ABOUT THE PODCAST
Broad Street Review Podcast - Broad Street Review, Philly's home for arts, culture, and conversation, an online arts and culture journal covering the greater Philadelphia area.
Hosted By: Darnelle Edwin Radford
Today on the podcast:
Artistic director, John Jarboe (she/her) stops by to talk about the Bearded Ladies Cabaret production of “BEARDS ON ICE”. This event laces up for a fracking good time. Here is my interview with John Jarboe for BEARDS ON ICE!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Today on the podcast:
Angel Sigala drops in to talk about The Hedgerow Theatre U.S. Premiere of Nora: A Doll’s House by Stef Smith, Directed by Emma Gibson. Here is my interview with Angel Sigala for Hedgerow Theatre’s Nora: A Doll’s House.
Nora: A Doll’s House follows Nora, the perfect wife and mother. She is dutiful and beautiful and always has everything in its proper place. But when a secret from her past comes back to haunt her, Nora’s life quickly unravels. Over the course of three days, Nora must fight to protect herself and her family or risk losing everything.
Smith’s adaptation takes place in distinct time periods across 100 years of history, highlighting how women’s struggles for independence have evolved but remain connected. Each version of Nora faces challenges within her marriage and personal life, confronting the limits imposed by the societal norms in each of the three eras. The overlapping narratives reveal the parallels and contrasts between our collective past and present, illustrating the complex nature of a woman’s freedom and choice. As the story unfolds, the audience witnesses how Nora navigates love, power, and identity in her quest for self-discovery and autonomy.
Following a recent run in the Broadway production of Susan Stroman’s New York, New York, regional actor Angel Sigala (they/he) makes their Hedgerow debut playing Daniel, a family friend of Nora and her husband Thomas.
FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION:
A ground-breaking ninety-minute new musical, Night Side Songs explores the intimacy of illness, mortality, and the incredible dignity of caregivers through the story of Yasmine Holly, a fictional character informed by interviews with real doctors, hospital staff, and patients, many from right here in Philadelphia. Night Side Songs is a musical convergence which reflects and celebrates Philly’s “eds and meds” community with humor, grace, and profound empathy. The production will tour local hospitals, community centers, and places of worship for two weeks before its run at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Directed by Artistic Director Taibi Magar. Night Side Songs is supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
Taibi Magar is an Artistic Director of Philadelphia Theatre Company. As a freelance director, her most recent credits are We Live in Cairo (A.R.T. world premiere, upcoming at New York Theatre Workshop), The Half-God of Rainfall (New York Theatre Workshop and A.R.T.), Macbeth in Stride (co-direction with Tyler Dobrowsky), Help (The Shed), and Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (Signature Theatre and A.R.T., Lortel Award Best Revival). Other New York credits include Capsule by Whitney White and Peter Mark Kendall (Under the Radar Festival/The Public Theater, co-directed with Tyler Dobrowsky), Blue Ridge starring Marin Ireland and The Great Leap starring BD Wong (Atlantic Theater Company); Is God Is (Soho Rep, 2018 Obie Award;) Master (The Foundry); and Underground Railroad Game (Ars Nova, Obie Award). Regional: CTG, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre, Alley Theatre, The Guthrie Theater, and Seattle Repertory Theatre, among others. International: Hamburg Festival, Edinburgh Festival, Malthouse Theatre (Melbourne), and Soho Theatre (London). MFA: Brown University.
Daniel and Patrick Lazour are brothers and music theater writers. Projects in development include a musical adaptation of Ritesh Batra’s film The Lunchbox (Lincoln Center Theater) and their show with communal singing, Night Side Songs (Under the Radar, A.R.T./PTC co-production). They wrote original music for Caroline Lindy’s debut feature Your Monster (Sundance 2024) and their movie musical Challenger: An American Dream is being developed with Bruce Cohen Productions and Spark Features. Their original musical We Live in Cairo makes its off-Broadway premiere this Fall at New York Theater Workshop after a world premiere at the American Repertory Theater in 2019, directed by Taibi Magar. Original songs by the Lazours can be heard on their independently released albums: Freres, Flap My Wings (Songs from We Live in Cairo), Beth’s Homemade Cowboy Breakfast and Lullabies. They are Jonathan Larson Grant and Richard Rodgers Award recipients, MacDowell and Yaddo Fellows, and New York Theater Workshop Usual Suspects. They have worked with Noor Theatre Company, Ars Nova and PAC NYC, and are proud teaching artists. Patrick holds a B.A. from Boston College and Daniel holds a B.A. from Columbia University. @frereslazour
FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/night-side-songs/
Today on the podcast:
Suli Holum (HERA) stops in to talk about the Wilma Theater production of “The Half-God of Rainfall” by Inua Ellams, directed by Lindsay Smiling. On stage through March 2nd. Here is my interview with Suli Holum for “The Half-God of Rainfall”
FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://wilmatheater.org/event/thehalfgodofrainfall/
What everyone agreed on: Two cars collided. One, driven by a Hasidic Jew, veered off the road and critically injured two Black children, one of whom ultimately died. A crowd formed. Police arrived.
