New City Stage Co. presents “Terrorism”
There’s a bomb scare at the airport and a suicide at the office. A man ties up his lover, and an old woman plots murder. At the scene of a gas explosion, the rescue workers are busy photographing limbs for fun. What do these situations have in common? Everyone is a terrorist, and everyone is a victim of terror. In six interconnected scenes, the play takes a startlingly humorous look at a society in which an imminent threat of collective uncertainty looms on the edges of everyday life. Originally presented at the Moscow Art Theatre, The New York Times calls it “a shrewd, scary comedy that suggests that it is impossible to live in the contemporary world without becoming a potential weapon of mass destruction.”
The Adrienne Theatre at 2030 Sansom St.
Now through March 25
Tickets: $5-$35
www.newcitystage.org
Spring Into Scrabble
After School Activities Partnerships invites you to its first annual Community Scrabble Day: Spring Into Scrabble! The event is free for all ages, but registration is required to [email protected]. Games will include Scrabble, Boggle, Bananagrams and other fun word games. Two rounds of Scrabble will be made into competition, with prizes for the highest score, highest-scoring play and best “spring-related” words. Resident Scrabble expert John Green will also be available for some gaming tips and tricks, and crafts and coloring will be out for the kids.
Drexel’s Bossone Research Center at 3140 Market St.
Saturday, March 17, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
www.phillyasap.org
First Philadelphia Flamenco Festival
Philadelphia’s all-female flamenco dance company, Pasion y Arte, is hosting the city’s first Flamenco Festival. The festival features the work of Rosario Toledo, an internationally renowned Spanish dancer and choreographer, as well as film screenings, master classes, a symposium of expert panelists, and post-performance discussions and receptions.
Performances on Thursday through Sunday will feature Rosario Toledo’s new commissioned work for Pasion y Arte, “Complices,” and the U.S. premiere of the highly acclaimed “Del primer paso” performed by Rosario Toledo and company. Several free events are offered during the two weeks of The First Philadelphia Flamenco Festival: a symposium, a movie night and master classes with Toledo.
The March 24 symposium features expert panelists Robert Browning (founder of the World Music Institute) and Michelle Heffner Hayes (dance faculty at the University of Kansas and former artistic director of the Colorado Dance Festival) in conversation with Toledo. Flamenco Movie Night, March 26, features a short cut of the work-in-progress documentary “Inheritors of a Burden” by Carolina Loyola-Garcia, as well as Lise Raven’s “El Proceso,” a short documentary on PyA’s residency and collaboration with Toledo. Also, three free master classes with Rosario Toledo will be offered at Temple University, Swarthmore College and Bryn Mawr College -— pre-registration required.
Christ Church Neighborhood House at 20 N. American St.
March 19 through April 1
Admission: $25; $18 for students; select events free
www.pasionyarteflamenco.org
“Swan Lake” ballet as a 3-D movie
Matthew Bourne’s “Swan Lake in 3D” turns tradition upside down by replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble and was prerecorded at Sadler’s Wells, London in 2011 with a stellar cast, including the magnificent Richard Winsor as the lead Swan and Stranger, Dominic North as the Prince and Nina Goldman as the Queen. This special interpretation of Swan Lake incorporates a theatrical storyline into the classic ballet — making it a must-see for both dance enthusiasts and theater fans alike. Edgy and dramatic, Matthew Bourne tells the eternal story of tragic and forbidden love with dynamic modern-day flair. To purchase tickets and find participating theaters, check www.fathomevents.com.
Rave Motion Pictures University 6 at 40th and Walnut streets
Tuesday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 plus $1 convenience fee
www.movietickets.com
Three-time Tony Award winner “FELA!”
Directed by renowned dancer and choreographer Bill T. Jones, “FELA!” is a provocative hybrid of dance, theater and music, exploring the extravagant world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. The show has become an international sensation, having been performed in three continents.
A triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, “FELA!” is the true story of Kuti, who created a type of music: afrobeat, a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies. Kuti mixed these pounding eclectic rhythms with incendiary lyrics that openly attacked the corrupt and oppressive military dictatorships that rule Nigeria and much of Africa.
Featuring many of Fela Kuti’s most captivating songs and Bill T. Jones’ visionary staging, “FELA!” reveals Kuti’s controversial life as an artist and political activist and celebrates his pioneering music. Olivier and Tony Award-nominated actor Sahr Ngaujah will lead the cast of “FELA!” He is joined by Melanie Marshall and Paulette Ivory, who co-starred with Ngaujah in the Olivier-nominated Royal National Theatre production.
The Academy of Music at 240 S. Broad St.
Tuesday, March 20 through Sunday, March 25
Tickets: $20-$100
www.kimmelcenter.org