-skinned women. Using elements of spoken word, video and dance, they explore a dramatic journey of self-discovery and candidly reveal society's perception of African-American females. Not to be digested as a Black Power feminist production, this serves as a reality check for both genders and all ethnicities.
--Deesha Dyer
Sept. 16-17, 8 p.m., $15, Community Education Center (CEC) Meeting House Theater, 3500 Lancaster Ave., 90 min.

Dance Off Broad
There are six good reasons to see Dance Off Broad. No, make that seven. Six of those talented reasons come from Jeanne Ruddy Dance. They're the Ruddy dancers, who've put together a sassy, theatrical show at Performance Garage (the seventh reason). Ruddy is transforming a quaint old auto body shop into a dance studio, performance space and school --just off Broad Street. Different kind of body work going on there these days --more high flying, fewer lube jobs.
--J.A.
Sept. 8-11, 8:30 p.m., $10, Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St., 100 min.

Dirty Diamond
Michael Hans — filmmaker, intimate toy salesman — has had a love/hate relationship with Neil Diamond since childhood; an impenetrable longing/loathing that made his monster into a nasty Tourettes-esque belter of song. Decked in open shirts and a sliding scalp toupee of tousled Neil-hair, Dirty Diamond (alone, save for a "Bob" who starts the karaoke sounds) coughs, cackles and mangles Neil-song into foully ribald, Roofies-driven covers: "Crack Rock Ho" instead of "Cracklin Rosie," "I Came, I Said!" not "I Am, I Said," "Sweet Cocaine Line" for "Sweet Caroline." "Drunk on the cock/ Ain't no surprise/ A couple of drinks and she'll start blowing guys," sings Hans on his version of "Love on the Rocks." Nice.
--A.D. Amorosi
Sept. 3, 7, 10, 14-16, 10 p.m., Sept. 8, 12, 8 p.m., $15, Triangle Theater, 1220 N. Lawrence St., 60 min.

Fidelio, by Ludwig van Beethoven
What better setting for a 19th-century opera about a prison break than, er, a 19th-century prison? Fidelio is the name adopted by the character Lenore when she dresses as a guard to free her politically incarcerated husband. Though it's a bit unclear how the orchestral accompaniment and staging will come into play, the monolithic Eastern State Penitentiary will make perfect scenery for The Other Company's performance of Beethoven's only opera.
--John Vettese
Sept. 2-4, 8 p.m., $15, Eastern State Penitentiary, 22nd St. and Fairmount Ave., 150 min.

Fruitflies: The Musical
The Web site for this original musical features a clip of "Billy and Jack," a catchy number that describes love in an indie record store. Billed as "a musical about four ordinary people whose lives intertwine in a big city," Katie Stanislavskaya has composed, written, directed and produced what looks to be a feel-good hit.
--Nancy Armstrong
Sept. 7, 14, 9:30 p.m., Sept. 17, 5 p.m., $15, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St., 60 min.

Grass
Like most good artists, Vida (just Vida) wants to surprise you. For a previous Fringe project, she gilded pieces of trash — crumpled paper, etc. — and put it back on the ground. In its golden state, the debris was automatically more attractive, valuable even. This year, she's installing patches of lush green grass to create a piecemeal lawn on the sidewalks. So while you're Fringing, stop to admire this new bit of Old City horticulture.
--L.H.
Sept. 2-17, free, throughout festival, the streets of Old City.

Limelight Project
Limelight Project, Monica Bill Barnes' all-female romp, begins with multiple frolics in Love Park fountain, joined by some Frankford High kids. She's been sending her bathing-capped troupe into New York fountains, and creating a splash (sorry). So they're ready for Philly, where, if you want to know what it all means, she'll bring it together at Painted Bride with Thank You and Goodnight. Barnes hints at tragic undertones, but she also cites Esther Williams' influence.
--J.A.
Fountain Tour, Sept. 1, 1 p.m., Sept. 2 and 9, 12:15, 12:30 and 12:45 p.m., Sept. 10, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., free, Love Park, 15th St. and JFK Blvd., 12 min.; Thank You and Goodnight, Sept. 7, 9-10, 7 p.m., Sept. 11, 3 (with post-show discussion) and 7 p.m., $15, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 50 min.

