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Air travellers value luggage updates via mobile
Written on 04 Apr 2019
It's no fun waiting for your luggage after a flight, but mobile alerts are helping to improve the experience.
Research by air transport IT specialist SITA has found that passengers are keen to have updates about their baggage sent to their smartphone and, where these are available, satisfaction levels have surged.
SITA's latest Passenger IT Insights report shows that one in four (26%) passengers in 2018 used their mobile device to receive status updates on their baggage at arrival, up from one in seven (14%) in 2017. A majority of passengers surveyed said they would definitely use mobile notifications providing information on baggage at arrival, and a similar proportion said they would use their mobile to track their bags or to report mishandled baggage.
Passengers were also asked how happy they were with the process of collecting their luggage at the airport.
Those who used their mobile to receive updates at baggage collection were 8.6% more satisfied than those who relied on traditional voice announcements or flight information screens for information. In fact, those who relied on traditional voice or screen announcements for updates ranked baggage collection as one of the lowest points in their journey while those receiving mobile updates perceived this step as one where they were most satisfied, SITA reported.
Commenting on the findings, Peter Drummond, director of baggage at SITA, said: "Today airports and airlines are increasingly tracking bags at key points across their journey. While this tracking data is primarily used to provide better oversight of baggage and reduce mishandling, many operators are providing some, or all, of this information to passengers as a mobile service. This is being done either through the airline or airport mobile app or other notifications such as SMS.
"As we have seen from the survey, this service has a tremendously positive impact on passengers' airport experience. It provides a significant positive boost to the way they perceive their travel, while reducing anxiety around baggage."
Tags: airline mobile app, airport mobile app, mobile flight updates
Conrad Davies
Partner, The Built Environment, UK
Luis Castro
Partner, Smart Energy, Spain
David Ferris
Partner, Smart Energy, UK


As you navigate your way through the MPF Program, you will likely come across several new terms and acronyms unique to MPF. Find explanations and definitions to common MPF terms below!
The AEC is submitted by PFIs that are active in the MPF program (seller and/or servicer) or have outstanding MPF loans .
Determines each loan's risk in the form of a dollar amount or a percentage.
A fee payable monthly by a MPF bank to a Participating Financial Institution (PFI) in consideration of the PFI's obligation to fund the realized loss for a master commitment.
Obtained when completing the loan presentment process either manually or via the batch submission process. Results are given in both a percentage and dollar amount and represent the amount of risk you share.
Your DOA determines the specific individuals who can transact MPF business and at what level.
Also referred to as "rate lock." An agreement in which you commit to deliver mortgage loans to an investor pursuant to a Master Commitment, at a specified price on or before a specified date. May be either a Mandatory Delivery Commitment or a Best Efforts Delivery Commitment.
The MPF document custodian (Wells Fargo) maintains the safekeeping of your file documents until conditions warrant their release.
A website where you transact MPF business.
Stands for Federal Home Loan Banks. FHLBanks are privately capitalized, cooperative government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to support housing and community development. There are 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks in the United States located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Des Moines, Indianapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, and Topeka.
Stands for Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation). Freddie Mac is a government- sponsored enterprise, congressionally chartered institution that buys mortgages from lenders and resells them as securities on the secondary mortgage market.
Typically the first day of the month following the first full month of interest.
Stands for Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association). Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored enterprise and a federally-chartered corporation that purchases qualifying mortgages from lenders and sells securities backed by mortgage loans to investors.
Method of providing loan details and borrower information to MPF program.
A document (including any addenda or attachments) executed by a PFI and an MPF Bank, which provides the terms under which the PFI will deliver Mortgage Loans to the MPF Bank.
A MPF program vendor that receives monthly servicing reports from all MPF servicing retained PFIs. The master servicer will work with the PFI to validate the monthly reports and report the final data to MPF. PFIs will work with the master servicer directly on all servicing issues such as property losses, loan modifications, MI cancelation, loss mitigation, delinquencies and foreclosures.
MPF is a mortgage purchase program established by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago to provide a competitive secondary market alternative for members of participating Federal Home Loan Banks. Mortgage Partnership Finance and MPF are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.
MPF purchases the loan. The date of MPF purchase is considered the sale date.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Located at The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
A PFI is an eligible member or housing associate participating in the MPF Program.
Quality Control is the process of reviewing a loan to determine program eligibility, accuracy of underwriting, and existence of required documentation.
The amount paid to a PFI in return for sale of the Mortgage Servicing Right (MSR) associated with an MPF loan. The servicing acquirer will retain future monthly servicing fee on loans where the originating PFI has received a one-time SRP in return for sale of the MSR.


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Talk Theatre To Me
Performing Arts & Pop Culture
Theatre Geek
San Diego Theatres
EBENEZER SCROOGE'S BIG SAN DIEGO CHRISTMAS SHOW
EBENEZER SCROOGE'S BIG SAN DIEGO CHRISTMAS SHOW at The Old Globe is like the perfect serving of espresso; it is a perfectly concentrated shot of holiday fun and festivity, that leaves you full of energy and good cheer as you continue into this holiday season. Instead of a lengthy or overly sentimental and saccharine version…
There is a certain musical cadence to a David Mamet piece; if the cast doesn't find the right rhythm to make this hyper literate, profanity peppered dialogue flow then the story never quite comes together. Luckily, AMERICAN BUFFALO, currently playing at 10th Avenue Arts by Backyard Renaissance through December 7th is performed so well by…
CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND
Usually when parents and kids discuss music it ends in a disagreement of some sort and not in a touching and emotional understanding of the lives the parents had lived. Nor does one think of putting something like the events of the Cambodian genocide that was the Khmer Rouge with 1970's inspired fun ,and funky…
HANDBAGGED
Behind every powerful woman, is the younger version of herself showing how she got there and what she did with that power. Or at least, this is true in the case of HANDBAGGED, now playing at the MOXIE Theatre through November 17th. Who knew that the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and the steely Iron…
AMADEUS – a murderous musical rivalry
AMADEUS, now playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre is a spellbinding tale of talent, jealousy, madness, and revenge that is not to be missed. The 38th season opener for the theatre playing through October 6th brings the talent and the troubles between Salieri and Mozart to spectacular life. It might be coincidence that the saying…
THE VIRGIN TRIAL
Usually, I have to wait on BBC America or Netflix for the newest installments of dark and tormented dramatic thrillers, like "Luther" or "Broadchurch"- where you never quite know who to trust or who is telling the truth. So imagine my delight that Director Rob Lufty and his talented cast of THE VIRGIN TRIAL have…
Ever sat on a plane, or a train, or even in a theatre seat and wondered about the lives, choices, and stories of the strangers around you? How your life, and theirs could be impacted by a simple action like saying "hello"? THE COAST STARLIGHT, by Keith Bunin is making its world-premiere at The La…
AN EXPERIMENT WITH AN AIR PUMP
AN EXPERIMENT WITH AN AIR PUMP, now playing through August 25th by Backyard Renaissance is an intriguing and thought provoking exploration on scientific discovery, the cost in the pursuit of that knowledge, and a mystery to solve. Set in a stately English home in Newcastle, where both families past and present have a healthy curiosity…
A BRIGHT NEW BOISE
A BRIGHT NEW BOISE, by Samuel D.Hunter is a dark comedy about connection, decisions made, consequences earned, and trying to find profit in retail while one employee is actively trying to summon the Prophet and praying for The Rapture. Set in the break room of a Hobby Lobby, the play opens with manager Pauline (Holly…
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD – London Edition
Dear Jo, Can I call you Jo? J.K. Rowling just feels so formal and Jo just feels right considering I've been reading your books, seeing movies, and now attending your play in London written by your pen. It's the false closeness of social media I suppose. Anyways Jo, here's the thing…through HARRY POTTER AND THE…
TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS at The Old Globe
In this age of social media when a person can be flooded with a million chattering voices, it seems that it is a rare commodity to feel truly heard. For someone to connect and listen is a potent thing. Which is what makes TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, now playing at The Old Globe through March 17th, so…
FADE at MOXIE Theatre
FADE is a two person play that tackles some timely questions on balancing culture, success, and authenticity both in real life and in the La La Land known as Hollywood now playing at MOXIE Theatre through November 11th. Hollywood is the land of dreams, tv shows, palm trees and sunshine. Lucia (Sofia Sassone) a Mexican…
Kids talk About DEAR EVAN HANSEN at Broadway San Diego
NEW MATCH COLLECTIVE Boozin'with the Bard
Noah Kiesersman from DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Behind the scenes magic of the Grinch at The Old Globe
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Deuces Design stands for "Out of Context"
We are multi-dimensional beings and can't be taken for simple face value. We need to slow down and take the time to get to know one another. How can we truly know each other if we are constantly passing judgement on first impressions? On the other side of that, how often do we try to hide our bad parts and only show our best instead of simply staying true to ourselves fully? We need to embrace this idea that nothing is what it seems; at least at first passing.


In the last of our series of interviews with members of the crew, we take a few minutes over a cup of coffee to catch up with Crew Member Susie.
