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June 15-21, 2006
Arts Agenda : Performing Arts
Please call the phone number listed with the venue for specific dates, times and ticket information.
dance
DANCEBOOM The fifth annual festival celebrates contemporary Philly dance while bringing in guest artists from New York and Minneapolis. Program 1 includes performances by Chris Aiken, Tania Isaac and Reactionaries with a pre-show performance by Raices Culturales Latiamericanas. Program 2 includes Ballet X, Hijack and Kate Watson Wallace with a pre-show performance by Anne Marie Mulgrew Dance. Program 3 includes performances by Keely Garfield, Headlong and Subcircle, with a pre-show performance by Mixed Pickles. Runs through June 30, Wilma Theater, Broad & Spruce sts., 215-546-7824.
FLIGHT TO PHOENIX: A DANCE FUNDRAISING EVENT Join recent Drexel dance graduate Travis Mesman and other notable Philadelphia dancers, including Curtis Lassiter, Samuel Reyes, Michael Valez, Zachary Zvoboda, Joe Bunn and Adrianna Carrey for a silent auction and performance. $10 suggested donation, Sun, June 18, Mandell Theater, Drexel University, 33rd & Chestnut sts., 215-895-ARTS.
NEW DANCE FESTIVAL Join the students and artists of the University of the Arts dance program for a behind-the-scenes look at the art of dance. Expect master classes with Helmut Goldchild, professional workshops with Paul Turner and Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre, a one-man show by Karl Schappell and a performance piece by the Nichole Canuso Dance Company. Runs through June 24., 215-359-7775, www.newfestival.net.
theater
BIG RIVER Based on the Mark Twain novel, this musical takes place in the Mississippi River Valley in the 1840s. Prepare to dance like a madman. Runs through June 25, 8pm, $12-$20, Montgomery County Cultural Center, 208 Dekalb St., Norristown, 610-279-1013.
BROADWAY FEVER Featuring 13 performers who act, sing and dance their way through this dedication to Broadway's great musical history. Price includes buffet. Runs through June 25, $40-$50, Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre, 3540 Foxcroft Drive, Wilmington, DE, 1-800-368-3303.
BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE In 1969, NYC Don is trying to reach his goal of being a successful songwriter while coming to terms with the love he has for his next-door neighbor. Sounds cliche, except Don is blind. Runs through July 8, $15-$23, Montgomery Theater, 124 Main St., Suite 1, Souderton, 215-723-9984.
DAUGHTERS OF GENIUS 1812 Productions presents a story of John Milton's daughters in the days preceding his completion of "Paradise Lost." Part Mel Brooks, part Oscar Wilde, all funny. Runs through June 18, $10-$32, St. Stephen's Theater, 10th & Ludlow sts., 215-592-9560.
DEARLY DEPARTED White-trash funeral planning has never been more dysfunctional than in this comedy revolving around the death of a family patriarch and the clashes that evolve from it. Alcoholics, inept preachers and underlying complications produced by likely in-breeding—we're so there. Runs through June 24, 8pm, $8-$10, Village Players of Hatboro, 401 Jefferson Ave., Hatboro, NJ, 215-675-6774.
DISNEY'S THE LION KING You know you sing "Circle of Life" in the shower. And every time you stand on a cliff, you have a flashback to the scene where Simba becomes king. Elton John and Tim Rice's score makes for a powerful theater rendition of the film. Directed by Julie Taymor. Runs through Sept. 10, $25.50-$138, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust sts., 215-893-1999.
FOOTLOOSE Hailed as the defining show of the 1980s. Writers include Sammy Hagar and Kenny Loggins, two songsters that certainly didn't define that decade for us. Runs through June 24, 8pm, $20-$25, Academy Theatre, 146 Rt. 130, Bordentown, NJ, 609-291-9000.
FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS Keith Spencer stars in this tribute to Nat King Cole and his music. Runs through June 18, $10-$27, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.
FRUITFLIES Awarded 'Best of the Festival' at the 2005 Fringe, this show follows a wholesome girl who moves from the Midwest to Philadelphia, then encounters her closeted brother and falls in love with her gay boss. Part of the LGBT Theatre Festival. Runs through June 30, $15, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM To win his freedom, a Roman slave schemes to win the hand of a beautiful courtesan for his master. A hilarious and sexy romp through ancient times. Runs through June 18, $27-$45, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
GODSPELL It's everyone's favorite '70s musical about the Bible! Get ready for an extra-large dose of love, hope and optimism with songs like "All Good Gifts" and "Light of the World." Holy, holy, holy. Runs through July 9, $10-$65, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE DEADLY Old West-themed murder mystery dinner theater. Every Sat. Runs through June 24, 7pm-mid., $35, Fisher's Tudor House, 1858 Street Rd., Bensalem, 215-244-9777.