Man or McEnroe
The career of tennis great John McEnroe was equal parts vitriol, showmanship, profanity and sheer talent. Just in time for McEnroe's U.S. Open commentary, Rutherford Chang presents Man or McEnroe, a funny look at The Brat's famous temper and controversial behavior through the performances of two actors who "insist the ball was on the line and they weren't hitting on your girlfriend, but it was and they were." Watch out for flying racquets.
--L.H.
Sept. 2-3, 8 p.m. and midnight, Sept. 4, 8 p.m., Sept. 7-8, 6 p.m., Sept. 9, midnight, Sept. 10, 4 p.m. and midnight, Sept. 11, 4 p.m., $5, MYX Gallery, 110 Church St., 50 min.

Masque of the Red Death
The Red Death — "No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous" — is an anthropomorphized plague stalking its victims at a lavish masquerade ball. Philly's Wandering Rom Players, who drew blood at last year's Fringe with Amadeus, stage a full-on massacre with this oddly sensual, oft-ignored gem from the Edgar Allen Poe canon. In these paranoid times, why not revisit Poe's most inescapable villain?
--Patrick Rapa
Sept. 8-10, 12 and 16-17, 11 p.m., $15, Nexus Gallery, 137 N. Second St., 55 min.

Measuring Man
Pairing Mum Puppettheatre's Robert Smythe with mime master Daniel Stein, Measuring Man offers an unconventional look at Leonardo Da Vinci: painter, sculptor, engineer, architect and science fiend, whose name and art is imminently well known. However, much like the curious smile of his Mona Lisa, LDV's life story is something of an enigma. Thanks to Measuring Man, our eyes are opened to surprising facets of this devout multitasker, including his innermost thoughts and his sense of humor, as well as a promised "astonishing secret."
--Deni Kasrel
Sept. 6, 8-10, 15-17, 7 p.m., Sept. 10, 2 p.m., $20, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 75 min.

Medusa Sings the Blues
With a scowl and those signature serpentine locks, Medusa is reincarnated by local actress Hannah Tsapatoris as a cabaret diva. Bathed in blue light, she sings "I Will Survive" in a manner particular to infamously ugly, beheaded, snake-haired goddesses.
--P.R.
Sept. 8-10, 14-17, 8 p.m., $10, Medusa Lounge, 27 S. 21st St., 50 min.

New Slang: Everything Looks Perfect From Far Away
New Slang sets up yet another dance/visual extravaganza by Reactionaries and The Bald Mermaids. These two groups merge the talents of some of the city's more adventurous dancers with like-minded theater folks, all of whom will cavort about Old City's National Building for a politically themed event where the movement itself becomes a design element immersed in provocative sound effects and technical wizardry.
--D.K.
Sept. 2-4, 9:30 p.m., Sept. 6-9, 9:30 p.m., Sept. 11-12, 9:30 p.m., $15, National Building Side Door, 119 Arch St., 60 min.

Nudity Project: Performance and Workshop
In the buff, wearing one's birthday suit, au natural — however you call it, the act of being naked can evoke a slew of reactions. Enough so that Apparatus Collective has built an entire show based on responses received from various folks who were asked about their emotional and moral views concerning nudity and related issues. There's also a workshop on the how-to's of nude art-making. Both will no doubt be revealing.
--D.K.
Sept. 9, 9 p.m., Sept. 11, 4 p.m. (workshop) and 7 p.m. (performance), Sept. 17, 9 p.m., $15 performance, $10 workshop, Jim Graham Studios, 230 N. Second St., 55 min.

