EgoPo Classic Theater

EgoPo Classic Theater[1] is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit repertory theater specializing in performing "Classic Theater on the Edge," often producing works of a collaborative nature that incorporates original music, dance, and masks. It was founded in 1991 in San Francisco by Lane Savadove who remains the company's Artistic Director. EgoPo [2] has staged over two dozen productions and hundreds of performances in Philadelphia, New York, New Orleans, Chicago, Washington D.C., and internationally, in Indonesia and Croatia. A volunteer Board of Directors governs EgoPo. EgoPo is headquartered at 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

EgoPo’s History

EgoPo, whose name is derived from the French concept "The Physical-Self," was begun in San Francisco in 1991, as a theater company as well as an acting style. EgoPo moved operations to New Orleans in 2002, and built a new theatrical home, the Jewel Theater. The theater opened with a half-masked, expressionistic version of Frank Wedekind’s masterpiece, Spring Awakening (play). The production experienced a six-week sold-out run and garnered many awards. Also notable was a production of Company (see Company by Samuel Beckett).[3]

On August 27, 2005, the EgoPo company arrived in Philadelphia to begin technical rehearsals for a production of The Maids x 2, a ground-breaking version of Jean Genet’s classic, The Maids. Three days later EgoPo became known as Philadelphia’s "stranded theater company." EgoPo lost its theater to Hurricane Katrina, most company members lost their homes, and their funding base was gone.[4][5][6]

An outpouring of financial and emotional support from the Philadelphia theater community, including The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe, and the Arden Theater Co., enabled EgoPo to permanently relocate to Philadelphia. In February 2006, EgoPo staged The Maids x 2 Off Broadway at the Bouwerie Lane Theater.

In 2007, EgoPo began its new life as a Philadelphia company with a restaging of its Barrymore-nominated production of Spring Awakening at the Mainstage of the Adrienne Theater and restarted its professional conservatory.

Since that time, EgoPo has produced the Tennessee Williams’ Festival, and the Expressionism Festival, including the Burns’ Classic Reading Series, during which EgoPo united ten other Philadelphia-based theater companies for the yearlong event. The 2009-2010 season featured a yearlong Philadelphia Beckett Festival, including three mainstage performances and a dozen short Beckett plays presented at the Painted Bride Art Center.

Since their relocation to Philadelphia, EgoPo has become known for its themed seasons which allow for a much deeper audience engagement than normal artistic programming allows. For the 2010-11 season, EgoPo produced a year-long "Theater of Cruelty Festival", the first season investigating the theory and work of Antonin Artaud since Peter Brook produced a similar season with the Royal Shakespeare Festival in 1964. This season featured an interactive cabaret production of four world premier adaptations of Artaud's writing, as well as a version of Peter Weiss' Marat Sade in West Philly's historic Rotunda, and a world premier adaptation of Henri Barbusse's Hell (L'Enfer). For the 2011-12 season, EgoPo produced a year-long "Jewish Theater Festival" including an environmental production of Anne Frank, a world-premier version of the Golem, and the Philadelphia premier of Tony Kushner's Dybbuk. For audience engagement, EgoPo is holding public Passover Seders and presented the Auschwitz trial documentary The Investigation.

Awards

EgoPo's awards include: two Barrymore Nominations for Outstanding Sound Design/Original Music and Outstanding Music Director. "Best Production of 2000" in New York by Backstage, two Big Easy nominations, five Storer Boone nominations, one Ambie Award, nine Marquee Nominations, six Louisiana Theater Festival Awards, and two Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theater nominations.

EgoPo's renowned productions include a 72-hour performance in the Nevada Desert commissioned by the Desert Siteworks Project.[7] and a commission from National Public Radio to adapt Beckett's prose Company, which was broadcast nationally, then went on to a yearlong run in three cities, and was awarded "Best Play of 2000".

Recent notable productions are: Waiting for Godot,[8][9] Endgame,[10] Company, Bluebird,[11][12] Woyzeck,[13] and Spring Awakening.[14]

Recent productions

2015-2016 Production Calendar, The American Giants II: The Women Festival

The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman Directed by: Adrienne Mackey Ran from October 7–25, 2015 The Latvian Society Theater, 531 N. 7th St. Philadelphia, PA

The Women by Clare Boothe Luce Directed by: Lane Savadove Ran from March 3–20, 2016 The Latvian Society Theater, 531 N. 7th St. Philadelphia, PA

Machinal by Sophie Treadwell Directed by: Brenna Geffers Ran from April 20-May 8, 2016 The Latvian Society Theater, 531 N. 7th St. Philadelphia, PA

Trifles by Susan Glaspell: A powerful American short play Directed by: Dan Kern A special event, this private showing was open to EgoPo Bronze subscribers and up.

