March 18, 2016

Philadelphia Artists' Collective and Philadelphia School of Circus Arts Bring Circus and Theater Together in He Who Gets Slapped

March 18, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Behind the curtain of the big top, no one is laughing harder than the saddest clown of them all. Philadelphia Artists’ Collective, in partnership with Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, presents the Philadelphia premiere of He Who Gets Slapped, from March 30 to April 16, 2016, at Broad Street Ministry (315 S. Broad Street). A cast of clowns, lion-tamers and ringmasters perform their routines under a striped awning and glowing lights. When a new clown arrives, his cheerful makeup conceals a dark secret from his past. PAC’s Co-Founding Artistic Director Damon Bonetti directs an ensemble cast of familiar faces, who will perform their own circus skills with training from PSCA’s Circus Art / Movement Choreographer Terry Brennan.

February 01, 2016

Theatre Exile Presents Philadelphia Premiere of Erotic Thriller Smoke by Kim Davies

February 01, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Following five Barrymore wins, and the sold-out and critically acclaimed production of Rizzo, Theatre Exile continues their 19th season with the Philadelphia premiere of Smoke by Kim Davies. Studio X (1340 S. 13th Street) is the intimate setting for this disquieting erotic thriller that carves away the layers of the human condition to expose our deepest self-deceptions. A playful game of cat and mouse turns a coincidental encounter between two strangers into a dangerous struggle for power. Previews begin on Thursday, February 18, 2016 and press opening night is Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 8:00pm. The show runs for a total of 21 performances through Sunday, March 13, 2016. Tickets are on sale now for $10.00 to $40.00 at www.theatreexile.org or by phone (215) 218-4022.

January 26, 2016

Inis Nua Theatre Partners with Free Library on American Premiere of Spine by Clara Brennan at New Drake Theater

January 26, 2016/ Kory Aversa

Inis Nua Theatre Company turns a new page at The Drake with the American premiere of Spine, by English playwright Clara Brennan. Spine is a heart-warming, funny and defiant love-song to libraries, an increasingly endangered species under Britain's austerity government. A fiery and wise-cracking teenager forges an unlikely friendship with an elderly widow living in a house of stolen books. Together, the two discover they may be each other’s last resort in life. Spine opens on Friday, February 19 at 8:00pm, with previews on Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18 at 7:00pm. Spine runs for a total of 16 performances, through March 6, 2016, at the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake (1512 Spruce Street). Tickets are on sale for $25-$30 by calling (215) 454-9776 or visiting inisnuatheatre.org. Patrons will have their choice of $5.00 off tickets at the door for Spine (or off upcoming The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning) by donating a new children’s book to the Free Library of Philadelphia. Collection bins will be available at all performances.

September 24, 2015

Inis Nua Theatre Company Presents American Premiere of Hooked! by Gillian Grattan at Fergie's Pub

September 24, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Inis Nua Theatre Company celebrates the start of their 12th season by presenting Hooked! by Gillian Grattan, from October 7-25, 2015. A dark comedy perfect for the Halloween season, Hooked! brings us a pretty little village where nothing is what it seems. The gossip, secrets and scandals will have you cringing and laughing. Hooked, ensnared, trapped…trick or treat, anyone? The show begins previews on October 7, opens on October 9, and runs for 16 performances through October 25, 2015. Times vary by performance. Hooked! is a site-specific presentation. All shows are upstairs at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom Street. Tickets are on sale for $25 and $30 by calling (215) 454-9776 or visiting inisnuatheatre.org.

August 24, 2015

BRAT Productions Kicks Off 20th Season with World Premiere of The Lid During the Philadelphia Fringe Festival

August 24, 2015/ Kory Aversa

BRAT Productions, Philadelphia’s go-to source for rock 'n roll and theater hybrid performance events, kicks off their 20th season by producing The Lid during the 2015 Fringe Festival. This world premiere theatrical rock opera, written by emerging Philadelphia singer songwriter Pat Finnerty, features 14 originally penned British invasion songs. What’s underneath the lid? Will it change our mundane existence or be more of the same old same old? Find out on Friday September 4, 2015 at 9:00pm (featuring a special after party set by Philadelphia favorite Black Landlord); Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 11:00pm and Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 8:00pm. All performances will be held at the Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, PA. Tickets are on sale now for $20, or $15 for students and 25 and under, at www.fringearts.org (FringeArts members save 30%).

