Summer,1976

McKenna Kerrign and Grace Gonglewski

The Lantern Theater Company, located at St. Stephen’s Theater,10^th and Ludlow Streets, Center City Philadelphia, is presenting Summer, 1976   through October 11, 2026.  Diana, played by McKenna Kerrigan, is a quirky artist when she first meets Alice, portrayed by Grace Gonglerwski.  Her short, clipped sentences are acerbic.   Alice is a laissez-faire academic wife and Grace is a driven artist. They seemingly have little in common but bond over having young children of the same age who immediately become best friends. Grace’s husband, Doug, is sometimes also given voice by Diane.  Playwright David Auburn has provided witty dialogue throughout Summer, 1976. This is not a comedy but rather a chance for the characters to grow and mature through a series of circumstances and for the audience to laugh in appreciation. Grace and McKenna are excellent in their roles. They are both onstage for the entirety of the 90-minute one-act with only a scattered minute here or there when one of them is not in the spotlight …and oh the spotlight! Thanks to Lighting Designer J. Dominic Chacon the spotlight  also deserves title billing. Whenever Alice or Diana speaks to the audience, the spotlight is on her, and the other character is in shadows. This type of scenario happens frequently in the performance and the stage lighting is exquisite. For tickets, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org

This Should NEVER Be a Musical

1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s All Comedy Theatre Company, is presenting This Should NEVER be Musical through September 27, 2026. Artistic Director Jennifer Childs noted the company is appearing on the Arcadia stage of the Arden Theatre while celebrating its 30^th Anniversary season, the same stage on which a fledgling 1812 Company began its performances 30 years ago. This Should NEVER Be a Musical is an improvised reality show. Four “contestants” react to information provided from audience members prior to the start of the show. Through a series of musical elimination tasks, including spinning a wheel to determine the type of song to sing and being subject to audience voting, one by one the contestants are eliminated. The last one standing presents his musical, aided by other cast members, of course. The winner on opening night was There is No Name. This quickly morphed into a quirky story about a woman who had a “condition” that wouldn’t allow her to remember anyone’s name, even seconds after she heard it. The musical had several songs, a lot of angst and much laughter thanks to the excellent ensemble cast of Mykey Carpenter, David Dritsas, Eliana Fabiyi, Kristin Finger and Kelsey Hebert. You will probably see an entirely different musical if you go, but go you must. The cast  will be the same and they are an improv treasure, able to compose hysterical dialogue, songs, and choreography on the spur of the moment.