Today on the podcast, we chat with the collaborators of the World Premiere production, The Tattooed lady, A New Musical on stage at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Here is my interview with Max Vernon and Erin Courtney for The Tattooed Lady, A New Musical.

The story of The Tattooed Lady highlights one of sideshow’s biggest stars, Ida Gibson, in a moving, fantastical tale that reveals the generational chasms and connections between Ida and her granddaughter Joy. A parade of beguiling characters appear, on a mission to liberate Ida from her self-imposed exile and help Joy find freedom through forgiveness. The musical celebrates the resilience of women whose choices have the power to liberate them.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Erin Courtney (Book) is a New York based playwright. Her play, A Map of Virtue, was awarded an Obie and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New York Theater. Her play I Will Be Gone, premiered at the Humana Festival, Actors Theater of Louisville. She has written two operas with Elizabeth Swados: The Nomad and Kaspar Hauser, both commissioned and produced by The Flea Theater. Her other plays, produced by Clubbed Thumb, include Alice the Magnet, directed by Pam MacKinnon, and Demon Baby, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll. She is an affiliated artist with Clubbed Thumb, a member of the Obie Award winning playwrights collective, 13P, as well as the co-founder of the Brooklyn Writers Space.

Max Vernon (Book, Music, Lyrics & Orchestrations) is a musical theatre writer, whose works include The View UpStairs, KPOP (opening on Broadway this November!), The Tattooed Lady, and Show & Tell. They are a three-time Drama Desk nominee, Out100 Honoree, two-time MacDowell Fellow, Dramatist Guild Fellow, and recipient of the Lucille Lortel Award, Richard Rodgers Award, Jonathan Larson Grant, Pew Arts and Culture Grant, and New York Foundation of the Arts Fellowship, among others. They have also written work for Audible, Disney, Virgin Group, and Tyra Banks. Notable concerts include Joe’s Pub, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. They earned an MFA from NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. www.maxvernon.com IG: @frauleinsallybowels

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://philadelphiatheatrecompany.org

$30,000 Fundraising initiative. How far along are you?

How can our listeners get involved and support the initiative?

The funds raised will allow JUNK to provide equitable access for the community by providing free and discounted ticketing for artists and LGBTQIA and HIV+ communities.

The SEASON:

Luster

• Thu, Sep 8, 2022 Sat, Sep 17, 2022

• Concourse Dance Bar (map)

Lust for exposure and success turns… TRAGIC.

Set in an underground shopping mall turned nightclub, Junk’s newest experience, Luster, reveals the twisted nature of reality show competition and begs the question, “Where do we draw the line?”

Luster gives patrons a behind-the-scenes look into the making of TRAGIC, a streaming show where aspiring reality TV producers are looking to make their mark in the edgy new world of internet reality TV. Luster begins by giving audiences a look behind the camera during a live broadcast of the TRAGIC Season Two finale featuring five competing teams.

The plotline begins after Season One, which featured off-the-wall ideas with a cast of circus performers who competed in front of a crowd on equipment and apparatuses they had never used before. Season Two's production team needs to find new ways to create a show filled with even more outrageous and dangerous layers of competition. In the inaugural season of TRAGIC, every on-camera accident made ratings jump. The more the performers suffered mentally and physically, the more people tuned in. This year, producers and sponsors want something sexy and erotic, gritty but graceful. TRAGIC centers on pushing the envelope, with contestants focused on driving high ratings with provocative and daring performances.

Emotions will run high as five teams, StripperX, Face Punch, The Inappropriators, Gothic Drip, and the Gayties, battle it out to compete for a top-secret first-place prize. Luster audiences are encouraged to vote for their favorite team but with caution, as there is always a twist on TRAGIC.

Snowball, back on ice!

• Saturday, January 21, 2023

Our annual fundraiser

A Modern Carmen Fantasy

• Fri, Mar 10, 2023 Sun, Mar 12, 2023

• The Philadelphia Orchestra

Experience the great Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite as never seen before, with the help of the riveting Philadelphia-based dance company Brian Sanders’ JUNK. The dance theme continues with Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, a colorfully melodic and spectacular score written for the Ballets Russes that made an overnight star of the young composer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://briansandersjunk.com

When Eve gets a promotion, she moves to London in the hopes of having the perfect big city life. But soon she discovers that being one in 9 million can be pretty lonely. Feeling at her lowest, a lifeline comes to Eve in the form of a letter for her apartment’s former tenant – Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender. Now all Eve has to do is return this letter to the rightful owner!