2014-2015 Production Calendar, The American Giants Festival

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller Directed by: Lane Savadove Ran from October 22-November 9, 2014 The Latvian Society, Theater 531 N. 7th St. Philadelphia, PA

Stairs to the Roof by Tennessee Williams Directed by: Lane Savadove Ran from February 11-March 1, 2015 The Latvian Society Theater, 531 N. 7th St. Philadelphia, PA

The Hairy Ape by Eugene O'Neill Directed by: Lane Savadove Ran from April 8–26, 2015 The Latvian Society Theater, 531 N. 7th St. Philadelphia, PA

2013-2014 Production Calendar, The Henrik Ibsen Festival

A Doll's House: A one-woman adaptation created by Brenna Geffers Directed by: Brenna Geffers September 4–22, 2013, ran for 14 performances Playground Space at The Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St. Philadelphia, PA

The Lady from the Sea: sponsored by the Jacob Burns Foundation Directed by: Brenna Geffers February 19-March 2, 2014, runs for 12 performance Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American St. Philadelphia, PA Tickets available at EgoPo's website.

GINT: Romulus Linney's adaptation of Peer Gynt Directed by: Lane Savadove April 30-May 11, 2014, runs for 12 performances Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 North American St. Philadelphia, PA Tickets available at EgoPo's website.

2012-2013 Production Calendar, American Vaudeville Festival

The Assassination of Jesse James: created by Brenna Geffers Directed by: Brenna Geffers Oct 3-Oct 21 2012, ran for 18 performances Plays and Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Pl. Philadelphia, PA

The Life (and Death) of Harry Houdini: created by Brenna Geffers Directed by: Brenna Geffers March 27-April 7, 2013, ran for 15 performances Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Pl. Philadelphia, PA

Uncle Tom's Cabin:An Unfortunate History: adapted by Lane Savadove and Glenn Odom Directed by: Lane Savadove Choreographed by: Paule Turner May 29-June 9, 2013, ran for 13 performances. Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Pl. Philadelphia, PA

2011-2012 Production Calendar, Festival of Jewish Theater

The Diary of Anne Frank: by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett Adapted by: Wendy Kesselman Directed by: Lane Savadove Oct 20- Nov 6 2011, ran for 14 performances The Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

The Golem: A World Premiere Ensemble Creation Directed by: Brenna Geffers March 29-April 15, 2012, ran for 14 performances The Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

A Dybbuk: translated from S. Ansky by Joachim Neugroschel Adapted by: Tony Kushner Directed by: Lane Savadove May 31- June 17, 2012, runs for 14 performances The Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia

2010-2011 Production Calendar, Theater of Cruelty Festival

Marat Sade: by Peter Weiss Directed by Brenna Geffers Sept. 3-Sept. 18 2010, ran for 13 performances The Sanctuary at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia

Artaud Unbound: by Antonin Artaud Thirty Two: conceived and directed by Lane Savadove The Butcher's Revolution: conceived and directed by Brenna Geffers To Have Done with the Judgment of God: conceived and directed by Mat Wright Manifestos and the Spurt of Blood: conceived and directed by Michael Alltop Feb 16-Feb 20 2011, ran for 6 performances The Latvian Society 531 N 7th Street, Philadelphia

Hell: based on the novel written by Henri Barbusse Directed by Lane Savadove April 27- May 15, 2011, ran for 15 performances The German Society, 611 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia.

2009-2010 Production Calendar, Samuel Beckett Festival

Company (see Company), by Samuel Beckett, in a new adaptation by EgoPo. Directed by Lane Savadove Sept. 4-Sept 26th, 2009, ran for 24 performances Filmtech, 2019 S. Juniper Street, Philadelphia

Endgame, by Samuel Beckett Directed by Lane Savadove Oct. 30-Nov. 15th, 2009, ran for 14 performances St. Stephen's Theater, 10th and Ludlow, Philadelphia

Waiting for Godot, by Samuel Beckett, directed by Brenna Geffers, The Latvian Society, 531 N. 7th Street, Philadelphia.

Jacob Burns and Herb and Rosalie Goldberg Foundation SIdeshow Series, featuring one-night-only full stagings of Beckett Short plays, at the Painted Bride, 230 Vine Street, Philadelphia
REWIND: Krapp’s Last Tape directed by Ryder Thorton and Ohio Impromptu directed by Brenna Geffers, Jan 11th, 2009
STAGES: Cascando and Words and Music directed by Mat Wright, Catastrophe directed by Joe Canuso, What Where directed by Ryder Thornton, Not I directed by Brenna Geffers, April 12, 2009.
REMEMBERING WOMEN: Rockaby directed by Allison Heishman, Footfalls and Play, directed by Lane Savadove, Come and Go directed by Charlie DelMarcelle., May 10, 2009.

