Philadelphia Daily Record

PhiladelphiaDaily Record

Vol. II No. 44 (204) Keeping You Posted With The Politics Of Philadelphia April 14, 2011

SIDEWALK OF N. BROAD STREET erupted with controversy yesterday after-

noon in front of School District HQ, as a fierce debate broke out over future of

Superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman. Here State Sen. Shirley Kitchen rallies Dr.

Ackerman’s supporters to decry a demand by another State legislator that the

Superintendent be fired. Story page 2.

FuroreOver Ackerman

2 | THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD 13 APRIL, 2011

McGeehan Calls For Ackerman’s

Ouster; Her Backers React With Rage

STATE REP. MIKE McGEEHAN called for Su-

perintendent Arlene Ackerman to be dismissed,

citing a string of recent contretemps which have

plunged her office into controversy.

State Rep. Michael McGeehan (D-Northeast) un-

leashed a firestorm yesterday when, standing before

the School District’s steps, he asked Gov. Tom Cor-

bett to call upon the Philadelphia School Reform

Commission to sack School District Superintendent

Arlene Ackerman.

Immediately after McGeehan’s press conference, a

large rally of the Superintendent’s supporters took his

place, many of whom made not-so-subtle comments

that McGeehan should be terminated himself.

McGeehan cited the recent news reports that she

owes $20,000 in federal back taxes among the litany

of issues that have been raised within the past six

months.

“Arlene Ackerman’s many controversies are fodder

for negative press, which only serves to distract Dis-

trict employees, parents and the public from the real

task at hand: educating our children,” McGeehan

said.

McGeehan stated he has written to Corbett asking

him to call upon the School Reform Commission to

immediately terminate Ackerman’s employment.

“It is apparent the SRC did not exercise adequate due

diligence in thoroughly vetting Ackerman for the po-

sition, which has resulted in the diminished standing

of Philadelphia School District,” McGeehan wrote in

his letter that was hand-delivered to Corbett’s office

Thursday. “I ask you to use your authority to request

the SRC to immediately end her tumultuous tenure,”

McGeehan wrote.

McGeehan said the laundry list of her disputable

dealings is long, from questionable procurement prac-

tices and a scathing federal report on the District’s

handling of racial violence, to the dismissal of two

employees for possibly blowing the whistle on the

District’s wasteful spending practices. He said that all

of this has resulted in negative press about the school

district.

McGeehan said Ackerman’s actions and the resulting

negative press are particularly frustrating when, as

CEO of the District, she oversees a budget of $3.2

billion, and is responsible for addressing a $629 mil-

lion shortfall in the next fiscal year.

One hour later, a gathering of Black legislators and

civic leaders flocked to those same steps. Well armed

with posters, they hailed Dr. Ackerman as a godsend

to the city’s largely minority student body.

“She has led years of test-score gains,” said State Sen.

Shirley Kitchen (D-N. Phila.). “Her leadership is vital

to this city.”

State Sen. Vincent Hughes said a focus on Dr. Acker-

man was a “distraction” from the real challenge fac-

ing Philadelphians in Harrisburg: saving the city from

the devastating impact of Corbett’s proposed budget

cuts, which disproportionately target funding for edu-

cation.

13 APRIL, 2011 THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY RECORD | 3

Jerry Mondesire, head of the Philadelphia Chapter

NAACP, made no bones about the fact he interpreted

McGeehan’s stand as a racial challenge. He stated

plans were afoot to “recall” McGeehan in retaliation.

(Pennsylvania does not actually have a recall mecha-

nism for General Assembly Members.)

McGeehan was unfazed by the opposition he faces

from fellow members of the Philadelphia delegation.

“If I have to be a voice crying in the wilderness, I will

do that,” he said.

US Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced legislation

to combat the problem of sexual violence on college

campuses yesterday. The Campus Sexual Violence

Elimination Act (S 834) will close a serious gap in

the law by requiring colleges and universities to

clearly spell out their policies regarding sexual as-

sault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalk-

ing.