HOLIDAY HEART The play follows a troubled-but-talented writer and her daughter as she struggles to free herself from drug addiction and break ties with her old lifestyle. Directed by Walter Dallas. Runs through June 25, $25-$35, New Freedom Theatre, 1346 N. Broad St., 1-866-314-3733.
IF THIS HAT COULD TALK The American Civil Rights Movement (1924-1972) is reinterpreted in musical form. Runs through June 18, $28-$43.50, Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., 215-336-2000.
IN SUN AND SNOW This short play was inspired by the private diaries kept by two Philadelphia girls during the Civil War. Part of the Juneteenth celebration. Donations appreciated. Runs through June 19, FREE, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 6th & Lombard sts., 215-925-0616.
THE ISLAND Delaware native Sean Patrick Thomas stars in Contemporary Stage Company's play about two political prisoners. Runs through June 25, $7-$60, Baby Grand, 818 N. Market St., 302-658-7897.
THE LARAMIE PROJECT Based on more than 200 interviews with Laramie, Wyoming, residents in the wake of the Matthew Shepard murder, it follows and attempts to re-enact the events of that fateful night. Runs through June 24, $14-$16, Haddonfield Plays & Players, 957 S. Atlantic Ave., Haddonfield, NJ, 856-429-8139. W.
THE LAST FIVE YEARS This musical follows the relationship of a young couple from each partner's perspective. Runs through June 24, $5-$10, Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville, NJ, 609-737-1826.
LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR In this Neil Simon comedy, a group of weird and wacky comedy writers are restricted to a room where they write routines for comedic star Max Prince. Runs through June 24, 8pm, $12-$15, Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave., 215-247-8881.
LIGHTS!CAMERA!MURDER! This interactive comedy follows the struggle between an actor and director on the set of their production. Every Sat. Runs through June 24, 8pm, $35, Fisher's Tudor House, 1858 Street Rd., Bensalem, 215-244-9777.
THE MAN FROM NEBRASKA What happens when you wake up one morning and start questioning everything you once held to be true? This is exactly what happens to Ken Carpenter when he wakes up, leaves his wife and family behind and heads off to find himself. You know you'll sit there wishing you had the guts to do the same. Runs through June 25, $27-$46, People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-647-1900.
MAN OF LA MANCHA Do you live in a fantasy world where pancakes multiply and it rains Skittles? For Don Quixote, that type of thinking is the norm. Being crazy is pretty stellar, especially in musical form. Runs through July 9, $30-$45, The New Candlelight Theatre, 2208 Millers Road, Ardentown, DE, 302-475-2313.
NAKED WILL Based on a short story by Oscar Wilde, this show delves into theories that Shakespeare was bisexual and that many of his characters were based on his male lovers. Part of the LGBT Theatre Festival. Runs through July 1, $15, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
OUT OF ORDER A conservative junior minister arranges a tryst with a Labour Party secretary, but then everything goes wrong in this Ray Cooney play. Runs through July 1, $25.25-$27, Off-Broadstreet Theatre, 5 S Greenwood Ave.
OUT ON BROADWAY Broadway songs take on a decidedly gay perspective in this Philadelphia premiere. Featuring tunes from "Mame," "Sweeney Todd" and "The Producers," among others. Part of the LGBT Theatre Festival. Runs through July 1, $15, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
A PERFECT GANESH Written by Terrence McNally, this play follows two women on a journey through India as they try to come to terms with their life. One has discovered she has cancer and the other is trying to reconcile the death of her gay son. Part of the LGBT Theatre Festival. Runs through July 1, $15, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
RADIO GALS It's the 1920s and radio rules. Hazel Hunt receives a transmitter as a retirement gift and decides to start her own radio station. WGAL is born and so is this wacky comedy. Runs through July 2, $10-$25, Hedgerow Theatre, 164 W. Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211.
ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD "Hamlet," as seen through the eyes of two of its minor characters. Quirky and off-beat—this play aims to shed a new light on a macabre story. Runs through June 25, $28-$50, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ, 973-408-5600.
SINCE AFRICA A widowed socialite and African American minister clash over how to help a Sudanese refugee acclimate to life in urban America. Deals with themes of loss, identity and the challenges of creating a new home. Runs through July 25, $17-$25, InterAct Theater Company, 2030 Sansom St., 215-568-8077.
SLEUTH A successful detective novelist loses interest in his own stories and seeks out real-life death games. His insanity may or may not be attributed to the fact that he happens to be shacked up in a big English manor with a bunch of crazy guests. Part of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Runs through July 2, $26-$41, DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley, 610-282-WILL.