Susie, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. So tell me, how long have you been on the crew?
Ouch. Ooh. Erm, thorry. One thecond.
What's the matter? Have we touched on a delicate topic already?
Oh, no. Not at all. It's just that I've burned my tongue on the coffee. It's really hot. Damn. Now I'm going to sound like Jar Jar Binks.
[Giggles] I'm sure you won't.
Anyway, as I was saying, how long have you been on the crew?
I joined the crew a couple of years ago. I wanted to join sooner, but it didn't really fit in with my job. But now things are a lot more flexible work-wise, which is great.
I'm a garden designer. There are a few of us here who got together to start up our own design practice. And we've been working non-stop ever since. I trained originally as a gardener and then did a course in garden design. It's great to be there at the very start of a project and to then see it right through to being a living garden.
What do your colleagues think about you being on the lifeboat crew?
They're really supportive. But they also find it quite funny, because when we get called out on a shout I charge out of the building like an impatient rhino. Our office is only a couple of hundred yards from the lifeboat station, so I'm usually one of the first there when our pagers go off.
What about your clients? What do they think?
I was just thinking. I do a lot of work with garden landscapers, who are generally quite a gruff and macho bunch. They often take the mickey when they find out that they're working with a garden designer, but when they learn that I'm on the lifeboat crew they treat me as one of the lads.
Do you get that a lot? Do people treat you differently because you're on the lifeboat crew?
Not really differently, as such. But I do find that being on the crew engenders a degree of trust among people. Just as you'd tend to trust a police officer or a teacher. Neighbours ask me to keep an eye on their houses while they're away. People in the local shops let me pay later if I don't have enough cash on me.
And what do your family think about you being on the crew?
My mum and dad always worry a little. I have two brothers in the army, but I'll always be my parents' little girl and they're very protective. I think they'd much prefer it if I stayed at home and prepared planting plans and things like that. But they know that we have the very best boats and protective kit, as well as an extremely high level of training. They live in the town and usually see the lifeboat if it's heading out, so I always make sure to give them a quick call when I get back.
This entry was posted in Interview with the Crew and tagged Crew Member Susie, Lifeboats, RNLI, The Lifeboat Crew by Simon Perks. Bookmark the permalink.


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A San Francisco Treat
Elegant design combines with a rarified locale to create one of California's most extraordinary private residences.
Prominent San Francisco real estate agent Joel Goodrich of Coldwell Banker Global Luxury has joined with L.A.-based Million Dollar Listing star Josh Altman of Douglas Elliman to market this unparalleled urban estate in the heart of San Francisco for $40.5 million. Known as Residence 950, the home was originally built in 1908 by famed architect Willis Polk, and has since been completely renovated and expanded into a cutting-edge masterpiece during a six-year time frame by San Francisco-based ultra-luxury home developer Troon Pacific.
Think amenities beyond compare — from a technology-enabled health and wellness environment to a two-story art gallery that can easily be converted into a sports court, fitness center or even a nightclub — paired with a massive lot (it spans an entire city block) offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of Alcatraz, Angel Island, Salesforce and Coit towers, Financial District and Bay Bridge.
Add to that an enchanting park-like setting boasting 100-year-old olive and lemon trees, and a dramatic 40-foot cantilevered infinity-edge pool crafted using Norwegian stone, along with a wealth of seamless indoor-outdoor environs that lend way to resort-like living, dining and entertainment, and the lucky new owner might not ever want to leave this exclusive private oasis.
"The infinity pool reflecting the shimmering lights of the city and the beautiful bay is incredible, as well as the grounds," says Goodrich. "It is one of the largest residential lots in San Francisco, and can easily accommodate events for more than 300 guests. It offers an incredible indoor-outdoor lifestyle, including a wellness cottage that serves as a wonderful spa-like retreat."
Nestled on the Riviera-like Eastern slope of San Francisco's coveted Russian Hill neighborhood at 950 Lombard St.—just a half block from the popular crooked section of the world-famous thoroughfare—this LEED Platinum-certified abode is accessed via a Siedle Steel electronic system featuring keypad and biometric entry, and features five bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, and a detached one-bedroom guest/wellness cottage.
Expect 9,000-plus square feet of contemporary light-filled living space on three levels connected by a glass elevator flanked by a custom steel-and-wood floating staircase. Among the highlights: a sumptuous master retreat featuring vaulted ceilings, French doors that open to wraparound terraces and balconies overlooking city and bay views, a Boffi walk-in closet, and spa-inspired Calacatta marble-clad bath with a freestanding soaking tub and in-shower TV.
A gourmet kitchen is showcased by integrated Gaggenau appliances (including gas and induction cooktops, and a trio of ovens), custom Boffi cabinetry, Calacatta marble countertops, Mandarin white limestone flooring and a walk-in pantry, while additional standout attributes include a 2,000 bottle temperature-controlled wine storage and display room; grand parlor equipped with a custom Jonathan Browning–designed bar; and the aforementioned humidity-controlled art gallery/sports court/event space ideal for collectors, athletes and entertainers.
Large sliding doors, meanwhile, open to outdoor environs including a movie theater space with projector and retractable screen; trellis dining area with a chandelier and fireplace; that amazing heated pool, with underwater lighting and speakers; and a kitchen with pizza oven, high-performance grill, rotisserie and refrigerator. The grounds' detached guest cottage has been designed to enhance health and wellness — replete with a steam room, sauna, massage area, outdoor shower, and hot tub with ultraviolet filtration.
Adding to the home's allure is a Zehnder air-filtration system that completely recycles interior air 12 times per day; Japanese water filtration and purification system that's said to improve skin and hair; and an underground four-car garage reached via a concrete tunnel-like drive that sports an automated parking turnstile, Tesla charging station, catering area, washing station for dogs and more.
Photographs By Jacob Elliot & David Livingston
Joel Goodrich Dre 01028702 Of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage & Josh Altman Dre 01764587 Of Douglas Elliman
List Price $40.5 Million
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Kirei Studio: Less is More
Sophisticated Decor At The Palihotel Westwood Village
Roman Coppola Rents Out His Hollywood Villa
Adam Levine Buys $32M Los Angeles Property


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PTC Pages Vol 23
Vol 23, December 2020
But first, a NEWS ALERT: This is the final week to stream The Wolves, which ends on Sunday, December 20th. Our long-awaited production was rewarded with some exciting attention. Jesse Green, the New York Times' chief theater critic said The Wolves – an 'inventive virtual production' – is saving pandemic theatre (his words-read the review!). Broad Street had a big month, with The Wilma Theater's searing Heroes of the Fourth Turning also feted in that review.
Vol 22, September 2020
Somehow, Labor Day happened. We do hope that you had a safe and sunny summer. We've missed you so much, and now I get to tell YOU – before anyone else! – what's new at PTC.
First, we're making things!
While you were at the beach, we were developing a new musical! On July 30th, we rehearsed and performed a reading (on Zoom, natch) of the new musical Dear Shirley, by Kristin Bair and Kevin Hammonds. The musical tells the story of world-renowned photographer Hinda Schuman, whose work appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer for 20 years. I was lucky enough to direct our fantastic actors Mary Tuomanen, Garrett Vaughn, Rachel Camp, Ben Dibble, Anne Tolpegin, and Sarah Gliko, who helped shape the script through three drafts! The creative team learned a lot and it was truly great to be in the "room" again.
So, what is happening this season, you ask? Find out on Wednesday, September 30th at 6:45 pm, when we invite you to join us for a "live" 2020-21 Season Kickoff announcement. Then at 7 pm, stick around for our first offering of the season when Philadelphia Theatre Company takes part in a rolling premiere* of the new virtual play, The Days of Re-Creation, seven 10-minute plays riffing on the Book of Genesis.
The Days of Re-Creation is written by Masi Asare, AriDy Nox, (Philadelphia's own!) Erlina Ortiz, SEVAN, Nandita Shenoy, BD Wong, and Lauren Yee and features actors Ang Bey, Guadalís del Carmen, Kimberly Fairbanks, J. Hernandez, Suli Holum, Christine Toy Johnson, and Iraisa Ann Reilly.
You can read more about the project and our cast HERE and we hope you'll join us, and learn about what else is in store for our virtual-tastic 20-21 season. You'll also meet our new Resident Artist Jeffrey Page, and he'll talk a little about his hopes and dreams for his time with PTC.
Vibhat Nair, Ph.D.
Matthew Massaua
We also have two new Board Directors! Please welcome Vibhat Nair, Ph.D., and Matthew Massaua. We are grateful for their enthusiasm and know they'll be proud ambassadors for PTC starting immediately.
Finally, even with so much to be grateful for, I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the pain and loss that has also been a part of this season. After being poised to grow, we have once again had to make difficult choices and cuts to stay nimble–to survive. Our turnaround would have been impossible without the dedication of many humans that are not with the company anymore. We promise to honor their contributions. We promise to offer a season you'll be excited about, whether it's in person or in the virtual realm, and then a season after that.
