Louis Bluver News

Inis Nua Theatre presents the American Premiere of FINDING FASSBENDER, a solo show from actor turned playwright Lydia Larson.

EgoPo Classic Theater in Philadelphia will return to the indoor stage with its production of Alice Childress’s groundbreaking play, Wine in the Wilderness, as part of their 2021-2022 Season of Awakenings and Transformations. 

Azuka Theatre presents the World Premiere of Young Money by Philadelphia playwright Erlina Ortiz, directed by Briana Gause.

Inis Nua Theatre will present the American Premiere of A HOLY SHOW by Janet Moran.  The Irish phrase “a holy show” means to embarrass or make a spectacle of oneself, the perfect title for this whirlwind comedy based on the true story of a disgraced Australian monk who hijacked a passenger jet using nothing but holy water.

Inis Nua Theatre Company presents their much-anticipated eighteenth season with a return to in-person productions, featuring three mainstage plays and a poignant reading series about Healing and Hope. Inis Nua Theatre Company has the unique mission to present contemporary plays from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales for a Philadelphia audience.

EgoPo initiates the Awakening process this fall at lavish Glen Foerd Estate, a public park and museum, in a  beautiful open-air tent along the Delaware River with Alice: not your child's wonderland, a world premiere, site-specific adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

This spring, rising star Philadelphia playwright Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters will bring the world premiere of her moving new play ESTHER CHOI AND THE FISH THAT DROWNED to Philadelphia's Simpatico Theatre. The play, which explores grief with comedy, heart and music, will run March 25 through April 12 at the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake. Reviewing press are invited to the 8:00pm performance on March 27, 2020.

Inis Nua Theatre presents the American Premiere of the award-winning play A HUNDRED WORDS FOR SNOW by Tatty Hennessy. A HUNDRED WORDS FOR SNOW is a funny and moving one-person show that tells the story of 15-year-old Rory whose geography teacher father has recently died. Struggling with this sudden loss, she decides to pursue his lifelong dream and journey to the North Pole. Following the route he planned and the advice of the great explorers before her, Rory packs a rucksack and her father's ashes for a journey of love, loss, and endless snow. The production will be directed by three-time Barrymore Award-nominated director and Inis Nua Associate Director and Literary Manager Claire Moyer. Previews begin Wednesday, February 5, with opening night on Friday, February 7. The show runs through February 23, 2020 for a total of 15 performances. All performances will take place at the Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake, 302 South Hicks Street. Tickets are $15 - $35. For reservations, visit inisnuatheatre.org.

Azuka Theatre kicks off their 2019-2020 season with Sunset Baby, by nationally acclaimed playwright Dominique Morriseau. In Sunset Baby, a mother's bequest of love letters written to her infamous husband create a foundation for a fraught father-daughter relationship. What is worth holding onto, and why? The script is an energized, vibrant, and witty look at the point where the personal and political collide. The production is directed by Amina Robinson and stars Victoria Aaliyah Goins (Nina), Steven Wright (Kenyatta) and Eric Carter (Damon). Sunset Baby runs from November 6 to November 24, 2019, with opening night set for Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 7:00pm, at Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake (302 S. Hicks Street). Azuka continues its pay-what-you-decide model for this show where audiences are invited to experience the art on stage and pay based on the value of their experience after. For reservations, visit azukatheatre.org. Sunset Baby runs 90 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for audiences 14+. Azuka thanks season sponsor, Harmelin Media.

Inis Nua Theatre presents the Philadelphia Premiere of the award-winning play THE NIGHT ALIVE by Tony Award-nominated Conor McPherson. THE NIGHT ALIVE tells the story of Tommy who lives in a filthy studio apartment and survives on odd jobs around Dublin. When he rescues a young woman from her abusive boyfriend, Tommy's dilapidated home becomes a safe haven from her violent past and the tenuous friendship they build forever alters their lives. The production will be directed by Barrymore Award-nominated director and Inis Nua Founder and Artistic Director Tom Reing. Previews begin Wednesday, October 9, with opening night on Friday, October 11. The show runs through October 27, 2019 for a total of 15 performances. All performances will take place at the Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake, 302 South Hicks Street. Tickets are $15 - $35. For reservations, visit inisnuatheatre.org.

