Sunday, April 10, 2022
Settlements
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Broadway Philadelphia 2022-2023 Season
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS
AND
THE SHUBERT ORGANIZATION
HAS ANNOUNCED THE 2022-23 BROADWAY SERIES
INCLUDING
16 SMASH HIT PRODUCTIONS
AND A COMBINED 56 TONY AWARD® WINS
Highlights include the
highly anticipated Philadelphia premieres of
10-Time Tony Award® Winner MOULIN ROUGE! THE
MUSICAL,
SIX, BEETLEJUICE, and TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL,
along with the return of
fan-favorite productions including
LES MISÉRABLES and DISNEY’S THE LION King
The lineup showcases a
wide range of stories, representing the best of contemporary theater
with the newest award-winning shows and returning beloved Broadway
classics, plus several Philadelphia premieres Premieres include the first
national tours of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, winner of 10 Tony
Awards® including Best Musical, based on the
Oscar-winning hit film of the same name. As in the film, the hit musical
celebrates some of the greatest popular music of the last 50 years; Six,
the modern pop reimagining of the story of the wives of Henry VIII that is
delighting audiences across the globe on both the West End and Broadway; Beetlejuice, the hilarious
and remarkably touching new musical based on the Tim Burton classic film;
and TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, a musical celebration of the
iconic Queen of Rock n’ Roll. A Soldier’s Play, winner of 2 Tony Awards® including
Best Revival of a Play, will also premiere in Philadelphia. The show recently
announced that the touring cast will be led by acclaimed actor, Norm
Lewis. Best known for his work on Broadway stages, Lewis was the first
African American actor to perform as Javert in Les Misérables and
the first African American in the title role in The Phantom of the
Opera.
;
The full season lineup is
as follows: Annie (October 11 – 16, 2022, Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater) Les Misérables (November
2 - 13, 2022, Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music) TINA – The Tina Turner Musical (November 22– December 4, 2022, Kimmel
Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music) A Christmas Carol (November 22 - 27, 2022, Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Merriam Theater) Blue Man Group (December 27 – 31, 2022, Kimmel Cultural
Campus’ Merriam Theater) Jagged Little Pill (January 3 – 15, 2023, Kimmel Cultural Campus’
Academy of Music) A Soldier's Play (January 24 – February 5, 2023, The Shubert
Organization’s Forrest Theatre) Come From Away
(February 7 – 12, 2023,
Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music) 1776 (February 14 – 26, 2023, The Shubert Organization’s Forrest
Theatre) Cats (March 14 – 19, 2023, Kimmel Cultural Campus’ MerriamTheater) Six (March 21 – April 9, 2023, Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of
Music) Jersey Boys (April 18 – 23, 2023, The Shubert
Organization’s Forrest Theatre) Jesus Christ Superstar (May 2 – 7, 2023, Kimmel Cultural Campus’ MerramTheater Beetlejuice (May 30 – June 11, 2023, Kimmel Cultural Campus’
Academy of Music) Moulin Rouge! The Musical (July 5 – 30, 2023, Kimmel Cultural Campus’
Academy of Music) Disney’s The Lion King (August 16 - September 3, 2023, Kimmel Cultural
Campus’ Academy of Music)
Monday, March 21, 2022
Backing Track
Melanye Finister
The Arden Theatre is presenting the world premiere of R. Eric
Thomas’ new play Backing Track on its Arcadia stage through April
10, 2022. Avery (Brenson Thomas) has met a casual acquaintance, Abraham (Carl Hsu)
on an app. No sooner have they chatted on-line, than Avery must go away on
business as a cruise ship karaoke entertainer. He reluctantly leaves his mom,
Mel, ( Mel Finister) who is recently widowed and is being harassed by neighbors
for the state of her front lawn. Mel has an excellent sense of comic timing. There
are many double entendres thrown about throughout the play. She misunderstands
what is said until something is said repeatedly amidst the audiences’ laughter. Bi Jean Ngo, who frequently appears on stage in serious roles proves that
she can play a comedic role as well in her portrayal of Esther, the busy-body neighbor. Scenic Designer Craig Haig
has crafted a very clever set that, with the additional help of Lighting Director
Natalie Robin, can show distinct locations without movement of any background
or props. A small section of the stage is lit up around Abraham whenever he
texts Avery. The opposite side of the stage is angled with a microphone and
curtain to represent the stage when Avery is singing on the ship. Behind him is
a screen with projections of ocean waves. When Avery returns home, he is surprised to discover that the man he has been texting for months lives very nearby. This is a comedy with music. It is a
fun-filled show where everyone gets to do a little bit of everything. For more
information or tickets, visit ardentheatre.org.