Obviously, Flexibility (one of our 5 core values along with Care, Integrity, Ambition, and Joy) will be key this year, as we remain responsive to the world around us – whether it's the current social and political climate or an opportunity to reopen our venue that comes sooner than expected.
How can you help? Your ongoing support of PTC is absolutely vital as we continue to make theatre and to bring the art that will heal and uplift us all. Please consider a donation. You can do so here with just a few clicks. Thank you!
We hope to "see" you soon,
* Live & In Color is a theatre company based in NYC and Connecticut that develops new plays and musicals that celebrate diversity. Seven prolific playwrights of color were commissioned by their Artistic Director Devanand Janki to create The Days of Re-Creation.
It's been a minute.
You may have noticed that we have been relatively quiet at Philadelphia Theatre Company. During the last several weeks, we took our time to navigate through the first stages of the health and economic crisis and to thoughtfully strategize about our future.
At last, I was all set to bring good news to you about the projects we're developing, and give you a heads up about events coming up as soon as next Monday, June 8th.
However, I must first address the pain and tumult that we are witnessing in our country and right here in Philadelphia. We want to acknowledge the pain of the Black American community that seeks justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others. Black Lives Matter.
Philadelphia Theatre Company will emerge from this crisis with stability and strength. We are committed to our mission and to the people we serve. But we must acknowledge the long history of systemic racism and trauma that is the root cause of injustice.
I am available for any conversation you wish to have–about what we're doing, what we've done, how we've failed and also what actions we are taking.
If you are looking for paths to information and action, you will find some here.
Thank you for your patience and commitment as we seek a creative path through this time.
As a result of careful planning PTC will be in a very strong position to come back – when we can. If we've learned anything recently, it is that making plans is tricky. So we are playing the long game, and that means that we are not going to be announcing a season, or dates, until we can do so with certainty. We know you understand that if there's one thing in short supply right now, it is certainty. (watch our video message HERE)
We do have a "season" in mind that we are eager to produce, and are considering all the ways that we might offer it to you, whether it's live or digital, or a mixture of both. We see an opportunity for innovation as well as an expansion in the ways we define theatre and art in this moment; in how art can reach households that may have heretofore been excluded. We will be revealing those initiatives in the coming months.
Here's what we're looking forward to right now:
Next Monday, June 8th, PTC has the honor of launching the first regional episode of "Stars in the House," hosted by me, starring special guest Kathleen Turner, and lots of Philly artists. We'll visit our guests in their homes, and talk about their experiences at PTC and what they're up to right now. The show goes live at 2 pm on PTC's YouTube channel. This hour-long show will benefit PTC's artistic programming, with a portion of our proceeds going toward other local charities to be announced.
Barrymore winning musical director Amanda Morton will accompany some of our musical guests, like Rodney Hicks, Tamara Della Anderson and Georgiana Summers (PTC's The Bridges of Madison County).
You'll meet PTC crew member Danielle Joh, who has put her talents to use making masks for the community AND, if you donate $50 or more, you'll receive your very own handmade mask!
Also, save the date for Wednesday, July 1st, when we present our Virtual Play Brawl fundraiser, which was originally scheduled for March 13th. Now anyone can come! More details will be forthcoming.
PS – Your ongoing support of PTC is deeply appreciated and absolutely vital as we continue our mission to serve the audiences and artists of Philadelphia. If you wish to donate, please click here. Thank you!
I'll try to keep this short – we know you're inundated with so much communication now.
However, we wanted to reach out to everyone in the PTC family with the sad news that our dear colleague, the esteemed playwright Terrence McNally, has passed away.
Philadelphia Theatre Company and former artistic leader Sara Garonzik enjoyed a close relationship with the playwright, producing several of his plays, including world premieres such as Master Class. If you read the Inquirer article about his passing, you would have also seen (spoiler alert) mention of our intention to program Master Class next season, 25 years after PTC's world premiere. We aren't ready to announce our full 20-21 season yet, but we are grateful that we recently received Terrence's enthusiastic blessing to revisit his Tony Award-winning masterpiece.
Let's stay connected with a video project!
We'd love to share some #PTCStayAtHome stories on our social media channels during this "intermission" and need your help! What better way to continue our 45th anniversary season celebration than by hearing from you about what PTC has meant to you, or really – anything that is keeping you sane right now.
Here are some questions for inspiration:
1. How many years have you been coming to PTC?
2. What is your favorite show you've seen at PTC and why?
3. What do you love most about live theatre?
4. In looking back over PTC's history, what 3 words could best describe your memories?
If we could have your submissions soon, we'd love to begin posting the series on April 1st. Go ahead and send your video to me ([email protected]) and we'll get it into the queue to share.
As most of you know, we made the difficult decision to postpone our spring production of The Wolves. We will be reaching out to all ticket holders in a few days, as we devise our new plan.
Your ongoing support of PTC is deeply appreciated and absolutely vital as we continue our mission to serve the audiences of Philadelphia by producing theatre of the highest quality, and by nurturing our artists. How can you help? We hope you'll consider donating the cost of your tickets to The Wolves back to PTC. Another idea, suggested by a loyal donor, is to list us as your favorite charitable organization when you order from AmazonSmile. It's the easiest way to get what you need and send a little help our way as we navigate this uncertain time.
The world is moving so quickly, and we're mindful that your priorities must lie with the safety and health of your loved ones. Our staff is working from home (we've mastered Google Hangouts and the virtual happy hour!) but we are available to you; reach out at any time.
We are thinking about you and look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we can safely resume operations.
Stay safe (and sorry, this wasn't that short after all),
PS – If you have the desire and capacity to assist the Philadelphia artist community (many of whom are gig-economy or hourly workers and already vulnerable), you'll find some resources on the Theatre Philadelphia website. If advocacy is your jam, click here to communicate the importance of the arts to our elected officials. We'd love you to remember those smiling faces who exchange your tickets or work behind the bar who are without any work right now.
If you're wondering how 2020-21 is shaping up – read on! We have only a few balls in the air now, and we are firming up our dates in the calendar, locking down the availability of directors and the licensing rights to the plays. Sometimes we're in competition for those rights with other theaters and sometimes we compete with…Broadway. Remember The First Deep Breath, that we all loved during See & Be Scene? Fast-tracked for New York. (We're sad, too).
But one thing that is really on my mind is the 2020 election. It's an industry truism that presidential election seasons can wreak havoc with theatre seasons. So would you be willing to take a two-question survey? Take out your crystal ball and click here to help us gaze into the future and program just what you'll need to fill your soul with something wonderful.
Speaking of wonderful – have you seen these reviews for Everything is Wonderful?
'Everything Is Wonderful' honors the human work of pain and endurance (Inquirer)
Illuminating Empathy (Broad Street Review)
"Heart-wrenching Everything is Wonderful" (Philly Life and Culture)
If you haven't seen Everything is Wonderful, don't miss your chance!
Also, don't forget about our "Free-Talk" Series of post show conversations.
On Tuesday, February 25th, Julia A. Ericksen, author and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Temple University, moderates a discussion with Donald B. Kraybill, author, lecturer, and educator on Anabaptist faiths and living. Kraybill is the foremost living expert on the Old Order Amish and the author of the book The Amish, written with Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, and Steven M. Nolt.
NEW!! Thursday, February 27th (before & after the performance), we feature Torah Bontrager, Founder + Executive Director, The Amish Heritage Foundation. Torah has a fascinating history, escaping her Amish community at 15. She graduated from Columbia University and is now an activist fighting to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court case WI v. Yoder, which allows the Amish Church to keep its children from receiving an adequate education and from attending school beyond the Amish 8th grade. Torah will speak prior to the performance and be available for a post show Q&A.
Our third annual fundraising event, PLAY BRAWL, is back for ROUND 3 March 13th, 2020! For more information about this rabble-rousing NON-Gala, go to our website and buy tickets. Vote for your favorite Contender and help raise money for PTC the fun way!
PS – Shout out to new board member and composer Kristin Bair, whose new musical UP AND AWAY finished its run at the Broadway Rose Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Well-reviewed as "a fast-moving, Bam! Pow! Splat! of a good time."
Rehearsals just got underway for Everything is Wonderful, by Chelsea Marcantel. Director Noah Himmelstein has assembled a fantastic cast with some actors you'll know, and others you'll be delighted to discover. Noah directed this play at the Everyman Theatre in Baltimore last year. I saw it and knew it was perfect for PTC.
William Zielinski starred in PTC's Hand to God a few years ago, and plays the complex role of patriarch Jacob. His wife Esther is played by Blair Sams, who participated in our inaugural Play Brawl fundraiser, in the "There's no crying in baseball" scene. Blair recently completed shooting on Jon Stewart's film Irresistible and we are thrilled she has moved to the area. J. Hernandez, so stunning in PTC's Sweat and a Haas Award nominee, is back again this year. Two rising stars, Katie Kleiger and Lucky Gretzinger, make PTC debuts as Miri and Abram, respectively. Lucky reprises a role he originated in the show's world premiere at Contemporary American Theatre Festival. Finally, we're excited to introduce young Philly newcomer Stephanie Hodge to PTC audiences (some of you may have seen her in See & Be Scene).
