Walnut’s Independence Studio on 3 Presents CAESAR’S PALACE O’ FUN

The Walnut Street Theatre's 2010-2011 Independence Studio on 3 season opens with the world premiere of Frank Ferrante's mayhem-driven variety show, Caesar's Palace O' Fun. Directed by Stefan Haves and featuring the talents of Frank Ferrante, Jennie Eisenhower, David Smith and Eric Ebbenga, Caesar's Palace O' Fun runs wild from Nov. 23 to Jan. 2nd on the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3.

If there's one thing Caesar loves, it's throwing a good party! But this comedic free-for-all is not your usual shindig. At Caesar's Palace O' Fun, audience members will interactively indulge with Caesar in the best of everything. From music to magic, laughter to lasers (and maybe even a little bit of lovin'), this show provides talent so bright - you'd better bring shades. Love, lust and libations (martinis - extra dirty) are on the guest list!

For nine years in the cirque show Teatro ZinZanni, Frank Ferrante's alter-ego Caesar has ferociously attacked the San Francisco and Seattle theater going public with his relentlessly brash humor, puns, pomp, frenzied mania, flirtations and quick wit. The Latin lothario with the quotable catch phrases "Look at you!" and "You're a beautiful man" is a favorite among audiences and critics as well. Said the Seattle Weekly, "See this man. He is comic genius."

Frank Ferrante is known for his portrayal of Groucho Marx in Groucho: A Life in Revue for which he won New York's Theatre World Award and a nomination for the NY Outer Critics Circle Award. In London, he was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Comedy Performance of the Year. He played Captain Spalding in Animal Crackers winning a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for his portrayal at Goodspeed and a Helen Hayes nomination in Washington D.C.at Arena Stage. He directed and developed the world premiere of the Pulitzer finalist Old Wicked Songs and his most recent Walnut visits include directing the critically-acclaimed Neil Simon triology of Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound. For the past decade he has popularized 'Caesar' at the cirque show Teatro ZinZanni in San Francisco and Seattle.

Joining Frank onstage are Jennie Eisenhower, Eric Ebbenga and David Smith. Jennie and Eric are multiple Barrymore-Award winners very familiar with the Studio 3 Stage, with Jennie appearing here most recently in 2009's Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits. David Smith is a literal one-man side show whose act includes fire eating and sword swallowing among other mind-bending feats to be featured during the show. He has appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly and was a semi-finalist on America's Got Talent. He has written, directed and stared in several shows for the Philly Fringe.

At the helm of this production is Stefan Haves. Stefan was the primary Director/Writer for the critically acclaimed dinner/circus Teatro Zinzanni in San Francisco from 2000 to 2006. As a writer, his shows are based on physical comedy and Commedia dell'Arte' techniques. His film work includes producing and directing the award-winning short films Punch Drunk (1998) and Stalled (2000). His adaptation of Jack London's The Call Of The Wild featured stilt walkers and mask work to illuminate the plight of a dog in the Klondike during the Gold Rush. Stefan has acted in many television and stage shows, but he is probably best known to audiences for his comedy contortion act entitled "Back Man", which was a winner on America's Funniest People.

Behind the scenes, the creative designers for Caesar's Palace O' Fun include Lighting Designer Dominic Chacon (The Musical of Musicals), Sound Designer Paul Winnick, Scenic Designer Robert Kramer (Travels with my Aunt, Dreams, Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits and The Musical of Musicals) and Teatro Zinzanni's immensely talented Costume Designer, Beaver Bauer.

Season sponsors for the 2010-2011 Independence Studio on 3 Season are The Independence Foundation and Macy's East. Media season sponsors are Philadelphia Weekly and WRTI Radio. Tickets are $30 and are now available at 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234. Tickets are also available at WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

JUST THE FACTS:

WHAT: CAESAR'S PALACE O' FUN
by Frank Ferrante and Stephan Haves

WHEN: November 23, 2010 - January 2, 2011

WHERE: Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3
825 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA

WHO: Director: Stefan Haves
Set Design: Robert Kramer
Lighting Design: Dominic Chacon
Costume Design: Beaver Bauer
Sound Design: Paul Winnick
Stage Manager: Angela Cucco

CAST: Dusty...............................................................................Eric Ebbenga
Fern.....................................................................Jennie Eisenhower
Caesar......................................................................Frank Ferrante
Little Johnny.........................................................................David Smith

TICKETS: $30

CURTAIN: Tuesday - Sunday evenings at 7:30pm, Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm.
Special Monday performances at 7:30pm on Dec. 20th and 27th.
No performances on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

PHONE: Tickets/Info 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787

WEBSITE: www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster

 

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