“Sexual violence is a tragic and harsh reality on col-

lege campuses throughout the country,” said the Sen-

ator. “We must ensure that when we send our sons

and daughters off to colleges and universities, we are

providing every means necessary for them to learn in

a safe environment.”

Sexual assaults, domestic violence, dating violence

and stalking are serious problems on college cam-

puses. According to the US Dept. of Justice, 20-25%

of female undergraduates will be the victim of sexual

assault or attempted sexual assault this year and in

nearly all cases it will be by an acquaintance.

Casey also introduced a resolution recognizing April

as Sexual Assault Awareness Month to promote

awareness of sexual violence and encourage solutions

to decrease the incidence of sexual assaults.

Casey’s measure would require a college to include in

its annual security report a statement of policy re-

garding its domestic violence, dating violence, sexual

assault and stalking awareness and prevention pro-

grams and the procedures it follows when such an of-

fense occurs. It would have to explain in writing

students’ rights anytime a student reports being a vic-

tim of sexual violence, including stalking, dating or

domestic violence. This would include a victim’s

right to notify law enforcement if the victim chooses,

to receive help from the school to report the incident,

to seek a protective order from a local court, and to

change residence, class schedule and travel arrange-

ments as necessary to preserve the victim’s safety.

Colleges would have to explain to students the

school’s obligation to help enforce those protective

orders. They would start teaching bystander educa-

tion – a prevention strategy that focuses on teaching

male and female students alike they can prevent sex-

ual assaults and that they have a responsibility to do

so.

Casey Intros Bill To Combat

Sexual Violence On Campus

It’s ‘Hon. Frank L. Oliver Day’!

While many dread Apr. 15 as Tax Day,

others will be honoring retired Philadel-

phia State Rep. Frank L. Oliver. A House

Resolution introduced by State Rep. W.

Curtis Thomas (D-N. Phila.) declared

today “The Honorable Frank L. Oliver

Day” in the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-

vania.

Oliver, who was born Apr. 15, 1922, is

being honored for 37 years of service to

the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a

State legislator. He retired in 2010, as

the most-senior African American


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T h e P h i l a d e l p h i a P u b l i c R e c o r d C a l e n d a r

Apr. 15-

Job Fair & Career Day hosted by

State Rep. Kenyatta Johnson and

Pastor Terrence A. Griffith, 1st

African Baptist Ch. at 1600

Christian St., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For

info (215) 952-3378.

Apr. 15-

Committee to Elect Verna Tyner

Wine & Cheese Fundraiser hosted

by State Sens. Shirley Kitchen

and LeAnna Washington, State

Rep. John Myers and Councilman

at Large William Greenlee at of-

fice of Tina Lawson, 7500 Ger-

mantown Ave., Ste. 107, 5-7 p.m.

For info (267) 771-5699.

Apr. 15-

Happy Hour for judicial candidate

Harry Levant at Ladder 15, 5:30-

8 p.m., 1528 Sansom St.

Apr. 15-

Latino community honors Iris Vi-

oleta Colon Torres at Isla Verde

Cafe, 2727 N. American St., 6

p.m. Free admission and buffet.

Drinks half price. She is poet,

news reporter among other ac-

complishments.

Apr. 15-

Temple Law Class of ’95

Fundraiser for Joe Grace at Dark

Horse Pub, 421 S. 2nd St., 6-8

p.m. For info info@electjoe-

grace.com.

Apr. 15-

Fundraiser for judicial candidate

Anne Marie Coyle at Ashburner

Inn, 8400 Torresdale Rd., 7-10

p.m. Tickets $45, $80/couple. For

info (215) 462-3200.

Apr. 15-

Wine & Cheese reception for ju-

dicial candidate Nycole Watson,

at Soft Illusions Fine Art Gallery,

4203 Main St., 7-10 p.m. Tickets

$25 at door. For info Info@ny-

[email protected].

Apr. 15-

Beef & Beer for Marty Bednarek,

6th Dist. Democrat Council candi-

date, 8 p.m. to midnight at St. Do-

minic’s Marion Hall, 8504

Frankford Ave., 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

Tickets $25. Live music by “For-

merly Known As”.

