Killadelphia

NY Theatre dot com calls Killadelphia “an epic,” “a must-see evening of theatre”, and a “tour de force.”

Read about “Killa” in the 25th Anniversary issue of American Theatre.

In the Summer of 2008, it was often said that Philadelphia had “more bodies than days.” The city was in the midst of a murder epidemic that put it on par with some third world countries.

Determined to take an unflinching look at the causes of the crime rate and its effect on the community, playwright/performer Sean Christopher Lewis introduces us to the inmates of Graterford Prison – men employed to beautify the city even as they serve out life sentences.

The voices of the prisoners, their victims, Mayor Nutter, local rappers, conservative talk show hosts, trauma surgeons, and the citizens of the City of Brotherly Love crowd the stage to say their piece.

Played by Lewis, a performer described by the New York Press as “explicitly authentic”, these voices combine with a shocking document of life in America’s toughest town.

The stunning result is Killadelphia: mixtape of a city.

Directed by Matt Slaybaugh.

Killadelphia NPR

REVIEWS
10.5.2010Backstage
KILLADELPHIA aka CITY OF NUMBERS Wins Barrymore Award

8.2.2010 Playbill
KILLADELPHIA aka CITY OF NUMBERS Nominated for Barrymore Award

7.14.2010 The Other Paper
“KILLADELPHIA cited by Central Ohio Critics Circle for Best Touring Production”

4.14.2010 Los Angeles Times
“KILLADELPHIA wins 2010 Smith Prize for Drama”

4.29.2009 NY Theatre dot com
“a must-see evening of theatre … an epic … a satisfying one-man symphony”

9.22.2009 Metromix
“5 Stars… in a year of amazing theater KILLADELPHIA leaves the rest behind”

12.29.2009 The Other Paper
“Best Touring Production of 2009″

1.30.2010 Augustinian Spiritual Health Center
“Everyone should see this show”

2.18.2010 Philadelphia City Paper
“a call to action as well as a plea to open our minds”