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She’s baaaacck – @TheMarthaMan returns and she’s bringing her brand new show “Lashed but Not Leashed” at the @KimmelCenter 3/16–18
Press Contact:
Amanda Conte
215-790-5847
aconte@kimmelcenter.org
PHILADELPHIA’S FAVORITE DRAG QUEEN
RETURNS TO SEI INNOVATION STUDIO FOR A NEW MUSICAL MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER IN LASHED BUT NOT LEASHED
MARCH 16–18, 2017
“A true Philly gem.” – Philadelphia Magazine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, January 24, 2017) –– The world's tallest and hairiest drag queen – deemed the "Drag Queen King of Philadelphia" by The Philadelphia Inquirer – returns to the Kimmel Center’s SEI Innovation Studio in a brand new musical. Martha Graham Cracker, the vixen alter ego of Kimmel Center Theater Residency alumni Dito van Reigersberg, will take the stage March 16–18, 2017 for Martha Graham Cracker in Lashed but Not Leashed – a new musical written for and starring Martha Graham Cracker herself where she gives her all and belts out a bevy of original and eccentric songs.
“We are always thrilled to welcome back our Theater Residency alumni, providing a space where they can debut new works,” said Anne Ewers, President and CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “Over the years, Dito (and Martha Graham Cracker) have become essential to the beating heart of the performing arts in Philadelphia and we can’t wait for our audiences to experience yet another premier from this incredible artist.”
In Lashed But Not Leashed, the audience sees another side of Martha Graham Cracker, one that has been disappointed by love and that fickle mistress called show biz one too many times. Her solution? Protect her delicate heart by barricading herself in the most unlikely places, the library. Deciding to pursue a graduate degree in library science, Martha trades in her glitter and glam for pensive quiet and study, but as Martha and the audience soon find out, there is no escape from love, even amongst the stacks. Directed by Joanna Settle, the show is a result of a collaboration between van Reigersberg and David Sweeny, Vince Federici, and Eliza Hardy Jones, with costumes by Max Brown.
Dito van Reigersberg joined the Kimmel Center’s Theater Residency program in July of 2015. As a co-founder of Pig Iron Theatre Company in 1995, he has performed in almost all of Pig Iron’s productions including Hell Meets Henry Halfway at Woolly Mammoth and the Ohio Theater (Obie Award); Chekhov Lizardbrain at Under the Radar (Obie Award); Zero Cost House at The Public Theater; Twelfth Night at Abrons Arts Center; and Shut Eye (co-directed by Joseph Chaikin.
The Kimmel Center annually invites world-class performing artists to join their Theater Residency program to create new works that engage, excite, and embrace the community. The residency program functions as an incubator for innovative performance while pushing artists both personally and professionally. The organization’s immediate aim of the residency program is self-exploration, meaningful peer review, and the creation of new insights regarding musical narratives. This season, the Kimmel Center announced its continued partnership with one of New York’s top venues for live music, Joe’s Pub – an exchange that will help provide collaboration in the artist selection process, guidance, and dramaturgy to the artist as they develop their work. Additionally, this partnership will put the Kimmel Center’s resident artists on a national platform, ensuring their work has many opportunities to grow.
Other upcoming performances on the Kimmel Center Campus include Aaron Diehl Trio (April 1, 2017, SEI Innovation Studio), Cabaret (April 4–9, 2017, Academy of Music), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (April 18-23, 2017, Forrest Theatre), and Broadway Up Close with Alice Ripley, hosted by Seth Rudetsky (May 6, 2017, Perelman Theater).
MARTHA GRAHAM CRACKER IN LASHED BUT NOT LEASHED
Dito Van Reigersberg as Martha Graham Cracker
SEI Innovation Studio
March 16, 2017, 8:00 p.m.
March 17, 2017, 8:00 p.m.
March 18, 2017, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale now and start at $25.00. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (215) 790-5883. More information at kimmelcenter.org.
This is a designated BYO performance. Acceptable forms of BYO are 6-pack of beer and/or 750ml bottles of wine only; no liquor or open containers are permitted. Limit of one (1) 750ml bottle of wine OR one (1) six-pack of beer per two patrons. Corkscrews and rolling coolers are not permitted. Ice, cups and corking service available at venue at no cost. All BYO Night patrons are subject to lawful ID checks and bag checks at the manager’s discretion. Limited cabaret style tables available.
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, The Kimmel Center’s mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly Pops, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2016-2017 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.
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For a PDF version of this press release, please click here