The Amish are a quickly expanding population, with numbers rising more than 33% in Pennsylvania, and doubling in the US over the last twenty years. At a time when the Amish community has come under scrutiny, and explosive new revelations have come to light, this play feels downright prescient.
Please take note! We have two post-show discussions centering around some of these issues and hope you'll come join the cast for conversations around consent, as well as the history and practices of the Amish.
On Thursday, February 20th, we'll feature Olivia Harris, former Albert M. Greenfield Fellow at PTC, who is now the Executive Director of Speak About It, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with high schools and colleges to educate, entertain, and empower students to create positive change within their communities, advocate for and practice healthy relationship habits, and prevent sexual violence. Joining Olivia is Christian Hayden of Women Against Abuse, whose mission is is to provide quality, compassionate, and nonjudgmental services in a manner that fosters self-respect and independence in persons experiencing intimate partner violence and to lead the struggle to end domestic violence through advocacy and community education.
On Tuesday, February 25th, Julia A. Ericksen, author and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Temple University, moderates a discussion with Donald B. Kraybill, an author, lecturer, and educator on Anabaptist faiths and living. Kraybill is widely recognized for his studies on Anabaptist groups, and is the foremost living expert on the Old Order Amish. He is the author of the book "The Amish," written with Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, and Steven M. Nolt, who spent twenty-five years researching Amish history, as well as Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy, delving into the 2006 Nickel Mines shooting.
Don't miss an opportunity to go deep and meet these fascinating guests!
PS – If you'd like to take advantage of our subscriber benefits for the final two shows in our season, packages start at $35! That 👏 is👏crazy. But we hope you'll take advantage of it!
(pictured: director Noah Himmelstein and Neill Hartley, dialect coach; Katie Kleiger. photo credit: Alexa Perillo)
Hello and congratulations for surviving (thriving?) in 2019!
It may be the end of the year, but we're right in the middle of planning our 2020-21 season. Thank you to everyone who came to See & Be Scene, our annual sneak peek into the plays and musicals that are under consideration for the future. On Monday, December 2nd, eight plays were showcased:
Sharyn Rothstein's Tell Me I'm Not Crazy (a comedy about a deadly serious subject – guns)
Triangle (a brand new musical that juxtaposes stories spanning the century from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire to today)
Too Heavy for Your Pocket (drama set in the Deep South about a young man choosing between becoming a Freedom Rider and his obligation to his young family, when he receives a full scholarship to college)
The Stephen Sondheim musical masterpiece Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
The First Deep Breath, by Philly-born playwright Lee Edward Colston II, is the Philadelphia version of August: Osage County, epic in scope and passions.
Our Kilroys List choices were Alabaster, a darkly comic southern drama about love, art, and the heart-wrenching story of a reclusive Alabama folk artist, and another Kilroys List play,
John Proctor is the Villain, about a high school class exploring the American classic The Crucible. As scandal swirls in their community and old heroes are unmasked, the line between witch and heroine blurs in this post-MeToo examination of power, love, and sex education.
Sweet Smell of Success, a little-known Broadway musical about the powerful newspaper columnist JJ Hunsicker, based on the 1957 Ernest Lehman film.
The conversation following the presentation was enlightening. Here's what you said, either in the surveys, online comments, or in the room…
The show that got the most enthusiasm was the new musical Triangle. ("Intriguing. We need to tell immigrant stories right now."). There was a good discussion about the place of musicals at Philadelphia Theatre Company, with an expressed interest in new musicals, or with a new approach that was unique to "PTC." Here are bookend responses to Sweeney Todd:
"Can't go wrong with a classic like Sweeney Todd."
"Great material but don't need to see it again."
The most popular play was Colston II's The First Deep Breath. This quote is from one person but sums up the general reaction:
"Compelling dialogue + characters. Unexpected plot twist. Multiple story layers. Want to see the resolution. Love that it's a local playwright."
SO many of you spoke up with passionate comments, full of honesty and insight from your many years of attending shows at Philadelphia Theatre Company. Ultimately, it's clear that you gravitate toward plays with meatier subjects and most importantly, good dialogue. One quote particularly resonated with me:
"I come here to see shows I can't see elsewhere, preferably with contemporary themes."
That's a helpful guiding star.
We are daring to dream a little and starting to plan for a four-show season. That won't happen without an increase in support, so we're looking for confidence-boosting end of year gifts. If you want to be part of an expanded season at PTC, you can help make that happen!
Finally, I'd like to not-so-humble-brag by sharing this blog post by an engaged patron of ours who attended the event who said, "PTC's See & Be Scene program helped inspire my current blog post. I thank you and your colleagues for a terrific program and for the blog post inspiration. [We] are looking forward to an exciting 2020-21 season." (Click through to discover who the writer is and read more pithy entries!).
Have a wonderful holiday season! We'll see you at our next play Everything is Wonderful, which starts previews on Valentine's Day!
PS – Comcast NBCUniversal held a special CATS preview screening at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, really getting us into the spirit. There were even cats there.
Happy Impending Holidays!
Somehow, the holidays are just about upon us.
We are thankful to our creative team for the terrific run of Adam Bock's A Small Fire, starring Bebe Neuwirth, John Dossett, Oge Agulué and Sarah Gliko (giving another stellar performance after winning her Barrymore Award for PTC's The Bridges of Madison County last season). We're thrilled to announce that our subscriptions surpassed our goal by – a lot.
Now, we are in full court press mode, preparing for See & Be Scene, our annual sneak peek into the plays and musicals that are under consideration for future seasons. Join us on Monday, December 2nd, at 7 pm, when eight works will be showcased. Then, we'll ask you to stay, grab a drink and join a conversation with me and some of the artists about the scenes and the season planning process. You can ask questions, share observations, or simply fill out the survey you'll receive when you arrive.
This evening is truly important to us. Not only does it give us a chance to meet and work with an array of talent from the area, but we also get to showcase ideas and get instant feedback about what shows pique your interest or even, well, turn you off (it's happened!). Season planning is an inexact science, and the zeitgeist into which we release these shows is ever changing (Presidential election 2020, anyone?), but we love this annual opportunity to try out ideas and hear from you.
Some of the plays and musicals we will present include the 2019 Kilroy's List play John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower, which uses the classic play The Crucible to examine a scandal in a modern day community. Sharyn Rothstein's Tell Me I'm Not Crazy is a comedy about a deadly serious subject – guns. The First Deep Breath, by local playwright Lee Edward Colston II, is the Philadelphia version of August: Osage County, epic in scope and passions. Then, you'll hear pieces from a new musical called Triangle (music by Curtis Moore, lyrics by Thomas Mizer, book by Mizer, Moore and Joshua Scher), which juxtaposes stories that span the century from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire to today, and Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, with a book by Hugh Wheeler and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Too Heavy for Your Pocket, by Jiréh Breon Holder, tells the story of a young man who weighs a choice to join the fight against racism in the Deep South by becoming a Freedom Rider against his obligation to his young family. There's more in store, but this is just a preview of the preview!
Tickets are on sale for $15 for the general public but are free for donors and subscribers. Tickets are available at philatheatreco.org, at the box office, or by calling 215-985-0420.
Also, we're happy that the Suzanne Roberts Theatre will be jam packed with holiday events, thanks to the work of our resident companies: Koresh Dance Company's Come Together Festival opens tonight and the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus has a holiday offering from December 5th through the 7th called A Starry Night: A Joyful Holiday Celebration. Check our website under Events at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre to see all the many live performances you can enjoy.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
We have had so much fun getting ready to open the season. A Small Fire playwright Adam Bock stopped by rehearsals last week to watch a run-through of his play and talk with the cast afterward, answering their questions and providing personal insights you can only get directly from the playwright.
The play is in previews and the creative team is making changes big and small. Preview audiences really do help shape a production, helping the actors with timing, and the director with pacing. We are treating this play like it's brand new, and working every day until opening to realize our vision.
We have some fun surprises to unveil for you. Get ready for your upgraded experience, as we excitedly tackle our wish list of things we can do to make your Philadelphia Theatre Company memorable. As you walk up to the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, you'll notice changes inside and out. We hope you'll find the refreshed lobby warm and welcoming.
Also new this season! Our specially curated wine list includes a Malbec from Spain, Rose of Syrah from France, a Pinot Grigio from Italy, a California Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. We make theatre, not wine, so we brought in some fancy Philly food and beverage people to design the wine list you deserve. Come early and check out our new wines, including bottle service for only $40 per bottle at a reserved table in the lobby.
We really hope you've made plans to join Philadelphia Theatre Company for our 45th Anniversary Season. Whether you've subscribed for the season, chosen one show that excites you, or have decided you're going to come to our sneak preview event See & Be Scene on Monday, December 2nd, we hope you'll come and experience all that's happening at the theatre.
Finally, help us congratulate actress Sarah Gliko, who won a Barrymore Award (Outstanding Leading Performance in a Musical) for her performance as Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County last season. Click here for the full list of winners, recognizing a fantastic array of diverse Philadelphia offerings and artists last season.
