Event

Philadelphia and Other Stories at Walkerspace

Following a critically acclaimed, sold-out run at The Bushwick Starr, writer Paul Rome and composer Roarke Menzies present Philadelphia and Other Stories (February 11-21), an incisive and wistful montage of memories and modern loves, at Walkerspace in Manhattan.

A disgruntled writer grapples with a mysterious skin condition. A casual New Year's hook-up turns into a spur-of-the-moment day trip to the City of Brotherly Love. A young musician revisits an ex-lover, while a young American recalls her time spent living in France after college.

In this new, radio-inspired stage work, writer Paul Rome and composer Roarke Menzies pair new works of literary fiction with original music and sound. The stories are based on autobiography, transcriptions of conversations and recorded interviews. But the facts are blurred, the characters recast, the way a formative memory might fade, warp or become imbued with heightened significance. Philadelphia and Other Stories reflects on the curious (and vain) practice of mythologizing one's own life, casting one's own biopic, the acts of replay, revision and reenactment.

Produced by Chip Rodgers and directed by Mark Jaynes, the evening features performances by Rome, Menzies and Katie Schottland, as well as solo musical performances by guitarist/banjo player David Kammerer and singer-songwriter Katie Mullins. The creative team also includes lighting designer Cecilia Durbin and assistant director Rachel Levens.

Performances of Philadelphia and Other Stories will take place Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, from February 11-21 at Walkerspace. Walkerspace is located at 46 Walker Street in Manhattan.