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES A pale, black-haired girl walking through the woods followed by a bunch of singing little dwarves, each assigned their own prominent trait. We don't think Shakespeare wrote this one, but maybe he came upon them at some point during his own jaunts through the English countryside. Part of the Shakespeare festival. Runs through Aug. 5, $10, DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley, 610-282-WILL.
A STONE CARVER A stone carver refuses to move from his home despite the protests of a local government that wants to build an off-ramp in his place. The major conundrum: The man's son is a local politician who's being pressured into getting his father off their time-honored property. Lesson: Don't let your kids get into politics. Runs through June 18, $25, Mill Hill Playhouse, Trenton, NJ, 609-392-0766.
TADHG STRAY WANDERED IN The Inis Nua Theatre Company presents Michael Collins' one-man show about a gent with a short temper. The quintessential pub tale, it's even being put on in a bar. Runs through June 30, $12, Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St., 267-474-8077.
THEATER STEW See multiple plays for the price of one. Runs through June 24, $5-$10, The Barnstormers Theater, Ward & Tome sts., Ridley Park, 610-461-9969.
THE THING ABOUT MEN What happens when your husband figures out who your lover is and befriends him? Get the answers in Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts' musical comedy. Runs through July 2, Walnut Street Theatre, 9th & Walnut sts., 215-574-3550.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD This Harper Lee classic is a must-read, but how many people have actually see it on stage? Runs through June 17, $15, Town and Country Players, 4158 York Road, Buckingham, PA 18901, 215-348-7566.
TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING What better way to dance and mingle with real actors than in this interactive Broadway musical? Hey, it beats going to a real wedding—at least there's no registry. Show includes dinner, live music and a cruise. Runs through Aug. 25, $79, Spirit of Philadelphia, Penn's Landing, Pier 3, 1-800-660-8462.
THE TRICKY PART Obie-winner Martin Moran writes and performs in this one-man show about coming to terms with childhood sexual abuse. Introspective and moving, it asks whether or not these traumatic events can make us better people. Part of the LGBT Theatre Festival, Mon, June 19, 7pm, $25, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
WAR SONGS This musical celebrates the songs that were written during the Vietnam War. In other words, songs that were written under the influence. Runs through July 16, $27, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Radcliffe & Market sts., Bristol, 215-785-0100.
THE WIZARD OF OZ Mum promises to depict Dorothy and friends like you've never seen them before. Runs through June 17, $25-$30, Mum Puppettheatre, 115 Arch St., 215-925-7mum.
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN! This Theatre Horizon production fuses 30 "Peanuts" comic strips to create a memorable sketch comedy show. Runs through June 30, 7pm, $5-$8, Upper Merion Township Building Park, 175 W. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia, 610-283-2230.
THE ZOO STORY This Ahgotnekst production, written by Edward Albee, centers on the conversation in a park between two men. Their fears, struggles and shortcomings soon rise to the surface as they confide in one another. Hey, it's cheaper than hiring a shrink. Runs through June 25, $13-$15, Triangle Theater, 1220 N. Lawrence St., 215-763-0110.
opera
OEDIPUS REX AND THE GYPSIES The Amici Opera Company presents two one-act operas about incest and, well, gypsies. Runs June 17-24, 7:30pm, $10-$20, Bible Presbyterian Church, 1115 Haddon Ave. and Cuthbert Blvd., Collingswood, NJ 08108, 215-224-0257.
cabaret
BOB'S BIG MONDAY SHOWCASE Featuring Gregg & Maggie Cagno, Karen Lee, Lauren Hooker, Ashley Griffiths, Sandy & Bruce (from "In The Pocket") Barry Peterson and Art Mattei, Mon, June 19, 7:30pm, Odette's Theater Room, 274 S. River Road, New Hope, 215-862-3000.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED AFTER THE FORUM A post-performance special featuring the stars of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum," Fri, June 16, 11pm, $20, Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. 2nd St., 215-922-1122.
LE CABARET MELANGE A funky music, dance and performance art show. Every Fri, 7pm, $10, Monte Carlo Living Room, 150 South St., 267-456-3050.
MY TURN William Vosseler portrays a variety of entertainment great—from Billy Joel and Cy Coleman to Mel Brooks and Seth Macfarlane. John Conahan accompanies on piano, Thu, June 22, $12, Odette's Theater Room, 274 S. River Road, New Hope, 215-862-3000.
ROUND MIDNIGHT Follow detective Jack Midnight as he encounters a host of oddball characters, including a secretive French chanteuse, an effeminate Italian crooner, two erotic puppets, a dominatrix and five other titillating characters. Not exactly Sherlock Holmes, now is it? Sun, June 18, 7:30pm, $15, Odette's Theater Room, 274 S. River Road, New Hope, 215-862-3000.