PS – Remember, Artists Circle members have access to all sorts of special experiences, including exclusive invitations to a private reception with Bebe Neuwirth. JOIN TODAY!
(September 23, 2019)
Welcome back from your summer, everyone!
While many of you may be nursing Fringe hangovers, we hope you're ready to dive into the upcoming theatre season. Philadelphia Theatre Company officially launches our 45th Anniversary Season next week, when we start rehearsals with Bebe Neuwirth in A Small Fire at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. (Enjoy a new video trailer HERE.) It will be such fun to have Bebe and company working in the theatre by day, and the Philadelphia Opera O19 world premiere production of Denis & Katya wowing audiences at night. It's not too late to catch a Fringe show: here's the GUIDE.
It's reward enough to be nominated!
Another milestone is being celebrated next month in our theatre community. For 25 years, the Barrymore Awards have honored local artists and theatre companies while increasing public awareness of the richness and diversity of our city's thriving theatre community. PTC garnered nine nominations for the 2018-19 season, and we are thrilled for and proud of our nominated artists. The 25th Anniversary show will be held on Monday, October 14th at 7 pm at Bok. Get your information and tickets HERE, and check out our nominations below:
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical | The Bridges of Madison County
Outstanding Leading Performance in a Play | Lindsay Smiling | How To Catch Creation
Outstanding Leading Performance in a Musical | Sarah Gliko | The Bridges of Madison County
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play | Walter DeShields | Sweat
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical | Rachel Camp | The Bridges of Madison County
Outstanding Costume Design | Mark Mariani | The Bridges of Madison County
Outstanding Media Design | Christopher Ash | Sweat
Outstanding Music Direction | Amanda Morton | The Bridges of Madison County
Independence Foundation Award for Outstanding New Play/Musical | Christina Anderson | How To Catch Creation
We are delighted to announce that PTC has a new Director of Development, Christopher Kramaric. Christopher returned to his Philly roots just a few years ago and recently held a position at The Franklin Institute. We're thrilled to have him on board and hope you'll get a chance to meet him soon.
People still ask: "How is the theatre doing now?" This may be an unusual question to cover in a newsletter, but I am excited to report that Philadelphia Theatre Company is on solid ground and focused firmly on the future. We ended the 2019 fiscal year with a healthy surplus for a second consecutive year. We just expanded our staff to include the aforementioned (and very crucial) Director of Development, allowing us to begin a new visioning process with additional expertise and smart planning. We have invested in customer service improvements: new assisted listening devices for patrons, a refreshed website that is thisclose to launching and many, many more small improvements that you will feel, if you don't actually see.
Finally, thank you to everyone who contributed to our annual fund campaign and made this huge step forward possible. There is simply no way we could continue to bring first-class theatre to you without your commitment and support. And remember, Artists Circle members have access to all sorts of special experiences, including exclusive invitations to a private reception with Bebe Neuwirth. JOIN TODAY!
We're very excited to be back and look forward to seeing you this season,
PS – If you haven't purchased your subscription yet, you can get yours HERE. You still have time, but prime seating is getting scarce, so don't delay!
It's a myth that things slow down in the summer. Ok, maybe the office vibe is a little more chill, but the Philadelphia Theatre Company team has been in high gear on so many fronts. Here are just a few:
Tickets are on sale!
Single tickets on sale NOW…but if you're good with math, you'll see that you could get a full subscription for a super reasonable price. Check out pricing details HERE.
Casting is final!
For our opening show, Adam Bock's A Small Fire, we've already announced the casting of the inimitable Tony and Emmy Award-winning Bebe Neuwirth (Chicago, Addams Family, Blue Bloods, Madam Secretary). Now we're thrilled to announce the addition of John Dossett (Madam Secretary, The Americans, The Good Wife, War Paint, Pippin, Newsies), Oge Agulué (The Code, Book of Mormon) and Philadelphia's own Sarah Gliko (PTC's The Bridges of Madison County, Wilma Theater's Constellations, Walnut Street's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time).
Portal to PTC
Thanks to the generosity of our board, we are working to improve your online experience and the redesign of the PTC website will be finished soon. Websites are still where many of you not only buy tickets but also learn more about how to interact with PTC. (Donate! Volunteer! Read our newsletter!)
We'll soon have a big announcement about some new people joining the PTC team. The PTC board has just added two members, as well.
Kristin Bair is a composer whose work has been performed in New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. She was awarded the BMI Foundation's Jerry Harrington Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in 2015 with writing partner Kevin Hammonds. Their musical comedy Up and Away premiered in 2018 at Pittsburgh CLO and will be staged by Broadway Rose Theatre Company in January 2020. Kristin is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Advanced Workshop. Fun fact: Prior to becoming a full-time composer, Kristin worked as an accountant for U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh, PA.
Regina Hairston is a Senior Associate at Bellevue Strategies. She is a registered lobbyist at the state, local, and federal government levels where she advances client objectives through the development and execution of government affairs, community relations, media, and communications strategies. Fun fact: Regina is a graduate of the DiverseForce On Boards program funded by William Penn Foundation to support their grantees with board development.
Finally, our end-of-year annual fund campaign is up and running – but don't run! We hope you'll consider supporting PTC to end the year strong, with a gift of $45 to kick off our 45th Season. Click here to donate $45!
PS – If you haven't purchased your subscription yet, you can get yours HERE. Prime seats are moving fast! Learn about the season HERE.
Hi and bye!
Summer has finally arrived, and we know that we're not likely to be on your minds for a little bit, so we wanted to catch your attention one more time to let you know what's happening at PTC.
Some of our PTC family members were honored at the Tony Awards this month. Terrence McNally received a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award. You can watch his graceful speech here, and read a gorgeous reflection on that speech by the Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones.
Rachel Chavkin (the only woman who directed a musical on Broadway this season) won the Tony Award for Best Director, my husband (!) Nevin Steinberg won for Best Sound Design along with co-designer Jessica Paz (first woman ever nominated, so thus first winner!), all for Hadestown.
And finally, congrats to Ali Stroker (Olive in our production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), who won the Best Featured Actress in a Musical award for her performance as Ado Annie in Oklahoma!
Ali is the first woman in a wheelchair to win the award. In her triumphant remarks she said, "This award is for every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, who has a limitation or a challenge, who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena — you are." We are super proud that Ali graced the stage of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre early in her career. Our theatre is fully ADA-accessible not only to patrons, but also backstage, so that differently-abled actors can work here.
Summer's coming, so it must be new play festival time. The PlayPenn New Play Development Conference has some amazing writers coming in July, and PTC reps will be scouting all things new at the Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF), New York Stage & Film's Powerhouse Theater and Barrington Stage, to name a few. If you're really curious, write me back and I'll share a few highlights we're looking forward to, including The Elementary Spacetime Show at the Powerhouse from July 12-14, and Adam Bock's play Before the Meeting, at WTF, August 7-18th.
We are thisclose to announcing final casting for our own 2018-20 season, with just a few more roles to fill. Our design teams are also coming together and feature lots of new faces along with some rising stars in the field. Stay tuned for an announcement later in the summer.
Finally, our fiscal year closes at the end of August, so our annual fund campaign is up and running – but don't run! We hope you'll continue to support PTC, to end the year strong as we kick off our 45th Season. Artists Circle members will have access to a private reception with Bebe Neuwirth, so this is a fun year to join our Artists Circle for special experiences and access!
PS – If you haven't purchased your subscription yet, you can get yours HERE. Prime seats are moving fast! Learn about the season HERE. You'll soon receive your season brochure…you will notice that PTC and the Wilma Theater are cross-promoting each other's work. So if three shows in one season aren't enough for you, we hope you'll take a look at the Wilma season and consider an add on.
It's graduation season and Broad Street has been filled with caps and gowns as well as a palpable sense of pride and celebration. In one single moment, the hard work and years of concentration and all the stress evaporate, transforming into hope, aspiration and yes, maybe just a little fear of the unknown.
It occurred to me yesterday that all of us at PTC relate to these graduates. We've been undergoing a years' long master class in transformation, too, combining our collective experience to learn what works (and doesn't). Some of our experiments worked (Play Brawl!), and others we'll just put in the "well, that didn't work" column.
So, with our newly constituted staff and leadership, we just graduated from our first season. We majored in turning PTC around. We brought together many artists that were new to PTC and focused on creating empathy with stories by and about communities that are unfamiliar to many of us. We learned a lot – about ourselves, about our audiences, and even about the city of Philadelphia.
Last month, we told you about Bebe Neuwirth headlining our first play of the season. This week, we're in the middle of more casting, sending offers, and putting together the creative teams for the season, and that is my favorite part of being an artistic director. You can see the season take shape in small ways, and start to imagine the experience that an audience will share.
We're also thrilled to be on your minds, as well. Subscription sales are hot, and we're excited you're building upon last season's momentum, with our 45th anniversary season featuring the plays A Small Fire, Everything is Wonderful and our Kilroys List play The Wolves. Learn more about our new season HERE.
