by KYW's Bob Nelson
   
We're now in the launch of the busy summer theatre season, from the Walnut Street Theatre's long-awaited revival of the  musical "Les Misérables" to Bill Irwin's startlingly innovative study of the relation of laughter to happiness titled "The Happiness Lecture."
 
It is Irwin's creative gem that is winding up the Philadelphia Theatre Company's initial season at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on South Broad Street ("Avenue of the Arts").  Irwin, a two-time Tony award winner and master practitioner of the comedy form (in photo above), surrounds himself with fellow actors and dancers aimed at balancing the "happiness" equation:

"Human laughter is the greatest currency. It's the most mysterious thing about human beings and nobody quite knows what its function is. And a lot of people try to equate it with happiness. They say, 'Well, you're a clown and you try and make people laugh and therefore make them happy.' And I say, 'You know, we clowns try and make people laugh, but happiness -- that's your own business.' "
  
"The Happiness Lecture," presented by the Philadelphia Theatre Company, runs through June 15th at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard Streets. For more information call 215-985-0420.

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