NOTES ON MUSIC

Philadelphia Ballet opens its new season with a proud new name and an innovative program, “The Spark”, that includes two world premieres, Angel Corella’s “Landscaping the Mist” set to music by Philip

Glass played live by the company’s marvelous solo pianist Martha Koeneman, and Matthew Neenan’s “Other Half” with music by Rosie Langabeer. The third piece is Juliano Nunes’ “Connection”, a 2019 work with music by Ezio Bosso. An additional in-

novation is the choice of venue, the charming Performance Garage at 1515 Brandywine

St. where attendance is limited to 70 vaccinated persons. Through Oct. 30. Tickets and information on the digital aspect of the performances at 215-551-7000 or www. philadelphiaballet.org 

Lantern Theater’s new streaming production is “The Plague”, based on the 1940’s novel by Albert Camus, adapted by Neil Barlett and directed by Charles McMahon now through

Nov. 7, a tale of “infection, quarantine, panic and closed borders”, a political warning about fascism. In the cast, the remarkable Anthony Lawton, Peter DeLaurier, Amanda Schoonover, J. Hernandez and Wendell Brown. www.lanterntheater.org or 215-829-0395. 

The DaVinci Science Center gets a jump on an October favorite with “The Art and Science of Halloween” now

through Nov. 7 with 50 some pumpkins decorated with Albert Einstein’s and Frankenstein’s face, with related science shows on weekends, all offering family fun.3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass, Allentown. www.davincisciencecenter.org or 610-841-1391. 

TempleU’s theatre department hosts their version of the Broadway smash musical “Spring

Awakening” based on the Wedekind play highlighting teen rebellion, physical and sexual abuse, tinged by poprock. Through Oct. 24 at the Tomlinson Theater, 1301 W. Norris St. www. onthestage.tickets or 215204-1122. 

Plays and Players Theater is showing “The Ongoing Plight of the Ferryman” through Oct. 31, “a dark musical comedy” about ferrying the departed to the other

side. Presented by the local Brainchild Stageworks theatre company.1714 Delancey Place. www.stageworkx.com or 800-811-2724. 

The Philadelphia Film Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary from Oct. 20 to 31 with an impressive line-up of international productions and Oscar contenders, among them “Spencer” with Kristen Stewart as Diana, Prin-

cess of Wales; Kenneth

Branagh’s “Belfast” with an all-star cast; Will Smith’s “King

Richard”, film stars and other industry celebrities, and a total of some 100 shorts and feature-length films. Various venues city-wide. www.filmadelphia.org or 215-4224588. 

The Philadelphia Orchestra is in Verizon Hall on Oct. 21 with conductor Susanna Malkki on the podium for the Mozart Oboe

Concerto featuring the newly-named principal oboe Phillipe Tondre as soloist plus local composer Linda Wagner’s “Little Moonhead” and Stravinsky’s Suite from “Pulcinella”. 7:30 p.m., repeated on Oct. 22 at 2 p.m., Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce. 215-8931999 or www.philorch. org 

Two fine events by the Philadelphia Chamber

Philadelphia Ballet opens their new season now through Oct. 30 with a program that includes two world premieres and a highly popular 2019 work by choreographers Corella, Neenan and Nunes, featuring 21 dancers, live piano and appealing seating for 70 vaccinated ballet lovers at the Performance Garage. (above), dancers So Jung Shin and Russell Ducket in rehearsal). Photo credit: Alexader Iziliaev

Music Society. at the Perelman Theater, Kim-

mel Center. On Oct. 21, pianist Kit Armstrong plays works by Byrd, Rameau, Debussy, CPE Bach, Beethoven and Liszt. 7:30 p.m. And on Oct. 22, the Belcea Quartet offers chamber music by Mozart, Schubert and Szymanowski. 7:30 p.m. Broad and Spruce. 215-569-8080 or www. pcmsconcerts.org 

Philadelphia Dance Projects opens its 25th Anniversary Year with “If Walls Could Talk”, a two night only video art installation on Oct.