Apr. 16-

Women Organized Against Rape

hosts Community Walk & Speak

Out rally at 16th & JFK Blvd.,

registration 11 a.m. Ends at Visi-

tors Center, 6th & Market Sts. For

info Carrie (215) 985-3315, ext.

169.

Apr. 16-

2nd Dist. Council candidate Bar-

bara Capozzi opens office at 2504

S. Broad St. (at Porter), 4-7 p.m.

All voters and committeepersons

welcome.

Apr. 16-

Ducky Birts Foundation’s Medal-

lion Scholarship Banquet, 1st Dist.

Plaza, 3801 Market St., 6 p.m.,

sponsored by Brown’s ShopRite.

For info (215) 242-1220.

Apr. 17-

Ducky Birts Fdn. hosts Health

Fair & Gospelrama at Zion Bap-

tist Ch., 3600 N. Broad St., health

3-6 p.m. and gospel 5-8 p.m.,

sponsored by Keystone Mercy

Health Plan. For info (215) 242-

1220.

Apr. 18-

Fundraiser for judicial candidate

Daine Grey, Jr. at Henry Law

Firm, 1500 Walnut St., 22nd fl., 5-

7 p.m. For info Marianne (215)

564-5959.

Apr. 18-

Democrat 40-A Ward Spring

Fling at Swan Caterers Waterfall

Rm., 2015 S. Water St., Food,

drinks, music. Tickets $50. 5:30-

9:30 p.m.


elected official in the Common-

wealth and the longest-serving

member of the Pennsylvania Gen-

eral Assembly. He represented the

195th House District honorably

from 1973 to 2010. At his retire-

ment, Oliver was majority chair of

the House Health & Human Serv-

ices Committee and previously

served as Democratic chair of the

House State Government Commit-

tee.

“As the longest serving member of

the House, Frank has been a steady

and effective lawmaker and an ad-

vocate for his constituents, who al-

ways brought the bacon back to his

district,” recounted Thomas. “He

is also responsible for the new su-

permarkets we now have in

Philadelphia. We are setting aside

this day to say thank you to Frank

for the contributions he has made

to the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-

vania and the people of the 195th

Legislative District.”

Oliver was one of the most influ-

ential members of the legislature

respected by members on both

sides of the aisle. His ability to

cross party lines to negotiate on

behalf of his constituents and the

city is legendary. He spurred the

building of new supermarkets in

Philadelphia and other communi-

ties throughout the Commonwealth

when he introduced a resolution in

2003 that called for the Health &

Human Services Committee to

study the problem of the lack of

supermarkets in urban and under-

served communities in Pennsylva-

nia.

Oliver introduced an amendment

to the Civil Service Act and the

Human Relations Act, which en-

hanced 1st-Amendment freedoms

and affirmative-action benefits for

women and “minority” civil-ser-

vice employees. He was the first to

introduce a bill to make the race

designation optional on voter reg-

istration forms. He also was the

first to introduce legislation to

make Martin Luther King, Jr.’s

birthday a State holiday.

For six years, Oliver worked on

legislation that is now law, which

allows mothers convicted of drug

offenses to get a second chance to

support their families legally with

the help of public assistance. He is

also responsible for the law that

denies person-to-person liquor li-

cense transfers and one that en-

hanced penalties for assaulting

teachers and school employees.

Oliver alone championed the cause

for historic Berean Institute for

over 30 years. The last thing

Oliver worked on before retire-

ment was focusing on restoring the

historic institution’s State funding.

The resolution was presented to

Oliver Tuesday, Apr. 12 at a lunch-

eon/reception given by his former

colleagues in his honor in the Main

Capitol. It was co-sponsored by

Philadelphia State Reps. Bishop,

Brown, Brownlee, Boyle, Cohen,

Cruz, Johnson, Josephs, McGee-

han, Myers, D. O’Brien, M.