It's also awards season on Broadway, and we'd love to give a shout out to some PTC alums, who are nominated for awards: Ali Stroker, from our production of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, for Best Featured Actress (Oklahoma), Rachel Chavkin, director of 2017's Small Mouth Sounds for Best Director (Hadestown), David Korins, scenic designer of FOUND, for Beetlejuice, and my husband (!) Nevin Steinberg, PTC's Nerds, for Best Sound Design (Hadestown). And of course, we celebrate Terrence McNally, who is getting a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award! I'll be there on June 9th, and hope you'll tune in to CBS and watch.
PS – Just a reminder that PTC subscribers will get the best deal on the best seats – call the box office at 215-985-0420 to subscribe for our 45th Anniversary Season and receive 40% off single prices. Exchanges are free and you pay NO fees. Go to our website to buy your subscription now!
Spring is here and we have news!
Firstly, thank you to everyone who came to a show at PTC – and even to those of you who thought real hard about it but didn't quite make it. We know you're busy. We know you'll come next year. And we hope we've made it impossible to resist.
Because…we have some major news about our upcoming 45th Anniversary Season. We are thrilled to announce that multiple Tony and Emmy Award-winner Bebe Neuwirth will star in Obie-winner Adam Bock's play A Small Fire. Whether you remember her from "Cheers" or "Frasier," caught her recently in "Madame Secretary" or "Blue Bloods," or you had the good fortune to see her on Broadway in one of her many starring roles (Chicago, Damn Yankees, Fosse) you know Philadelphia is in for a treat as Bebe returns to the stage in her first dramatic role since 2012.
The next two plays are by exciting young writers who have crashed upon the scene with fresh, award-winning plays. Chelsea Marcantel's Everything is Wonderful was a Kilroys List honorable mention two years in a row. The play reveals a fascinating world of protection, forgiveness, and submission inside the Amish belief system.
Sarah DeLappe's 2017 Pulitzer Finalist The Wolves took New York by storm and gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase some fine young talent. The Wolves, from the 2017 Kilroys List, is about a girls' soccer team intensely preparing for competition, and how their personalities intersect with friendship, ambition, and rivalry, as they deal with season-ending injuries, petty jealousies, and life-changing transformation.
Once again, PTC subscribers will get the best deal ever – call the box office at 215-985-0420 to subscribe for our 45th Anniversary Season and receive 40% off full price. Exchanges are free and you pay NO fees. Go to our website to buy your subscription now!
PS – A Small Fire was featured in PTC's first See & Be Scene in 2017. (You liked it, and we remembered.) Look for this year's See & Be Scene announcement in our season brochure.
PTC Pages Vol 9
Last night, we announced the plays that Philadelphia Theatre Company will produce in our 2019-2020 45th Anniversary Season. PTC will open with Obie Winner Adam Bock's play A Small Fire, followed by Chelsea Marcantel's Everything is Wonderful and finally go out with a bang, with the rowdy Pulitzer Finalist The Wolves. Sarah DeLappe's award-winning first play took New York by storm in 2017, and we are thrilled to bring it to you.
As I considered plays for next year, the word "triumph" kept banging around in my head. Where were the characters who found a light at the end of something dark, that found redemption, forgiveness, peace, acceptance? I looked for gestures of grace, and in each play there are tiny, tiny acts of kindness. A Small Fire features a woman used to running things – her construction business, her employees, her family. Her relationship to being in control is acutely tested when she suddenly and mysteriously starts losing her senses. Suddenly, she is vulnerable and we watch as she learns to relate to her family in a new way.
Everything is Wonderful burns slow. It forces the audience to breathe, to listen, and to get comfortable with silence, with the cryptic and repressed dialogue of an Amish family grieving the untimely loss of two children. But both plays end with coups de theatre that offer true emotional catharsis. You may have noticed that lots of plays today have very ambiguous – even ambivalent – endings. These do not.
A runaway hit Off-Broadway, and a 2017 Pulitzer Finalist, The Wolves is about a girls' soccer team preparing for competition, and how their personalities intersect with friendship, ambition, and rivalry. The Wolves, says Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune, "is not just about girls, but about girls and their mothers, about how the adult world intersects with that of teenagers…given the news, we do a lousy job of protecting them, but here, at least, you feel that they are being understood."
The upcoming season once again features an array of interesting women, and even if magical, surprising things happen to them, the characters in each play are relatable. There are no heroes or heroines; everyone is flawed in some way, but ultimately, triumphant.
This season isn't over yet, however. Don't miss our final show of this season, How to Catch Creation, by Christina Anderson, and directed by Nataki Garrett, which begins previews this Friday, March 22nd. Christina is working on the play as we rehearse, shaping it for publication right here at PTC. How to Catch Creation is our first "Kilroys List" play, representing our commitment to providing opportunities for underproduced writers who identify as women, trans, and/or non-binary, who are nominated by industry leaders. Why? Much like we gave a home to the work of Terrence McNally and David Mamet, we now want PTC to be home to the next generation of important writers, telling today's stories.
I'm excited that PTC will bring work to Philadelphia that might not otherwise be seen on this level. It is our hope that by naming this commitment, audiences will connect with and value new work. We also hope that the Kilroys will, at first, be a source for more theatres and then ultimately, be rendered obsolete because the field is producing the full scope of stories that reflect our world.
We're still learning from you, so I hope you'll let me know what you think about our new season (read a little more about it HERE). Feel free to ask questions, too…when subscriptions become available next month, we want you to be ready and excited to rejoin us at PTC.
PS – BIG NEWS! Nataki Garrett, the director of PTC's How to Catch Creation, was named this morning as the new Artistic Director of Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This is one of the most prestigious theaters in American today, and we congratulate Nataki on her appointment to this plum position.
See Nataki's work! Call the box office at 215-985-0420 to get your tickets for How to Catch Creation, or visit our website.
We are just coming down from this past Saturday's one-night only performance by Jason Robert Brown. The multiple Tony Award-winning composer of our upcoming musical The Bridges of Madison County shared funny and personal stories about his career and life. (Read this RAVE) Jason also sang from his brand new CD How We React and How We Recover. The album marks his departure from traditional theatre songs and is a thoughtful, impassioned, response to the issues of our time. "The Sandy Hook school shooting just broke me," said Brown, whose 9-year-old daughter was in the audience, and his "A Song About Your Gun" drew sustained emotional applause. Also in the audiences were scores of young fans, who met the composer after the show, as he signed CDs and sheet music for over an hour.
My personal highlight was when the stars from PTC's production, Sarah Gliko and Gregg Goodbrod, joined Jason on stage. The pair performed two major songs from The Bridges of Madison County, offering a preview of what is to come when the show starts performances February 8th. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, I highly suggest you run, don't walk! Staff is waiting to help you experience the rush of this emotionally-charged musical, so call call the box office at 215-985-0420 or grab tickets here.
We want to do more of these events, to bring you one-of-a-kind experiences with the most influential and interesting theatre artists of our time. Because I'd like to think that theatre is not, in fact, a luxury. We keep prices affordable (starting at $2 for qualifying patrons – yes you read that right) so that anyone who wants to experience a play can come and be part of the story…can listen to and watch the creative minds that are shaping the arts in our time.
Consider it self-care.
If you want to support more special events like An Evening with Jason Robert Brown, and missed the opportunity to make a gift to PTC during the holidays, we hope you will consider making a tax-deductible contribution NOW. We believe in second chances and, well, we can't do it without you. ;-)
Call the box office at 215-985-0420 to get your tickets for The Bridges of Madison County, or visit our website. There are still two-show subscription packages available for the remainder of our season. We are BACK for more in 2019!
You would think we'd all be getting ready for the holidays, distracted by Wednesday's snow flurries, sightings of "Elsa" at Christmas Village and Hanukkah celebrations (my personal tradition involves latkes and martinis). You would be wrong!
Instead, we are obsessed with plans for our 45th anniversary season in 2019-20.
You see, we just spent a week reflecting on your responses to our 2nd Annual See & Be Scene, held on Monday, November 26th, when short segments from 8 plays were presented. This year, we even had four of the playwright/composers in attendance, and they were able to share with the audience (and me!) personal insight into their creative impulses.
One astute audience member asked the great question, "What are your hopes for your play, if it were to be produced by PTC?" Since seven of the 8 plays under consideration would actually be world premieres, each writer was in the (vulnerable) position of watching an audience respond to brand new material. Your thoughtful comments on the surveys we collected that evening were hugely helpful not only to us at PTC, but also to the writers. Thank you!
Of course, we are also looking forward to the rest of this season, starting with our Princess Holiday Concert Sunday, December 16th (tix here). Like last year, the Princesses will invite everyone to sing along with favorites like "Let it Go," and then join our young audiences for cookies, cider and photos! Introduce the joy of music to a young person by taking them to the theatre. They will never forget you.
You may also inspire them to grow up to be like Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, who appears in a solo concert January 26th. Brown, the composer of our upcoming musical The Bridges of Madison County, will talk about creating the show for Broadway, singing songs from his score and accompanying our very own stars, Sarah Gliko and Gregg Goodbrod. It's your opportunity to share an intimate evening with one of the most celebrated American composers writing for the theatre today.
