The Importance of Being Earnest

Daniel Fredrick,Jake Blouch,
Alanna J. Smith & Lauren Sowa

Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is appearing on Walnut Street’s mainstage through April 30. Calling the settings of the first-act Victorian London flat and second-act Manor House garden magnificent may sound like a hyperbole, but when the curtain arose at the beginning of each act, the audience applauded wildly in appreciation. The audience is fully invested throughout the production. Oscar Wilde’s best known piece, this is a farce of epic proportions and the humor is not lost on the audience. Philadelphia favorites Mary Martello, Jake Blouch, and Ellie Mooney join the rest of the very talented ensemble cast to tell Oscar Wilde’s very funny tale of identity crisis and the powers of true love, albeit with a twist thrown in for good measure. Alanna J. Smith is excellent as the simpering Cecily Cardew, "Uncle Jack's" ward. Daniel Fredrick is every-so-silly as he pretends to be Earnest, "Uncle Jack's" brother while trying to woo Cecily. The Importance of Being Earnest may be a 19th Century piece of outrageousness, but it “holds up” today. Audiences appreciate the latest iteration as much as audiences did when the production was introduced in London in 1895. Don’t be left out.  For tickets or more information, call 215-574-3550, 800-892-2787, visit online at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster. 

The Wizard of Oz

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz that is nothing short of brilliant.  Based on L. Frank Baum’s book and the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz can be seen on the Walnut’s mainstage through January 8^th.  Both children and adults alike will be captivated by this musical. Children, seeing the tale unfold for perhaps the first time will be mesmerized by its magic.  Adults, well familiar with the story-line, will be enthralled by this exceptional production.  Filled with foreshadowing, such as “Use your brains;” ”Be brave;” and “I feel like my heart has been torn out”, this piece has adults nodding knowingly and children sitting on the edge of their seats. Nothing can prepare you for the pure dulcet tones of Adrienne Eller as Dorothy starts to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The special effects created by the design, sound and lighting creative team are extraordinary; roaring, howling winds, dark clouds and puffs of smoke, flying bicycles, and  a twirling house all help create the illusion of a cyclone on stage as surely as it was created in film in 1939.  Christopher Shin, Christopher Sutton and Nichalas L. Parker, playing Tinman and Hickory, Scarecrow and Hunk and Cowardly Lion and Zeke respectively, sing and dance up a storm as they accompany Dorothy on her journey to the Emerald City.  Laugh lines are sprinkled throughout. When Dorothy asks Scarecrow how he can talk without a brain, he immediately replies, “Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking.” Ensemble members are also outstanding as they alternatively portray poppies, Jitterbugs and Winkies. The costumes are fantastic; the acting is marvelous; the old familiar music as well as a surprise new piece is delightful and the choreography is superb. There will be no performances on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day so be sure to make plans to see the show before your desired date gets sold out. For more information or tickets call 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster. 

A Christmas Story, The Musical

ensemble

A Christmas Story, The Musical is making its Philadelphia premiere at the Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street.  Following two sold-out seasons on Broadway, this production will run through January 10^th.on the WST mainstage. Jean Shepherd (Bill Van Horn) skillfully plays the role of narrator as he recounts a Christmas season “back in the day”.. Beginning his tale with “It could be anyone, anywhere…” it soon becomes the story of the Parker family and the weeks leading up to Christmas. There is a running gag with The Old Man (Christopher Sutton) seeking validation of his worth by entering crossword puzzle contests, oblivious to the help his wife provides. There is the building tension with Ralphie Parker (Craig Mulhern Jr., Liam Keenan) who only wants a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun for Christmas but is foiled as one plan after another seems to fail in his effort to convince someone of its potential importance to his life. As is often the case in this theatre, several scenes are arranged behind each other due to the depth of stage. This allows quick scene changes. There are many, and thanks to set designer J Branson, all are charmingly done. Three different cars carry the Parkers or kids across the stage. Starlit skies effortlessly replace the inside of the Parker home. Many members of the star-studded ensemble are familiar faces to Walnut Street Theatre-goers - local  actors home for the holidays. Members of the children’s ensemble are students of The Theatre School at Walnut Street Theatre. Audience members are captivated by the tap routines, thanks to choreographer Linda Goodrich. The biggest surprise of the evening is watching Miss Shields (Ellie Mooney) break her character's stereotype in a fantasy sequence.  A Christmas Story, The Musical has something for everyone - laughter, suspense, song and dance and the holiday spirit. For more information or tickets, phone 215-574-3550, 800-892-2787, visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster.

