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Year 31, No. 22
Celebrating 31 Years of Community News
February 3 – February 9, 2016
FIND YOUR COMMUNITY Philadelphia Premiere of “A Wonderful Arden Cabaret Series NEWS HERE! Noise” Promises to Serenade with a Smile Presents Joilet Harris “From
Me to You with Love”
Michael Hollinger’s screwball comedy explores friendship, equality, and challenges of growing up. illanova Theatre p re s e n t s t h e Philadelphia premiere and second-ever production of “A Wonderful Noise,” a barbershop-style musical written by Villanova’s own Michael Hollinger and his collaborator Vance Lehmkuhl, on stage February 9 - 21, 2016.
V Dale O. Roberts CAC Exhibition Page 3
See “A Wonderful Noise,” a barbershop-style musical written by Villanova’s own Michael Hollinger and his collaborator Vance Lehmkuhl, on stage February 9 - 21, 2016. Shown are the Sweet Adelines (played by Laura Barron, Megan Rose, Galen Blanzaco, and Rachel DelVecchio), who disguise themselves as men to infiltrate the boys-only Barbershop Competition to unexpected and hilarious effect.
“I Love You Because” Page 6
Friends’ Central Honors the Legacy of Dr. King Page 9
Get Ready for Valentine’s Day Pages 6 & 7
Find Lots of Great Events Inside!
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Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13 at 8 p.m.
Arden Cabaret Series presents vocalist, actress and multifaceted entertainer Joilet Harris. Her cabaret, “From Me to You with Love” is on stage Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 2016, at 8 p.m.
As World War II rages in Europe, a different battle looms at home, as barbershop quartets from around the country converge to harmonize their way to victory at the national championships in St. Louis. But one group’s handlebar mustaches conceal an explosive secret: they’re actually four young women from Philadelphia, determined to break the Barbershop Society’s gender barrier and prove that girls can do it just as well as (if not better than!) the boys. This heartfelt musical comedy celebrates the bonds of friendship and music-making, as well as the courage required to live and love in a precarious world. With its screwball storyline, witty lyrics, and tuneful Swing Era score, “A Wonderful Noise” evokes the pleasures of a 1940s musical with a 21st-century spin.
rden Cabaret Series, in its inaugural season at the Arden Theatre Company, presents vocalist, actress and multifaceted entertainer Joilet Harris. Her cabaret, “From Me to You with Love” is on stage Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 2016, at 8 p.m. in the Arden’s 100seat Studio Theatre at the Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia. Joilet Harris is a Philadelphia treasure. At the Arden, her searing portrait of Lena Younger in the Arden’s production of “A Raisin in the Sun” and her Barrymore award-winning turn as Caroline Thibodeaux in “Caroline, or Change” rank
See “A Wonderful Noise” at Villanova on page 12
See Joilet Harris “From Me to You with Love” on page 10
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Baritone Jarrett Ott Replaces Nathan Gunn as W.P. Inman in East Coast Premiere of “Cold Mountain” pera Philadelphia General Director & President David B. Devan recently announced that baritone Jarrett Ott, recently praised by Opera News as a “rising star” with “a voice that is polished and immaculately produced,” will replace Nathan Gunn as protagonist W.P. Inman for all five performances of “Cold Mountain,” February 5-14 at the Academy of Music. Gunn, who performed the role in August’s World Premiere at The Santa Fe Opera, was compelled to withdraw from the Philadelphia production due to a serious family illness. Jarrett Ott performs as proOtt, a graduate of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music tagonist W.P. Inman for all and a member of Opera Philadelphia’s Emerging Artists Profive performances of “Cold gram, has been involved with the development of “Cold MounMountain,” February 5-14 tain” and the character of Inman for more than three years. at the Academy of Music. He performed the role in two workshops in 2012 and 2013, Photo/Dario Acosta sang with the full cast in March 2015 as part of a Works & Process presentation at the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, and covered the role in both Santa Fe and Philadelphia. “We have all looked forward to Nathan Gunn’s return to the Opera Philadelphia stage following his riveting performances as Inman in Santa Fe,” said Devan. “We feel truly fortunate to have Jarrett Ott, an outstanding young artist with an intimate knowledge of the role of Inman, to step in a deliver what I am sure will be some of the finest performances of our season.” “It is in the best interest of my family, Opera Philadelphia, my colleagues, and me personally that I withdraw from February’s performances of Cold Mountain,” said Gunn. “I wish
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See Jarrett Ott Performs in “Cold Mountain” on page 3