Inis Nua Theatre Company presents their thrilling 16th season of three mainstage plays, one Pop-Up Play in a Pub, and a poignant reading series about Aging in Our Time. Inis Nua Theatre Company has the unique mission to present contemporary plays from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales for a Philadelphia audience. Despite coming from different and distant cultures, these playwrights remind us that deeply human stories are universal. Inis Nua mines the shared cultural histories of these countries for an American audience, introducing Philadelphia audiences to fresh new voices from abroad who tackle social, political, and personal issues that we see in our country today.

For Simpatico Theatre in Philadelphia, their 15th season No Place/Like Home looks at how and where we live, especially in the face of gun violence. The season asks the question: what happens when we find ourselves a stranger in our own home or neighborhood? All productions will take place at The Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, Philadelphia.

11th Hour Theatre Company is welcoming audiences into the development process of its next musical comission. The company is presenting a concert performance of the commissioned brand-new Civil War musical, Something Like A War with Music and Lyrics by Jake Blouch and a Book by Jesse Bernstein. The concert is directed by Jerrell L. Henderson and Dan Kazemi is the Music Director. The concert will be May 17-19 at The Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake, 341 South Hicks Street. These performances are Pay What You Decide. Reservations can be made at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at 267-987-9865.

Simpatico Theatre Company closes their 'Season of System Failures' with the regional premiere of a new play that explores the effect that class has on parenthood in America. Molly Smith Metzler's CRY IT OUT will perform at The Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake (302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA) from June 5 to June 23, 2019. Simpatico will partner with PAAL, the Parent Artist Advocacy League, during this production to offer a variety of family-friendly opportunities for artists and audiences that focus on the working parent. Opening night for press is Friday, June 7 at 8PM.

Inis Nua Theatre presents Nigerian-British playwright Inua Ellams' UNTITLED in its American premiere, directed by Jerrell L. Henderson. UNTITLED is a monologue play in two parts, with one actor playing twin brothers born on Nigeria's Independence Day. But on the night of their traditional naming ceremony, one infant brother cries out and refuses to be named plunging him into a life of chaos.

When is the last time a teenager taught you something? Impressed you? Surprised you? If it's been awhile, when was the last time you engaged a teenager?

When is the last time a teenager taught you something? Impressed you? Surprised you? If it's been awhile, when was the last time you engaged a teenager?

Inis Nua Theatre presents English playwright Monsay Whitney's Box Clever for its American premiere, directed by Artistic Director Tom Reing. In a women's shelter in London, headstrong, mouthy and maybe a little crazy Marnie struggles to take care of her four-year-old daughter in a moving and relevant dark comedy. This edgy two-hander stars Inis newcomer Ruby Wolf as Marnie, and Inis alum Rachel Brodeur playing all other roles. Previews begin Wednesday, February 6, with opening night on Friday, February 8. The show runs through February 24, 2019 for a total of 15 performances. All performances will take place at the Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake, 302 South Hicks Street. Tickets are $25 - $35. For reservations, visit inisnuatheatre.org. Box Clever is part of the return of Philly Theatre Week, presented by Theatre Philadelphia. Please note that while this play is lighthearted at its core, it does tackle some difficult issues including intimate partner violence. For more information ahead of the performance, please contact Inis Nua Theatre.

Inis Nua Theatre presents English playwright Monsay Whitney's Box Clever for its American premiere, directed by Artistic Director Tom Reing. In a women's shelter in London, headstrong, mouthy and maybe a little crazy Marnie struggles to take care of her four-year-old daughter in a moving and relevant dark comedy. This edgy two-hander stars Inis newcomer Ruby Wolf as Marnie, and Inis alum Rachel Brodeur playing all other roles.

Celebrated Philadelphia playwright Jacqueline Goldfinger is bringing the world premiere of CLICK, a fast, darkly humorous play, to the award-winning Simpatico Theatre. The work will be staged as a co-production with The University of the Arts as part of Simpatico's 'Season of System Failures' from March 27 to April 14, 2019 at The Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake (302 S. Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA). Opening night for press is Friday, March 29 at 8PM.