Welcome to the Arden Theatre Company blog, where we share behind-the-scenes stories and current happenings with you. You will hear from the Arden staff as well as actors and other visiting artists, and we hope to hear from you, too. If you have an idea for a topic, please post a comment about it. We can't wait to hear what you think!
The Arden celebrated the opening night of Charlotte’s Web on Saturday, December 3 by turning the lobby into a state fair! We welcomed community partners Tyler Arboretum, with an interactive spider display, the Garden State Discovery Museum, who helped transform kids into farm animals with fun face painting, and the Pig Placement Network, stealing the show with a live potbellied pig named Bubbles. As kids completed crafts and activities, they acquired stickers which eventually earned a blue ribbon! Kid-friendly food and beverages were provided by Chef’s Market and Hatboro Beverages. After the show, families enjoyed ice cream sprinkled with bacon bits, courtesy of The Franklin Fountain.
By Leigh Goldenberg, Marketing and PR Manager
On Tuesday, November 15, members of the Arden’s Sylvan Society joined members of the National Museum of American Jewish History at the museum for an event inspired by our production of The Whipping Man. We noshed and had a glass of wine on the museum’s third floor, with a gorgeous view overlooking Independence National Historical Park. Then, our Associate Artistic Director Ed Sobel led a discussion about American Jews during the Civil War with Rabbi Lance Sussman, from Congregation Keneseth Israel.
While the initial reaction to the premise of The Whipping Man (A Jewish Confederate Solider? With slaves who are practicing Jews, too?) might seem improbable or imagined, Rabbi Sussman gave us an overview of the time period that enforced playwright Matthew Lopez’s premise. In the 1800s, a small percentage of Americans were Jewish, yet those Jews lived in various parts of the country, primarily in urban centers. And like all Americans, Jews were divided when it came to slavery, aligning with their neighbors and political affiliations rather than their religion. So yes, there were Jewish slaveholders and Jewish officers in the Confederate Army, just like Caleb DeLeon in our play.
The Whipping Man both celebrates and challenges tenets of the Jewish faith, which Rabbi Sussman addressed as well. Simon’s assertions about asking questions and wrestling with God have direct biblical ties. And while Judaism in no way encourages the treatment the DeLeon family gave to John, the Jewish people have a history (like people of most backgrounds) of using violence when in a position of power. Rabbi Sussman got a chuckle from the crowd when sharing this saying: Jews are just like anyone else. Except more so.
After the conversation, we were able to tour the museum’s permanent collection, which takes us through the history of Jews in America, beginning in 1654. The Civil War section features stories, documents, and artifacts that reflect the story from The Whipping Man. (I even spotted a reference to a DeLeon just across from a Confederate uniform that looks like Cody’s costume in the play!)
We are grateful to have such a rich and relevant resource in the NMAJH, just a few blocks from the Arden. If you’ve seen The Whipping Man, you’ll no doubt find value in viewing the collection. And if you’ve already been to the museum, or are intrigued about this period in America’s history, we welcome you to see The Whipping Man. You can even book a tour at the museum with tickets to the show! Get details on that package by calling 215.923.3811 x. 141
Now tell us, how does this play and time in history challenge or enforce your ideas?
After closing August: Osage County on Sunday, the Arden opened The Whipping Man this Wednesday, November 2nd. Members of the Sylvan Society celebrated at a pre-show reception at Revolution House (formerly the Snow White Diner!) at Second and Market Streets, with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Terry Nolen and Amy Murphy toasted the opening night and congratulated director Matt Pfeiffer on a terrific production.
After the performance, guests enjoyed a post-show reception in the Arden lobby provided by 12th Street Catering and Hatboro Beverages.
The Arden kicked off our 24th season on Wednesday, October 5th with August: Osage County! Members of the Sylvan Society gathered across the street from the Arden at LG Tripp Gallery for a pre-show cocktail party. Race Street Café provided light bites while Terry Nolen and Board President Ellen Foster toasted the start of a new season. Arden supporters, friends and members of the press attended the 7pm performance, which was followed by a post-show party catered by 12th Street Café and Hatboro Beverages. Special thanks to our opening night sponsor, Harmelin Media!
Here are some photos from the evening:
The Arden’s 2011 fundraising event, The Show Must Go On, took place on Sunday, May 22. Guests enjoyed cocktails courtesy of Philadelphia Distilling, sumptuous small plates served by Frog Commissary and an interactive backstage tour, taking them places only actors and designers have gone before! The tour included a trip through the F. Otto Haas backstage, green room and dressing rooms and a journey into the Haas booth and high above the stage onto the catwalks. Guests also participated in a fun speed dating event where they had the opportunity to chat for two minutes with Arden favorite artists. Over 30 actors, designers, playwrights and directors volunteered their time to participate in The Show Must Go On. The event grossed over $48,000 in support of the Arden’s programming.
Over 150 kids and their families filled the Arden’s lobby on Saturday, May 7th for the opening night celebration of The Flea and the Professor. Kids earned stamps on a BINGO card as the made their way around the party, participating in many circus-themed activities including a juggling game, face-painting, a knock-over-the-cans challenge, and an Arden Drama School class, “Create Your Own Circus.” The Garden State Discovery Museum brought their popular giant-bubble and children had the opportunity to create their own hot air balloon at the craft table. The opening night performance began at 7pm, followed by reception hosted by The Franklin Fountain, featuring cotton candy flavored ice cream.
On Saturday, April 2 the Arden theatre was home for more than 200 kids and their families. We hosted a free fun family event celebrating International Children’s Book Day and Hans Christian Andersen’s Birthday. This day inspired a love for reading and drew attention to children’s literature by celebrating Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author of iconic fairy tales including The Little Mermaid, the Ugly Duckling and The Emperor’s New Clothes, not to mention our upcoming new musical The Flea and the Professor. Families came out for storytelling, face painting, craft projects and even an ice cream social.
Check out the photos from the event:
Members of the Sylvan Society traveled to Washington, DC on Sunday, April 10th to see the Steppenwolf Theatre production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Arena Stage. They enjoyed lunch at the Next Stage Café prior to the 2pm performance. After the show, members had the opportunity to meet and greet with the cast including Tracy Letts and Amy Morton. The day concluded with an exclusive tour of Arena Stage’s newly renovated facility and three theatre spaces, followed by dinner at America, located in Union Station.
On Wednesday, April 6, the Arden opened our final mainstage production of the season, Wanamaker’s Pursuit. Sylvan Society members enjoyed a reception at Ristorante Panorama, one of the Arden’s dining partners, prior to the performance. They gathered with members of the design team as well as playwright Rogelio Martinez and director Terry Nolen, to sample Panorama’s fabulous wine selection. The show opened to a sold out house and was followed by a post-show party featuring French-themed cuisine including quiche and chocolate mousse. Post-show party guests included Michael Lisicky author of Meet Me at the Eagle, a novel about the history of the Wanamaker’s department store, representatives from the Philadelphia History Museum, as well as the cast of the show.
With the smell of fresh doughnuts filling the Arden’s lobby, we kicked off the opening night performance of Superior Donuts on Wednesday, March 9th. Members of the Sylvan Society enjoyed cocktails and a buffet dinner courtesy of Gigi Restaurant, and had the opportunity to mingle with Rogelio Martinez, playwright of Wanamaker’s Pursuit, Donuts director Ed Sobel, and other members of the Donuts design team.
Following the 7pm opening performance, audience members leapt to their feet during the curtain call. After the show, guests enjoyed a rousing post-show reception with members of the cast and devoured doughnuts delivered fresh from Frangelli’s Bakery, our doughnut sponsor for the production.
