EgoPo Classic Theater opens season with ‘Dolls’
Philadelphia theater company EgoPo Classic Theater will open its 2026-27 season with “Dolls,” an immersive reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House.”
Directed by Devon Roberts, the production runs Sept. 10-27 at the Franklin Inn Club, 205 S. Camac St. The theater will be transformed into a living playroom, placing audiences inside the imagination of an 11-year-old girl who acts out her life with dolls.
The production is inspired by EgoPo’s 2013 Fringe hit and explores whether its young protagonist can break free from her world of toys or remain a plaything for others.
“Dolls” launches EgoPo’s 33rd season, titled “Immersions,” featuring four productions designed to create a more physical and interactive theater experience.
Artistic Director Lane Savadove said the season responds to growing social isolation caused by political division, personal technology and artificial intelligence.
“We are losing the ability to be present,” Savadove said. “We have designed this Season of Immersions to help put us back in touch with ourselves, and thus with each other.”
The season continues with “The Ways of White Folks,” “Company” and “And Tell Sad Stories of the Death of Queens.”
Tickets for “Dolls” are $30, with $20 student and industry tickets available. ••
1812 Productions opens season
1812 Productions will open its season with the world premiere of “This Should Never Be a Musical: An Improvised Reality Show,” running Sept. 4-27 at the Arden Theatre Company’s Arcadia Stage, 40 N. 2nd St.
Co-created and directed by Jennifer Childs and Mary Carpenter, the production combines improvisation, musical theater and reality TV-style competition. Audience members will suggest the worst musical titles they can imagine, and performers will create songs and scenes based on those suggestions.
The audience will then vote on which improvised musicals advance. The winning musical will be selected at the start of the second act and performed as a 30-minute production, complete with costumes and choreography.
The show draws inspiration from “American Idol,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “Waiting for Guffman,” while returning to 1812 Productions’ improv roots.
Performers include Mykey Carpenter, David Dritsas, Eliana Fabiyi, Kristin Finger, Kelsey Hébert and Shane Roche. Jay Rosen serves as music director, with Marie Laster, Christopher Colucci, Drew Billiau and Asaki Kuruma handling set, sound, lighting and costume design, respectively.
Tickets are $59 including fees. ••
Hero Thrill Show roars into town
The 71st Annual Hero Thrill Show will bring police and fire demonstrations, motorcycle stunts and family entertainment to South Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 19, benefiting the families of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.
The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Xfinity Mobile Arena, formerly the Wells Fargo Center, at 3601 S. Broad St. Admission is $15 for individuals or $35 for families of up to five. Parking is free, and ticket holders will receive free food and beverages.
The carnival-style event will feature police motorcycle stunts, K-9 rescue demonstrations, fire-rescue exercises, fire truck rides and displays from police units including Aviation, Bomb Squad, Counter Terrorism Operations and the Marine Unit. A mounted police horse and the Philadelphia Police Motorcycle Highway Patrol Drill Team also will be featured.
DJ Bob Pantano will provide music as families of fallen officers and firefighters attend the event.
The Hero Thrill Show raises money for college education for children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The event will open with a motorcade featuring police, fire and Hero Thrill Show vehicles, followed by remarks from Philadelphia officials.
Tickets are available at herothrillshow.org and Eventbrite. ••
Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show celebrates 99th year
The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show will return to Rittenhouse Square Park Sept. 18-20, marking its 99th year of bringing artists and art lovers together in Center City.
The three-day show will feature 145 professional artists from across the country displaying original artwork. The event also provides a platform for student artists to learn from professional artists and connect with patrons.
This year’s community outreach partner is Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Restorative Justice program, which will have a presence in the center of the park. The program uses art education, professional development and hands-on mural projects to help incarcerated people, “returning citizens” and other “justice-impacted” individuals develop creative and employment skills.
The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show dates to 1928, when a small group of local art students displayed their work on clotheslines. It has since grown into an annual showcase featuring artists from around the country while maintaining its connection to emerging artists and the local community.
The show runs Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18-20, at Rittenhouse Square. Artwork and information about participating artists are available at rittenhousesquarefineart.com. ••
Scanlon introduces legislation to expand eviction diversion programs
U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon is pushing for more help for renters facing eviction, introducing legislation that would provide federal grants to local governments to establish or expand eviction diversion programs.