22 and 23, an outdoor presentation with a rain date on Oct. 24. part of People Power Media. This free event features award-winning Cine-Dancemaker Carmella Vassor-Johnson and Experimental Media Artist Gralin Hughes, Jr., animating the walls of PhillyCAM at 699 Ranstead St. info@ philadanceprojects.org or 215-546-2552. 

Roxtoberfest is back after a year’s absence, a full day festival on Oct. 23 with a variety of edibles, drinks, live music and family-friendly

shenanigans. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ridge Ave. between Lyceum and Lexington Aves. or 215-508 -2358 www. roxboroughpa.com/ events/roxtoberfest-2021 

Amici Opera offers von Weber’s rare “Euryanthe” on Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 4 p.m., sung by young

operatic hopefuls with piano accompaniment at Redeemer UMC, 1128 Cottman Ave. 215-2240257. Then on Oct. 27, Verdi’s “Rigoletto” will be performed in conjunction with a three-course BYOB dinner at The Sicilian Trattoria(arrive by 6 p.m.) 7901 High School Road, Elkins Park. Reservations at 267-342-2109. 

The Preservation Alliance has two tours on Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., a walking experience of the Monastery Complex in Wissahick-

on Park, five 18th and 19th century structures in a lush green setting with an active historic barn and stables with horses and sheep, a “reminder of early agricultural Phila. in the heart of our metropolis”. Advance registration is required at 215-546-1146 or www. preservationalliance. com/tours 

1807 and Friends present the Florian Trio on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in works for strings by Schumann, Martin Heyworth, Villa-Lobos, Allen Krantz, Leonard Cohen, de Falla and Piazzolla. Academy of

Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St. 215-978-0969 or frnd1807@verizon.net 

COVID

continued from page 3

states for total doses administered.

According to the CDC, as of Tuesday, Oct. 19, 70.8% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated.

Statewide data representing the 66 counties within the Department of Health’s vaccine jurisdiction:

Pennsylvania’s vaccine dashboard was updated on Friday, July 9 to more accurately reflect the number of people who are partially and fully vaccinated in each county outside of Philadelphia, along with demographics of those receiving vaccine. For state-to-state comparisons, refer to the CDC vaccine data tracker.

Vaccine providers have administered 13,441,860 total vaccine doses, including 391,170 additional doses (which includes additional shots for immunocompromised individuals and booster shots), as of Tuesday, Oct. 19. 6,397,401 people are fully vaccinated; with 28,095 vaccinations administered since yesterday and a seven-day moving average of more than 24,600 people per day receiving vaccinations.

The department continues to urge Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule and regulations, including healthcare, local business and workplace guidance. For the protection of themselves and others, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public. CDC also recommends all individuals wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

There are 241,099 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases.

There are 5,636,870 individuals who have tested negative to date.

In licensed nursing and personal care homes, there have been a total of 78,414 resident cases of COVID-19 to date, and 17,029 cases among employees, for a total of 95,443 at 1,641 distinct facilities in all 67 counties. Out of total deaths reported to PA-NEDSS, 14,266 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities. A county breakdown can be found here. Note that the number of deaths reported to NEDSS is not exactly the same as the COVID-19 related deaths reported by the death registry. The number of deaths among nursing and personal care home residents and employees is taken from the PA-NEDSS death data, as this information is not available in the death registry data.

continued on page 8

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frightful stumbles along the way to the sad finale. As it happened, the story had a happy end, so playwright Moran could use those elements to build a comic play upon. And Moran does a fine job at crafting a neat comedy in A Holy Show.

