Fantastic work! (from other people)

This week fellow freelancer, Ada Kulesza, created this terrific piece for the Philadelphia Weekly on the terror of Pennsylvania's new fracking industry.

Favorite of the week

The kids at Found Theater Company are -- like so many of us -- filled with anxiety over doomsday scenarios. But unlike most of us, they have something powerfully cathartic to share on that subject. [click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, SEP 7

Favorite of the week

During the Bush presidency, Dr. Will Kaufman began lecturing on Woody Guthrie to restore his own sanity. [click image for larger] Philadelphia Metro, August 19

Favorite of the week

While his band perished in the flames of reality TV faux conflict, Kuf Knotz came out of the experience with renewed vigor and a dedication to the local scene. [click for larger] Philadelphia Metro, August 12

Favorite of the week

Cassavetes in Kensington:
After developing a West Coast-tested muscular, independent theater, John Rosenberg is prodding the conservatism of the Philly scene. PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER, July 14

Photo provided by Hella Fresh Theatre

Link to article

Favorite of the week

Brian Dwyer originally moved to Philadelphia to direct a documentary film on the Wing Bowl. But now, oddly, he wants to create Philly's best pizza parlor ever -- Pizza Brain! [click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, June 24

Favorite of the week

J. Adam Russell was a cop in Pittsburgh, but he always wanted to be a writer. He had to move -- first to LA then to Philadelphia -- to make that happen. [click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, June 17

Favorite of the week

While working in an art gallery during the day, Morgan Pinkstone listens to Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, Whiskytown and Wilco. By night she shares her own melodic musings with Philadelphia. [click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, June 10 2011

Ad comment: I can't decide what feels more shister-y: four exclamation points in a row or one little asterisk. 

Favorite of the week

When Katie Morrison answered a Craigslist ad seeking a guitar player, she had no idea that she would one day become a prolific songwriter. [click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, June 5

Ad comment: "Put the good dentures in tonight, Bessy! We're goin' to the Tritone for PBR and punk!"

Favorite of the week

How many veterans are suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? At least 1 in 5, according to a 2008 Rand Corporation study. My guess is that's a conservative estimate -- no pun intended. NEW YORK METRO, May 23 [click image for larger]

Favorite of the week

Philly's insane prank-rockers, the Armchairs, are playing their very last show this weekend. Will their fans ever believe it, or will conspiracy theorists take the day? PHILADELPHIA METRO, May 13

The Armchairs performing at Johnny Brenda's in Philadelphia. They each have no left pant leg for some reason. PHOTO BY NICK HATSIS

Pre-edit draft

Excerpts from the Paula Vogel workshop

What a privilege to participate in this event. It is a little unnerving, perhaps, to have a 20-minute exercise published, but I'm honored to be included in a volume with Genne Murphy, Jaqueline Goldfinger, James Ijames, Ed Shockley, Michael Hollinger and Blanka Zizka.

I pasted one of my selections bellow. It spans over two pages. [CLICK IMAGES FOR LARGER]

Favorite of the week

After 37 years, Harry Philibosian wanted out of the dry cleaning business. It's a good thing he had acting to fall back on. [Click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, April 29

Correction: Philibosian is 73-years-old. Not 76. Many, many apologies Harry! 

Ad comment - Next week: Be Mylie Cyrus' Metro biaaaatch!

Favorite of the week

When US Funk Team called it quits, Jason Trzaska thought his days as a catchy indie tune-maker were over. But then he discovered canned Casio drumbeats, and things really took off. [Click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, April 22

Ad comment: Classy, finally! Mia Farrow and Samuel L. Jackson. Huge Cow Pals fans.

 

Favorite of the week

Scene from Curio Theatre Co.'s "The Odyssey." Photo by Kyle Cassidy. 

The fledgling Curio Theatre Company was given a nearly rent-free space back in 2005. The only catch? It's a 114-year-old church, complete with non-removable 50-ft stained glass windows and a literal bat in the belfry. PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER, April 14

Link to article

Favorite of the week

Seth Rozin has been fascinated by Le Petomane -- the most famous flatuist of all time (yes, you read that correctly) -- ever since he read a book about him in college. 25 years later, Rozin's bio-musical on Petomane finally reaches the stage. [Click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, April 6.

Wow. There is no way they could fit more ads on this page.

Oh shit! They showed me. I totally forgot about the one inch above the page.

Favorite of the week

photo by Michael Persico.

When Brian McManus moved to Philadelphia from Houston, he had no idea he could make a career out of drinking, listening to music and eating really good food. PHILADELPHIA METRO, running next week

Pre-edit draft

Favorite of the week

Last year Meghann Williams read an article in the New York Times about the one-on-one theater trend in Europe and New York. In order to bring it to Philly, she took matters into her own hands. [Click image for larger] PHILADELPHIA METRO, March 25, 2011

Ad comment: the $ in$tead of S is alway$ a cla$$ic. $hit! Just remembered, I still gotta do my taxe$!

Favorite of the week

Gerre Garrett calls The Waitstaff her "habit." She teaches acting and comedy at Drexel University in order to spend so much time developing the sketch comedy sextet. [Click image for larger]  PHILADELPHIA METRO, March 14

Ad comment: Yes, I do want to lose weight. No, I don't care who the bachelor chooses.

Favorite of the week

Photo provided by Canary Promotion.

Dave Johnson finds most interpretations of Puck to be a "giggling annoyance." Now the young actor finally gets to show us his take in Lantern Theater Co.'s Midsummer Night's Dream.  He told me all about it in an empty rehearsal space, and later I watched him go to work on a crucial scene. PHILADELPHIA CITY PAPER, March 10. 

Link to article.

Favorite of the week

Shared a beer and a whiskey with Justin Hallman of Philly's instrumental anti-prog band, Do You Need the Service? He simply wants his shows to be fun -- both for his audience and himself. Why don't more indie bands make that a priority? [Click image for larger]

Judging by the ads on this page, I believe 50-percent of my readers are obviously hard of hearing and the other half must have difficulty navigating intersections. Hopefully, none struggle with both challenges. Stay safe out there, dear, dear, readers. 

Excerpts from Paula Vogel workshop

Playwright Paula Vogel changed my life this weekend. I was fortunate enough to be invited to her Playwright's Boot Camp.

Here was my answer to one of her koan assignments. I believe that I failed, but that is the point I think.

ASSIGNMENT (15 mins allowed)
Write a short play that cannot be produced.


Life story of a Philadelphia Theater Critic
a short play, by Bruce Walsh
 

                                                Woman giving birth:

                                               

35-year-old theater critic appears, naked, small penis, looks at mother

THEATER CRITIC

Yeah, pretty much what I expected. 

                                                SHIFT: Arkansas

THEATER CRITIC

Pretty much what I expected.

                                                SHIFT: Moscow

THEATER CRITIC

Pretty much what I expected.

                                                SHIFT: The moon.

THEATER CRITIC

I saw this on TV.

                                                SHIFT: Having sex with a woman

THEATER CRITIC

Could you move your hips, please?

                                                SHIFT: Standing before God

THEATER CRITIC

I have a movie idea I want to pitch you.

THE END

                                                 

VICTORY!

Wanted to thank Juma for being so open with his process; Gabi, for being a fun interview as always; Makoto, for giving me 26 minutes, when he was already late to rehearsal; Neal Santos, for a totally fun visual; and every dancer that has ever allowed me into their rehearsal room. A dancer is a being connected to generosity in a way few of us can approach. Just try to find a dancer that tips less than 20%.

Go hold a paper copy in your hands (they're free)! Here's a link for out-of-towners and lazy Philadelphians.