The Stable Homes Act would fund pre-filing mediation between landlords and tenants, along with rental assistance, legal representation and housing counseling. Scanlon, whose district includes parts of South Philadelphia, said the programs can help families remain housed while also reducing costs for landlords and courts.
“At a time when working-class Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, we need programs that help individuals and families stay in their homes and prevent housing insecurity,” Scanlon said.
Philadelphia’s eviction diversion program has been cited as a model. During its first full year, 85% of cases entering the program avoided eviction court, while annual eviction filings fell from about 20,000 to 7,000 in 2021. The program also reduced court hearing wait times by two-thirds.
The bill would require participating communities to collect data and evaluate their programs. It is endorsed by the National Housing Law Project and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. ••
Flea market Sept. 12 at FDR Park
The FDR Park Flea Market will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the FDR Park Welcome Center, 1800 Pattison Ave. There will be handmade and vintage goods from more than 50 vendors, everything from custom rubber ducks to vintage clothing to fresh flowers and plants. The market will support both local vendors and FDR Park itself. The event is free. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flea-market-at-fdr-park-tickets-1996370746644 ••
Thrill Show on Sept. 19
The 71st annual Hero Thrill Show will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19, from noon to 5 p.m. at Xfinity Mobile Arena. The cost is $15 per person or $35 for a family up to five. For more information, visit herothrillshow.org. ••
Volunteer for child literacy program
Philly Reading Coaches is looking for volunteers for the 2026-27 school year. Each coach reads one-on-one with a K-3rd grader for at least one hour per week after school. Visit ost.phila.gov/philly-reading-coaches or email PRC@phila.gov ••
New website for Review
The South Philly Review has returned to the website patimes.media.
The website includes news, arts and entertainment, crime, sports, opinion and a way to sign up for a free newsletter that will bring stories to your inbox. The site also includes a way to read the paper in “flipbook” style and a link to subscribe to the print edition. Copies of the paper can be found at the locations in this link: https://patimes.media/pickup-locations/#spr
Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook and on X @SoPhReview. ••
North Catholic 100th anniversary events
A number of events are planned for the 100th anniversary of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the opening of Northeast Catholic High School.
Here is the schedule:
• Sept. 8: Photos on steps of North Catholic building
• Sept. 22: Alumni Association Golf Outing, North Hills Country Club
• Oct. 3: Homecoming/all-year reunion at Cannstatter’s, 1-5 p.m.
• Nov. 1: Mass at North Catholic building, coffee and doughnuts afterward
• Nov. 8: Gathering of Alumni, family and friends, FOP Lodge 5
• Nov. 11: Veterans Day at St. Dominic
Call 215-543-1051 or necathalum@aol.com ••
3 performances of Oliver
The Star Players will present Oliver from Oct. 9-11 at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St. in Manayunk. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Group rates are available. Buy on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, contact director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714 or Starplayers2013@gmail.com. ••
See Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
The Star Players will present Scrooge: A Christmas Carol on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St. in Manayunk. Tickets cost $10. Buy on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, call 215-685-8714 or email Starplayers2013@gmail.com. ••
Caribbean cruise in January
The Marlyn Chakov Fein Chapter will cruise aboard the Norwegian Pearl to the Caribbean (Dominican Republic and St. Thomas), leaving out of Philadelphia’s Southport Marine Terminal, 5400 S. Broad St., Building 3, on Jan. 13 and returning Jan. 23. Group amenities include 5% off inside cabins, 10%-15% off ocean view , balcony, open bar/soda packages, shore excursion credits and 300 Wi-Fi minutes. Call Bernadette at 570-401-8417 for cost and additional information. The event supports cancer research and compassionate patient care at Fox Chase Cancer Center. ••
Host foreign exchange student
ASSE International Student Exchange Program is seeking local families to host foreign exchange students. Students come from countries such as Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, Ukraine, Japan and Australia. They are ages 15-18. Host families may be single parents, couples and single persons.
The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance.
If interested in hosting an exchange student, call Holly at 800-677-2773, visit asse.com or send an email to asseusasouth@asse.com to request more information or start the application process. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW. ••
