Hotel Obligado, one of Philadelphia’s premier physical theater groups, will present its critically acclaimed original production about crystal methamphetamine use in the gay community at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts’ Harold Prince Theatre on Friday, May 23.

Based on the show’s Philadelphia world premiere in March 2007, Philadelphia Weekly named Beauty Is one of the top ten theater productions of the 2006/2007 season. Beauty Is uses physical theater – a form of theater popularized by Cirque du Soleil – to explore the underlying emotional reasons people engage in self-destructive behavior and dramatically illustrate the dangerous allure of crystal methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth or “Tina.” The four-person production was written, composed and choreographed by Hotel Obligado members.

Beauty Is
Friday, May 23 at 8:00PM
Tickets $15
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Harold Prince Theatre
3680 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
For tickets, call 215-898-3900 or visit www.pennpresents.org.

Since its debut in Philadelphia, Hotel Obligado has performed Beauty Is at Saint Joseph’s University and to packed audiences during its three-week residency at The Lab Theatre in San Francisco. The company will also perform Beauty Is at the 2008 Philadelphia Fringe Festival this September.

The additional time and performances have given Hotel Obligado the opportunity to make some changes to the script.

“The dramatic impact of Beauty Is has not changed,” said Hotel Obligado co-artistic director and the show’s choreographer, Robin Marcotte. “However, many who have seen the original production will recognize adjustments that make the story even more compelling. The production at the Annenberg Center will be a night of unforgettable drama and important social commentary.”

Beauty Is at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is made possible in part by the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, the Charlotte Cushman Foundation and the by generous individual contributions to hotel Obligado.

About Hotel Obligado
Since 2001, Hotel Obligado Physical Theater has been passionately dedicated to bringing vital, innovative theatre into existence by creating and staging original, ensemblegenerated performances. Our regular activities include staging original performances for various audiences, donating performances to benefits, and conducting pro bono acting workshops with the goal of engaging the imaginations of young people.

For more information, visit www.hotelobligado.org.