Second Season Arts: Theater
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Theater picks from Mauckingbird, Philadelphia Theatre Co. and more.
"Doubt" by Lantern Theatre Co.
Plate 3 Photography
Plate 3 Photography
Hot ’N’ Cole
Cole Porter’s sophistication is well known, but audiences sometimes miss the slyly provocative sexual subterfuge in his lyrics. Who better to showcase this than Mauckingbird, our resident company that specializes in theater with gay themes? Through Feb. 1, Mauckingbird Theatre Co. at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., mauckingbird.org.
Doubt
Always a conversation-starter, this play is also a fabulous vehicle for actors. Their very presence can sometimes shape the audience’s allegiance to the polarized central characters. Here, we’ll have two of our very best: Mary Martello and Ben Dibble. Jan. 15-Feb. 15, Lantern Theatre Co. at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow St., lanterntheatre.org.
Into the Woods
The Disney film of this favorite Sondheim musical was a holiday box office hit, but the more complex original stage version has deeper things to teach us. Head for Theatre Horizon to get the whole picture. Feb. 5-March 1, Theatre Horizon, 401 DeKalb St., theatrehorizon.org.
Mothers and Sons
Philadelphia Theatre Co. has a long, distinguished history with playwright Terrence McNally. Well-received last year on Broadway, Mothers and Sons now comes to town with Michael Learned (Mother Walton! — also, a fine stage actress) in the lead. Feb. 6-March 8, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.
Stairs to the Roof
In EgoPo’s first seasons, director Lane Savadove championed some obscure Tennessee Williams’ plays, proving there’s far more to this great writer than just his hits. Here is more unusual Williams — a very early play that, in a sense, lays the foundation for The Glass Menagerie. Feb. 11-March 1, EgoPo Classic Theater at the Latvian Society, 531 N. Seventh St., egopo.org.
The Cherry Orchard
Chekhov’s plays were famously written for a specific ensemble company (the Moscow Art Theatre), but they also need high-octane star power. With luck, we’ll get both at People’s Light, an established ensemble in its own right, that for this production are bringing in distinguished guest actors Mary McDonnell and David Strathairn. Feb. 11-March 8, People’s Light and Theatre, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, Pa., peopleslight.org.
Field Hockey Hot
Last fall, we saw some of the best musical theater in memory through 11th Hour’s crackling concert performances. Field Hockey Hot — a fully staged production, and the first world-premiere in 11th Hour’s history — should be the jewel in the crown. March 5-22, 11th Hour Theatre at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 11thhourtheatrecompany.org.
Hamlet
A visionary director, and a masterpiece play — what more do you need? Blanka Zizka turns to Shakespeare, and the results are sure to be buzz-worthy (including a female actor in the title role). Want more? Hamlet will be followed at the Wilma by Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. March 25-April 19, Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., wilmatheater.org.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Philly favorites Catharine Slusar and Pearce Bunting made a compelling couple last year in Theatre Exile’s Annapurna; how great that the company is bringing them back for Edward Albee’s brilliant marriage-battle-to-end-all-marriage-battles play. April 16-May 17, Theatre Exile at Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey Place, theatreexile.org.
Passion
It’s always good news when a Sondheim musical is onstage at the Arden. In this case, it’s the rarely done Passion, and it will be exciting to see what two of our most captivating actresses — Liz Filios and Jennie Eisenhower — do in the leading roles. May 21-June 28, Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. Second St., ardentheatre.org.
More from the Second Season Arts Guide:
Saxophonist Darryl Yokley composes a jazz symphony inspired by the PMA’s new African-American art exhibition. | Soundtrack of a sarcophagus: Relâche plays music for mummies. | Plus our experts highlight the upcoming season in: Classical/Opera | Roots | Jazz | Rock/Pop | Visual Art | Dance
