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.

The Cover!

Okay, so I'm four months behind in updating this thing.

In the meantime, just wanted to make sure to mark the cover of the City Paper this week.

Spending a week obsessed with this artist's life and work was quite an unexpected gift.

[Link to article]