Daily Record

Vol. II No. 33 (193)

Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia

March 31, 2011

Philadelphia Daily Record

Warriors

AMERICANS back women in combat by more than 2 to 1, a new poll shows.

See story page 2.

Voters Back Women In Combat More Than 2-1, Says New Poll American voters support 67-29% allowing women “to serve in ground units that engage in close combat,” with voters in military households supporting the move 6136%, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

of independent voters against tapping the reserve.

On nuclear power, 25% of voters are “very concerned” the United States could have a nuclear crisis similar to what occurred in Japan; 37% are “somewhat concerned;” 24% are “not very concerned” and 13% are There is no gender gap as men support women in com- “not at all concerned.” bat 69-29% and women support it 66-29%, the inde“The thing that comes through on nuclear power is the pendent Quinnipiac University survey finds. Support NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) effect is alive and well ranges from 81-17% among voters 18-34 years old to in public opinion,” said Brown.

55-38% among voters over 55 years old.

“Americans have become accustomed to women in the armed forces, and apparently are ready for them to serve in combat units. It will be interesting to see how the public feels if, God forbid, there is combat with large numbers of women casualties,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

On energy policy, American voters support by a narrow 48-45% building new nuclear plants, but oppose 5838% building new plants in their town or city. They support 67-28% new offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. But they oppose 56-38% releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

There is no partisan split on the petroleum reserve issue with 54% of Republicans, 54% of Democrats and 60%

Voters oppose 52-34% cutting federal funding to National Public Radio.

In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 47% of voters say the economy is the most important problem facing the nation today, followed by 13% who cite the budget, with 6% each for “war,” “health care” and “politicians.”

By a narrow 40-37% margin, American voters would vote for a Republican rather than a Democrat in the 2012 congressional elections. Another 20% are undecided. The GOP lead in the generic ballot stems from its 36-27% margin among independent voters, whose strong swing to the GOP in 2010 was a major reason for the Republican landslide.

City Students Mass To Protest Guv’s Budget Cuts Yesterday afternoon, 400 students, including those from the School District of Philadelphia, Temple University, Pennsylvania State University and the Community College of Philadelphia, marched from City Hall to the District’s central office to express their dismay at Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett’s budget proposal. Carrying signs em2|

blazoned with, “Fund schools, not prisons”, “More classmates, less inmates”, “Prisons are growing while schools are closing”, the students spoke one after one about how disappointed they are Gov. Tom Corbett seeks to exact drastic cuts to education funding in the Commonwealth.

of the event, stated, “This is a way to help young people be a part of the political process. We are protesting Corbett’s budget and the fact that too often, money is spent on prisons and not education.”

School Superintendent Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman came out to address the young people, greeted with a Jamira Burley, one of the organizers roaring applause. She told them it’s THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

31 MARCH, 2011

important that their voices be heard as budget planning moves forward.

“These young people have the greatest stake in these budget discussions, so it was very encouraging to see them, students of all ages, coming together to fight for their future,” stated Ackerman.

Earlier in the day, the District held a press briefing announcing that the budget deficit it is facing in the next school year is $629 million dollars due to the governor’s proposed budget. Its passage would mean a 50% reduction in central-office staff, the near-total elimination of

full-day kindergarten, teacher layoffs, increased class sizes and the elimination of summer school, gifted and talented classes, music programs, athletics and a host of other items that would be a threat to the academic future of the District’s more than 150,000 students.

Mayor Faces A Busy Afternoon Mayor Michael Nutter has planned Flags. a round of public appearances for At 4:30 p.m., the Mayor will deliver this afternoon. more remarks to Association of ColAt 1:15 p.m., he will deliver brief lege & Research Libraries’ 2011 remarks on a “Creating Canopy Conference at the Pennsylvania with Penn” tree program at the Uni- Convention Center, Ballroom A-B, versity of Pennsylvania, College 1101 Arch Street.

Green, Locust Walk between 34th There follows a sprint to a video and 35th Streets. Selected members Q&A session called “Teen Town of Penn faculty and staff who reside Hall”. This event will highlight the in the City will receive a free tree to programming available to teenagers plant on their property. In the event and young adults at the City’s of rain, the announcement will take Recreation Centers. The public is place in Houston Hall’s Hall of invited to listen to Power 99 (98.9

FM) or log on to www.power99.com to view a live webcast of this event.

