Philly Theatre Week by Neighborhood: Center City
Philly Theatre Week kicked off on February 6th, featuring exclusive Free, $15, and $30 tickets to 300 events across the region. See something new in Center City! We're interviewing Philadelphia Theatre Company, Acting Without Boundaries, Julia Kershetsky and Nicole Renna, Jenna Kuerzi and Val Dunn, and Philly Improv Theater. Read on to learn more about each company, hear about good eats around the venue, and what to know before you go!
Philly Theatre Week by Neighborhood: Head to Center City!
Philadelphia Theatre Company
Everything is Wonderful
Give us a one-sentence summary about you!
Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) is a leading regional theatre company that produces, develops, and presents entertaining and imaginative contemporary theatre focused on the American experience.
-Where is your event happening?
We are located one block south of the Kimmel Center in Center City.
-What makes working in this particular area special?
We are proud to be part of the expanding arts district on the Avenue of the Arts.
-What's the most unique thing about your venue?
We have a welcoming two-story, 3,000 square foot, glass front lobby offers dramatic views of the Avenue of the Arts and makes a great space for receptions and events. We also have a newly installed professional caliber Digital Cinema Projection system with surround-sound and excellent sightlines from every seat.
-What is one thing that would be cool if people knew about your Theatre Week event before attending?
It is a powerful story about the healing power of forgiveness, acceptance and redemption.
-What might your favorite audience member say to someone who has never been to any of your shows before?
"I love seeing new and innovative plays at PTC, many who have moved on be performed in New York and other major cities, in this welcoming and comfortable venue."
-Any good eats for before/after your event?
Skip the concessions line and enjoy Bottle Service before the show by pre-ordering your own personal bottle of wine at a reserved table upon your arrival.
Select from our curated organic wine list. All wines are $40 per bottle.
Acting Without Boundaries
Journeys
-Give us a one-sentence summary about you!
Acting Without Boundaries (AWB) is a year-round theatre company for people with physical disabilities.
-Is your event happening in a specific neighborhood in Center City?
Center City –Avenue of The Arts
-Is this where you usually perform? If not, where do you usually perform?
No. We perform on the Main Line at The Haverford School in Haverford, PA.
-What makes working in this particular area special?
Since AWB is based on the Main Line it is so nice to perform in Philadelphia and to showcase our performers to a larger audience.
-What’s the most unique thing about the venue?
The Kimmel Center is a very prestigious theatre venue downtown and it has been a way for our organization to get more recognition.
-What is one thing that would be cool if people knew about your Theatre Week event before attending?
People might be surprised that all of our performers have physical disabilities, but you truly see their talents come alive on stage.
-What might your favorite audience member say to someone who has never been to any of your shows before?
An audience member said once, that at AWB performances they forget about the wheelchairs and walkers and just see the amazing talent of each actor.
-Any good eats for before/after your event?
Osteria
Julia Kershetsky and Nicole Renna
Too Legit to Quit
-Give us a one-sentence summary about you!
A duo created by classically-trained sopranos, Julia Kershetsky and Nicole Renna whose love for legit musical theatre is too strong not to share.
-Is your event happening in a specific neighborhood in Center City?
Yes, Rittenhouse area.
-Is this where you usually perform?
Yes and no. We do a Christmas Cabaret with our friends each year. Starling Voice Studio, Julia's voice studio, rents space for her clients to perform twice a year.
-What makes working in this particular area special?
It's in the heart of the community and it's super easy to get to.
-What's the most unique thing about your venue?
The Adrienne Theatre used to be a car dealership before it was converted to a large art space.
-What is one thing that would be cool if people knew about your Theatre Week event before attending?
We discovered that we both had the same red prom dress from over ten years ago (hence, our logo picture). Also, we met in 2017.
-What might your favorite audience member say to someone who has never been to any of your shows before?
"They're wacky -- expect the unexpected."
-Any good eats for before/after your event?
Melograno, BYOB, right next to the venue and of course, Shake Shack.
Johnny Depp: A Retrospective on Late-Stage Capitalism
Val Dunn & Jenna Kuerzi
Give us a one-sentence summary about you!
Jenna Kuerzi and Val Dunn are two friends of each other who made a silly play because they both love Johnny Depp.
-Is your event happening in a specific neighborhood in Center City?
Center city proper!
-Is this where you usually perform? If not, where do you usually perform?
We never know where we're performing. That's the beauty of self producing! Uncertainty!
-What makes working in this particular area special?
It's the most convenient place to have a show ever. Fergie is the most welcoming host and he's the number one patron of the arts.
-What's the most unique thing about your venue?
It's a bar! It's a restaurant! It's an open mic space. It's the best pint of Guinness in town! You don't have to be 21+ to see the show!
-What is one thing that would be cool if people knew about your Theatre Week event before attending?
Johnny Depp: A Retrospective on Late-Stage Capitalism is participatory, so come ready to play with us and throw fake money at us. It's a ritual and a party, along with being a show.
-What might your favorite audience member say to someone who has never been to any of your shows before?
You never know what to expect, but you know it'll be a good time.
-Any good eats for before/after your event?
Fergie's is a full service bar and restaurant, with a Happy Hour before our Monday and Thursday night shows. Bar and food is available to order before, after, and during the show, and there are usually some awesome Open Mics and Live Band Karaoke immediately following our show! Make an evening out of it!
Philly Improv Theater
Shows Each Night of Theatre Week
-Give us a one-sentence summary about you!
Fully improvised comedies, brand-new sketch shows, and whatever else we come up with, all BYOB! Plus, join our "Best of Philly 2019" comedy classes at the Training Center.
-Is your event happening in a specific neighborhood in Center City?
Rittenhouse Square. Our location is on Sansom Street in the Adrienne Theatre.
-What makes working in this particular area special?
Rittenhouse Square is an amazing area with great restaurants, lots of shopping, and great access from anywhere in the city. Our audiences come from all over town to see a show and grab a bite to eat.
-What's the most unique thing about your venue?
Our location on Sansom Street has an awesome, neighborhood vibe while being steps from Center City.
-What is one thing that would be cool if people knew about your Theatre Week event before attending?
All of our improv shows are 100% made up on the spot, based on audience suggestion! Yes, even the musical! The performers don't know anymore about the plot, characters, or dialogue you'll see at that night's performance than the audience does.
-What might your favorite audience member say to someone who has never been to any of your shows before?
We don't have to guess! Take it from on of our many five star reviews left on Google:
"I've been to PHIT Comedy a few times and it has always been a great experience. The shows are unique, entertaining, and memorable, the types of shows that you are still laughing about the next day. Brilliant comedy performed by impressive talented creative people is what I've come to rely on at PHIT Comedy. I strongly reccomend it for date night, or a fun evening out with friends, and they have fun shows every night of the week."
-Any good eats for before/after your event?
There are tons of amazing restaurants right around the block from us. Whatever you're in the mood for, you can find it in Rittenhouse Square!
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See what's on stage during Philly Theatre Week: www.phillytheatreweek.com
Download the Phily Theatre Week Guide to see more performances in Center City
Follow along with #phillytheatreweek