2008-2009 Production Calendar, The Expressionist theater Festival

Woyzeck by Georg Buchner, translated by Nicholas Rudall Directed by Brenna Geffers, September 11–26, 2008, ran for 16 performances Pennsylvania German Society, 611 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia PA 19123

Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind, translated by Douglas Langworthy Directed by Lane Savadove December 13, 2008, ran for 1 performance Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19104

Bluebird, by Maurice Maeterlinck, in a new adaptation by EgoPo Productions, featuring live orchestration by Orchestra 2001 Directed by Lane Savadove April 25- May 10, 2009, ran for 12 performances Mandell Theater at Drexel University, 33rd and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia PA 19104

Jacob Burns Foundation Classic Reading Series, featuring one-night-only staged readings of expressionist plays, at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia Zastrozzi: Master of Discipline, by George Walker, directed by the Lantern Theater, October 20, 2008 The Ghost Sonata, by August Strindberg, directed by the Wilma Theater, November 3, 2008 Anna Christie, by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Kaibutsu, December 1, 2008 Baal, by Bertolt Brecht, directed by Wandering Rom, January 5, 2009 Gint, by Romulus Linney, adapted from Ibsen's Peer Gynt, directed by EgoPo Productions, February 2, 2009 Great God Brown, by Eugene O’Neill, directed by EgoPo Productions, March 9, 2009 The Caucasian Chalk Circle, by Bertolt Brecht, directed by Flashpoint Theatre, April 6, 2009 Machinal, by Sophie Treadwell, directed by Azuka Theatre, May 4, 2009 The Hairy Ape, by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Theatre Exile, June 1, 2009

2007-2008 Production Calendar, The Tennessee Williams Festival

Vieux Carré by Tennessee Williams Directed by Lane Savadove, featuring original music by the Daniel T. Peterson Jazz Ensemble December 5–22, 2007, ran for 14 performances Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street, Philadelphia PA 19106

Something Cloudy, Something Clear by Tennessee Williams Directed by Brenna Geffers March 1–22, 2008, ran for 16 performances Adrienne Theater Mainstage, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia PA 19103

Jacob Burns Foundation Classic Reading Series, featuring one-night only staged readings of Tennessee Williams’ plays at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia, 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Azuka Theatre, December 10, 2007 Suddenly Last Summer, directed by Lantern Theater, January 7, 2008 The Red Devil Battery Sign, directed by Brat Productions, February 4, 2008 A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Theatre Exile, March 3, 2008 The Night of the Iguana, directed by BlackStarr Collaborative, April 7, 2008 Pink Bedroom and 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, directed by Flashpoint Theatre, April 14, 2008 Not About Nightingales, directed by Wilma Theater, May 5, 2008 Stairs to the Roof, directed by EgoPo Productions, June 2, 2008 The Glass Menagerie, directed by Temple University, June 20, 2008

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References
  1. "EgoPo Classic Theater : Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia". Theatrealliance.org. Archived from the original on 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  2. "EgoPo Classic Theatre | Edgy. Innovative. Inspiring". Egopo.org. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  3. Salamensky, S. I. (2003). "Dramaturgies of the Skin: Beckett’s Company in Post-Beckettian Production". Women & Performance: A Journal of Feminist Theory, 13(2), 123-131.
  4. "The big uneasy: Impact of hurricane Katrina on theaters in New Orleans". American Theatre. 1 November 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  5. "For New Orleans troupe in Phila., show will go on, but after that . . . For now, troupe's show will go on". Philadelphia Inquirer. 1 September 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  6. "Welcome to Our Theater Gateway!". TotalTheater.com. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  7. Whiting, Sam (1995-02-04). "Entering Beckett's Dark Frame of Mind / Blindfolds help EgoPo audience". sfgate.com. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  8. "The Philadelphia Inquirer Digital Edition". Philly.com. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  9. "Beckett's 'Waiting For Godot,' by EgoPo". Broad Street Review. 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  10. "Beckett's 'Endgame' by EgoPo (3rd review)". Broad Street Review. 2009-11-17. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  11. Hope, Erica (24 April 2009). "'Bluebird' promises to deliver hit". The Triangle. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  12. "EgoPo's 'Bluebird' (2nd review)". Broad Street Review. 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  13. "Fringe reviews: Woyzeck, The Show Must Go On, Louder, The Lost Book of Miriam". Philly.com. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  14. Zinman, Toby (2007-03-12). "Variety Reviews - Spring Awakening - Legit Reviews - Regional - Review by Toby Zinman". Variety. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
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