Nutter will finish the evening at 7:00 p.m. University of the Arts, Hamilton Hall, Solmosson Court, 320 S. Broad Street, where he will deliver brief remarks to Philadelphia StartUP Leaders’ Entrepreneur Expo. This Expo is a showcase and celebration of the work being done by the tech entrepreneurial community in the City.

Parks & Rec Seeks Support From Users The City’s Park & Recreation Dept. is spreading a flyer asking Park and Recreation users go join them s they testify at the City Council Budget Hearing, Wednesday, Apr. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. For information call (215) 8798159.

31 MARCH, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

|

3

The Philadelphia Public Record Calendar Mar. 31-

Mar. 31-

Mar. 31-

Mar. 31-

Mar. 31-

Mar. 31-

Apr. 1-

Apr. 2-

Apr. 2-

Apr. 2-

Apr. 2-

4|

State Sen. Shirley Kitchen hosts Energy Conservation Workshop at St. William’s Ch. Parish Ha., 6238 Rising Sun Ave. Military Women Day on lawn at Independence Mall, 6th & Market Sts, 2 p.m.

Honoring historical women veterans Harriet Tubman, Cathy Williams and Deborah Garnett Sampson, among others. Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell will speak. For info Cathy Santos (215) 834-4228.

Democrat 39B Ward hosts Spring Fundraiser at Chickie’s & Pete’s, 1526 Packer Ave., 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets $50.

For info Matt Myers (215) 467-4643.

12th Ward Democrats Fundraiser at Champagne, 21.Chelten Ave., 6-8 p.m.

Contributors $60, Sponsors $250. For info John Connelly (215) 760-8912.

Progressive Fundraiser for Joe Grace at Yards Brewing Co., 901 N. Delaware Ave., 6-8 p.m. For info info@electjoegrace.com.

Birthday fundraiser for Vern Anastasio at Villa DiRoma, 936 S. 9th St., 6:30 p.m.

Suggested birthday gift $100 for 1st Council District campaign. For info (215) 586-3236.

9th Ward Wine & Cheese Candidates Night at Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave., 6-8 p.m. $50 at the door.

RSVP John O’Connell (267) 312-1925.

Featuring music of Violino, one man Italian Band.

Germantown/Lehigh Business & Merchants Ass’n leads Corridor Cleanup at Germantown & Lehigh Aves., 9 a.m. To volunteer and for info Cornell Brown (267) 385-1939.

Al Schmidt for City Commissioner Campaign Office Grand Opening at 3545 Ryan Ave. (Cottman & Frankford), 2-4 p.m. For info (215) 624-1930.

Fundraiser for judicial candidate Jonathan Irvine at Avenida Restaurant, 7402 Germantown Ave., 1-4 p.m.

S.W. Concerned Citizens holds Voter Education Summit at McCreesh rec Ctr. 67th & Regent St., 4 p.m. For info Tracey

Apr. 3-

Apr. 5-

Apr. 6-

Apr. 7-

Apr. 7-

Apr. 8-

Apr. 8-

Apr. 9-

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

Gordon (267) 235-0091.

Congregation Beth Solomon CC and European Immigrant Benevolent Ass’n’s 25th annual gala honoring Rabbi & Rebettzin Solomon Isaacson at Hilton Hotel, 4200 City Line Ave., 5 p.m. Single $250. Featuring famous Ed Goldbertt & Odessa Klezmer Band and mentalist and illusionist David Blatt. Gov. Ed Rendell and David Cohen, Event Chairs.

Randy Robinson and Malik Boyd host Candidates Forum at Ashes Cigar Lounge, 4453 Main St., 6:30-9:30 p.m.

1st Dist. City Council debate hosted by Philadelphians for Ethical Leadership at Veteran Boxers Association Hall, 2733 E. Clearfield Ave., 6:30 p.m. Space limited. RSVP Fred Druding, Jr. (215-) 2212374.

Dr. Norman Finkelstein discusses Palestinian situation at Walk Auditorium, Ritter Ha., Temple Univ., 13th & Montgomery Ave., 6-9 p.m. For info Razi Fareed (215) 692-3396.

Reception for judicial candidate Leon King at Fiso Lounge, 1439 South St., 6 p.m. Tickets $35, couples $50. Open bar and hors d’oeuvres.

State Rep. Rosita Youngblood sponsors Career Fair at 1st Presbyterian Ch., 35 W. Chelten Ave., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For info Dayne Cofer at 215-849-6426.

