"Psycho-Celtic" Band Brings Back Rock Opera for Fringe 2012
Multi-media Extravaganza Continues to Evolve
(Philadelphia, PA- For Immediate Release), Sylvia Platypus, Philadelphia's (and possibly the world's) only psycho-celtic glam-blues band will appear at The Rotunda for a return performance of their original rock opera. Debuted at the 2011 Philly Fringe Festival, "Le Mirage/Dead City Philly" is the archetypal drama of a young widower obsessed with a woman who resembles his dead wife. Based in part on Georges Rodenbach's 1892 novella "Bruges La Morte", this multi-media production features elements of theatre, dance, video, and music. The band's memorable songs serve as a Greek chorus to the narrative.
"Those who witnessed our Fringe 2011 run, and our "one-show-only" the following February know what they saw," says Janet Bressler, vocalist and principal songwriter for Sylvia Platypus. "Those who weren't there- well, they may have heard they missed something special. But here's a chance to join us on our journey through 'version 3', as we keep expanding the audience experience."
Take the vocal mannerisms of Edith Piaf and Levi Stubbs and combine them with a stage presence that is equal parts James Brown and Judy Garland, and you have some idea of Bressler's lead-singer style . Add the soul-searing Waddy Wachtel-meets-Brian May guitar work of Bill Barone (formerly of the '70's era German symphonic rock band "Wallenstein) , the heart-stirring musical textures of award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Rutan on highland and uilleann pipes, tin whistles, English horn and Neopolitan Zampogna, and the take-no-prisoners rhythm section of Michael Southerton on rhythm guitar, Ruchama Bilenky on bass, and Rosalba Gallo on drums and you get a six-piece outfit (three men, three women) that delivers a tough and tender genre-busting impact.
In addition to their duties as band members, Southerton portrays Liam, the young widower, and Bilenky takes the roles of Jenny/Claudine.
"What would become LeMirage/Dead City Philly began in 2007 with the first version of an original ballad entitled 'Claudine', but the personal experience I wanted to tell was too big for one song," says Bressler. "In the course of developing it into a rock opera, I was introduced to 'Bruges-la-Morte'. This 19th century novella’s uncanny similarity to my autobiographical story mirrored the doppelganger themes I was grappling with. It's art imitating life imitating art."
"Le Mirage/Dead City Philly" is a rollicking tale of love, death and bagpipes.
DysFUNctional Theater presents:
LE MIRAGE/DEAD CITY PHILLY
A Rock Opera by Sylvia Platypus
September 10 & 11 8pm
Tickets are $10. Purchase HERE