NOW – May 19: 1812 Productions presents TORCH SONG
by Harvey Fierstein
Directed by Bill Fennelly
The Philadelphia Premiere of Harvey Fierstein’s 2018 adaptation of his iconic Torch Song Trilogy! Hilarious and heart-wrenching, Torch Song follows Arnold Beckoff, a torch song- singing, Jewish drag queen in New York in the late 70s, early 80s. As he searches for love, happiness and a pair of bunny slippers that fit, a visit from his overbearing mother reminds him that he needs one thing more: respect. Join Arnold in this dramatic comedy about the families we’re born into, the families we choose, and the battles to bring them all home.
May 9 – 12: VERONICA
THEATRE BY DEVELOPMENT is proud to present its inaugural 2024 season, kicking off with VERONICA written by Sophia Snyder and directed by Brennah Leone.
A one-act dark comedy. Veronica failed out of school and has spent the past year creating her own makeshift lab: experimenting on urban wildlife, and making miraculous breakthroughs. Far from satisfied, Veronica wants more. She enlists her friend as an assistant and together they continue her secret research around healing, pain, and life itself. As they work, they grow even closer to each other. At the same time, Veronica grows less and less scrupulous about moral boundaries… When the bubble of technicolor mad science pops and the violence kicks in, reality starts to taint the whimsy. Beating a man to death with a wrench is sort of a mood-killer.
PWYC, $10 suggested
May 13: Jazz Night with Norman David & The Eleventet
Sets at 7:15 & 9:00
Enjoy a night of cool jazz with Plays & Players’ resident Jazz ensemble. Upstairs in the Skinner Studio.
$10 at door (good for both sets)
May 14 & 16: SEPTAR
7:30pm
Inspired by the less problematic parts of early 90’s Nickelodeon and the always problematic Septa – Septar is Philly’s premier sketch undecuple (having 11 parts or members) – that’s right – we always turn it up to 11! So join us for a whacky evening of birds, bros, basketball, bachelors, breakups, boss bitches, and The Bear. Now “Let That Sink In” – no seriously, that’s the name of the show!
May 17 – 19: Crossroads Comedy Theater
Spring offerings from Crossroads include Messing with Lehr, Not Yet Rated: An Improvised Action Movie, The Sideshow, Study Hall, and more. Workshops, performances, and showcases sure to make you laugh.
For more, visit https://xroadscomedy.com/shows/
May 19: Your Sunday Best
8:00pm doors, 9:00pm show
Your Sunday Best is an evening of variety comedy featuring Philly’s finest actors, stand-ups, and musicians.
FREE!
May 20: Heart Ripped Out Twice and So Can You
7:00pm
A sales rep clown pitches you on Existing! in this (mostly) comedy about pain. Part timeshare presentation, part pity party, part existential howl. Critics’ Pick of the Cincy Fringe and Encore Performance Winner.
The one hour solo performance returns to Philly for one night before returning to the road for the Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Edmonton Fringe Festivals.
May 22: The Happy Failures Show
A variety of varieties of performances and art. Pay what you can, show at 8:00pm.
May 24 & 25: Antonio, Or What I Would
8:00pm
A Shakespearean Solo & a case for Queer visibility, Created by Shayne Cameris and Brenna Geffers
It’s the closing performance of a somewhat successful outdoor production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The actor playing Antonio asks himself, “what happened here” as he finds the queerness of both his character and his own identity relegated to stage left. This wild romp through history, fantasy, swashbuckling, and booty is a love letter to Shakespeare’s most famous Gay Pirate…or maybe more of a sext.
May 30 – June 1: GIRLFAILS
A New Play About Navigating the World, One Failure at A Time
Experience the wacky, chaotic, and charming story of West Philadelphia college students, roommates, and best friends, Frankie and Joy, as they navigate the world with adulthood right around the corner, in “Girlfails”. Director Rachel Bathurst brings Philadelphia playwright Liv Shoup’s witty and relatable work to life. Featuring Erin Malimban and Eliza Carson, “Girlfails” is sure to make audiences relive their own experiences (and maybe failures) as they entered life as an adult.
June 8: Fancy on Delancey: My Fair Theatre, Where We’re From and Where We’re Going
6-9pm
Join us for an enchanting evening of elegance and entertainment as we celebrate the rich history and exciting future of Philadelphia’s cultural gem, Plays & Players Theatre. Set against the backdrop of our historic venue, steeped in over a century of theatrical legacy, this fundraising event promises to be an unforgettable experience.
