Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas

OK, now here is something to look forward to as the days get shorter and the leaves begin to fall. Curio Theatre Company will be staging The Birds in October.

Yes, we’re talking Hitchcock (based on Daphne du Maurier’s novelette, of course). Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s play builds on the story of birds gone wild as three people retreat to an abandoned farmhouse, where relationships begin to unravel. As it becomes clear that the birds are a signal of the apocalypse, the rules of society change.

While it shares its name with du Maurier’s work, which was set in her native Cornwall, England, and Hithcock’s frightening film, McPherson’s work charts its own course that includes explorations of human frailty under extreme duress.  Continue Reading

The annual celebration of Philly arts and artists, The Fringe Festival, will be held from Sept. 9 through Sept. 24. This year, the festival has expanded its reach and is presenting an array of outstanding contemporary theater, music, dance and other performances at city-wide locations, including many events in West Philadelphia.

Here’s information on some of the performances to be held in West Philly. We also included shows by West Philly’s all-female aerial dance company, Tangle (for more festival events and tickets, visit: fringearts.com).

Shakespeare @ the Bar: The Taming of the Shrew

Sept 11, 7:30 p.m. – City Tap House (3925 Walnut St)

Fire up your Tinder profile (seriously) and get ready for Shakespeare @ the Bar, a no‐holds‐barred experience of Shakespeare like no other in Philadelphia! This lightly rehearsed production of the Bard’s most irreverent romantic comedy exposes one man’s lusty, raucous scheme to “take one for the team” and get filthy rich in the process. FREE. Go here for more details.  Continue Reading

Martin and Malcolm arm wrestling for the future of the movement in The Meeting, one of three short plays that comprise this year’s Theatre in the X (Photos by West Philly Local).

Theatre in the X, the all-black free theatre that is quickly becoming an August staple on 52nd St., kicked off its third season Sunday evening in Malcolm X Park at 51st and Pine.

This year’s works include New Black Math, “a creative explanation of what a Black play is”; The Meeting, a poignant and provocative fictional meeting between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.; and Love, Queens who Suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,  a choreopoem that examines gun violence, abuse, love and heritage from the perspective of a black woman. Continue Reading

Shakespeare in Clark Park opened last night in front of its customary large crowd. This year the performance, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, is being staged on the south end of the bowl and includes window frames and chandeliers hanging in the trees, a high-spirited cast and lively jazz sextet.

Performances are every night through Sunday, July 31 beginning at 7 p.m. If it rains, the whole thing moves to University of the Sciences (Main Dining Hall, 600 S. 43rd St.).

(Photos by Mike Lyons/West Philly Local)

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The Two Gentlemen of Verona: David Glover as Valentine (left), and Jake Blouch as Proteus; and Maria Konstantinidis as Silvia. (Photo by Kyle Cassidy)

Here’s a reminder of one of the most popular summer events this side of the Schuylkill – Shakespeare in Clark Park (SCP) will return this Wednesday with five outdoor shows. The company will present the romantic comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona in the park’s “Bowl” at 45th and Chester on July 27 – 31. Shows begin at 7 p.m. All SCP performances are free and open to the public (but consider bringing a few bucks for donation since this helps them immensely).

Photo by West Philly Local

This year’s production is directed by Kathryn MacMillan and features some of Philadelphia’s finest actors and a troupe of community swing dancers (SCP is partnering with Lindy and Blues, an all volunteer organization). Music is by Suburban Jazz Quintet.

In the case of rain, performances will be held at the Main Dining Hall, University of the Sciences, 600 S. 43rd St.

In addition to the theatre, a number of special events will take place this week in conjunction with SCP, including a Friendly Dog Night at Clark Park on Friday, July 29 (co-sponsored by the SPCA and Baltimore Pet Shoppe), Clarkville Call Ahead Dinner Package + Opening Night Party, and Parks on Tap (local craft beers will be served in the park this Wednesday through Sunday, as well as mojitos and white wine).

For more information on this year’s production and special events, click here.

We hope you’re enjoying your summer in West Philly despite the heat. A lot of great events are still coming up, so here’s a reminder for our readers of what is scheduled for the rest of this month.

• University City Dining Days will continue through Sunday, July 24.

• On Saturday, July 23, Dendê & Band will bring Afro-Brazilian rhythms to 40th and Walnut, as part of the 40th Street Summer Series.

• Shakespeare in Clark Park will present The Two Gentlemen of Verona, July 27 – 31. Parks on Tap will also make a stop in Clark Park.  Continue Reading