Featuring: Amy Frear

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://inisnuatheatre.org

Today on the podcast, director Tyrone L. Robinson talks about the Interact Theatre Company production of “This Bitter Earth” by Harrison David Rivers. Here is my interview with Tyrone L. Robinson.

ABOUT THIS BITTER EARTH

A protest brought Jesse, an introspective Black playwright, together with his white boyfriend Neil, a Black Lives Matter activist. But as Neil immerses himself deeper in the movement, Jesse finds his choices challenged and their love on the line.

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://interacttheatre.org

Today on the podcast, I checked my confirmation, packed my bag and settled in for the night at Motel Montana the latest offering from Gunnar Montana after a long intermission. Here is my interview with Gunnar Montana.

Gunnar Montana - “Motel Montana is designed to celebrate everything my grandfather couldn’t express in his life, and in turn, everything I am so unapologetically eager to express now. There’s something incredibly conflicting about celebrating the idea of my grandfather living out his truths, knowing I wouldn’t have been born had he done so.”

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://www.instagram.com/gunnarmontana/ and https://www.gunnarmontana.com

Today on the podcast, we return to Theatre Exile to talk about their production of Sin Eaters by Anna Monech and directed by Matt Pfeiffer. This production will be presented virtually and features Bi Jean Ngo and David M. Raine. Here is my interview with Bi and David about the Exile production of Sin Eaters. Stay Tuned!

Today on the podcast, Chris Davis ushers in the 11th season of Rep Radio. We talk about the rise of Virtual Theatre as we lay in wait during a global pandemic. Chris, never missing a beat, ramped of his solo works for the web and will end with the more than relevant performance of “One-Man Apocalypse Now” from his virtual studio. Stay Tuned!

Today on the podcast, Johnnie Hobbs, JR. stops by to talk about THURGOOD, written by George Stevens, JR. and directed by Jerrell L. Henderson. Find out what it’s like to portray the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. Stay Tuned.

Today on the podcast, I return for an annual look at making satirical contributions to This Is The Week That Is. We look back on favorites moments, some that didn’t make the cut and, what to look forward to in the 14th installment. Stay Tuned!

On today’s podcast, Director Matt Pfeiffer talks about “On The Exhale”, the solo piece by Martin Zimmerman featuring Suli Holum. Here is my interview with Director Matt Pfeiffer. 

ABOUT ON THE EXHALE

A liberal college professor searches for meaning after a terrible act of violence. She finds herself drawn to the power and control of the weapon that forever changed her life.  Challenged by the inaction and corruption of the legislature she is faced with the opportunity to teach a lesson but she may have to learn one first.

On today’s podcast, our 2019 FringeArts coverage continues with Director Joseph Ahmed. Tribe of Fools annual fringe offering Operation: Wawa Road Trip, takes a brother and sister on a trip to pay tribute, deal with loss and a battle between two Pennsylvania convenient stores. Here’s my interview with Joseph Ahmed.

On today’s podcast, Kat Brünner (Elle Woods) and Jenna Pinchback (Enid Hoops) talk about Walnut’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical”, a campy look at a women with a completely brilliant plan to win the man she loves by getting into Harvard Law School only to reveal a path of purpose, strength and support with help from her sorority sisters. Here’s my interview with Kat Brünner and Jenna Pinchback. Stay Tuned. 

On today’s podcast, I touch base with Robin Rodriguez, local playwright who has decided to to go beyond the traditional staged reading in order to visualize a new play in progress titled “A Good Place Not To Be”. An earlier piece presented in the 2009 SPARK Showcase brought to life the work that after life happened, began to show signs of a through line in totalitarianism and reflection of power dynamic, miss-information and relationships. Stay Tuned!

On today’s podcast, Deb Block met me outside the new “Exile Building” for an audible tour as Theatre Exile prepares to open “An Oak Tree” by Tim Crouch featuring Pearce Bunting and a slew of notable Phialdelphia Artists and special guests like Evan Jonigkeit, Zosia Mamet and Paul Giamatti. Stay Tuned!

On today’s podcast, I spoke with Tom Reing about the Inis Nua American Premiere of “Box Clever” by Monsay Whitney. We explore first impressions, how this piece resonates with past roles, current situations in the U.K. and the U.S. and how Philly Theatre Week presents opportunities for new audiences to engage in the conversation. Stay Tuned!