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Take a journey into the surreal and fantastical world of @eddieizzard in the brilliant new comedy show #WUNDERBAR at the @KimmelCenter ‘s Merriam Theater, 5/15. More info @ kimmelcenter.org
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KIMMEL CENTER CULTURAL CAMPUS HOSTS
EDDIE IZZARD & ECCENTRIC NEW COMEDY SHOW
WUNDERBAR
MAY 15, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, April 4, 2019) – The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, in association with WestBeth Entertainment, welcomes the hilarious and versatile Eddie Izzard to the Kimmel Center’s Merriam Theater in his all new comedy show Wunderbar on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. This will be the only Philadelphia stop on his international tour. One of the world’s most respected comedians, he has performed sold-out shows across the world, from Shanghai to Mumbai, including nights at Madison Square Garden and The Hollywood Bowl.
“Eddie Izzard is one of the greatest entertainers of his time and a true comedic tour de force,” said Anne Ewers, President and CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “His latest show is as eclectic as it is charming, enthralling audience members with a distinctive blend of hilarity, theatricality and intellectualism. We welcome his return to our Cultural Campus as part of our hallmark comedy series.”
“It is getting close to the time when I have to go off for a while to have a political life. But before I do that, I want to keep giving audiences around the world the best stand-up comedy shows that I can – especially at a time of Brexit-hate and Trump-hate,” stated Eddie. “My new show is about everything from humans over the last 100,000 years to talking dogs and animal superheroes. I am looking forward to coming to see everyone again.”
Five years after his last comedy tour, Force Majeure, made comedy history having played 45 countries including all 50 American states AND in four languages, making it the most extensive comedy show ever, Eddieis back to his roots with an all-new show which expands on his own very unique, totally surreal view of life, love, history and his ‘theory of the universe.’ Wunderbar is a delicious insight into the surreal and fantastical world of Eddie Izzard. This is intelligent Bunkum of the highest order.
Wunderbar began life at La Nouvelle Seine, a floating theatre in Paris on the Seine where Eddie began to improvise his new show in French. He then flipped countries and continued developing the show improvising in Berlin in German. Now after more development in English, Eddie is ready to share Wunderbar with the world… But will make sure the language fits the country!
Released on June 13, 2017, Izzard’s first book, Believe Me, is a New York Times Best Seller and was chosen by Bill Gates as one of the “5 Amazing Books I Read This Year.” Writing with the same candor and insight evident in his comedy, he reflects on a childhood marked by the loss of his mother, boarding school, and alternative sexuality, as well as a life in comedy, film, politics, running, and philanthropy. Honest and generous, Izzard’s Believe Me is an inspired account of a very singular life thus far.
Izzard was seen co-starring opposite Judi Dench as her son Bertie, the King in waiting in the critically-acclaimed film, Victoria and Abdul. The film premiered at The Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2017 and opened to the public on September 22, 2017.
Over the course of a thirty-year career, Eddie Izzard has proved himself to be a creative chameleon, inhabiting the stage and film and television screen with an unbelievable fervor. Born in Yemen and raised in Northern Ireland, Wales, and England, he lost his mother at the age of six and that has affected the rest of his life. In his teens, he dropped out of university and took to the streets of London as part of a comedy double act. When his partner went on vacation, Izzard kept busy by inventing a one-man escape act, and thus a solo career was ignited. As a stand-up comedian, Izzard has captivated audiences with his surreal, stream-of-consciousness comedy—lines such as “Cake or Death?” “Death Star Canteen,” and “Do You Have a Flag?” have the status of great rock lyrics. As a self-proclaimed “action transvestite,” Izzard broke a mold performing in makeup and heels and has become as famous for his “total clothing” rights as he has for his art. In Believe Me, he recounts the dizzying rise he made from the streets of London to West End theaters, to Wembley Arena, Madison Square Garden, and the Hollywood Bowl.
Izzard is arguably one of today's top comedians. With his brand of keenly intelligent humor that ranges from world history to historical politics, sexual politics, mad ancient kings, and chickens with guns, he has built an extraordinary fan base that transcends age, gender, and race.
Other featured upcoming performances at the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus include: Polly Mope (May 9-11, 2019, SEI Innovation Studio), The Illusionists – Live From Broadway (May 10-11, 2019, Merriam Theater), Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical (June 1, 2019, Perelman Theater), and The Improvised Shakespeare Company (June 7-8, 2019, Perelman Theater).
Eddie Izzard: Wunderbar
Kimmel Center’s Merriam Theater
May 15, 2019, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets
All available tickets have been sold for this performance. As ticket availability may change, we encourage guests to check the website; if tickets become available, that information will be reflected on www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. If you need additional assistance, please email patronservices@ticketphiladelphia.org. See www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for more information.
WestBeth Entertainment has consistently delivered critically acclaimed, financially successful, groundbreaking productions for over 35 years. WestBeth's ability to meld creative vision with financial and production savvy has created a unique company out of making artists’ and audience's dreams come true.
Developing and introducing artists and talent to North American audiences has a big part of WestBeth’s history. From Billy Connolly to Eddie Izzard, The Jim Henson Company to John Leguizamo and Trevor Noah to Hannah Gadsby, WBE has been the creative catalyst, partner and producer of some of the most innovative performances and productions on the continent in venues throughout North America including Madison Square Garden, The Hollywood Bowl, Toronto’s Massey Hall, Chicago’s Chicago Theatre and even New York’s Radio City Musical Hall.
With entertainment and audience enjoyment being a key element, our most recent productions include: Eddie Izzard's first US book tour for his memoir 'Believe Me', a New York Times Bestseller, North American debut of Australia's comedy group Aunty Donna, Hannah Gadsby’s North American debut of Nanette, Dylan Moran’s Off The Hook' North American Tour, Noel Fielding (of The Mighty Boosh) North American debut tour ‘An Evening with Noel Fielding’, ongoing development production of Robert Townsend’s ‘Living The Shuffle’, Los Vegas engagement of Brian Henson’s ‘Puppet Up! Uncensored’ at the Venetian’s Sands Showroom, Eddie Izzard's Force Majeure American Tour performed in all 50 states; Billy Connolly's High Horse tour, the off-Broadway run of comedian Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime; Eric Idle’s What About Dick at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles; John Leguizamo’s Ghetto Klown on Broadway, the West End, and Colombia, South America; and the national tour, Off-Broadway, Australia tour and Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs of Puppet Up!
The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, our mission is to engage the region’s diverse communities with art through performance and education. Our Cultural Campus serves more than 1 million guests per year and includes the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater- representing more than 160 years of rich history for the performing arts along Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. We are home to eight esteemed Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, we are the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. Our Cultural Campus serves as a preeminent and inclusive place to enjoy exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of our region by cultivating a creative and socially-responsible environment where our community shares experiences that are delivered with pride, integrity, and respect. As a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, we collaborate on, present, and produce a broad range of relevant and meaningful events, we serve as an active gathering space for social and community events, we educate the region’s young people through access to quality arts experiences, and we provide support to artists in the creation of new work. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is our proud sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2018-2019 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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