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Year 31, No. 37
Celebrating 31 Years of Community News
“The Diverse Artistic Universe of George H. Rothacker” Villanova University Art Gallery Showcases the Multifaceted Perspective of Local Artist George H. Rothacker May 23 - July 28
May 18 – May 24, 2016
Y OUNG P EOPLE ’ S T HEATRE W ORKSHOP F LIES H IGH WITH “C HITTY C HITTY B ANG B ANG ”
“Edward Albee” – from the series “20th Century American Writers,” acrylic on canvas, 24 inches by 24 inches.
“Whimsical Art of MF Cardamone” Page 3
“Wizard of Oz” – from the series “The Movies and Music of Hollywood,” acrylic on canvas, 48 inches by 24 inches. Performing in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” are, from left – Aidan Cole (Wallingford), Owen Burk (Swarthmore), Kate DiRienzi (Media), Charlotte Hackett (Wallingford), Nick Shaffer (Swarthmore).
n the past 25 years, artist George H. Rothacker has painted historic Pennsylvania movie theatres; the lively streets of Havana, Cuba; illustrations of the defining social conflicts of our time; and vibrant portraits of some of the nation’s storied writers, among myriad other subjects. His exhibit at the Villanova University Art Gallery, entitled “The Diverse Artistic Universe of George H. Rothacker,” showcases the breadth of the artist’s interests and styles, with 54 acrylic paintings on canvas – including 18 new pieces – that span a quarter century of visual storytelling. The exhibit opens Monday, May 23. A free public reception to meet the Villanova, PAbased artist will take place on Friday, June 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Art Gallery located in the Connelly Center on the Villanova campus. Refreshments will be served. Convenient on-campus parking is avail-
n May 27, Young People’s Theatre Workshop will open the fantasmagorical musical, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” Based on the Disney movie of the same name with wonderful songs by the fabled Sherman brothers (“Mary Poppins”), the musical tells the story of the inventor, Caracatus Potts; his children, Jeremy and Jemima; his love interest, Truly Scrumptious; and the magical car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The musical will be performed by a company of 60 young actors on the mainstage at The Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Rd. in Swarthmore, with a live orchestra and full scale sets and costumes. The performance dates are May 27, 28, 31, June 2, and 4 at 7:30 p.m., May 30 at 6 p.m. and May 29 and June 5 at 2 p.m. All tickets are $12 and all seats are reserved. Call 610-558-0988 to reserve tickets. The talented cast is led by Aidan Cole of Media, and Ethan Starr, of Swarthmore, as Caracatus Potts, and Kate DiRienzi of Media, and Anna Ferrigno of Springfield, as Truly Scrumptious. Jemima is played by Ella Grossman of Swarthmore and Charlotte Hackett of Wallingford. Her brother, Jeremy, is portrayed by Owen Burk of Swarthmore and Sam Hartley of Media. “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” also features some fourlegged actors. Each performance will feature cast members’ pet dogs at the end of the “Toot Sweet” number when the inventor, Caractus Potts, invents a dog whistle quite by acci-
See “The Diverse Artistic Universe of George H. Rothacker” on page 12
See “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” on page 12
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FCS Students’ Mission to Mars Page 9
I LIMR Scientist Wins Award Page 16
Dining & Entertainment Pages 6 & 7
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Brian Sanders’ JUNK Presents “Urban Scuba: Retro Dive” June 1-5 pening June 1, 2016, Brian Sanders’ JUNK will present “Urban Scuba: Retro Dive.” Plunge into the fantastical imagination of Brian Sanders, Artistic Director, declared by critics as “the city’s most exciting choreographer,” and experience the feats of his per Opening June 1, 2016, formers in an inspirational ride through the Brian Sanders’ JUNK will machinations of found objects turned specpresent “Urban Scuba: Retro tacle. “Urban Scuba: Retro Dive” is a 20 year Dive.” Choreography by celebration of found object turned specBrian Sanders. tacle from Philadelphia’s unwanted debris Photo/Steve Belkowitz into treasure. “Urban Scuba, a.k.a., my glamorous term for one of my favorite past times, dumpster diving, is how JUNK got its start,” said Brian Sanders, Artistic Director. “Turning something thought of as ‘used up’ into something inspiring is at the heart of this show and the performers bring back to life the city’s unwanted debris in an inspirational new way.” This is one treasure dive you don’t want to miss. “Urban Scuba: Retro Dive” Six urbanites diving into a dumpster to pull out seemingly miscellaneous objects and animate them into funky props and apparatus for a trip into the ing a broken ladder into a gravity-defying machine. Dare devil performers, imagination. As one critic puts it, “When you make dances with found objects, spectacles themselves according to critics, tell the audience a story through as Brian Sanders does, you find inspiration wherever you turn.” Two per- a series of vignettes including a virtuoso pogo-stick ballet and dancing trash formers hurtle through space, spinning together in opposition, transformSee “Urban Scuba: Retro Dive” page 12
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