Arts Shortlist: See a Play About WikiLeaks
The Elixir of Love. Photo by Ken Howard
See What I Wanna See @ Christ Church Neighborhood House | April 28 to May 15
For 11th Hour Theatre Company’s 11th season, the founders collaborated on this musical about truth and perception, based on short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa. Here’s a menacing preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cazpxK1C6Wc
“Dear Julia” Opening Reception @ Philadelphia Magic Gardens | Friday, April 29
In the nearly 50 years Isaiah and Julia Zagar have lived on South Street, Isaiah has been the more recognizable name, known for his mural-sized, mirror-dotted mosaics adorning the neighborhood and the Magic Gardens. This new exhibit, on display through June 26, is a “visual love letter” to Julia, with mixed-media work by both Zagars alongside other artists. Proceeds are going to The Julia Zagar Residency Program for Women Artists.
The Elixir of Love @ The Academy of Music | April 29 to May 8
A poor car mechanic pines for a rich uptown girl, but she’s in love with a handsome sergeant. Find out if the love potion he drinks will win her in this Santa Fe Opera production at Opera Philadelphia. The show, set in the 1940s Italian countryside, is in Italian with English supertitles. Have you ever heard an opera in English? It’s disconcerting.
The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning. Photo by Kory Aversa
The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning @ The Drake | April 29 to May 15
Inis Nua Theatre Company’s new production is the American premiere of a Welsh play about Army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning, who leaked thousands of classified documents via WikiLeaks before transitioning to a woman in military prison. The show isn’t a true tale; it’s inspired by her story — a “wholly imagined version of the mind and life of Chelsea Manning.”
Machinal @ The Latvian Society | Through May 8
Theater critic David Fox describes EgoPo Classic Theater’s revival of Machinal, inspired by the life of convicted murderer Ruth Snyder, as a “visually stunning, immersive production,” but also “twitchy, juddering, altogether overwhelming” — in a good way.
Spring Opening Celebration @ Institute of Contemporary Art | Friday, April 29
The ICA is opening three very different exhibits on Friday. “Open Video Call: is what it sounds like: The results of an open call for videos from local artists and filmmakers, with the results being show in ICA’s Ramp Space. “Paper Louise Tiny Fishman Rock” is made up of miniature pieces from Philly-native Louise Fishman, who’s known for the opposite — large abstract paintings. The third is a mixed-media exhibit about genealogy and heredity titled “Descent.” The exhibits run through August 14.
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