Updated 11/16/09 @ 10:10 a.m. with a response from Devon staff; Updated 11/16/09 @ 1:42 p.m. with a response from the Mayfair CDC

The Devon Theater announced Friday it will cancel the three remaining shows in its inaugural season due to lack of funding, according to e-mails obtained by NEast Philly.

“I, too, am shocked and utterly heartbroken to hear the news.  I was not made aware that such a huge portion of our funding was in jeopardy until very, very recently, and I did not think the solution to the funding evaporation would be so severe,” said associate artistic director Kim Reilly. “Sadly, it doesn’t have anything to do with the great work going on at The Devon on the stage and behind the scenes.” [Update]

The sudden call came a day after an energetic opening night of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in front of a near capacity crowd, but just a month after founding artistic director Michael Pickering resigned without public explanation. The “Joseph” show is not in jeopardy and will continue, Reilly said.

continue reading »

Matthew Morley Rusk as the title character in the Devon Theater's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, running Nov. 12 to Dec. 13, 2009. Photo credit Kim Reilly, Devon Theater.

Updated 11/16/09 @ 7:04 p.m.: ‘Joseph’ will run as scheduled, but, as NEast Philly reported, the Devon has canceled the rest of its inaugural season.

Liz Filios didn’t miss a note when she took a step too quickly and had to shift her balance to keep from tripping in the second act.

That momentary misplaced footing may have been the only thing that went wrong for cast and crew of the Devon Theater’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Thursday evening during their opening night. Joseph is the second of a five-show inaugural season for the Devon.

The 14-member stage force, wh0 filled more than 40 roles in the bright and big musical that crisscrosses genres, won quick engagement from the crowd of some 350. That quick and light production comes despite losing Artistic Director Michael Pickering, who resigned unexpectedly last month just as rehearsals for ‘Joseph’ were beginning.

Before the performance, Pickering’s replacement, an ambitious 24-year-old star named Kim Reilly, who was already on staff in a marketing role that she is dually fulfilling now, addressed the crowd. Then she let her Philadelphia directorial debut fly.

continue reading »

Photo by Christopher Wink

NEast Philly Exclusive: Michael Pickering, artistic director for Fuse Management and the Devon Theater, has stepped down from his position with the Mayfair venue. Kim Reilly, the newly appointed associate art director, has released the following statement:

“Michael has resigned for personal reasons.  It’s sad to see him go, but better for him and his family in the end.  I am stepping in as the Associate Artistic Director.”

The Devon’s next performance, which Reilly will co-direct, is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which opens Nov. 11 and run through Dec. 13.