Saturday NIght Fever

Lauren Dalal &
Fran Prisco

A new iteration of Saturday Night Fever can be seen on the main stage of the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, through July 16, 2017. Put on your dancing shoes for this high energy, non-stop disco-action production. Set in Brooklyn, New York, Saturday Night Fever peers into the lives of young adults who find themselves with few things to anchor their lives outside a sense of community and a love of dancing. Fran Prisco, portraying Tony Manero, longing to be a disco king, is a dancer "par excellence". His moves on the dance floor are phenomenal. The large ensemble cast executes their dancing with precision time-and-time again. The male members can not only dance, they sing in beautiful harmonies as well. Several female ensemble members have beautiful solos, most notably Nicole Colón as Annette, Crystal Joy as Candy, and Laurel Dalal as Maria. This extremely talented cast is an excellent vehicle for the Bee Gees’ songs which comprise the mainstay of Saturday Night Fever.  The sixteen songs have almost a dozen quickly changed and very artfully done scene changes. Everything about this production works. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787.  Tickets are also available 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

Sister Act

Eddie Souther, Dan'yelle Williamson,
Mary Martello & Ron  Wisniski

Come and delight in the joyous act of a lifetime as Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, presents Sister Act on its mainstage through July 17. Directed and stunningly choreographed by Richard Stafford, this toe-tapping musical comedy will have you rockin’ in your seats when you’re not falling out of them with gales of laughter.  Set in Philadelphia, Sister Act tells the tale of a talented young woman (Dan’yelle Williamson) from the “the hood” whose musical aspirations are put on hold when she witnesses a murder. While being hidden in a convent to insure her safety, she not only puts her musical talents to good use but develops a true understanding of friendship. Thwarted at every turn by Mother Superior (Mary Martello) but supported by Monsignor O’Hara (Ron Wisniski), high-spirited Deloris Van Cartier (Ms. Williamson), encourages the sisters in the convent to lift their voices in joy. Their rousing songs and exuberant dance moves are a delight to watch.  It is not only the sisters who enchant.   Every cast member has a captivating voice. From the good… police chief Eddie Souther (Kent Overshown) to the bad… murderer Curtis Jackson (Philip Michael Baskerville) solos are strong.  Bad boys Joey (Fran Prisco), Pablo (Tony Castellanos), and TJ (Billy D Hart) sing and dance their way right to your funny bone. The design team has done a spectacular job as well.  Scenic Designer Peter Barbieri and Lighting designer  Jack Mehler have not only accomplished quick scene changes by movements of screens and panels, but have designed a magnificent church with apparent stained glass and varying lights both on the stage and surrounding it. Costume Designer Gail Baldoni has given the production a multitude of outrageously entertaining dress. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org or Ticketmaster. 

Memphis

Christopher Sutton & Ensemble

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting the Tony Award-Winning Musical Memphis on its mainstage through July 12.  Everything about this production screams success! Christopher Sutton is the recipient of multiple awards for acting and is on track for receiving another for his portrayal of Huey Calhoun, a young white boy who falls in love with the rhythm and blues music “from the dark side of town” in Memphis. He has a dream to bring the sound to middle of the radio dial so that everyone can share his experience. He is a whirling dervish as he sings dances and prances across the stage to “the music in your soul.” Kimber Sprawl, portraying Huey’s “discovery”, Felicia, belts out song after song that resounds throughout every corner of the theatre. There is purity to her voice that rings with pain, then hope and promise. The exuberant ensemble members are simply delightful to watch. Animated, spirited and lively, they have the audience tapping their feet and clapping their hands in their seats as individually and together they bop through their dance routines .Special attention must be paid to the electrifying and adrenaline-charged performance of Mary Martello portraying Mama as she raises the roof with her rendition of “Change Don’t Come Easy.” I saw this show on Broadway. You won’t find a better performance than the one that is playing at Walnut Street Theatre right now.  For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787.  Tickets are also available online by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is producing the Tony Award winning musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying on its mainstage through July 13^th. With its 20 musical numbers, many accompanied by dance routines, the audience does not need the applause sign which appears briefly, because applause continues non-stop throughout the production. Jeremy Morse, portraying J. Pierrepont Finch, window washer seeking a career up the corporate ladder, is only one of the many talented cast members.  Becky Gulsvig, portraying his love interest Rosemary Pilkington, has a very strong voice. But watch out for Joliet F. Harris, playing J.B. Biggley’s secretary, Miss Jones. Her moves and the way she can belt out a song will have you rockin’ in your seat. Mark Jacoby, playing J.B. Biggley, the president of the corporation, not only has a wonderful stage presence, but a  mellow baritone to match it  Thanks to the creative choreography of Michele Lynch, and a very talented ensemble, the dancing routines of both the men and the women bring the house down. Outstanding set designs are not uncommon for Walnut Street’s mainstage but scenic designer  Robert Andrew Kovach had his work cut out for him with  the many scenic changes required for this show, including several with an elevator. All are beautifully executed with a two-story stage. Everyone who has played a part in this extravaganza is to be congratulated for an effort exceptionally well done. Come out and join in the fun. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreetthreatre.org.