1WG… Melissa Gilbert, An Unauthorized Play
Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story, The Babymaker: The Dr. Cecil Jacobson Story, Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story. Melissa Gilbert has starred in the made-for-Lifetime movies profiling these and so many more troubled women that it seems only fitting that she be the subject of a one-woman musical production. This one promises to be deliciously silly, with virtual appearances by Gilbert's famous real-life beau — keep your fingers crossed for Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise.
--N.A.
Sept. 11, 8 p.m., Sept. 12-15, 7 p.m., Sept. 14, 1 p.m., Sept. 16, 4 and 8 p.m., Sept. 17, 2 and 8 p.m., Sept. 18, 2 p.m., $15, Shubin Theatre, 407 Bainbridge St., 90 min.

Patio Plastico
Brian's back… as in, Sanders, the guy who's created some of Fringe's greatest, craziest moments. In fact, he's reprising Patio Plastico, a huge hit of Fringe 1999. But that was then, and now Brian's moved his all-plastic, all-the-time family into the University City strip-mall Cinemagic. This is a must-see. If you're familiar with the balconies, food outlets and lighting at this site, you'll know that the people wearing plastic bottles as shoes have found a perfect home.
--J.A.
Sept. 1-2, 7 p.m., Sept. 3-4, 2 and 7 p.m., Sept. 6-9, 7 p.m., Sept. 10-11, 2 and 7 p.m., Sept. 13-16, 7 p.m., Sept. 17-18, 2 and 7 p.m., $20 ($10 Sept. 1), Cinemagic, 3925 Walnut St., 70 min.

Pay Up
A few weeks before festival time, Pig Iron Theatre Co.'s Dito van Reigersberg is wandering around a large, empty room in the National Building that's been painted entirely white, talking about headphones, time clocks and marketplace values. The company's new show, Pay Up, is all about the bottom line. Pay your $15 at the door, get $5 back to spend however you'd like, as fast as you can, at 10 stations. They're calling it "choose-your-own-adventure experiential drama." We're calling it off-the-charts Pig Iron genius.
--L.H.
Sept. 2-4, 7-11, 14, 17, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 11 and 17, 2 p.m., Sept. 15 and 16, 9:30 p.m., $15, National Building, side door, 119 Arch St. 70 min.

Readers' Theatre: An Evening of Damon Runyon
Those who love Guys and Dolls will tell you that the reason is the talking. The snappy dialogue peppered with the vernacular of small-time crooks makes the musical that much more . . . well, musical. Damon Runyon's talent for creating a conversation worth listening to was honed in his short stories, promised here to be made larger-than-life.
--N.A.
Sept. 12, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Sept. 13, 9:30 p.m., free (suggested donation $15), Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St., 70 min.

Red-Eye to Havre de Grace
This performance designed by local auteur Thaddeus Phillips is as intriguing for its plot as it is for its presentation. A clever what-if scenario about the last days of Edgar Allan Poe, Red-Eye follows him through a late-night train ride from Maryland to Virgina in the throes of some psychotropic delirium, philosophizing about the secrets of the universe. Sounds neat, but we're just as interested in hearing the accompaniment by Minneapolis musical duo The Wilhelm Brothers, which is slated to feature a piano, a clarinet and, somehow, a two-way radio.
--J.V.
Sept. 13-15, 8:30 p.m., Sept. 16, 6 and 9 p.m., Sept. 17, 3 and 8:30 p.m., $20, Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 90 min.

The River, The People and Walt Whitman
Whether you think they're a good way to learn about the past or a cheesy assembly you had to go to in middle school, impersonators of historical figures are always at least interesting. Here, poet and puppeteer Rocky Wilson takes on the man whose name is on the bridge in a very location-centric way, focusing not on the poetry but on the city that inspired it.
--N.A.
Sept. 16, 7:15 p.m., $10, Friends Center, 1501 Cherry St., 75 min.

