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.

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Seymour (Michael Indeglio), the hapless hero of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, attempts to rescue his love Audrey (Jordi Wallen) from a man-eating plant in The Devon Theater's production of the cult classic musical comedy running Sept. 10-27. PHOTO CREDIT: Kimberly Reilly

The fire alarm inadvertently rang out twice Friday night at the Devon Theater. But, aside from a grumble or two, the small cast performing the bright and wild musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors couldn’t shake a small but engaged audience at the run’s first weekend performance.

Little Shop, which runs at the Devon until Sunday Sept. 27, is the quirky tale of a melancholy floral assistant who turns celebrity after he discovers a manipulative, carnivorous, R&B-singing plant. The show, famed for witty banter and an impressive score, is set in a rough urban neighborhood called Skid Row.

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By Donna Ward

This Turkish restaurant is located on 9825 Bustleton Ave. and specializes in bringing Mediterranean tastes to the NEast. Fish & Grill first opened its doors to the public in 1991, and is owned and operated by Gul and Riza Canca. This family-run eatery focuses on healthily preparation and food recipes. For example, olive oil is used for cooking rather than butter or margin.

Being located in a small strip mall makes parking difficult and sparse. Fish & Grill is very small and has a modest amount of décor ornamenting the walls. The menu consists of a minute but diverse amount of Mediterranean foods, and while the menu is geared more toward seafood lovers than meat eaters, Fish & Grill offers a few traditional-style meat specials. Shish kabobs and lamb chops are just two of the specialties available to satisfy your palate with flavorful meat cravings.

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By Donna Ward

One of The NEast’s best-kept secrets is You Zen, a fabulous authentic Japanese restaurant and sushi bar  at 2455 Grant Avenue. I was surprised at how amazing and fresh the food was at this quant Japanese eatery. If you are looking for a propaganda-style restaurant this is not a place for you. However, if you are looking for traditional Japanese food that includes fresh tasty sushi, You Zen is the right place to go.

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By Shannon McDonald

The Northeast might be short on bookstores, but we’re not lacking in reading material. Two great novels, Green Grass Grace and The Mustard Jar, are written by NEasters and are set in our area circa 1984.

Shawn McBride’s Green Grass Grace focuses on Hank Toohey, his band of weirdly matched friends and their escapades of the last weekend of Summer 1984 in Holmesburg. Though McBride switches up the names of streets and local landmarks, the descriptions are vivid enough for any true NEaster to identify. The novel’s plot is extravagant, but the characters are genuine.

Set during the same time frame, Tom Schied’s The Mustard Jar takes place in Wissinoming. Tom Clausen and his friends are fresh out of high school and enjoying their summer drinking at Deveraux playground and starting a band out of their basements.
Schied uses the real names of streets and places, which is sure to evoke memories from every reader. The novel’s events are more realistic than those in Green Grass Grace, but definitely not boring.

Both authors’ portrayals of the NEast are accurate – they capture our pride, uniqueness and heart.