Le Mirage/Dead City Philly starring Sylvia Platypus!

"Psycho-Celtic" Band Brings Back Rock Opera for One Show Only; Multi-media Extravaganza Continues to Evolve

On February 2, 2012, Sylvia Platypus, Philadelphia's (and possibly the world's) only psycho-celtic glam-blues band will appear at The Rotunda for a return performance of their original rock opera. Debuted at the 2011 Philly Fringe Festival, "Le Mirage/Dead City Philly" is the tale of a young widower obsessed with a woman who resembles his dead wife. Based in part on Georges Rodenbach's 1892 novella "Bruges La Morte", this multi-media production features elements of theatre, dance, video, and music. The band's memorable songs serve as a Greek chorus to the narrative.

"Those who witnessed our Fringe Festival run, know what they saw," says Janet Bressler, vocalist and principal songwriter for Sylvia Platypus. "Those who weren't there- well, they missed something special. But here's a chance to join us on our journey through 'version 2', as we keep expanding the audience experience."

Take vocal mannerisms reminiscent of Edith Piaf and John Lee Hooker and combine them with a stage presence that is equal parts James Brown and Judy Garland, and you have some idea of Bressler's lead-singer style . Add the soul-searing Waddy Wachtel-meets-Brian May guitar work of Bill Barone (formerly of the '70's era German symphonic rock band "Wallenstein) , the heart-stirring musical textures of award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Rutan on highland and uilleann pipes, tin whistles, English horn and Neopolitan zampogna, and the take-no-prisoners rhythm section of Michael Southerton on rhythm guitar, Ruchama Bilenky on bass, and Rosalba Gallo on drums and you get a six-piece outfit (three men, three women) that delivers a tough and tender genre-busting impact.

Formed a little over one year ago from some likely, not-so-likely and purely serendipitous alliances, Sylvia Platypus' visionary scope and fearless presentation is attracting increasing attention from the music industry. They have recently signed a publishing deal for the film and TV placement of some of the compositions that are included in "LeMirage/Dead City Philly".

"We'll be bringing out dancer Lesley Berkowitz (from the acclaimed 'Water Bears in Space') to portray he ghost, and introducing more Philly-centric imagery from local photographers and videographers for the visuals," says Bressler.
"This is an ongoing process as we continue to enhance the work to epic proportions."

Janet Bressler has worn many hats, literally and figuratively, but none more dramatic than the "psycho-Celtic glam blues band" Sylvia Platypus. On SP's new self-titled EP, Bressler's girl-Iggy voice leaps furiously and tenderly over Bill Barone's crunching guitars and Charlie Rutan's bagpipes, while her rhythm section churns like Raw Power -era Stooges. Though they touch on gypsy jams and punk paeans, Bressler saves room for ballads and drinking songs on "Pass the Tankard, Wench." --- A.D. Amorosi Philadelphia City Paper December 22, 2011