Join Jerry Blavat “Geater with the Heater” at Beef & Beer for Common Pleas judicial candidate Fran Shields at Emerald Rm. of Sprinkler Fitters Union Ha., 14002 McNulty Rd., 7 p.m.-12.a.m. $45 per person, $80 per couple. For info Wayne Miller (215) 671-1692 or Tony Yanni (610) 825-1121. Send contributions to Committee to Elect Fran Shields, Constitution Place, Suite #515, 325 Chestnut St., Phila., PA 19106-2614.

Democrat 42nd Ward Candidates Night at Local 6 Bakery Hall, 5416 Rising Sun Ave. (enter on Lima St. through parking lot), 7-11 p.m. Music, food, dancing.

Tickets $20, $25 at door. For info Elaine Tomlin (215) 457-4024.

31 MARCH, 2011

Councilwoman Reed Miller: We Have The Votes For ‘Ban The Box’ In Council Chamber today, Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller will call her Ban the Box legislation for a final vote. It is expected to pass by a majority.

While this unprecedented and historic legislation has caused some uncertainty and fear, particularly by business owners, Miller has stood firm in her conviction to stop discrimination against people with criminal records during the initial application process and the first interview.

Miller, a long-time champion of men and women who have been incarcerated and are sincere about reentering society as law-abiding citizens, believes the passing of this Bill will at least give the applicants one more tool in their quest to turn their life around, thereby reducing the chance of recidivism. Ban The Box prohibits potential employers from inquiring either on the application or at the first interview, if the job applicant has ever been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense. After the first interview, the potential employer is then permitted to take any legal action available to them.

Meat & Deli Prego Pizzelle Baker $29.99 $39.99 Uno Panini Grill

2024 S. 10th St Philadelphia PA 19148

215-468-5363

This legislation does not require the hiring of individuals with criminal records, nor making a decision without all of the relevant facts.

The Councilwoman stated, “The only harm I see the potential employers may encounter is the time and money spent preparing new applications, reading applications, and interviewing an individual who may otherwise have automatically been disqualified sight unseen. This legislation, however, does not force the employer to hire or take away their ability to judge the potential employee based on their criminal records. The caveat is that State law currently prohibits discrimination based on criminal records.”

When You Want Your Roof To Be Done Right The First Time

215-464-6425

CANDIDATES • POLITICIANS News You Can Use! Boost Your Popularity, Win On Election Day! Tell Your Constituents To Read About All the Work You Do For Them On the

Philadelphiadailyrecord.com Email them a copy of this Publication!

Translation/Interpretation Arabic, Hebrew, English, French For more information, call William Hanna

267-808-0287 31 MARCH, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

|

5

Council Sick-Days Bill Moving Giving a boost to the Council Bill which could give access to 200,000 workers in this city to nine days of sick time per year is well on its way to passage, was this morning’s testimony by Dr. James Plumb. director of the Center for Urban Health at Thomas Jefferson, who believes the bill would enable over 40% of Philadelphians lacking earned sick days to see a doctor.

It was voted out of Committee on Mar. 1.

City Hall: The French Connection And Something French Philly has gone mad for French this season. It began and Alexander Trejo. The exhibition is located in the with the Flower Show’s record-breaking “Springtime Art Gallery at City Hall, Room 116, East Portal, Market in Paris” theme last month.

Street entrance.

Now, the City’s Office of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy is presenting two exhibitions in collaboration with the Kimmel Center for the upcoming citywide event, the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). City Hall: The French Connection, an exhibition of art and artifacts, is an introduction to City Hall’s French Second Empire architectural style. Something French, a juried group exhibition, features artwork with a French flavor. The French Connection exhibit runs from March through May 20 in the Art Gallery at City Hall (Room 116), and Something French, located on the 1st and 2nd floor display cases, N.E. corner, runs through Jun. 24. A joint reception is scheduled for Thursday, Apr. 7, 5-7 p.m.

PIFA is a celebration of artistic innovation, collaboration and creativity. It ties Philadelphia to Paris 100 years earlier as a city of emotive inspiration.

“For over 100 years, City Hall has been a source of artistic inspiration,” says Greta Greenberger, City Hall’s Director of Tours and Visitor Center and the lead advisor for this exhibition. “On any day, you find people photographing the extraordinary sculptures and decorative details on the building, while artists and students from neighboring art colleges and universities crouch over drawing pads and easels.” Greenberger, for nearly 20 years, has educated thousands of locals citizens, students, and visitors from all over the world about City Hall’s history, numerous municipal functions, and dynamic art and architecture. “I am particularly thrilled this exhibit lets me share my passion for City Hall with artists as far back as 1890 and recent work that shows how City Hall’s visual vibrancy is timeless.” says Greenberger.

