Photo by Annamarya Scaccia / West Philly Local

Last night, Curio Theatre opened its 2013-2014 season with its free production of Washington Irving’s classic 19th century short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” at the “Bowl” in Clark Park on 43rd Street and Chester Avenue. A full crowd of mostly families hunkered down on the grass as they listened to the story of Ichabod Crane (played by company member Josh Hitchens, who adapted “Sleepy Hollow” for stage) and his fateful encounter with the headless horseman.

During the 45-minute show, Hitchens and his fellow actors, Rachel Gluck as Crane’s love interest Katrina Van Tassel and Chris Braak as his rival Brom Van Brunt, moved around the simplistic set with quiet intensity as several torches and a small crackling campfire illuminated the scene. Sound effects, provided by Eli Halpern (who played The Musician), filled the atmosphere as Crane’s story unfolded.

Make sure to catch “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at Clark Park before it closes on September 8. The remaining shows are on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 7:30 p.m.

William Hamilton Mansion at The Woodlands.

This Tuesday (May 21) there’s a rare chance to see a Curio Theatre show at an historic location. For one night only Curio presents “William Hamilton: Not Your Typical 18th Century Gentleman” at the Hamilton Mansion at the Woodlands (40th and Woodland). The show runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

Here are some details about the show from the Curio website:

“This light-hearted performance will feature fictionalized accounts of the life of William Hamilton, written and performed by members of the award-winning Curio Theatre Company. Presented in the historic eighteenth century home of one of Philadelphia’s most prominent citizens, this one-night-only production chronicles the life of the man behind The Woodlands, based on historical accounts, documents, and letters from his Founding Father contemporaries (including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Charles Drayton).”

All in all, it should be an unforgettable evening that also includes complimentary cocktails served in “true Hamilton style.” For more information and to buy tickets ($15), go here.

Photo by Kyle Cassidy.

Theater (and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) fans should rejoice – West Philly’s Curio Theatre is getting ready to emBARK on The Hound of the Baskervilles, their last production of the 2012-2013 season and Philadelphia premiere. We hear that the play, which opens tonight at 8 p.m., is quite spooky (as it should be), but has some derailments, like the cast, Harry Slack of West Philadelphia, Steve Carpenter of South Philly and CJ Keller of Havertown, arguing about whether they should include a medical disclaimer for the audience or getting distracted by a Twitter comment (don’t worry, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson will get back on the case).

The new production, directed by Curio Artistic Director and West Philly resident Paul Kuhn is a very “Curio” kind of play, with its double-casting and high theatricality, and includes some costumes changes right in front of the audience! With all the derailments and cast distractions you may wonder how it will it end. Why not see for yourself? The shows will run through June 1.

The Hound of the Baskervilles, a Philadelphia premiere
May 8-June 1, 2013
Performing on Curio’s Corner Stage (corner of 48th St. and Baltimore Ave.)
All shows are at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (and Wednesday, May 8)
Ticket Prices: $15-20 ($5 off for preview tickets: 5/8-9)
Tickets/Info: 215-525-1350 or www.curiotheatre.org

Photo by Kyle Cassidy.

Starting this Wednesday, Curio Theatre will begin showing Madville, a new play written by West Philly playwright and Curio’s Artistic Director Paul Kuhn. This is his first original work produced by Curio since co-writing 2009’s A Funeral Farce.

Madville is the world created by children living in the Canadian woods who return as adults and struggle with memories of surviving in this remote location. They share stories from their experience trying to connect with or understand their shared past and disagreements arise over whose memories are more accurate. The audience will face this puzzle along with the characters.

“For me, it’s about madness,” says Kuhn. “It’s that time that you look back on your past and how crazy it was, that you weren’t even realizing you were steeped in madness at the time… Hopefully the audience will see something in their own childhood, that moment of, ‘Oh my God, why didn’t we die?’”

Madville is directed by Rosemary Fox who is making her directorial debut at Curio Theatre. The cast includes Jennifer Summerfield, Paul Kuhn, Rachel Gluck and Harry Slack of West Philadelphia.

Paul Kuhn’s “Madville”

March 20-April 13, 2013 
at the Calvary Center, 4740 Baltimore Avenue
Tickets: $15-20 ($5 off for preview tickets: March 20-21)
Thursday’s, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.

This is an exciting week for local kids, teens and adults who love theatre and are interested in acting, with a few new educational programs and events launching in the area. Here are the details:

New Drama/Acting Classes

The Community Arts program at the Woodland Presbyterian Church located at 401 S. 42nd Street is starting an eight-week (Feb. 7 – March 27) drama class on Thursday afternoons, 4:00-5:00 p.m. and children ages 5-14 are welcome to participate. Kids will play drama games, learn acting techniques and perform in a culminating production. A donation of $20/participant is suggested to help cover program costs. To register or for more details, please contact Carol Shih at carol.shih@woodlandpres.net.

Theatre and Me, LLC (Facebook page), a new company providing training and development for kids, teens and adults in the performing and creative arts, i.e. theatre, dance, voice, etc., is holding an Open House/Information Session about their upcoming classes on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at Dreaming Tree Music (4721 Pine St.). For more information, contact Marcus Siler at theatreandmewithmarcus@gmail.com.

New Kids Show at Curio

Curio Theatre has prepared an exciting new show for kids: Hansel and Gretel, the beloved fairy-tale by The Grimm Brothers was adapted for the stage by Rosemary Fox and will run on Saturdays at 2 p.m. on Feb. 9, 16, 23 and March 2. Tickets ($10) are available here.

Reuben Mitchell.

Reuben Mitchell, an inspiring 31-year-old actor, was riding his motorcycle on the 3900 block of Woodland Avenue shortly after 7 a.m. on November 12 when he struck a car that was making a u-turn. He died later that evening from the injuries sustained in the accident (source: Philly.com). Reuben was cast to play the role of Magnus in an upcoming Curio Theatre show, Tom Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound.

Mourning Reuben’s death and after some difficult decisions, the theatre administration decided to cancel the first weekend of previews scheduled for November 29 – December 1 but to go on with the main production run. Josh Browns who knew Reuben well will be filling the role.

“It’s been a real tragedy for the entire Philadelphia theatre community,” says Curio’s Managing Director Gay Carducci. “Though, we have known Reuben for quite some time, The Real Inspector Hound was going to be the first show that Reuben would have done with us. After much thought we decided to continue on with the show, as we believe Reuben would have wanted us to do.”

The December 5 performance will be held in honor of Reuben, and all of the proceeds that evening will go to his family in an “effort to help them during this trying time.”