Arsenic And Old Lace

The Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting Arsenic and Old Lace through April 27^th on its mainstage.  Mary Martello and Jane Ridley give us a delightful portrayal  of two sweet, kind, and generous little old neighborhood ladies in Brooklyn. But one must not forget that this is a farce.  The Brewster women are truly charming but more than a little crazy, as are two of their nephews. Jonathon Brewster, played by Dan Olmstead, has escaped from a prison for the criminally insane and compellingly has no intention of hiding his mean streak, while his brother Teddy, portrayed by Ben Dibble, is convinced that he is President Theodore Roosevelt .working on the Panama Canal.  What sane person would want to get involved with this family?  Neighbor Elaine Harper, portrayed by Jennie Eisenhower, has fallen in love with the third brother, Mortimer,played by Damon Bonetti. While Mortimer shares her feelings, he tries to discourage her because he is afraid his family’s genetics might catch up with him. As a good farce should be, this production is a labyrinth of twists and turns before reaching its ending and produces many laughs along the way. The set is magnificent. Kudos to the entire design staff for a job well done: Scenic designer Robert Klingelhoefer, lighting designer Shon Causer, costume designer Colleen Grady and sound designer Jacob Mishler have produced a brilliant mansion parlor and staircase, with many egresses. The lighting and sound add to the tension that builds and the costumes add to the hilarity. Arsenic and Old Lace is not a new show but this production is very well done. If you have never seen it before, you must see it now.  If you have seen it in the past, come and refresh your memory and laugh anew at the antics on Walnut’s mainstage. For more information or tickets, phone 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org. 

Elf

Buddy and Jovie

The Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting Elf through January 5.  This enchanting tale of merry holidays, Christmas spirit, and child-like innocence will warm your heart and have you bursting out in smiles. Be prepared to be captivated by the performance of Christopher Sutton who plays Buddy, the Elf.  His performance was awe-inspiring as he won a Barrymore for his portrayal of Buddy in The Buddy Holly Story.  This Buddy not only sings, but dances up a storm.  Singing and tapping by his side is an all-star ensemble cast.as well as the charismatic Kate Fahrner who portrays his girlfriend, Jovie. The sets, aptly gift wrapped for the season, take us from the North Pole to Manhattan and back.  Walnut Street’s mainstage is the place to be for all believers in Santa Claus.  If you are not a believer-, all the more reason for you to attend and suspend your belief for a delightful experience... Where else can you experience a snowfall without the accompanying cold? For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatrer.org. 

An Ideal Husband

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is producing Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband through March 3 on its mainstage. Although the action takes place over a 36 hour period of time, the play is written in four acts. The scene change between the first and second act is done with house lights on and curtain up. Watching the modification can only be compared to seeing an additional act in itself albeit without dialogue.  At its finish, on opening night, the extraordinary transformation from one room to another commanded applause from the audience. Of course WST has a wonderful stage for set design because of its depth, but Scenic Designer Robert Andrew Kovach designed a Barrymore worthy set. If the Barrymores were still to be awarded, the entire Design staff of this production would be worthy. Costume Designer Colleen Grady’s 19^th century aristocratic dress sets an authentic tone as soon as the curtain rises. Lighting Designer Shelly Hicklin and Sound Designer Christopher Colucci also present award-worthy efforts to this production. The 12 member ensemble cast keeps the audience in stitches with a plot that is more serpentine than a mountain road; every time you come around the bend there is a new twist. The ideal husband is less than ideal; the ne’er-do-well does very well when least expected.   Skeletons pop out of closets at inopportune moments, sometimes even when they belong in the closet of someone else. The superb set, outstanding writing and fabulous acting all combine to present a marvelous show.  For tickets or further information call 215-574-3550 or 800 982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org.