City Hall: The French Connection features artifacts and historical images of City Hall and surrounding areas from the early 1910s, as well as other examples of French Second Empire architecture. Contributors include the Philadelphia Historical Commission, Marianna Thomas Architects, Kelly/Maiello Inc., The The architectural style comes from Napoleon III’s rePhiladelphia History Museum at Atwater Kent, Vitetta, vival of French Renaissance architecture during his the Woodmere Art Museum and the City Depts. of reign in the mid 1800s. Characteristics include usage Records and Public Property. of mansard roofs (coined after French architect FranParticipating artists are Mary Brady Begnardi, Lisa C. cois Mansart), paired columns, dormer windows, grand Budd, Carl Frankel, Ellen Gavin, Janice Hayes-Cha, staircases, projecting corner pavilions, and other decoGeorge R. Johnson, Jennifer Lipman-Bartel, Rob Ly- rative Greek Revival elements such as sculptural rebeck, Anthony Masucci, Anne Saint Peter, Ron Tarver liefs, balustrades and pediments. City Hall, built by 6|

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

31 MARCH, 2011

John McArthur, Jr from 1871 to 1901 during the Victorian Period, is one of the finest examples of French Second Empire architecture in America. Other Philadelphia buildings noted in the exhibition include the Union League, Bellevue Hotel and the Victory building. The exhibition also highlights some of the decorative patterns used to recreate the iron castings around the mansard roofs and dormers. These patterns were created by the Architectural Iron Company during the mid ’90s for the City’s ongoing restoration of City Hall.

“I am excited the Art Gallery at City Hall is able to take part in another citywide festival,” says Gary Steuer, Philadelphia’s chief cultural officer and director of the Office of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy. “For almost a year since its inception, the gallery has been able to

highlight some of the great things happening around our city, providing opportunities for local arts and cultural institutions to partner with our office. It allows visitors from all over to sample what Philadelphia has to offer; in this case, educating people about PIFA.” Steuer also recognizes the role local artists play in the exhibit: “This is an opportunity for artists who have a deep appreciation for the structure of City Hall to show their talent.”

The exhibit includes paintings in oil and watercolor, photography, jewelry, a lithograph courtesy of the Philadelphia History Museum at Atwater Kent and an oil painting by James Kelly depicting Alexander Milne Calder, the chief sculptor of City Hall’s 250 sculptures and reliefs. The painting, ca.1890, is on loan from the Woodmere Art Museum.

Coinciding with City Hall: The French Connection is a juried group exhibition by local artists entitled: Something French, which is presented in the display cases along the first and second floors, NE corner near the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and the Office of the Mayor.

Participating artists are Colleen Brand, Melvin A. Chappell, Gerard J. Di Falco, Patrick Egan, Megan Elliott, Diane Hark, Aislinn Harrington, E. Sherman Hayman, Marilyn Holsing, George R. Johnson, Rob Lybeck, Marilyn MacGregor, Gwyn Michael, Steven Mogck, Charlotte Nekola, Sibylle-Maria Pfaffenbichler, Betsey Regan, Kari Scott, Michael S. Simmons, Ron Tarver and Skeffington Thomas.

Mayor Seeks Cleanup Volunteers Mayor Michael Nutter has issued the following appeal.

we want to do even better this year.

“I want to remind you that this Saturday, Apr. 2, is the “Please come out to help on Saturday and encourage 4th annual Philly Spring Cleanup. I hope you will join your friends and neighbors to do the same by forwardme and thousands of other Philadelphians to get out and ing this email and sharing the volunteer signup page on clean up our neighborhoods. Please sign up to volunteer Facebook. now if you haven’t already.

“I really hope to see you out helping to ‘keep up the “If we want to make Philadelphia the cleanest, most sweep up’ this Saturday, Apr. 2. Just in case the weather beautiful city it can be, we all need to work together. doesn’t cooperate this Saturday, the rain date will be Saturday’s Spring Cleanup is a very important part of the following Saturday, Apr. 9. that process.

