artsquicks

by Lori Hill

DANCE
Jeanne Ruddy Dance had a good 2004. Teaming with Ann Reinking, the company saw its Songs Without Words become a hit with audiences. Now they're aiming for an even better, and more socially conscious, 2005. Along with two pieces from their repertoire — the Irish culture-themed Out of the Mist, Above the Real and the Appalachian bluegrass-inspired Suite Reel — JRD premieres Breathless, a meditation on domestic violence. Specifically addressing some of the more sensational cases (Anne-Marie Fahey, Laci Peterson), Breathless also takes cues from Dreiser's An American Tragedy. The $75 opening night ticket includes admission to a gala reception, while Friday night's performance is, fittingly, a benefit for Women's Way's Domestic Abuse Agency.
Breathless,Thu., June 16, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., June 17, 8 p.m.; Sat., June 18, 2 and 8 p.m.; $15-$75, Mandell Theater, 33rd and Chestnut sts., 215-569-4060 or 215-893-1999.

READING
After the sexually charged game of musical chairs that was Inis Nua Theatre Company's debut last year at the Fringe, it was clear they're a company to watch. The man behind it all, Tom Reing, has been busy with other ventures, too (directing Brat Productions' Eden, making reconnaissance trips to Ireland to experience contemporary Irish theater). Now, Reing's gearing up for this year's Fringe with two staged readings at the Adrienne to benefit the fall production (for $5, or, as Reing says, the cost of a pint of Guinness). Local actors will read Reing's by now well-known High Noon in Grays Ferry, Twilight on Falls Road and Paul Meade's Skin Deep, a thriller involving a struggling artist, a medical student and a newspaper columnist (oh, and a cadaver's foot). Slainte!
High Noon in Grays Ferry, Twilight on Falls Road, Mon., June 20, 7 p.m., $5; Skin Deep, Mon., June 27, 7 p.m., $5; Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St., 267-474-8077.

FESTIVAL
Speaking of Irish thrillers, by the time you read this, Leopold Bloom might be halfway across O'Connell Street. So what are you waiting for? Bloomsday is upon us again, and Philly's keeper of all things Joycean, the Rosenbach Museum and Library, is resuming its annual tribute to Bloom's great walk, with readings, musical interludes and puppetry. New this year, Creative Access sponsors ASL translations of some of the readings for the hearing impaired.
Bloomsday, Thu., June 16, noon-7 p.m., Rosenbach Museum and Library, 2008-10 Delancey Place, 215-732-1600.