PHILADELPHIA AND OTHER STORIES to Play Walkerspace, 2/11-21

Following a critically acclaimed, sold-out run at The Bushwick Starr, writer Paul Rome and composer Roarke Menzies present "Philadelphia and Other Stories" at Walkerspace, Wednesdays - Saturdays, February 11-21 at 8pm.

Walkerspace (46 Walker St, Manhattan)
Tickets: $20 General Admission; philadelphiaandotherstories.com; 347.850.7396

A disgruntled writer grapples with a mysterious skin condition. A casual New Year's hook-up turns into a spur-of-the-moment day trip to the City of Brotherly Love. A musician revisits an ex-lover, while a young American recalls her time spent living in France after college.

In this new, radio-inspired stage work, Rome and Menzies pair new works of literary fiction with original music and sound. The stories are based on autobiography, transcriptions of conversations and recorded interviews. But the facts are blurred, the characters recast, the way a formative memory might fade, warp or become imbued with heightened significance. Philadelphia and Other Stories reflects on the curious (and vain) practice of mythologizing one's own life, casting one's own biopic, the acts of replay, revision and reenactment.

Paul Rome (writer, performer) is a writer of fiction and performance literature. His first novel, We All Sleep in the Same Room, was longlisted for the 2014 PEN/Bingham Prize for debut fiction. He has also written for The Huffington Post, PEN America, Bedford and Bowery, The Minetta Review and Mercer Street. Rome's previous performance works include And Once Again, The You Trilogy, Jacob Grimfeld and Calypso. Rome lives in Brooklyn where he manages the Wyckoff Starr coffee shop. More info at paulrome.com.

Roarke Menzies (composer, performer) is a New York City-based artist, composer and producer. He has created original music for VICE Media Group, dance-theater artist Jack Ferver, dance companies BalletX and River North Dance Chicago and many others. Menzies has worked extensively in performing arts management and production, producing and curating events and multi-disciplinary arts projects in and around New York, and coordinating tours to major US venues. More info at roarkemenzies.com.

Chip Rodgers (producer) is a production manager, producer and director for theater. He is the former Theater & Office Manager of Soho Rep. While he was there, Soho Rep produced seven new plays, winning five Obie Awards and a special Drama Desk award for significant contribution in the theater. Recently, he associate produced Generations at Soho Rep, listed in the Top Ten Shows of 2014 by The New York Times. He is currently the Production Manager for The Bushwick Starr and the national tour of Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host starring Ira Glass, Monica Bill Barnes, and Anna Bass.

Mark Jaynes (director) is a Michigan-born, Brooklyn-based performer and theater-maker. He has created and performed work with acclaimed experimental company Radiohole, including the 2013 New York Times Critic's Pick Inflatable Frankenstein, and toured internationally with award-winning ensemble Half Straddle. He is a member of Bushwick-based rock band Not Blood Paint.

Katie Schottland (performer) is an actor and musician from Philadelphia. After traveling and working in various countries around the world, she completed the Maggie Flanigan conservatory in New York City in the spring of 2014, as well as improvisational classes at both The People's Improv Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade. Schottland lives in Brooklyn and enjoys her americanos short.

David Kammerer's (songwriter, performer) organic approach to guitar, banjo and slide came together in the 90's alternative music scene during which time he played with various bands, including Famous Potato, Construction Joe, and The Scheisters. He currently plays with the rock trio A/D.

Katie Mullins (songwriter, performer) is a singer, songwriter and educator living in Brooklyn. She has self-released two albums to date: Pastoral (2009) and Wedding (2013). She writes mostly about love's labors and about dreams she has. More info at katiemullinsmusic.com.

Cecilia Durbin (lighting designer) recently designed for The Theater at Monmouth 2014 Repertory Season, Love Alone (Playmakers Rep Co.), The Seagull (Barnard College), Machinal (Duke University), Android Tears (JACK), Ballet Confessions (Judson Gym), A Winter's Tale: Shakespeare Remix (Epic Theatre Ensemble), Near Vicksburg & Requiem for Black Marie (both scenic and lighting design for Incubator Arts Project and Walker Space), Look Homeward, Angel (Compass Rose Theatre), The Seagull and A Very Special Christmas Special (Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble), Soul Travel Workshop (Incubator Arts Project Short Form Festival 2013), We are Proud to Present... (InterAct Theatre Co.) and Loving v. Virginia (Williamstown Theatre Festival Workshop). Ms. Durbin received her M.F.A. in Lighting Design from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Rachel Levens (assistant director) is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA where she received her BFA in Theater with an emphasis in Original Works. In New York, Rachel directed Madigan and The Magic Box (Dixon Place) and served as an assistant director on the premiere productions of Selma '65 (La Mama), 16 Words or less (Clubbed Thumb) and Mary-Kate Olsen is in Love (The Flea). In Seattle she assistant directed with The Satori Group on reWilding and This Land is Always Known. She has also served as an applied theater co-facilitator at Recovery Café and Powerful Schools at Hawthorne Elementary in Seattle.