“Thank you so much for everything you do for “During last year’s cleanup, more than 11,000 volun- Philadelphia.” teers cleaned up over 1.3 million pounds of trash, and

31 MARCH, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

|

7

Donatucci Supports Capozzi

REGISTER OF WILLS Ron Donatucci, Democrat 26th Ward Leader, and his committeepersons have chosen Barbara Capozzi as their 2nd Dist. Council candidate in the May primary. The vote was unanimous.

6th Dist. Caucus Endorses Henon

THOUGH 6th Dist. Democrat caucus, chaired by 56th Ward Leader John Sabatina, Jr., endorsed Bob Henon as its candidate for 6th Dist. Council, three of the nine wards showed their opposition by not voting.

8|

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

31 MARCH, 2011

Taylor To Be Hailed By City’s CDCs PACDC announced on Mar. 28 that State Rep. John Taylor (R-Kensington) is the 2011 recipient of the PACDC award honoring commitment and dedicated service to advancing meaningful community development in neighborhoods throughout the City of Philadelphia. Taylor was selected for his leadership on the creation and expansion of the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund and providing new tools to address vacantproperty challenges confronting Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

He will receive the award at the PACDC 2011 Gala and

Awards Ceremony honoring excellence in Community Development on Thursday, May 19 (from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.) at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

PACDC will also present the Blue Ribbon Award for Community Development Excellence, the Community Leader Award, and our new Rising Star Award. Presenting sponsor is PNC Bank. For more information on the Gala, including sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact Pamela Bridgeforth at (215) 732-5829 or at pbridgeforth@pacdc.org.

Lowery Brown Salutes Seniors State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-W. Phila.) continued a program of honoring elders in her District beholding another “Senior Salute” last Friday at the Simpson Fletcher Conestoga Senior Home, 5353 Master Street.

Lowery Brown said the breakfast meetings give her an opportunity to hear the concerns of her senior citizens constituents, and to update them on legislative developments in

31 MARCH, 2011

Harrisburg that would affect their State programs that can improve the lives. quality of their lives. Representatives from SEPTA, Bravo Health, “I will continue to fight for proPhiladelphia Fire Dept., Social Segrams that are important to senior curity, Philadelphia’s weatherizacitizens, such as the home health tion-assistance program and the care and PACE and PACE,” Lowery West Philadelphia Seniors CommuBrown said. “Our seniors certainly nity provided helpful resource inhave paid their dues over the years, formation. and the State must keep funding programs that help them.”

Brown has scheduled senior breakfasts for tomorrow, Apr. 1 at Angela Lowery Brown provided breakfast Court, 4400 Fairmount Avenue. to about 75 seniors and discussed

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

|

9

Adlai Stevenson, Woody Allen And God Tour Local Stages

Losing the Shore’s cast, from left: Megan Slater, Kate Brennan, Nathan Edmondson, Catherine Palfenier and Michael Byrne.

by Adam Taxin BCKSEET Production’s Losing the Shore contains a premise to which most have probably given little thought: eventual-two-time Democratic Presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson on a Pacific cruise between elections around 1953. A 14performance drama of historical fiction staged at Upstairs@The Adrienne (2030 Sansom Street) and with three remaining performances (tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m.), the play combines rich dialogue, five intriguing principal characters and staging which somehow, despite modest scenery, successfully seems to evoke what a cruise in the 1950s would have been like.

10 |

The Catherine Rush-written drama is really not so much about politics as about the building of relationships and about the mindsets of a previous era, although Michael Byrne – as a youtube search after the performance revealed – is quite successful in channeling the mannerisms of Stevenson. (In terms of his own physical appearance, the actor bears a certain resemblance to new Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey.)

fectively suggests, without ever saying so, that her passion about the conviction and execution of Soviet spies Julius and and Ethel Rosenberg are related to her own unfulfilled maternal desires.

Nathan Edmondson brings the right amount of raffishness to his portrayal of dissolute junkie “Stuyvesant Baird.” Megan Slater as religious “Ruth Goodwin” and Kate Brenner (also BCKSEET’s coartistic director) as pouty “Hortense Portier” have successful chemistry as two early-20s friends also on the cruise. Additionally, the two actresses are quite pleasant to look at.

Catherine Palfenier, as Stevenson mistress “Alicia Patterson,” evokes considerable sympathy for her complex character, especially when eventually expressing her sadness The writing is crisp and thoughtabout her own childlessness. She efTHE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

31 MARCH, 2011

provoking, with lots of memorable dialogue between characters. The era is successfully evoked not only by insights into the value of faith, the obsolescence of women over 40 and whether duck-and-cover atomic bomb drills are really just a form of theater, but also by simple touches such as how matter-of-fact it was for a man and woman, whether previously acquainted or not, to dance with each other as part of a dinner meal on a cruise.