O’Brien, Parker, Payton, Roebuck,

Sabatina, Taylor, Waters, Williams

and Youngblood; Allegheny Co.

State Reps. DeLuca, Dermody,

Markosek and Wheatley among

many others from both sides of the

aisle.

Oliver continues as Democratic

leader of the 29th Ward – a post he

has held since 1970 – and is the

first African American treasurer of

Philadelphia’s Democratic Party.

Proposal Would Modernize Pa.

Wine & Spirit Store OpsIn response to this week’s Senate Law & Justice

Committee hearing on the modernization of the

Liquor Control Board operations and in conjunction

with the Senate Democrats “Budget Savings Plan,”

three Democratic senators are unveiling legislation

aimed at modernizing Pennsylvania’s wine and spirit

store operations.

“We must continue to find ways to improve the effi-

ciency and flexibility of the LCB and the wine and

spirit stores across Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Jim Ferlo

(D-Allegheny). “We can continue to improve the cus-

tomer experience at the stores while generating mil-

lions in new revenue. By modernizing the way the

LCB does business, we enable it to operate more ef-

fectively and tap into the full potential of the agency


State Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-

Northwest) will join with col-

league Larry Farnese (D-S. Phila.)

to introduce anti-bullying legisla-

tion that would strengthen the

standards and procedures for pre-

venting, reporting, investigating

and responding to incidents of ha-

rassment, intimidation and bully-

ing that occur at school and off

school premises.

“According to several articles,

Pennsylvania ranks as the fourth-

worst state to live in due

to bullying,” Washington

said. “We must end this

vicious circle of abuse

that threatens the educa-

tion, well-being and

lives of our children. We

must send a strong mes-

sage bullying is not ac-

ceptable.”

Washington’s bill is modeled on

the New Jersey “Anti-Bullying

Bill of Rights Act.”

Farnese stated anti-bullying legis-

lation is critical to keep students

safe in their learning environ-

ments. “To experience bullying

once is one too many times,” he

asserted.

According to the US Dept. of Jus-

tice and National Association of

School Psychologists, bullying is

keeping as many as 160,000 chil-

dren away from school each day.

“Bullying and low-level violence

affects approximately 20-30% of

our students on a daily basis,”

Washington said.

Farnese added that he is pleased

this legislation focuses on many

kinds of discrimination and harass-

ment, including the lesbian, gay,

bisexual and transgendered com-

munity – a community he said is

more commonly targeted than any

other.

Recognizing the State’s financial

problems, Washington said her

legislation would use existing fi-

nancial resources to combat bully-

ing.

– so Pennsylvania’s economy can

reap the benefits.”

The legislation, proposed by Ferlo

with State Sens. Vincent Hughes

(D-W. Phila.) and Sen. Christine

Tartaglione (D-Kensington) would

be centered on the “3 P’s” – Pro-

curement, Pricing and Personnel.

“PLCB modernization is an inte-

gral part of the Senate Democrats’

$1.1 billion budget savings plan

announced today,” Hughes said.

“It’s a win-win for Pennsylvania.

Not only will modernization gen-

erate substantial new revenue to

help offset some of the Governor’s

most egregious budget cuts, it will

also improve the customer’s expe-

rience and protect thousands of

good-paying jobs.”

The proposal would allow the

LCB greater flexibility to purchase

goods and services outside of the

code’s parameters and market its

services out of state. It would let

the LCB to alter markup and pro-

portional pricing to better reflect

market conditions. This portion of

the proposal includes offering a

customer-relations marketing pro-

gram to improve the buying expe-

rience. This could generate new

revenue between $20 and $70 mil-

lion.

The LCB could begin to hire out-

side of Civil Service requirements.

But “by ensuring collective-bar-

gaining rights for liquor-store em-

ployees, we preserve the

family-sustaining jobs our econ-

omy needs,” Tartaglione said.

“And continued support of hiring

veterans should remain a priority

in Pennsylvania.”

The Senators said they are encour-

aged by Senate Law & Justice

Committee chairman John Pippy’s

(R-Allegheny) willingness to have

open dialogue on the future of the

State wine and spirit stores.