Grease

Ensemble cast at high school dance

The Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is concluding its season with a new presentation of Grease, scheduled to run on its Mainstage through July 14.  This production is proof-positive that some shows can be revived again and again and still maintain a fresh appeal to audiences who clamor for more. A first-rate ensemble cast dances with the vigor of teenagers, thanks to choreographer Michelle Gaudette.  Although not a dancer, Laura Giknis, portraying Sandy, demonstrates her adept acting ability throughout the performance. Her depiction of the innocent “girl next door” is convincing as is her self-imposed make-over. Many additional cast members have an opportunity to showcase their voice with a solo but few do it with as much vitriol as Kate Fahrner when she portrays Rizzo and sings, “There are Worse Things I Could Do.”  Adolpho Blaire demonstrates a magnificent falsetto when he sings “Mooning” with Tara Tagliaferro counterbalancing him as Jan. Take yourself back to life in the late 50’s when Rock ‘N Roll was in full swing and immerse yourself in life at Rydell High.  Cheer on Patty the Cheerleader, portrayed by Tracy Dunn, Captain of the Eagles 2012 Eagles Cheerleading Squad. Re-aquaint yourself with the angst of high school romance. This production is nostalgia at its best. For more information or tickets call 215-574-350, 80-982-2787 or visit online at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

Good People

Julie Czarnecki and Dan Olmstead

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting the Philadelphia premiere of Tony-Award nominated Good People. The play will run on WST’s Mainstage through April 28.  Set in Southie, a blue collar neighborhood of Boston as well as in Chestnut Hill, an upscale neighborhood  in MA, the production explores the choices we make and how they can affect our entire lives.  A poignant, yet wildly funny comedy, Good People takes the audience on a roller coaster ride with Julie Czarnecki, portraying Marge, in the front seat.  Down on her luck with more strikes against her than 2 innings of baseball, Marge sees a glimmer of hope in catching up with Dan Olmstead who portrays Mike, an old flame from Southie who has “made it big.”   The audience is treated to the plots of Marge, the plot twists of playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, the plot thickens suspense that arises on more than one occasion and the questionable plot resolution of the play itself.  Despite the performance’s intensity and the incredible urge of the audience to champion first one character’s needs and then another’s,  there is laughter a-plenty.  Sharon Alexander, as Dottie, Danielle Herbert, as Kate, Jered McLenigan as Stevie and Denise Whelan portraying Jean round out the rest of this very talented ensemble cast.  Scenic Designer Robert Klingelhoefer deserves special mention for his cleverly designed sets which rotate on a 350 carousel and are changed out of sight of the audience.  For more  information or tickets, call 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org.

The Music Man

Winthrop,Marion & Music Man

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting a delightfully fresh look at a classic musical, The Music Man on it is main stage through January 6.  Known for its excellent staging, Walnut Street Theatre continues it fine tradition with this production.  With the deep stage, four recurring scenes are set behind each other and a simple rise of a light curtain brings the audience to a new venue.  The choreography of the opening number, “Rock Island”, is timed to perfection.   You can almost feel the jerking of the railroad car as you sit in your seat, so realistic are the machinations on stage.  Reality doesn’t stop there.  A live horse pulls the Wells Fargo Wagon onto the stage as it arrives to bring the musical instruments to River City.  There is a fine ensemble cast to belt out the many  well-known  tunes such as  “ Lida Rose”,  “Pick A Little”, “Gary Indiana” and the ever popular  “Seventy Six Trombones/Till there was you”. The show is high energy from start to finish.  There are two teams of 15 children in the cast.  The night that I saw the production, Vincent Crocila, who plays  Winthrop Paroo, stole the show.  For more information or tickets for a wonderful experience,call215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story