April 09, 2015

Theatre Exile Presents Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Plays and Players Theater April 16-May 17, 2015

April 09, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Marital strife has never been so wickedly fun -- or dysfunctional. Following two sold-out and critically acclaimed productions, Theatre Exile ends their 18th season with Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Plays and Players Theater (1714 Delancey Place). Pearce Bunting (Boardwalk Empire), Catharine Slusar, Emilie Krause and Jake Blouch take the stage in this cultural landmark that has been riveting audiences for over 50 years and ruthlessly tears down the façade of the American family. Previews begin on Thursday, April 16, 2015 and opening night is Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 8:00pm. The show runs for a total of 32 performances through Sunday, May 17, 2015. Tickets are on sale now for $10.00 to $40.00 at www.theatreexile.org or by phone (215) 218-4022.

January 13, 2015

Inis Nua Theatre Company Presents American Premiere of Long Live the Little Knife by David Leddy at Off Broad Street Theater, Philadelphia

January 13, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Hot on the heels of winning five Barrymore awards, Inis Nua Theatre Company in Philadelphia returns with the American premiere of Long Live the Little Knife by David Leddy at the Off-Broad Street Theater (First Baptist Church, 1636 Sansom Street). This fast-paced and hilarious romp features con artists turned art forgers as they tangle with Russian oligarchs, brothels, castrated labradoodles and spirit mediums. Tickets are on sale for $25 and $30 by calling (215) 454-9776 or visiting http://inisnuatheatre.org. Opening night is Friday, February 6 at 8:00pm, with previews on Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5 at 7:00pm. Knife runs for a total of 16 performances, through February 22, 2015. Leddy will also be in Philadelphia for a talk-back after the show on February 4, attend a post-show reception on February 5, and attend opening night reception on February 6. For shows on February 7, 12 and 13, patrons that try to sneak in with their best attempt at a forged ticket will get $3.00 off admission at the door and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the last show of the season, Penelope.

January 06, 2015

BRAT Productions Kicks Off 2015 Theatre with Always Coming Soon: The Future at Painted Bride from January 15-17th

January 06, 2015/ Kory Aversa

Feel more in The Future!  Dream better in The Future!  Live forever in The Future! BRAT Productions pairs together physical theater, rock and roll cabaret and a new photo exhibition in Always Coming Soon: The Future, from Thursday, January 15 through Saturday, January 17, 2015 at The Painted Bride Art Center (230 Vine Street). Follow the journey of a troupe of misfit vagabonds who find a 'machine' in a trash heap. As they struggle to decide whether or not to step inside, they reveal more questions than answers: what happens when the time passing is the only thing that is happening? Is the moment to come greater than the moments before? Are all of our best moments already behind us? Tickets are available now for $20 at https://paintedbride.org/events/thefuture/

May 06, 2014

Brat Productions Presents Original Rock Cabaret, Always Coming Soon: The Future

May 06, 2014/ Kory Aversa

Feel more in The Future! Dream better in The Future! Live forever in The Future! In this rock and roll cabaret, BRAT Productions provides an opportunity to catch a glimpse of what the future holds. Derelict clowns, aggressive barkers, and little old ladies tell the truth about the days to come and the future that is always coming soon. Always Coming Soon: The Future runs from Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18, 2014 at the Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine Street. Performances begin at 8pm. Tickets are available now for $20 at www.thefuturenearyou.com.

March 27, 2014

Brat Aid: Hail to the Thief Brings Together Jess Conda's On a Sunday, Birds on a Wire and Teena Geist for Rockin' Benefit

March 27, 2014/ Kory Aversa

Brat Productions, Brat Aid, Hail to the Thief, Radiohead

Brat Productions is back for a special one-night-only performance that blends together theatre, rock and dance. Please join us for a special benefit to support the on-going works of Brat Productions. The show will feature a On a Sunday performing Radiohead's Hail to the Thief =Brat Productions mixes a theatre, rock and dance cocktail with Brat Aid: Hail to the Thief on Sunday, April 6, 2014, at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street). Brat’s Artistic Director Jess Conda reunites her band ON A SUNDAY to perform Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief album in its entirety, including a special dance collaboration with Birds on a Wire. This special one-night-only engagement will feature the vocal stylings of Conda and the musical prowess of Mike Corso, Peter Gaffney, Zach Poyatt and Evan Smoker. Bizarre meditation guru Teena Geist (alter ego of Mark McCloughan from No Face Performance Group) will kick-off the mayhem. Doors open at 7:30pm, with the show starts at 8:15pm. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $30 for tickets that include beer and whiskey. Tickets are on sale now at www.bratproductions.org. Admission is 21 and older. Brat Aid is a special benefit to help support the ongoing work of Brat Productions.