Seating for Losing the Shore is open, and tickets are $21 each.

-------------------Having pretty much nothing worth comparing and contrasting with Losing the Shore is another perhapsunlikely scenario, at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Montgomery Co. There, Brandon Kamin, a familiar face to viewers of Channel 6 ABC’s pro football variety show “Eaglemania”, stars in God, a oneact comedy play written by Woody Allen in the earlier part of his career. The play is part of a double bill with Allen’s shorter comedy play Death Knocks.

stantial resume in a variety of fields of entertainment by the age of 21, still has a few more weeks (and final exams) till he graduates from Ursinus. An intern for host Glen Macnow on the sports-talk station 610 WIP by the age of 14, he hosted various segments throughout the past NFL season on Eaglemania (main host: Tony Luke, Jr.). On Ursinus radio and television, he has developed and put together a large cast for “The Brandon Kamin Show,” on which various celebrities (including former Gov. Rendell) have appeared; Kamin is now being paid to broadcast the show from area bars. In terms of stage, Kamin, a Media and Communications major with a minor in Theatre, starred last year in Ursinus’s production of Elephant Man, and he has performed in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Diary of Anne Frank and improv troupes.

God involves two ancient Greeks, the lead actor “Diabetes” (Kamin) and writer “Hepatitis” (Tucker Bacon) struggling to perfect an ending for their play in time for a drama festival. In the process, they became aware they are actually in a play

Kamin, despite having built a sub-

31 MARCH, 2011

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

trapped within another play. God features numerous cameos, ranging from “Groucho Marx” to (a modification from the original:) Oprah Winfrey, as well as a Greek chorus.

Kamin is naturally quite encouraging of Philadelphians to make a trip of approximately 30 miles from the city to Collegeville: “Come out to Ursinus because of the great cast, crew and chemistry, as well as the amazing hilarity that will be displayed on stage. This is the next generation of thespians.”

God is preceded by the approximately-12-minute Death Knocks, which features “Death” knocking at a man’s door, only to end up challenged to a game of gin rummy by a not-so-eager would-be host.

The production, which opened last night, is directed by Domenick Scudera, Associate Professor of Theater at Ursinus College. The plays will be performed at 7:30 p.m. tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at Ursinus’s Kaleidoscope Blackbox Studio Theatre on the school’s campus in Collegeville. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $2 for students and senior citizens.

|

11

Philadelphia Orchestra’s “Truly Classical” Program Features Haydn, Mozart … And Beethoven’s Gastric Problems and allegretto-presto. This piece will showcase nine-time Grammy nominee Marc-André Hamelin on piano.

STELLAR PIANIST Marc-André Hamelin

by Adam Taxin Jun Märkl, music director of the Orchestre National de Lyon, conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra tonight at 8 p.m., tomorrow at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m. in a program called “Truly Classical.” The order for the program is Joseph Hayden’s Symphony No. 44 (“Trauersinfonie,” translated as “Mourning”), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, K. 453 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2.

12 |

The finale features one of Beethoven’s not-quite-as-famous symphonies. Beethoven dedicated the symphony to Prince Lichnowsky of the Imperial Austrian Court, a friend and an enthusiastic patron of music. The symphony’s first movement is an adagio molto which becomes an allegro con brio.

The second, a larghetto, demonstrates the influence of German folk and pastoral music. The third, a scherzo, has the sounds of an Austrian side-slapping dance. The fourth, an allegro molto, has had its unusual opening described as musicologist Robert Greenberg as related to “Beethoven’s gastric problems … It has been understood almost since the day of its premiere that that is what this music is all about. Beethoven never refuted it.”

The Haydn symphony is considered typical of the composer’s Sturm und Drang (storm and stress) period. Its first movement is in “allegro” sonata form; its second is a minuet; its third is a slow adagio, with muted strings; and its fourth is a rapid “presto” sonata. Haydn eventually requested the third movement Adam Taxin, a Center City attorney, be played at his funeral. can best be contacted via Facebook Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17 is or at adamtaxin@gmail.com. an upbeat contrast to the Hayden symphony. As a concerto, it is in three movements: allegro, andante

THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD

31 MARCH, 2011

SHERRI XANTHOPOULOS RUSSO will be representing Collegeville, Pa. in pageant.