Kimberly Akimbo

 

Ensemble Art Philly is presenting the Philadelphia Premiere of the 2023 Tony Award Winning Best Musical, Kimberly Akimbo. This new musical, also the winner of four other Tony Awards and numerous other acclamations, including the Drama Desk Award and the New York Critic Circle Awards, will appear at the Academy of Music from October 21 – November 2, 2025. Kimberly is about to turn 16 and has recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this extraordinarily funny and yet hold-your-breath sad moment show, Kim must find her way through family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush, and possible felony charges. Ever an optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.

Kimberly opened on Broadway to rave reviews on November 10, 2022. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org , by calling 215-803-1999- or in person visit to the Academy of Music Box Office ( 240 S. Broad Street ) daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org.

 

 

  

Lantern Theater Company is opening its theater season with a production of Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing, directed by Peter DeLaurier. Tom Stoppard’s play is a bit autobiographical as he had an affair with an actor, as his main character Henry does. Henry’s wife, Charlotte, is in the play he is writing about, and may have had an affair with Max, her lead. Henry, meanwhile, has an affair with Annie, Max’s wife. When the affairs become known, he swears undying love to Annie. There are aspects of a “play within a play” that fade in and out of Stoppard’s work. You must pay close attention, or you will wonder why certain lines of the play are repeated. The acting of all the ensemble cast members is first rate. Henry (J Hernandez) is a playwright who is dedicated to the printed word. Annie (Campbell O’Hare) is resolute, first to Henry, then to activists and their causes. Charlotte (Brett Ashley Robinson) is dedicated to several men. Brodie (Adam Howard) is dedicated to a variety of causes, and it shows through his activism), prison sentence, and poor play writing. Billy (Trevor William Fayle) is dedicated to acting well in a badly written play, as well as making an impression on Annie. Debbie (Cheyenne Parks) is dedicated to making her own way in the world with her boyfriend. There are multiple reasons to grab a ticket to see Tom Stoppard’s latest play. The Real Thing explores real themes of tastes in music, honesty, suspicion, romance, and love. The play runs through October 5, 2025, at St. Stephen’s Theater, 10^th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia, Pa.

 

 

 

 

            

Dogberry and Verges Are Scared

 

Michael Doherty and Will Mobley have written a new play that is directed by Matthew Decker. It has just premiered at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Entitled Dogberry and Verges Are Scared, this fantastically funny production has the audience laughing from the moment it begins until the grand finale. Loosely based on the theme of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Dogberry and Verges Are Scared is a constant comedic interplay between Dogberry (Scott Greer) and Verges (Anthony Lawton). On numerous occasions, Dogberry implores Verges not to speak. Anthony Lawton’s facial expressions in response are priceless. The conversations between the two are riddled with malapropisms, words that sound similar but have different meanings. When a messenger (Robi Hager) arrives and supplies the correct word, Verges argues and gives another meaning for the word that the messenger has supplied (which of course is similar but incorrect). Robi Hager and three other cast members have multiple roles in this delightful romp. Dogberry and Verges Are Scared can be seen through September 14, 2025 at Christ Church Neighborhood House 20 N. American Street. There are over 400 plays participating in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. You won’t enjoy anything more than Dogberry and Verges Are Scared.