regional theater
EDITED BY DAVID SCHULTZ
Billy Elliot The Musical 11/16-11/27
Merrily We Roll Along 11/2-11/6
This joyous celebration of one young boy’s journey to make his dreams come true is based on the hit film. Set in a small town, the story follows Billy as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, discovering a surprising passion that inspires his family and his whole community. A big musical with an even bigger heart, Billy Elliot is brought to life by a cast of 45 and the Tony Award-winning creative team--director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall, along with music written by Elton John. Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Street, Philadelphia PA. (215) 893-1955. kimmelcenter.org/broadway1112
Stephen Sondheim turns the traditional showbiz musical on its head, in this compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise, and the price of success. Rueful and nostalgic, Merrily We Roll Along begins at the end, where we see the last connection breaking between a jaded composer and his youthful, idealistic ambitions. From there, we move backward through the lives of the composer and his two estranged friends, visiting each milestone of their personal and professional lives. Muhlenberg College Dept. of Theatre and Dance, Baker Center for the Arts, Muhlenberg College, Allentown PA. (484) 664-3333.
Gruesome Playground Injuries 11/10-12/4 This sinister and creepy play chronicles the relationship between Kayleen (Charlotte Ford) and Doug (Keith Conallen), whose 30-year friendship spans broken bones, broken hearts, love and other disasters. Starting with a chance meeting in the school nurse’s office, Kayleen and Doug form a bond that will feed and sustain each one of them through the dangerous task of living. But when a neurotic masochist and an accident prone risk taker get together, will either of them be able to make it out alive? Amid the debris of their messy pasts, these Pablo Schreiber and Jennifer Carpenter in an off-Broadway lost souls are left with only production of "Gruesome Playground Injuries" one option, hope for the future. Written by Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), and directed by Deborah Block. Theatre Exile, @ Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, 2111 Sansom Street, Philadelphia PA. (215) 218-4022. theatreexile.org Northeast (Nordost) 11/3-11/6
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The King and I captured the hearts and minds of millions with its charming story of a British governess brought into the court of Siam to tutor the King’s many children. Within the splendor of the Royal Palace, Anna and the King grow to understand one another and learn about each other’s cultures. This unique love story is told with one of the most glorious scores ever written. Music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street Philadelphia PA. (215) 574-3550. walnutstreettheatre.org
Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr in the original production of “The King and I.”
Top Girls 11/4-11/12
The United States premiere of Northeast (Nordost), a play based on the true story of the infamous hostage drama in a Moscow theatre in October 2002. Told from the perspective of three women, the play narrates the occupation of the theater and the experiences of the audience members that were held captive for three days. Written by Torsten Buchsteiner. Directed by Tim Brown. Samuels Theatre, Tompkins Center Cedar Crest College, Allentown PA. (610) 606-4608. 16
The King and I 11/8-1/8
NOVEMBER 2011
This challenging and pithy work reveals woman’s experiences at a pivotal moment in recent history. Set in the Thatcher years, historical and modern characters tell their stories in a conversation across ages and generations. Written by Caryl Churchill, this stinging work is a wild ride through a miasma of history writ large. Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA (610) 758-2787. zoellnerartscenter.org