Seriously, though, don't forget to take in all the wonder of the season, when we are reminded to share our good fortune with those around us – friends, family and strangers alike.
PS – The future is bright! Our "Be A Light" campaign is underway, so we hope you will consider making a tax-deductible contribution as we look toward our future.
Hopefully, right now you're feeling good about yourself for voting. Or you have a plan to hit the polls later this evening.
We all have a lot on our minds right now, but take some time to think about what is good in your life. Because that's what we're doing on this rainy day.
When we started this season, we already felt some momentum from reaching a few important milestones. We had retired our chubby debt line; chiseled away at our operating model and arrived at a balanced budget; ended our last fiscal year in the black; and assembled a motivated and talented team to not only create the art, but also to support it. Our board, led by the indomitable David L. Cohen, grew by eight. Heck, we even gave the lobby a fresh coat of paint.
All that we needed was an affirmation that you still cared. And I'm overjoyed to report that our first play, Sweat, was an unqualified 'win' for PTC. We hit our sales goal in Week 2, the theatre was filled with a more diverse audience, of all ages, and your thoughtful responses to our survey gave us encouragement (and some constructive criticism) to keep it up. Thank you, for delivering the goods. Because it's like voting: if we make theatre and no one comes, we are left with a void. We've lost the opportunity to engage with other humans, and to be exposed to new thoughts and ideas. We think of what might have been, had we only stepped outside of our comfortable homes and put ourselves on the line.
I'd like to thank, once more, those who helped us make Sweat – Victor Keen & Jeanne Ruddy Keen, Linda & David Glickstein, as well as the Charlotte Cushman Foundation for their additional support. Their faith and patronage made it possible to bring this timely, unflinching story to life and our audiences were touched.
If you were as inspired as we were by Sweat, we hope you will consider making a tax-deductible contribution. We are in this together.
It's not too late to join us for the rest of the season! You can purchase a Flex Pass, which gives you 4 tickets that you can use in any combination to attend one of our remaining mainstage shows. Or, if you purchased a single ticket to Sweat, you can add on the remaining two shows for 50% off!. Call our box office at 215.985.0420 if you'd like to take advantage of either of these great offers.
What midterms?! Seriously, we hope you'll step away from cable news to consider this: a collaborative group of over fifty people has been working together to create our opening play only for you. Imagine just over two hours of uninterrupted entertainment in the company of dedicated theatregoers like yourselves and treat yourself to a night out, taking in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of Lynn Nottage's SWEAT.
We invite you to lose yourselves in the stories of people who could be your family, your friends, your neighbors. SWEAT depicts a tightly-knit group of friends who make each other laugh, who celebrate and console each other and ultimately, who react to the changes around them in dramatic and even tragic ways. The final moment of the play simply takes my breath away and the cast we have assembled is electrifying.
Director Justin Emeka had this to say about the all-star lineup in Sweat – "A well-written play like Sweat demands actors…share pieces of themselves that they normally keep to themselves," said Emeka. "Because of the demands of the script, I looked for actors that were the most fearless, lovable, and willing to be vulnerable with each other. All of the actors in the cast stood out to me in this regard."
So let Philadelphia Theatre Company offer you respite from the numbing assault of news and campaigns. Sit among friends in the comfort of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre and let yourself feel again. If there's a common thread between the world of the play and today, it is that the stakes are unbelievably high. But, as Stan the bartender says, "…human decency is at the core of everything." Plays show us the truth, but they also remind us of who we are and what is possible.
Time is running out to buy subscriptions for the 2018-19 season, starting at the crazy price of $38. Sweat previews are almost sold out – don't miss your chance for the best possible seats from October 12-November 4. Get your tickets HERE today!
A final line from Sweat that sums up the PTC spirit; "Yo, I got aspirations. There it is."
PS – PTC has partnered with the Santander Arena and Performing Arts Center to offer an exclusive opportunity. Enjoy a year-long complimentary Membership to the SPAC valued at $50! Access exclusive discounts to concerts, sporting events, and the 2018-2019 Broadway Series!
To set-up your complimentary $50 Membership, contact Tammy Dahms, Sales and Client Services Manager at 610.898.7204. SPAC Membership not available through the PTC Box Office. Must be a Sweat ticket holder to qualify. Tickets for Sweat start at $25.
As summer draws to a close, we wouldn't blame you if you're a little bit in denial.
But at Philadelphia Theatre Company, we are happy to look ahead. In five short weeks, rehearsals begin for our upcoming production of SWEAT! Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer-winning play is taking the country by storm this year, and we're thrilled to bring you the Pennsylvania premiere, with previews beginning October 12.
Pictured here is the color model (courtesy of Colin McIlvaine) representing Scenic Designer Christopher Ash's vision for the play. The detailed pieces were created by a 3D printer. I don't know about you, but we think that is pretty cool.
Sweat's story unfolds in this bar where, well, everybody knows your name. And while jokes and beer are slung freely, the boiling undercurrent of dramatic tension will erupt in shocking ways.
I would like to take a moment to recognize everyone who supported PTC during this past year. I'm happy to report that your gifts, along with the support of our board, and especially Chair David L. Cohen, made it possible for us to end this year in the black, revamped and ready to build upon our illustrious history with a strong slate of shows. We just added a one-night only performance by Jason Robert Brown, the multiple Tony Award-winning composer of The Bridges of Madison County (and Parade, and The Last Five Years), who will play, sing and talk about the creation of Bridges, on Saturday, January 26th.
We also are happy to welcome new Production Manager Matt Davis and Director of Marketing Shawn Stone. Carol Flannery's new role as Director of Strategic Partnerships underscores our commitment to broadening PTC's presence and engagement with the community.
Summer's end also aligns with the end of our fiscal year, so I would be remiss if I didn't make an appeal to you. Can you help us finish the year even stronger? In two weeks, we will begin to build the set you see pictured here, and our cast of nine will start costume fittings. We hope you will consider investing in PTC, helping to provide necessary resources to support the artists you will enjoy this season. Please donate HERE today!
We hope you squeeze every bit of family time and relaxation out of the remaining days of summer.
We wanted to reach out with a quick catch up before we lose you to suntans, barbecues, trashy books and trendy sunglasses.
Our upcoming production of SWEAT is in the news! John Timpane from the Philadelphia Inquirer says, "For PTC, Sweat is a bold move: It's the first fully self-produced play there since artistic director Paige Price came aboard…The cast, directed by Justin Emeka, is a local all-star team." Read more here.
Road trip! Our Sweat cast and director, designers and PTC supporters Linda and David Glickstein took a trip to Reading, the town that is at the heart of the story of Sweat, and we started at the Berks History Center. Thanks, Rick Polityka for the private tour!
After a delish lunch from Latin American Chef Hector Ruiz at Sofrito's Gastro Pub, we gathered at GoggleWorks, a former goggle manufacturing facility (think aviator and early swim goggles), now housing an amazing arts center. GoggleWorks offered a sunny studio for our photo shoot. We ended the day at Mike's Tavern, the bar upon which the play is loosely based, for drinks, darts and inspiration for PTC's production with "Mike" (aka owner Pete Cammarano) and locals who graciously shared their personal histories in Reading.
The Reading Eagle embedded with us for the photo shoot and visit to Mike's – check out their story.
We've also been having gigantic fun at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, starting with Comcast NBCUniversal's recent spectacular early screening of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. We've now installed a permanent movie projector with surround sound, and are eager to show it off to all of you as soon as possible. We'll be able to offer even more kinds of events, and our ability to bring a new high tech element to our theatrical productions has our designers very excited.
Well, that's it. Have a wonderful summer, we hope you'll think of us (because we'll be thinking of YOU). And if we're honest, we really can't wait for summer to END, so we can throw open our doors and make theatre again.
Thanks for your support and good wishes, and as always, we love hearing from you.
Is it safe to say spring has finally arrived?
Our inaugural new fundraiser Play Brawl! took place on April 6th and was a spectacular success. Not only did we exceed our goal (thank you!), but we also garnered lots of fun press. Philadelphia Business Journal gave us a shout out, and Metro won the headline. Flip through our mini-album of Play Brawl! photos on Facebook.
You can also read or listen in on a recent interview I did with The Philadelphia Citizen.
Now that it's trying to get warmer and summer beckons we are working behind the scenes to welcome you back to PTC in the fall. As you enjoy vacations and graduations we ask that you look forward and plan your subscriptions for next season. Book your dates now to be with us for Sweat, The Bridges of Madison County and How to Catch Creation. Casting for the season has been both exciting and inspiring, and we are nearly finished. We will make an announcement very soon and are thinking of holding a Summer Announcement Party. Would you come if we did? Send me a note here Paige Price.
Looking forward, all our subscribers and donors will be invited to get a glimpse into season planning when we bring back See & Be Scene on Mon., November 26th. This was our wildly successful evening where you had a chance to participate in the process. Your input during our first event was invaluable and literally helped us choose what's coming to the stage of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre next season. We love sharing our ideas with you and want you to know that your thoughts matter.