What no one agreed on: Anything else.
In the summer of 1991, Crown Heights, NY exploded into three days of violence fed by rumors and competing narratives formed from incomplete facts. In the chaos, some saw anti-Black police bias. Others saw violent anti-Semitism. But playwright Anna Deavere Smith heard the honest voices of a divided national narrative. Join us for this remarkable play that features the real words of more than 20 people, interviewed immediately after the events, speaking honestly, the way we do in private. Let’s listen.
Run time: 2 hours, plus a 15-minute intermission
Content Warning: Fires In The Mirror catalogs reflections of the Crown Heights Riots, a racially-charged conflict that engulfed the New York neighborhood in 1991. This play contains strong language and references to racism, slavery, lynching, antisemitism, sexual violence, and the Holocaust.
Phyllis Johnson (all roles) works in Theater, Film, TV, & Voice Over. Nominated for two NY Innovative Theatre Awards, Phyllis understudied A Naked Girl on the Appian Way/Doug Hughes, Director (Broadway). Recent TV projects include Zero Day (Netflix) starring Robert DeNiro, Equalizer (NBC), Uncoupled (Netflix), Law & Order: Season 22 (NBC), Blue Bloods (CBS), and Pose (FX). Phyllis is a voice actor and has leant her voice to 400+ film/TV episodes including Oscar winners and favorites such as Black Swan, American Gangster, and The Devil Wears Prada. She executive produced the award-winning film I’m Through with White Girls. Phyllis is a graduate of the David Geffen Yale School of Drama where she won the Fox Family Foundation Grant and The Oliver Thorndike Prize.
FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://brtstage.org/shows/fires-in-the-mirror/
Today on the podcast: Director Rebecca Wright, Playwright AZ Espinoza and Performer/Composer Pax Ressler drop in to talk about the EgoPo production, The Drag by Mae West. This piece has been reworked by Thomas Choinacky and AZ Espinoza. On stage through February 9th. Here is my interview with Rebecca Wright for THE DRAG.
Today on the podcast:
We take a look at the road that brought One-Man Nutcracker to its fifth year on stage for the holidays. Chris Davis, solo artist brings all the magic of the timeless classic as one man in many roles. On stage through December 29th, here is my interview with Chris Davis for One-Man Nutcracker.
FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://www.realchrisdavis.com/
Today on the podcast:
Tyler S. Elliot stops by to talk about the Hedgerow Theatre production of “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” by Frank Capra, on stage through December 29th. Here is my interview with Tyler S. Elliot for Hedgerow Theatre’s It’s A Wonderful Life.
FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://www.hedgerowtheatre.org
Today on the podcast:
Artistic Director, Shamus, stops by to talk about the Shakespeare in Clark Park World Premiere of The Complete Works of Christmas Abridged, created by Brenna Geffers, starring Amanda Schoonover, on stage through December 29th. Here’s my interview with Shamus for The Complete Works of Christmas Abridged.
December 12-19, 2024
She'll be home for Christmas --- home alone that is. It's Christmas Eve and after a tough year one lady is determined to get into the holiday spirits. Armed with eggnog, she's going to binge drink and binge watch every Christmas story available. Elf-help be damned! Who needs loved ones when you have the Hallmark Channel?
FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.shakespeareinclarkpark.org/christmas
Today on the podcast: Taysha Marie Canales, stops by to talk about the Wilma Theater co-production with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, The Comeuppance by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Extended On stage through December 14th. Here is my interview with Taysha Marie Canales for The Comeuppance.
Today on the podcast:
Artistic Director Seth Rozin and Co-Director J Paul Nicholas stop by to talk about the Interact Theatre American Premiere of MORENO by Pravin Wilkins. On stage through November 24th. Here is my interview with Seth Rozin and J Paul Nicholas for Moreno.
by Pravin Wilkins
November 1-24
American Premiere!
When Kaepernick kneels, will he?
2016. The NFL has been shaken by Colin Kaepernick’s controversial decision to take a knee during the national anthem to protest against police brutality. Superstar running back Luis Moreno, who is all about his game – and his paycheck -- has joined a new team with championship aspirations. But America’s leadership is changing, and when a painful new reality hits close to home, Luis is forced to ask whether politics have a place on the field, and if he is willing to risk his career to take a stand for his own community.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://interacttheatre.org
Today on the podcast: Simone Lawrence stops by to talk about the upcoming event, The Coronation: An All-Black Drag King Show and Art Exhibition. Featuring Philadelphia black drag kings. A celebration of black excellancé. Here is my interview with Simone Lawrence for The Coronation.