Moran employs various comic devices to earn laughs and appreciative nods here. Several minutes in, the playwright serves up a segment where the two flight attendants are giving passengers safety instructions. The instructions are the standard fare, but those rote guidelines are interspersed with what’s actually going on in the minds of the stewardess and steward as they deliver their spiel. Delivered in slightly muted tones, these bits include irritation with certain passengers, sexual attraction to other passengers, and commentary on the ill-conceived fashion choices of at least one traveler. What makes this segment work so well is that these expressions of the attendant’s inner thoughts segue cleverly into the stock lines of safety instructions.

From there, Moran spins out different humorous bits, such as conversations between passengers; the inner thoughts of passengers delivered as mini-monologues; and the reactions of different characters (especially those flight attendants) as they realize that these could be their last moments alive. (Yes, even those reactions are turned into comedy.)

Moran, apparently a

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Catholic of the lapsed variety, also packs the short script with a number of playful digs at Catholic lore, in particular the apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima in 1917. Much of what occurs in these scenes follows standard Catholic accounts of the apparitions, though delivered in such a way as to draw humor out of them. However, none of the humor is mean-spirited, which relieves it of any charges of intense anti-Catholicism. Some sensitive Catholics may still find these scenes offensive, though this practicing Catholic found the bits mildly amusing and quite acceptable. It might be noted, however, that much of the religious humor in A Holy Show is rather sophomoric. There are also a few key moments when the comedy brakes, and a note of poignancy squeezes in. The best example of this is when hijacker Downey delivers his vision of what will happen all across the world when that Third Secret is a secret no more. He sees people coming together, being kind to each other, caring and then … as he says, none of us will be lonely anymore. That last bit offers a peek into the soul of the hijacker, revealing his deepest motive and the for some, feeling sad solitude of the man. Had playwright Moran LEFT given us a few more such moments, A Holy Show would have achieved greater weight and been something more than just a light entertainment. As it’s set on a crowded airplane, A Holy OUT Show has a large cast of characters. Among the many, there’s a pair of newlyweds on the first leg of a honeymoon trip to southern Spain; a mother and her young daughter; and the stewlasts more than a moment. ard and stewardess giving instructions and then trying to maintain calm as they themselves We can change that. start coming apart at the seams. We also meet a Belfast transplant, a We’ve all had moments where we’ve felt we didn’t belong. But young woman planning for people who moved to this country, that feeling lasts more on becoming a nun, and than a moment. Together, we can build a better community. an atheist who suddenly Learn how at BelongingBeginsWithUs.org embraces prayer when he thinks the plane may be about to crash. Remarkably, all of these characters are rendered by just two actors, taking on roughly ten characters each. The

Approximately 32,059 of total cases have been among health care workers.

The Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable and efficient to all Pennsylvanians:

All Pennsylvanians age 12 and older are eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

Non-profit organizations, childcare and educational institutions can now apply for the COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Grant Program which supports grassroots outreach efforts including local media buys, creation of outreach and training materials, sponsorship of vaccinerelated community events, equipment rental to assist with setting vaccine appointments, and more.

A commonwealth COVID-19 vaccination guide explains the current process for getting one. Pennsylvanians with questions about the vaccination process can call the Department of Health hotline at 1-877724-3258.

Vaccine dashboard data can also be found on the website to find more information on the doses administered and showcase demographic information.

The Unite Against COVID Weekly Update is a round-up of news you can use and answers to your most pressing vaccine questions – delivered directly to your inbox every week.

Frequently asked questions can be found here.

The Board Of Education Kicks Off First Week Of #Phlsupersearch Public Engagement With 8 Opportunities To Make Your Voice Heard

On Monday, October 11, Philadelphia School Board of Education will begin hosting a series of 17 listening sessions – in-person and virtual -- where the public is invited to weigh in on what they want to see in the next Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. The first week of #PHLSuperSearch listening sessions include three virtual and three in-person meetings, in partnership with organizations like the Urban League of Philadelphia, Congreso de Latinos Unidos,as well as The PEAL (Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership) Center and HUNE (Hispanos Unidos para Niños Excepcionales) -- two organizations that work with parents and families of children with special needs, and People’s Emergency Center -- a non profit that supports families and youth experiencing housing insecurity. Each session will include an ASL Translator and non-ESL speakers; and all marketing materials will be translated in up to 8 languages. https://www.philasd.org/schoolboard/ search/

Inis Nua pair (Rachel Broadeur and Liam Mulshine) give spirited performances that merit high praise as they play off splendidly against each other to bring out the comedy to its fullest. Their energy, expressive gestures, and comic timing make this Inis Nua production the success it is.

