Simpatico Theatre Presents Four Solo Performances Exploring Tap Dancing, Titanic, Bjork, And Broken Hearts
By: Julie Musbach Jul. 25, 2018
What does it mean to be male in our hyper-gendered society? Simpatico Theatre Company, a professional theatre company in Philadelphia, kicks off their season with Simpatico Theatre Projectx: 4Solo, four solo performances in rep that explore the spectrum of maleness in America. The production will be part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and will run September 19-30, 2018. These solo performances work together to explore the repercussions and revelations of our hyper gendered society. These are true stories of tap dancing, Titanic, Bjork, and broken hearts and include:
Idaho Shuffle written and performed by Jeremy Gable
Directed by Brey Ann Barrett
Jeremy Gable is a celebrated playwright, but he has this little-known talent as a tap dancer. In The Idaho Shuffle, he talks - or more appropriately, taps - about that hidden passion, and how in his teenage years, it came to both define and corrupt him. It's a revealing portrait of the different ways masculinity holds power over men, and an honest look at how we let our achievements define us.
The Best of Me written and performed by J. Hernandez and Amanda Schoonover
Directed by Amanda Schoonover
On September 16, 1996, blood had begun to seep through the ceilings of an apartment complex in Hollywood, FL. Police enter the apartment above to find the body of a man covered in grease paint, along with 18 hours of video footage and a note on the wall reading "The Best of Me." The videotapes ... a series of recordings which capture his views on life, love, art, revenge, obsession, loneliness, and death, were confiscated by the FBI in their investigation when they discovered he put into motion an assassination attempt on the life of pop singer, Bjork, in his wake. Later, these videotapes would be released to journalists through their media center. Within a few years, they were anonymously released on YouTube for the entire world to see, where they remain online to this very day. This is Ricardo's Lopez's story.
Thomas is Titanic written and performed by Thomas Choinacky
Directed by Justin Jain
A Kate Winslet obsession launches one man into playing all the parts, including the iceberg, of the blockbuster movie. Witness his untold journey, over-athletic imagination, and devastation with intangible love. Put your life vest on. You might get wet.
LUVR written and performed by Armando Batista
Directed by Ozzie Jones
What happens when you fall in love too easily, and get rejected by the object of your love's affection? Can you handle the heartache? Can you handle the loneliness? Will you rise from the ashes to find love again? And why does texting suck?! This is the tale of LUVR.
All of the productions will perform in rep at The Drake Theatre, 302 South Hicks Street, Philadelphia. Additionally, following in the footsteps of the company's friends and fellow Drake Resident Partners at Azuka Theatre, all performances during next season will be Pay What You Decide. After the performance, audience members decide what to pay for their experience, this removes the financial barriers associated with attending theater and provides an opportunity for new audience members to "try it before they buy it."
For more details, or to book reservations, visit simpaticotheatre.org.
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