Sen. Washington’s Anti-Bullying

Law Aims To Protect Children


SEPTA has extra service ready for

fans heading to the Sports Com-

plex for a big weekend, high-

lighted by Flyers playoff action

and a three-game set pitting the

Phillies against a division rival.

“Sports Express” trains will sup-

plement regularly scheduled serv-

ice on the Broad Street Line for

the Phillies-Marlins series and Sat-

urday’s Flyers-Sabres playoff

game. SEPTA looks forward to

welcoming regular game-day rid-

ers, as well as new customers

looking to avoid hassles on the

roadways around the Sports Com-

plex.

These kind of event-filled week-

ends always bring major traffic

jams to South Philadelphia. For the

foreseeable future, however, mo-

torists should expect added com-

plications due to I-95 construction

near the Sports Complex. Fans are

urged to give their cars a rest, let

SEPTA do the driving, and take

advantage of the following serv-

ices:

Friday: Sports Express trains will

supplement regular Broad Street

Line service, with trips every 10

minutes starting at 6:08 p.m. for

Phillies-Marlins game at Citizens

Bank Park. The Phillies 7:05 p.m.

start-time coincides with kick-off

for the Soul game next door at the

Wells Fargo Center, so football

fans can also take advantage of

SEPTA’s extra service.

Saturday: Sports Express trains

begin running on the subway at

3:55 p.m. for the 5 p.m. Flyers-

Sabres playoff game. Extra service

kicks in again at 5:55 p.m. for the

7:05 p.m. Phillies-Marlins game.

Sunday: The busy weekend closes

with the 1:35 p.m. Phillies-Marlins

game. Sports Express service starts

at 12:18 p.m.

Commissioners Throw Their Weight (Off)

WEIGHING IN ON 25: Fire Com-

missioner Lloyd Ayers, 2nd from left,

and Police Commissioner Charles H.

Ramsey, 3rd from right, hit the scales

at City Hall and provide a friendly

handshake during kickoff of Weight

Watchers Battle Of The Badges™

weight-loss competition between the

City’s two uniformed departments,

while Weight Watchers VP John Birn-

hak, center, looks on. Also sharing

opening moment are Gentry, Fire

Dept. mascot, left; attorney Jimmy

Binns, 2nd from right, chairman of

Hero Thrill Show, Inc.; and McGruff,

The Crime Dog, police mascot. De-

partment with highest percentage of

weight loss after 13 weeks of competi-

tion will capture perpetual trophy

and victory banner, while Hero Thrill

Show will get a $10,000 donation from

Weight Watchers. Competition is tied

at 12 to 12.

SEPTA Plans Extra Service For Big Sports Weekend


2 Mayors Bet Community

Service On NHL Quarterfinal

Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Buffalo Mayor Byron

W. Brown announced a National Hockey League

Eastern Conference quarterfinals bet dedicated to

community service. The Mayors agreed that the los-

ing city’s Mayor will wear the winning team’s hat

and will volunteer in their respective city while par-

ticipating in a service project.

If the Philadelphia Flyers win the series, Nutter will

participate in a “Let’s Read. Let’s Move.” program

while wearing a Flyers hat. If the Sabres win the se-

ries, he will wear a Sabres hat. Brown will participate

in a Salvation Army program that serves lunches to

senior citizens while wearing the hat of the winning

team.

“I may not agree with Mayor Brown regarding who

to root for in hockey, but we are both committed to

promoting community service in our cities. I’m look-

ing forward to wearing my Flyers hat and promoting

physical activity this summer,” said Nutter.

Fulbrighters Learn From PGW’s Diversity

15 INTERNATIONAL 2011 Fulbright Scholars visited Philadelphia Gas Works to learn about pro-

grams and techniques which are part of its award-winning workplace-diversity strategy. Scholars were

visiting Phila. for the week as part of Fulbright Visiting Scholar Regional Enrichment Seminar high-

lighting “Valuing Diversity and Resolving Conflict.” Fulbright Program is flagship international educa-

tional-exchange program sponsored by US government to increase mutual understanding between

countries. Fulbright Program awards 8,000 grants a year and operates in over 155 countries.

by Adam Taxin

Approximately 20 people, predominantly right-of-

center fans of the Russian-immigrant objectivist

writer Ayn Rand, traveled to AMC Neshaminy 24

Bensalem, Bucks Co. last night for the midnight

Philadelphia-area premiere of the movie AtlasShrugged: Part I.