CYRUS K. STRATTON
From the Haus of Stratton’s, this King is known for his 80s & 90s excellancé and showing us the moves needed to win your hearts all over the dance floor. Cyrus comes clutch from hosting and having involvement in multiple amateur drag shows and Drag King events in Philadelphia.
https://mulletcreativeservices.com/products/the-coronation-show-ticket
https://metrophiladelphia.com/the-coronation-all-black-drag-king-philly/
A NEW PERFORMANCE BY MORGAN BASSICHIS
WITH ORIGINAL MATERIAL BY FRANK MAYA
DIRECTED BY SAM PINKLETON
MUSICAL RECREATIONS BY NATASHA JACOBS
SCENIC RECREATION BY ELI WOODS HARRISON
October 25–26, 2024
In a desperate attempt to prove they can think about someone other than themself, Morgan Bassichis revisits queer comedian, musician, and performance artist Frank Maya’s 1987 show, Frank Maya Talks. Maya was among the “first out gay comedians on network television” and on the precipice of mainstream success before his death from AIDS-related complications in 1995. This new “solo” performance humbly attempts to ensure Maya’s legacy is no longer overlooked while also resolving the bottomless queer search for laughter in times of crisis and for fame and father figures and intense attachment dynamics no matter how fleeting.
https://www.morganbassichis.com/
MORGAN BASSICHIS (They/Them) is a comedian, musician, and writer who has been called “a tall child or, well, a big bird” by The Nation and “fiercely hilarious” by The New Yorker. Their past performances include A Crowded Field (Abrons Arts Center, 2023), Questions to Ask Beforehand (Bridget Donahue, 2022), Don’t Rain On My Bat Mitzvah (co-created with Ira Khonen Temple, Creative Time, 2021), Nibbling the Hand that Feeds Me (Whitney Museum, NYC, 2019), Klezmer for Beginners (co-created with Ethan Philbrick, Abrons Arts Center, NYC, 2019), Damned If You Duet (The Kitchen, NYC, 2018), More Protest Songs! (Danspace Project, NYC, 2018), and The Faggots & Their Friends Between Revolutions: The Musical (co-created with TM Davy, DonChristian Jones, Michi Ilona Osato, and Una Aya Osato, New Museum, NYC, 2017).
A contemporary and surprising adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic tale of horror FRANKENSTEIN, adapted and directed by Dave Ebersole. This fresh re-imagination will be staged in the historic Lathem Hall on Widener University’s campus for a limited engagement from October 10-20.
Lightbooth Blackout is partnering with The Lone Brick Theatre Company at Widener University to produce an original adaptation of Frankenstein this October.
This fresh re-imagination will be staged in the historic Lathem Hall on Widener University’s campus. Our production fuses Mary Shelly’s text and early stage adaptations with modern dialogue, an amazing cast, and an original score that will be played live throughout the show.
FOR MORE INFROMATION:
FRANKENSTEIN
https://lightboothblackout.com/
The Lone Brick Theatre Company
https://lonebricktheatre.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lonebricktheatreco/?checkpoint_src=any
Local Playwright, Erlina Ortiz drops in to talk about the Philadelphia Premiere of “La Egoista” directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo on stage at Philadelphia Theatre Company in association with Edgewood Entertainment. Here’s my interview with Erlina Ortiz for the Philadelphia Premiere of La Egoista.
Today on the podcast:
TS Hawkins, Gabrielle Corsaro and author Tina Strawn talk about the Angel Pirate Production “the Are We Free Yet? project”. An elevated stage reading based on the book Are We Free Yet? The Black Queer Guide to Divorcing America. Here is my interview with AngelPirate Productions for “the Are We Free Yet? project
The Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl is an annual event that brings together book lovers and supports independent bookstores in the city. The idea for the crawl came from the organizer's experiences with similar events in other cities. Last year, the crawl had over 100,000 people access the Google map created for the event. This year, there are 34 participating bookstores. The crawl not only promotes bookstores but also creates a sense of community and discovery as participants explore different neighborhoods and find new books and recommendations. The conversation explores the Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl and the importance of supporting local bookstores. The guests discuss their own bookstores, Multiverse Philly and Binding Agents, and the unique experiences they offer. They also share their love for books and the joy of reading. The conversation highlights the value of book clubs and the sense of community they provide. The guests discuss the upcoming Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl and the special events and discounts that will be available. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of supporting independent bookstores and the role they play in fostering a love of reading and building community.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://phillybookstorecrawl.com
John's autobiographical museum exhibition "The Rose Garden" is now on view at the Fabric Workshop + Museum through Sept. 29. https://fabricworkshopandmuseum.org/pressreleases/fwm-presents-john-jarboe-the-rose-garden/
The stage version, "Rose: You Are Who You Eat," makes its DC debut June 5-23 at Wooly Mammoth. https://www.woollymammoth.net/productions/rose-you-are-who-you-eat/
