September 11, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local Life

Her assault is basis of new work by Mt. Airy playwright
by JEAN-BERNARD HYPPOLITE

Mt. Airy actor/playwright Martha Kemper has written a searing play about her own violent assault.

Martha Kemper, actor and playwright of Me, Miss Krause and Joan, has been involved in theater all of her life. The Mt. Airy resident, 45-ish, splices highly personal and emotional scenes from her own life with scenes from the life of Joan of Arc in her powerful one-woman play, Me, Miss Krause and Joan, which she will perform as part of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, on Sept. 11, 12 and 13, 7 p.m., at the 2nd Stage of The Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St.  

The Krause in the play’s title refers to Martha Kemper’s mentor, Alvina Krause. “She deeply believed in the power of theater to change lives,” recalled Martha. “She believed in students. She believed in young people’s ability to learn.” Ms. Kemper met Alvina Krause after graduating from Northwestern University in 1976. Together, they relocated to Bloomsburg, Pa. During Martha’s stay there, she would experience a radically life-changing event; she was violently assaulted. However, it would be Alvina who would help guide her through the traumatic aftermath. While Martha was in the hospital, it was Ms. Krause who encouraged Martha to write down her feelings. It was there that the groundwork for Me, Miss Krause and Joan was laid.

‘Flame-athon’ marks 20 years for Cathy McGuckin on Hill
by PAT STOKES

The Candle Shop has actually been in Chestnut Hill for 50 years, the last 20 under the ownership of Cathy McGuckin (left), who is aided by her assistant, Pam Jordan. (Photo by Pat Stokes)

There’s an old proverb (attributed mostly to the Chinese) that suggests “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” What a splendid idea! So we might ask, “Which candle? Made from what?” The answers to these questions and a couple hundred others can be found at the Candle Shop, 8432 Germantown Ave., a few steps either way from Caruso’s Market, mid-block, to Kilian’s on the corner.

Before we outline the details of this long-loved store, you must hear the Big News: To celebrate its 20 years under Cathy McGuckin’s ownership, the shop is planning a major wing-ding for the weekend of the 19th of September. It’s a “Flame-athon!” from Friday evening through Sunday. Cathy is planning special events; there will be free gifts, and even a raffle for baskets of candles, soaps and many other goodies.  They’ll have a name-drawing and numbered customers and, of course, light refreshments. Mark your calendar!

Velvet voice of Dondi Allen of G’tn heard at White House
by CONSTANCE GARCIA-BARRIO

Dondi Allen’s voice has taken him to the rarefied realms where heads of state meet. Allen, 46, joined fellow members of the Philadelphia dance band Jellyroll in a command performance at the White House this past December.