Full-priced Single Tickets On-sale – June 1 (Only Subscribers SAVE 50%!)
First performance of SWEAT – October 12
See And Be Scene – November 26
Hang in there – we know spring is around the corner.
Welcome to Vol. 1 of PTC's newsletter, Plays and Players! We don't want to get ahead of ourselves too much, but so much is happening here. We wanted to share the highlights now that you've had a full week to enjoy the Super Bowl win!
Our non-stop fall featured no less than nine shows in the theatre. Emily Zeck joined the company as our new Managing Director, and we celebrated all that is wonderful about our community at the Barrymore Awards.
The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey (May 2017) made the Philadelphia Inquirer 2017 Best of Philly Theatre list, and our Board Chair David L. Cohen helped us grow our support by adding seven dynamic new board leaders.
We are also participating in the inaugural Philly Theatre Week by presenting 3 events – Musical Thrones: A Parody of Ice and Fire, which was a huge hit last weekend, the upcoming The Summer Club: A Big Band Valentine's Day and a fun dive into improv comedy hosted in our space by Tongue and Groove Theater.
What's next? In time for spring, we have the beautiful play Small Mouth Sounds by Bess Wohl, March 13th – April 1st, directed by Obie-winning, and Tony Award-nominated Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812). If you've wondered what it would be like to leave your cell phone and busy life behind for a peaceful retreat in the woods you'll want to join us for Small Mouth Sounds.
Best for last? Our 2018-19 subscription season will be announced from our stage on February 20th! We are SO EXCITED! Set your Google alerts, watch your inbox and your mailbox, or mark your calendar to visit us here on the 20th.
Oh! One more thing – have FOMO? (Fear Of Missing Out)
Call 215.985.0420 and be sure we have your current or preferred contact details.
As always, I want to hear your comments and questions, so I invite you to reach out at [email protected] or call me at 215-985-1400 x107.
March 13 – April 1
Written by Drama Desk Award-winner Bess Wohl and directed by Obie Award-winner Rachel Chavkin, Small Mouth Sounds is a cleverly conceived and sharp observation of the pursuit of wellness and the achingly human, and often frustrating, need to connect.
Philadelphia Theatre Company will announce it's new season of plays and musicals in just eight short days. Be sure to check your inboxes for an email with the titles and visit us at philatheatreco.org for more exciting news and information on becoming a SUBSCRIBER or MEMBER.


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WFT Board Member Marissa Aroy taking part in IFTA Screen: Dynamic | Diverse.
By Karla HealionNovember 26, 2022Listen, News & Events
The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA), in partnership with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) present IFTA Screen: Dynamic | Diverse.
This unique morning event takes place on Thursday, December 1st at the Light House Cinema, Dublin, from 9:00am – 12.30pm followed by a networking lunch.
The Forum will feature inspiring discussions, insights, sharing of international knowledge and best practice with industry professionals and guests from diverse backgrounds across film, television, academia and more. This inaugural Forum kick-starts a series of events across this topic throughout 2023 (The Academy's 20th Anniversary Year).
Speakers include: BBC Creative Diversity Partner, producer, presenter and media trainer, Iyare Igiehon; author, lecturer and academic Dr Zélie Asava; casting director Maureen Hughes; actors Demi Isaac Oviawe, Ryan Lincoln; writer/producer/actor Joshua Donoghue; and director/producer and WFT Board Member Marissa Aroy.
This is a wonderful opportunity for learning, networking, and community building within the Irish Film & TV industry.
Please Note: Priority will be given to those working in, or whose studies relate to, the screen sector.
Book your place here.


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Grand Times
Home People A labor of yum: Duo finds success thanks to farm-fresh produce
A labor of yum: Duo finds success thanks to farm-fresh produce
by Cathy Chestnut
Timing is an important key to success, and Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura took flight with their intuition that Lee County had an unmet need for farm-fresh produce and artisanal delicacies.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of their founding of Local Roots to organize and coordinate local farmers markets. The endeavor has grown from a five-week market in a parking lot on Sanibel Island to eight of the largest farmers markets in Lee County — each market featuring a personality of its own.
Amanda Inscore/The News-Press
Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura of Local Roots, LLC at the Lakes Park Farmer's Market.
Bringing together local farmers, bakers, fishmongers and small or home-based businesses that offer items such as all-natural soaps and candles, jams, honey, fruits and cut flowers has become more than their business. Betsy and Jean — long-time residents — both say the most rewarding aspect is supporting the local economy by providing steady income opportunities for some 150 vendors. Jean estimates the farmers markets scattered from Bonita Springs and Estero to Fort Myers and Boca Grande have a $12 million economic impact in Southwest Florida.
They've watched as mom-and-pop operations have taken off to become full-fledged businesses with storefronts and grocery store shelf space. They've watched as cupcake-makers have expanded into four markets as they put their kids through college, and as The Nosh Truck has become a regional sensation. And the guy who showed up long ago with a large, stainless-steel bowl and cases of avocadoes for making fresh, to-order guacamole? "Now he's in 17 markets, and his business is supporting the livelihoods of three families," Jean reports. "It's an economic driver, and I'm proud of that. They're dumping that money back into our county. They're buying a car, their clothing. They are buying a home or renting — all the things that pump money into the economy."
And, they've been at it so long, long-time vendors have become like family. Betsy and Jean have hired one of the vendors' teens — whom they've watched grow up at the market since he was 8 — as head of parking. Other vendors have made similar hires. One time, the market stopped and vendors scrambled to pack up the fresh-fruit cutter's tent when his wife went into labor so he could make it to the hospital.
"It's great to see everyone work together as a team,"Jean says.
The Local Roots co-owners both live on Sanibel Island and have had a long involvement in business and the community. Jean served as recreation director at the South Seas Island Resort and general manager at The Dunes Golf & Tennis Club for many years. Betsy and her husband, Marcel, have co-owned YOLO Watersports on Captiva since 1992. Both have two adult children who grew up, and are now working,in the community.
The duo's sense of community led them to become a Blue Zones-approved organization, part of a global movement that encourages communities to implement healthful mindsets and habits that may extend and improve residents' longevity and quality of life. Local Roots became the first in the state last year to receive the recognition for its category, with a focus on the Bonita Springs and Estero markets because they were already Blue Zone communities.
More than 60 percent of the vendors pledged to join the movement; only 25 percent was required. More bicycle racks, a smoke-free environment, cooking demonstrations using Florida crops and ingredients, and supporting the Lakes Regional Park community garden were some of the commitments Local Roots made. Shoppers can commit to lifestyle changes such as establishing a walking schedule, incorporating more beans, fruits and vegetables into their diet, and developing a positive circle of friends.
After running the markets daily, full-time from October to early May, the women have a few summer months to relax, though they also use it to prepare ads and contracts, review applications and update details for the next season. They aren't resting on their laurels.
"People think that the longer you're in business, it gets easier, but that's not the case. It's gotten more competitive," Jean notes. "Our market is only as strong as our vendors."
The women are yin and yang in business styles that complement each other's strengths: Betsy is a detail-oriented organizer and social media maven, while Jean describes herself as an "out-of-the-box thinker. I like to try new things. My thought process is, 'We can try it, and if it doesn't work, we can go in a different direction.'"
"We have a very healthy partnership," Betsy says. "We both know what we are good at and have a huge respect for each other."
Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura admit they have incorporated more fresh produce into their diets during the past decade running farmers markets throughout Lee County. They say the intimacy of a farmers market is in talking with vendors about their produce, fruits, mushrooms, seafood or herbs and finding out about health properties and recipes. They shared insights they've incorporated into their diets.
Betsy Venture: Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. Well, what I didn't know is that it contains curcumin, a substance with a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. I buy fresh, organic turmeric from the market, grate it and add it to my daily smoothies or juices. Tip: Wear gloves, because it can stain.
Jean Baer: I had someone tell me she cuts radishes real thin and stir fries them in olive oil and salt and pepper. It's delicious. Nobody in a box store would have told me that. I buy seafood once a week. We've got some amazing lettuces. I've come to love kumquats; I didn't know about them when I was growing up. I've learned how to choose a better tomato. There's a lot of truth to the uglier it is the better it tastes. Season-fresh strawberries in other states "have got nothing on our Florida strawberries."
A market near you
Local Roots farmers markets each have their own personality. At Lakes Regional Park, you will find plenty of hot, fresh breakfast and lunch options to enjoy in the park. The JetBlue Park at Fenway South market has a strong emphasis on hand-crafted items and a flea market atmosphere.
Locations: Bonita Springs, Coconut Point in Estero, Lakes Regional Park, River District in downtown Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Captiva, Boca Grande and Fenway South Farm & Flea Market at JetBlue Park.
A one-day Captiva Island Art Walk market will be held December 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next to Doc Ford's Restaurant in the South Seas Island Resort (5400 South Seas Plantation Road, Captiva). It's open to the public. Find out more at buylocallee.com.
November 2018 Farmers Markets Local Roots
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