For Immediate Release: January 25, 2006
Media Contact: Dawn Falato, Hotel Obligado, 215.300.0394

Gung hO II: Singing for Our Supper, Hotel Obligado Physical Theatre’s fundraising extravaganza, is an evening of cabaret-style entertainment featuring some of Philadelphia’s favorite singers and comic actors. This one-night-only event will take place Sunday, February 4th, 2006 at 8:00 PM at the Prince Music Theatre’s Black Box at 1412 Chestnut Street. Tickets are $25 and may be obtained by calling Upstages at (215) 569-9700. Artist and student discounts are available.

What happens when a local experimental theatre company decides that best way to raise money for upcoming projects is to return to their cheese-plated roots as musical theatre geeks? They promptly commandeer a one-night-only event called “Gung hO: Singing For Our Supper” at the Prince Music Theatre’s Black Box.

For the last 5 years, Hotel Obligado has delivered ensemble-based original plays that, according to their mission, “are created using unique processes not limited by existing theatrical styles.” Their most recent work, “Dottie,” featured male singer/aerialist, Robin Marcotte, in a solo show about a woman’s battle with dementia. The physical theatre company pulled out the stops, using a set that could be swung upon, ripped down, converted into a shadow puppetry theatre, and of course, projected onto with super 8 footage of the main character’s elusive memories.

Theatres like this – even when delivering a seemingly straight-forward evening of song and dance – are typically not going to be satisfied with the ordinary. So, members of “the hotel” have given each person who performs at Gung hO a winning challenge. “We asked our performers to do a song which clearly goes against their outward identities on stage.” states Marcotte, who also serves as one of the company’s artistic directors. Perhaps this is why demure comical songstress, Stephanie Roberts, will be flexing her ukulele strings for what is sure to be an hilarious rendition of the Village People’s “Macho Man.”

Also featured are several members of the cast of the Arden Theatre’s “Winesburg, OH,” Jillian Louis, a New York musical theatre actress who is quickly becoming a local favorite, and far too many more to mention here (including members of Hotel Obligado, taking on their own challenge). Accompanying the acts will be tightly knit house band, The Fishnet hO’s. Last year’s event was tremendously entertaining, and company members insist that the ’06 line up is even better. “Most of the singers in the evening are phenomenal, so what they’ve been able to do with these songs is just too good to miss.” continues Marcotte.

Or, you could just go for the prizes. Raffle tickets will be available towards prizes from local businesses and theatres, including the Walnut Street Theatre, 1812 Productions, Brat Productions, Cut Salon, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Philadelphia Theatre Company, massage practitioners, posh area restaurants and more.

Dawn Falato, Hotel Obligado’s other artistic director confesses, “Never has shameless begging been so enchantingly disguised by soft lights, sweet music, and hospitality industry cross-dressing.”

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