Modified for the movie version to be set in 2016, the

original work of fiction is an indictment of overbear-

ing government in the private sector, a phenomenon

leading to the perhaps-expected result of societal and

economic collapse.

This reviewer would describe the film as fairly good,

although suffering from the pretty insurmountable

challenge of turning a philosophy-heavy book of

well over 1,000 pages into a movie, even if the first

part of a trilogy, of less than two hours. Others had

other opinions.

Michael McCartney, 38-year-old libertarian from

Northeast Philadelphia, was “definitely disap-

pointed.” According to McCartney, “I don’t think the

movie did the book justice.”

In contrast, Amanda Constanzer, the 25-year-old out-

going head of the Villanova Law School Federalist

Society, raved. Constanzer, who was not previously

familiar with Rand’s work, thought that “the cast,

which was relatively unknown, did an excellent job

of exploring a terrible economic situation. You had

two really incredible protagonists who are digging to

make things work. They don’t believe in the govern-

ment spreading the wealth, they don’t believe in gov-

ernment takeovers, they don’t believe in being told

how to run their business. When they know what’s

good, they go out and do it, against all odds.”

Constanzer also appreciated the movie’s depiction of

its heroine, Dagny Taggart (played by Taylor

Schilling). “She’s an intriguing heroine because she

simply didn’t let emotion govern her business sense

of what she was trying to accomplish. I actually

thought she was really inspiring. She really played

hardball in a world in which men didn’t want anyone

to succeed.”


Ayn Rand Fans Head To Bensalem For

Premiere Of Atlas Shrugged: Part I

TAYLOR SCHILLING as Atlas Shrugged hero-

ine Dagny Taggart, appreciating her lover’s

Rearden-metal bracelet


New Musical Comedy Is A Gas; Other

Local Shows Passing In The Windby Adam Taxin

Although it is tempting to indulge

the opportunity to make some flat-

ulence puns, the most crucial-

point about the new musical

comedy A Passing Wind is that it

is excellent.

Consistently hilarious and imbued

with a comprehensive, even edu-

cational, sense of Belle Epoque

Paris, A Passing Wind is based on

the life story of Joseph Pujol (aka

“Le Pétomane”, which translates

to “The Fartiste”) from a country

baker to star at the Moulin Rouge.

Written and directed by Seth

Rozin, founder and artistic direc-

tor of Philadelphia’s InterAct The-

atre (which is currently presenting

his Two Jews Walk into a War), APassing Wind features songs and

spoken dialogue which are consis-

tently clever. The show, narrated

by Tim Moyer in the role of Sig-

mund Freud, never drags or slips

into the “gimmicky” category.

The cast is, without exception,

outstanding. The matter-of-fact

way in which Damon Kirsche

plays what is, all things consid-

ered, a pretty ridiculous character

is one of the many ways the

show’s humor builds. Laura Cat-

law is particularly hysterical as

star-in-her-own mind Angele Thi-

bodeau. Much is added by the

show’s Greek chorus of Peter

Schmitz as Claude Monet, Mau-

reen Torsney-Weir as Sarah Bern-

hardt, Jered McLenigan as Erik

Satie. McLenigan engages the au-

dience throughout with an uproari-

ous laugh which recalls that of

Tom Hulce’s Mozart character in

the movie Amadeus.

The show went over particularly

well, perhaps at a different level,

with audience member Sophie Al-

fonsi, a native of Cannes, France.