It helps a lot that both performers are skilled mimics. Rachel Broadeur delivers spot-on Irish accents, but her brief version of a posh English accent is somewhat off the mark. Liam Mulshine also offers a splendid suite of Irish brogues, though his Australian accent comes off as more mid-Atlantic than Aussie.

Tom Reing’s direction undoubtedly played a significant role in drawing out these strong performances. Reing, assisted by movement director Dan Higbee, was able to use a minimalist set to create a convincing sense of place and make every shift in scene credible.

The pacing of the show was also pinpoint. Some of the bits were delivered rapid-fire, while at other moments, the pace slowed down to achieve just the right effect. There was never a moment where the action seemed to lag and rarely a moment when it seemed rushed.

One slight problem here, one probably baked into the script itself: from time to time, it was difficult to keep track of which characters from the throng of twenty had just come into focus. This was a minor problem, however, as the humor came through no matter if we knew or didn’t know who was supposedly delivering it.

This is the American premiere of A Holy Show. As noted above, it is a light piece, running just over an hour, and offers up few deeper insights into the central figures or the situation the real-life participants were thrown into. It’s there to have fun and invite audiences to share in on the fun. As Tom Reing says in his Director’s Notes, “We all need a good laugh right now, and I felt this play could deliver.” His instinct about the work was quite right; Inis Nua’s A Holy Show provides a steady stream of good laughs. And it comes at a very good time.

A Holy Show runs at the Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake (302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia) Wed. through Sun. until October 24. Saturday’s performance is at 8:00 p.m. Sunday’s at 2:00 p.m. All other performances at 7:00 p.m. Audience members are required to show proof of vaccination at the door.

By Henry L Lazarus

I write these Fantasy and Science Fiction reviews a month ahead of time. The world has been changing so fast that sometimes that things are really different by the time these books hit the stores.

Gregory Benford has a potentially award winning tale of first contact a few centuries from now. Rachael Cohen becomes a trainee at the SETI library on the Moon. Signals from other civilizations were very plentiful, some of them AI beings that could be downloaded into computers and interrogated. Rachael proves very good at communicating with these Shadows of Eternity (hard from Gallery Books, Gallery / Saga Press), finding a way to save the solar system from heavy radiation from an ancient supernova. That brings a small ship of a flying species, the Ythri, through a worm hole that the Ythrians somehow have managed to lose. Their leader Fraq, quickly involves Rachael in a series of escapades out of her comfort level, including diving from orbit to Earth, and communicating with the Marsmat, intelligent vegetation deep in cavern under Mars. This is a wow of a tale that gets more exciting with each page. Highly recommended.

K. Eason tells a blowaway tale of high-tech magic in the far future. A generation before, during a major battle, one side opened a hole in the multiverse letting out brood monsters attacking planets for many light-years around the fault. The templars were formed to fight the Brood and stand Nightwatch on the Hinterlands (hard from DAW). The tale starts with a zombie cyborg leftover from the war, a Riev. Even though programmed against violence, this one has murdered an artificer. Enter Templar Lieutenant Iari who likes to work with her counterpart Gaer, an ambassador from the Vakari ( the beings who had created the warp in space) and probably a spy. There’s another artificer creating portals to the Bloom and subverting Riev programming. This is an edge-of-yourseat exciting tale set in a very unusual universe. I hope it finds its way to awards.