Shakesploitation
This reinvention of the Bard's classics seems poised to be more successful than past Fringe attempts. Last year's Skewed Shakespeare at Triangle Theater was certainly amusing, but did little more than recite the original texts verbatim in contemporary costumes. With this year's promises of Othello fending off corrupt police, or Hamlet busting up Claudius with kung fu moves, it's doubtful Iron Age's blaxploitation presentation of Shakespeare will be achieved without some clever script changes. Which, if you're talking updates, aren't just welcome, they're necessary.
--J.V.
Sept. 3, 9 p.m., Sept. 4, 8:30 p.m., Sept. 10, 9 p.m., Sept. 15, 8 p.m., Sept. 16, 8 and 10 p.m., Sept. 17, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., $15, Journey Home Community Enrichment Center, 948 N. Eighth St., 80 min.

Sheep
World-wise lyrics plus smart-ass banter with an audience attest to the fact that Marc Anthony Thompson, aka Chocolate Genius, has a wily way with words. And yes, the mind behind Obie-winning A Huey P. Newton Story is a man of many moods. With Sheep, he conjures up the spirits of assorted characters including Lenny Bruce, Nina Simone, Brian Wilson and Larry David, among others, for an offbeat musical experience that's both gritty and surreal.
--D.K.
Sept. 15-17, 9:30 p.m., $15, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 30 min. plus discussion.

Singles Improv: Get Caught In the Act of Being Yourself
Join psychotherapist (and improv coach) Susan Karol Martel for what appears to be two theatrical speed-dating sessions; the first meeting is for single men and women and the second is for lesbians only. And even if you don't meet that special someone, the experience alone will make a good story to tell your pals.
--N.A.
Sept. 11, 1 and 4 p.m., $10, Joe, A Fair Trade Coffee House, 1100 Walnut St., 120 min.

SUPERED's SurReal Gongmusic
SUPERED is a thin, muscular guy who looks, at first, as if he's possessed — literally, figuratively — by Chet Baker: crazy eyes, jutting cheekbones. Yet rather than sing, speak and blow quietly, this lone mad busker runs through nine characters in 33 minutes (or 33 characters in nine minutes, what with all the accents, mic-headsets and funny furry hats), loudly and wildly. Love, sex, hookers, hippies and Australian footballers intermingle in a funny set of improv acoustic folk-blues (silly songs like "Dang My Doggy") that's as innocent as it is salacious, as friskily avant-garde as it is genuinely touching.
--A.D.A.
Various times and locations, free, 33 min., 12.5 sec.

Tadhg Stray Wandered In
Tom Reing continues his mission to bring fresh Irish theater works to Philadelphia with this Michael Collins monologue play about a young man who leaves his hometown of Navan to chase after a girl. Eamon Owens (The Butcher Boy) starred in Dublin, but Philly's own Matt Pfeiffer can be counted on for a confident performance.
--L.H.
Sept. 9-13, 7 p.m., $10, The Adrienne Gallery, 2030 Sansom St., 65 min.

The Teachings of Chairman Rick
Nothing wrong with hitting the easy targets. Cabaret nutcase Tom Wilson Weinberg unearths hidden beauty in Sen. Santorum's speeches on everything from Terri Schiavo to gay marriage and sets them to a lively piano score. Stars Emmanuel Carrera, Melissa Kolczynski and Chy Spain.
--P.R.
Sept. 14-15, 8 p.m., Sept. 16-17, 7 and 9 p.m., $15, William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., 60 min.

Victoria Hanna
Stepping lightly between rap and scripture, "Hebrew trance music" and full-on cabaret numbers, the Jerusalem-based singer Hanna likes to mix it up. The result is often something pretty and/or intellectually stimulating.
--P.R.
Sept. 17, 8 p.m., $15, Fringe Cabaret, 829-51 N. American St., 70 min.

Word Becomes Flesh
Whether you call it performance poetry or choreopoems, award-winning Marc Bamuthi Joseph's free-floating combination of tap, rap, hip-hop and spoken word promises to be dynamite. His Word Becomes Flesh explores a father's emotions as he awaits the birth of his child, and asks the question: Why can men walk out on their families, while women still fight simply to control their own bodies? Male patriarchy, African-American men and fantastic movement: Put this on your dance card.
--J.A.
Sept. 15-17, 7 p.m., (Sept. 16 performance has post-show discussion), $25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 75 min.

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