U.D. native Tina Fey kicks off Broadway Philly’s ‘Mean Girls’ ticket sales
PHILADELPHIA >> Broadway Philadelphia will kick off ticket sales for “Mean Girls” at a special event 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. The event will feature a live appearance and creative conversation with show creator and Upper Darby native Tina Fey. WMMR’s Marisa Magnatta and Kathy Romano from the Preston and Steve Show will kick off the event. Attendees can enjoy a “We Drink Pink” cocktail as part of Center City Sips, and get tickets to “Mean Girls,” which will be available exclusively at the Kimmel Center Box Office beginning at 4 p.m., just prior to the event. This event is free and open to all.
Direct from Broadway, “Mean Girls” is the hilarious hit musical from an award-winning creative team, including book writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). The show will run Tuesday, Nov. 19 through Sunday, Dec. 1.
Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.
For more information about the ticket sale kickoff with Tina Fey or to purchase tickets online for “Mean Girls,” visit kimmelcenter.org/.
Fill a bag for ten bucks at BOH Clothes Closet
The Beacon of Hope Clothes Closet will have a special “fill a bag” night sale 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. People will receive a bag when you arrive and they can fill it for $10.
Located on the top floor of Olivet Presbyterian Church, 1001 Washington Ave, Prospect Park, the Beacon of Hope offers new and gently used clothing for the entire family. The next BOH Opening will be a “fill a bag” day Sale 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, Sept. 7.
The BOH clothes Closet is open on the first Saturday of every month, unless it falls on a holiday. Donations are always accepted. For more information or to arrange a time to drop off donations, call 610-5342270
Springfield resident plans first Indian classical Arts Festival
Local Indian Classical Performing Arts Conservatory, Naatya Seva, will host the first Indian Classical Arts Festival, “Agama,” in Philadelphia at the Merriam Theater from September 6-8. Agama, meaning handed down, is a festival showcasing the rich classical art traditions of India, as they have been handed down, from generation to generation. Anita Ranjani, founder of Naatya Seva and resident of Springfield, is the curator of the festival.
This three-day event will include renowned artists from around the world including TM Krishna, one of the pre-eminent vocalists in the rigorous Carnatic tradition of India’s classical music. Accompanying Krishna is his long-time co-artists RK Shriram Kumar on violin, K Arun Prakash on mridangam, and N Guru Prasad on ghatam. Agama will be Krishna’s only U.S. performance this year.
The festival will also feature the east coast premiere of a tour-de-force Kathak dance drama with live orchestra, presented by Leela Dance Collective from Los Angeles. This dance theater production consists of an all-female cast and original musical score.
“We are at a point where there needs to be some meaningful disruption in how we torch bearers are carrying these classical traditions forward. I look forward to a time when the shallow concept that Bollywood is all India has to offer by way of art is dispelled,” said Ranjani. “My vision is to bring these classical arts to the main performing stages where they belong; the same stages that house ballet, opera, orchestras and Broadway.”
The performances that will be presented as part of this festival are steeped in India’s ancient culture which have been passed down through oral transmission. The focus is on the classicism of Indian heritage which has a history of more than 1000 years. In addition to showcasing the artisan traditions of handloom textiles, jewelry and handicrafts, these art forms also showcase the literary tradition in India.
For more information, call the Merriam Theater at 215-893-1999.
Widow and widowers support group meets
To Live Again, a widow and widowers support group, will meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug.15 at The Church of The Redeemer, Hillcrest and Springfield Rds., Springfield.
After the meeting there will be an Indoor picnic, with hoagies. Attendees are encouraged to bring something for the picnic. For information , call Maria at 484-816-2159.