J.S. Kelley has a fun adventure for Rosalind Featherstone, known as the Gutter Mage (hard from Gallery / Saga Press) because she doesn’t belong to any mage Guild. She had to drop out of the Mage college after her professor took advantage of her, not for xex, but for ritual that left her hands tattooed and gave her the ability to summon fire. Magic works by trapping spirits and has a nineteenth century technology level based on it. Roz and her partner handle problems for people, sometimes for barter. When a rich noble wants them to rescue his kidnaped baby, they jump at the chance. Unfortunately there is no baby, only a device to disrupt the spirits that make elevators work. Roz, faced with deceit and treachery, has to somehow save her kingdom. I read this with a smile on my face and hope for more adventures to come.

Alastair Reynolds returns to universe in which humanity is almost wiped out by alien devices designed to destroy civilizations. Miguel de Ruyter heads a small settlement hiding from these wolves, when a starship owned by a woman named glass kidnaps him. Apparently he has erased centuries of memories, and he is one of the keys to stopping the Inhibitor Phase (paper from Orbit). Special stones were supposed to be collected by Glass’s allies, but they were stolen. Stealing them back, while avoiding the wolves in the system, is especially difficult. In fact, everything in this quest tale is especially difficult. Interesting characters keep this edge-of-your-seat exciting tale from turning cartoonish. I had no trouble reading this without remembering previous books in the series.

Leda Foley decides to create a travel agency in this internet age. Then she directs one of her clients, police detective Grady Merritt, away from a plane crash because of her rarely used psychic talent. He decides to pull her into a dead murder case that’s been sitting for a year. Grave Reservations (hard from Atria Books) is Cherie Priest’s venture into light mystery and I easily see it as a CW series. Lot’s of fun.

Alix E. Harrow has a tale of a mult-universe of Sleeping Beauties. A Spindle Splintered (ebook from Tordotcom) starts with Zinnia Gray who is dying of an industrial accident caused disease.. She is so fascinated with the sleeping beauty mythos, that she got a PHD in literature studying all the variations. Because of that her best friend got a spinning wheel to prick her finger on her twenty-first birthday. That sends her into a fantasy version of the tale (somehow her cell phone still works and connects her to her friend) where she helps that sleeping beauty confront the witch who cursed her. Properly funny and lots of fun.

L. E. Modesitt, Jr. introduces us to an empathic world where abilities range from powerful empath to mistreated suggestibles. Steffan Dekkard is an Isolate (hard from TOR) unaffected by empaths. He works security for councilor Axel Obreduur who heads the Craft party. The other parties have become corrupt. The councilor has started training him for greater duties and he is falling from his security partner empath Avraal Ysella. This is a time of unrest as political rivals use assassination as a tool, and his knife skills and protection from empathic attacks, allow him to save his employer. I find L. E. Modesitt, Jr. always fascinating but other readers might find this tale a bit dry. This is not his typical tale of magical power. More of the tale is coming next August and I personally can’t wait.

Derek Künsken continues his far future tale in which ancient star gates link solar systems, and some of humanity has been genetically modified. Belisarius finds himself in the middle of The Quantum War (paper from Rebellion Publishing Ltd). 145 Homo quantus were thought lost when their world was destroyed. Unfortunately the Congregate and locked them in a floating jail on their home planet of Venus. Despite being pacifists, they are being modified to hook their brains to computers to pilot fighter space ships. The only way Belisarius can think to rescue them, is to let himself be captured and tortured. Very exciting, and I look forward to more.

Dr. Henry Lazarus is a retired Dentist and the author of A Cycle of Gods (Wolfsinger Publications) and Unnaturally Female (Smashwords). Check out his unified field theory at henrylazarus.com/utf.html that suggests fusion generation requires less energy because only one frequency is needed rather than a full spectrum. It also explains dark matter, the proliferation of subatomic particles, and the limit of light speed for matter.