Plays & Players Brings Vintage Comics and Radio Dramas to the Philly Fringe

Plays & Players, Center City Philadelphia's longest continually operating theatre, will host two staged reading series in the 2010 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

The first is 'Hear Again Radio Project,' a revival of classic radio dramas complete with 1940's period costumes, authentic period radio commercials, live organ and live Foley sound effects. "Radio drama is a lost form of storytelling," says Darin Dunston, the creator of Hear Again. "In the 1940's and 50's, families and friends all across America would gather around the family Philco radio to listen to the latest episodes of their favorite programs. These are extraordinary stories, very well told and well calculated to keep you in suspense."

Plays & Players also presents Save The Day Productions' signature series 'Super Heroes Who Are Super!,' word-for-word staged readings of comic books that at once celebrate and parody the soap operatic qualities of classic Marvel and DC comics. Each performance runs approximately one hour and features one or two comic books brought to life with the best in low budget costumes and special effects, witty word play and absurd physical hijinks alike. "There is a rawness, an intimacy and an electricity to these performances," says Daniel Student, creator of Super Heroes. "The audience has such an absolute love for the material and the actors playing off their energy highlight what live theater is all about: shared joy."

'Super Heroes Who Are Super!' plays Sept. 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18 at 10:30pm; Sept. 5 & 12 at 8pm.

'Hear Again Radio Project' plays September 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, & 18 at 11am.

Hear Again/Super Heroes crossover performances: Sept. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 & 18 at 5pm.

Plays & Players is located on the third Floor Skinner Studio, 1714 Delancey Place.

Tickets are $10 at the Festival Box Office (215-413-1318 or www.livearts-fringe.org).

Plays & Players provides diverse work that ranges from high-voltage, edgy premieres and new takes on classics, selections from the canon of world-renowned plays and musicals, and intimately set dramas and comedies in our Third Floor Skinner Studio. Plays & Players is at once 99 years old and 1 year old, following a new mission to support local artists with professional quality theater, including regularly paying its performers and opening up its doors to a cadre of local artists performing and rehearsing in its historic Plays & Players Theatre. Including Titus Andronicus, there are four shows, a new play festival, a playwright residency program, and a continuation of the Super Heroes Who Are Super! and Hear Again Radio Project series this season. A 100th Anniversary celebration is in the works for November, 2011. Plays & Players offers year-round memberships that include both social and entertainment possibilities. To learn more please visit www.playsandplayers.org.

Save The Day Productions specializes in comic book based and super hero performance art that celebrates the rich history of characters, fantasy and wonder delivered by this truly American medium. Since its inception in Philadelphia in 2007 by creator Daniel Student, its signature series Super Heroes Who Are Super! has performed to sold out audiences. It was awarded Best In Philly in 2010 by Philadelphia Magazine. If you are interested in Super Heroes Who Are Super! performing at your venue, corporate event or party please contact Daniel Student at daniel@savethedayproductions.org. For more information please visit our website at www.savethedayproductions.org.

 

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