There wasn't  a day the music died in Philadelphia. Buddy Holly is alive and well, hiding out at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, sometimes using the name Christopher Sutton. You will not convince any member of the 300 person audience of Buddy- The Buddy Holly Story that he isn’t witnessing a Buddy Holly performance.  While making no effort to keep my own feet still, I glanced around the theatre and saw that no one was sitting motionless in his seat.  Walnut Street’s main stage brings you an absolutely foot-tapping, hand-clapping, and body-swaying total immersion into the experience of the rise of Buddy Holly.  Christopher Sutton not only looks remarkably like the musical genius who met his untimely death at the age of 22, but on several of his songs he sounds exactly like him as well.  The audience can’t get enough and when you go, you'd better bring your dancing shoes and be prepared to dance in the aisles. Miguel Jarquin-Moreland portrays a vibrant Richie Valens as he sings La Bamba and shimmies his way across the stage.  When Philadelphia favorite Scott Greer  belts out Chantilly Lace, he appears to be the reincarnation of The Big Bopper. There is so much energy on the stage from the show’s beginning to end; there should be a way to bottle it and save it for a power failure.. But the word failure and The Buddy Holly Story should not be mentioned in the same paragraph for this production is anything but one. From the casting to the direction, from the staging to the choreography, from the lighting to the sound….everything about this performance screams success. Don’t be the last of your friends to see the show that everyone is bound to be talking about. Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story will be appearing at the Walnut Street theatre through July 15.  For tickets or further information, call 215-574-3550 or visit online at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.  

God Of Carnage

meeting in Veronica and Ben's home

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is producing God of Carnage through April 29^th on its main stage. Billed as a “comedy of manners without the manners,” it could just as accurately be described as a side-splitting hilarity that almost makes you miss the next line because you are laughing so hard.  A meeting that begins as a civil exchange between two sets of parents whose children have had a playground altercation, slowly but assuredly evolves into mayhem.  The script is funny to be sure, but part of what makes this comedy work so well is the way in which the four characters play one against the other. As the play begins, all four parents are cordial and then both husband and wife pairs are pitted against each other.  If this had continued it could have been funny, but the humor might not have been sustained.  What adds to the richness of this production is that the “sides” are constantly changing.  There are usually three characters who argue with one, but it is never the same three and it is never against the same one. Alliances change in a split second and then revert back again. It is a multi-sensory production. Be prepared for instances of physical comedy as well as verbal wit. God of Carnage was nominated for seven Tony Awards when the play opened on Broadway in March of 2009, including nominations for all four actors. All four actors in this play, including the real life and on-stage husband and wife team of Susan Riley Stevens and Greg Wood who play Annette and Alan and Julie Czarnecki and Ben Lipitz who play Veronica and Michael deserve to receive Barrymore nominations for their performances. Their timing is impeccable; their delivery flawless. A battlefield in miniature… No one is left unscathed! Don't miss an opportunity to get your ringside seat. For tickets or further information, call 215-574-3550 or 800 982-2787 or visit online at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org

The Mousetrap

Who done it?

The Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. is one of 60 theaters world-wide to be producing Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap in honor of its 60^th year in production. This show premiered in London’s West end in 1952 and has been playing continuously ever since, making it the longest continuously running play in history. It can be seen on the Walnut Street Theatre's  main stage through March 4th. Agatha Christie was a mystery writer par excellence. Each member of WST ensemble cast uniquely brings to life the disparate characters that not only are thrust together in a freak snow storm but also ultimately became suspects in a murder.  Thanks to the excellent work of Scenic Designer Glen Sears, it is not always easy to keep track of the whereabouts of all the characters.  The saga is set in a manor house in London. The room is exquisite in its coziness with numerous doors and archways for the players to enter and exit the stage. The fireplace in one corner of the room exudes warmth that the characters rarely show to each other. Who knows if the characters’ behaviors are the result of fear or guilt? It is the audience’s task to scrutinize each character’s actions and alibis to determine the identity of the killer. This enigmatic tale is not a routine, serious account. Although lives may be at stake, humor abounds throughout. You must listen closely to catch the laugh lines as fellow members of the audience may drown them out with their enthusiasm. You’ll want to be sure to catch this show and be part of its 60 year history.  For tickets or further information, call 215-574-3550 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org.