South Philly Review

As if putting together one show isn't enough, The Collaborative's Artists' Collective goes for a twofer with "'Heebs in the House:' Word to Your Zada!" and "'Heebs in the House:' Oy, the Drama" Sept. 8 and 9, respectively. The Jewish performance group features two actors -- Matt Sutin of the 2600 block of Carlisle Street and Molly Russakoff of the 1000 block of Ninth Street -- who bring spoken word, poetry, monologues and music to the shows. Director Ross Berkowitz said the productions "combine a Jewish sensibility with concepts born of living in a multiethnic, diverse community."

By using "heeb" -- an empowering form of "hebe," a slur against a Jewish person -- Berkowitz said the troupe is reclaiming the fun and humor found within Judaism.

"Zada" is a mix of melodies and spoken word with topics from romance to stream-of-consciousness. Several guest collaborators, including Q102 on-air personalities and musician Todd Young and his Rock Band, will be on hand as well. "Drama," featuring theater company Tongue & Groove, takes a slightly different approach with monologues becoming long-form improv.

As a Fringe first-timer, Sutin used past experiences to make the transition from audience to stage.

"As an audience member, I always wanted to experience quality creativity that I would not normally see," he said. "As I gear up for my performance, I go through my poetry and find the poems that will speak to the spectators. Philadelphians don't just walk into a pretty art gallery with landscape paintings. They want something edgy and they have an entire festival for this."

A tragic car crash splits people into two quasi-existences that go back and forth between a miniature world of dolls and a relay race of unattractive, self-important characters.

The dark comedy "Machine World Gospel" takes screens, projectors, lights, cameras and even puppets, using it all to make the stage come alive.

Writer/director/performer David Commander, of Third and Wharton streets, housemate and fellow performer Violet Sweet, and actors Jimi Mooney, of 13th Street and Passyunk, and Gwen Witherspoon, of 18th Street and Washington Avenue, are part of the six cast members that share several roles, as well as backstage duties, like live video mixing, moving screens, and controlling lighting and puppets.

The work in putting the 45-minute piece together is "exhausting," Commander said. "There is an endless amount of work to do and an ever-approaching army of deadlines to meet. Fortunately, there is a very strong support network in Philly that manages to make the most impossible things happen."

And it's the people in these areas Commander and crew are targeting in the show, which opens Sept. 12.

"Most of the people I cast ... [are] kind of more homegrown performers," he said. "Less formal training and more of a blue-collar work ethic. It's a more hands-on approach to performing that I think the South Philly resident can relate to."

It's all Greek to Tribe of Fools and evident in "Echo," their second year in the Fringe marked by a myth about a female nymph known for her beautiful voice. Six artists -- with five of them local, including Managing Director Terry Brennan of the 700 block of Reed; director Adrienne Mackey of the 200 block of Snyder Avenue; actress Kate DeRosa of the 1700 block of 11th Street; actress Karina Kacala of 12th and Clarion streets; and actor David Sweeney of the 600 block of Reed -- perform multiple roles in the production that has gods Hera, Zeus and Narcissus in a movement-based piece that begins its run Sept. 12.

Although the telling of this ancient story won't be modernized, Brennan said it is interesting and accessible to a 21st-century audience.

"I've found that a lot of people in South Philly, especially the older folks, have a really great understanding for and appreciation of classical work," Brennan, who began performing during a break between high school and college, said.

DeRosa added it is these people, as well as their neighbors, she'd like to see at this year's festival.

"It seems that the audience base is growing steadily as the Fringe reaches into more and more neighborhoods," she said, "but I do wish more people would realize that the Fringe is for them, too, not just artists."