According to her, “Erik Satie was

portrayed very accurately: his vel-

vet coat, his hat and the cynical

way he approached life, which is a

very French way. The writer of the

musical found a clever way to

name and include major French

writers, composers, theater writ-

ers, and painters that have influ-

enced the history of France with

their ideas. The French Anthem

was very well performed, and I’m

sure it will remain the funniest

version that I will remember.”

(For what it is worth, it should be

noted that, according to

Wikipedia, it is a “common mis-

conception that Joseph Pujol actu-

ally passed intestinal gas as part of

his stage performance. Rather,

Pujol was able to ‘inhale’ or move

air into his rectum and then con-

trol the release of that air with his

anal sphincter muscles.”)

The limited run of A Passing Windhas five more performances:

tonight at 2 p.m., tomorrow at 2

p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2

p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

In terms of other current Center

City cultural happenings with de-

scriptions less likely to elicit gig-

gles, the Bard of Avon is

well-represented. In addition to

the closing weekend of the

Lantern Theater’s A MidsummerNight’s Dream, previously covered

here, the Philadelphia Shakespeare

Company is currently presenting,

with rotating performances the

comedy As You Like It (through

Saturday, May 14) and the tragedy

Hamlet (through Sunday, May 15).

This reviewer found As You Like Itquite delightful. Hardly unique

among Shakespearean comedies in

featuring retreats to the woods, ro-

mantic advice and cross-dressing,

this production certainly benefits

from the intimate space the theater

offers (at 2111 Sansom Street).

The play contains the famous “All

the world’s a stage” speech, per-

JOSEPH PUJOL, a unique fin-

de-siècle French performer, was

the original “Pétomane”.


formed very ably by Ames Adam-

son as the constantly-complaining

character Jaques.

It should be noted that the

Philadelphia Shakespeare Co.

starts performances particularly

promptly, so audience members

should be in their seats no later

than the announced performance

time. (Yes, this reviewer discov-

ered that the hard way.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This weekend, the Pennsylvania

Ballet is presenting Building onBalanchine, which includes two

works by the 20th-Century master

Russian choreographer, George

Balanchine.

Agon, which pairs Balanchine’s

choreography with the music of

Igor Stravinsky, a long-time col-

laborator with Balanchine, really

has no story. Agon features dancers

interacting in various combina-

tions, with several movements

based on 17th-Century French

court dances (in keeping with the

French theme of the ongoing

Philadelphia International Festival

of the Arts). Who Cares? brings to-

gether Balanchine’s choreography

with a George Gershwin score.

In addition, the program includes a

world premiere ballet by French-

born choreographer Benjamin

Millepied, who is currently a Prin-

cipal Dancer at New York City

Ballet. Millepied was mentored by

choreographer Jerome Robbins, a

colleague of Balanchine’s

Building on Balanchine opened

last night and will be performed

four more times (tonight at 7:30

p.m., tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 8

p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s pro-

gram this weekend features works

by innovative early-20th-century

Viennese composer Alban Berg

and by Bohemian-Jewish com-

poser Gustav Mahler, who passed

away almost exactly 100 years

ago, on May 18, 1911. The con-

certs are conducted by David Zin-

man, music director of the

Tonhalle Orchestre in Zurich.

The first piece is Berg’s LuluSuite, described by the Philadel-

phia Orchestra’s website as

“densely colorful music from

Berg’s gruesome, tawdry operatic

masterpiece,” with an end in which

“the lascivious title character tries

to seduce a man who turns out to

be Jack the Ripper.”

The second part of the program is

Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, which

features a finale derived from the

composer’s own song “Heavenly

Life.” According to the Orchestra’s

website: “At the end of Mahler’s

Symphony, a soprano chimes in

with a sublime, childlike song in

which angels bake bread, St. Peter

goes fishing, and St. Cecilia’s band

accompanies dancing virgins.”

Jennifer Welch-Babidge will be

featured as a soprano during

Mahler’s Symphony No. 4.

This concert program opened last

night and features performances

today at 2 p.m. and tomorrow

night at 8 p.m.

SHERRI XANTHOPOULOS RUSSO will be rep-

resenting Collegeville, Pa. in pageant.

Philadelphia Daily Record

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