Sunday, March 20, 2022
A Man For All Seasons
The
Lantern Theater Company is presenting the Philadelphia premiere of A Man For
All Seasons, its first show for live audiences in over 2 years. The performances take place on the
main stage of the Plays & Players
Theater, 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, Pa. through Sunday, April 10th. British playwright Robert Bolt set this play
in 16th Century England at a time when Henry XVIII (Jake Blouch) seeks an annulment from his
once- beloved wife Catherine who has been unable to bear him an heir. Sir
Thomas Moore, (Frank X) a deeply religious man, cannot, as “a matter of
conscience” agree to the king's receiving one. Thomas Cromwell, (Anthony Lawton) close advisor to the
king, does everything in his power to “break” Sir Thomas Moore. Friends and family eventually try to persuade Sir Thomas to have
a change of heart. The Duke of Norfolk ( Benjamin Brown ), a close friend;
Lady Alice Moore (Mary Elizabeth Scallen), the wife too often ignored; Lady
Margaret Moore (Morgan Charéce Hall), the daughter, and William Roper (Jake Blouch)
the son-in-law all try to persuade Sir Thomas to agree with the King’s desires.
The play demands that everyone watching
examine their own inner core and determine at what point you will say NO! Where
is your red line in the sand? (Scott Greer) introduces and closes the show by
speaking to the audiences with his own brand of humor as the common man . He
re-appears throughout the performance as a household servant and a boatman on
the riverfront. As always, Frank X and Anthony Lawton give singular performances. Costume Designer Kelly Myers has accomplished an extraordinary task with the brilliant period costumes. Scenic Designer James Pyne Jr. has created a set on the riverfront with many exit and
entrance points that bespeaks both wealth and religiosity. Sound Designer Christopher Colucci
enhances the production with original music. For more information or tickets, call
215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org.
Friday, March 11, 2022
OKLAHOMA!
Sasha Hutchings & Sean Grandillo
The Kimmel Cultural Campus at
the Forrest Theatre is presenting the
Philadelphia Premiere of the reimagined OKLAHOMA! through March 20, 2022. Directed by Daniel Fish, this reimagined creation is not your father’s
Rogers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! Except for one number in Act
Two, gone are the big dance productions BUT a wholly new concept in dance
numbers replaces them. It might take a bit of getting used to initially but if
nothing else it certainly is interesting. The same can be said of the choral
pieces. A few have the whole company singing must most of the songs are solos
which highlight the talent of the cast. The musicians, seated onstage instead of in a pit, emit a down-home
country feel before the first note is played as they are dressed in jeans and
checkered shirts. The instruments include banjo, cello, guitar, fiddle, and bass.
Curly, the cowman portrayed by Sean Grandillo, plays the guitar, and sings
several numbers. He is trying to win the heart of farmer Laurey, portrayed by Sasha
Hutchins who is not sure whether or not to give him the time of day. She is
also considering the attentions of her farmhand,
Jud. There are dark moments in this production both physically and metaphorically.
When Curly suggests suicide to Jud and
then sings Poor Jud is Dead the stage is completely dark. Ado Annie,
portrayed by Sis, steals the show with her rendition of I Can’t Say No.
There are many memorable moments in the presentation including frequent opportunities
to laugh. For more information or tickets, call 215-893-1999 or visit online at
www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
Tickets may also be obtained in person at the Academy of Music box office or
the Forrest Theater box office 1114 Walnut Street.
Friday, March 4, 2022
Sherlock Holmes - The Adventures of the Speckled Band
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson
Walnut Street Theatre, located
at 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa., is presenting a world premiere
adaptation of Sherlock Holmes – The Adventure of The Speckled Band on
its mainstage through March 27. Two parts farce and three parts melodrama make
this production five parts laughter and absolute incredulous enjoyment for the
audience. The extremely talented ensemble cast of Bill Van Horn, Karen Peakes, Ian Merril Peakes, Justin Lujan, Dan
Hodge, and Mary Martello play multiple roles, frequently creating madcap
situations while rushing off stage to change costumes and re-appearing as new
characters. Sherlock Holmes, portrayed by Ian Merrill Peakes must always have a
mystery to solve. Dr. Watson (Bill Van Horn ) is Sherlock’s sidekick. Enid,
portrayed by Karen Peakes, is fearing for her life a year after her sister died
mysteriously. With Dr. Watson’s help, she engages Sherlock’s help to solve the
mystery before she, too, dies. Mary Martello is the coroner in the original
investigation who declared “death by natural causes.” But a year later, Enid
still does not believe it. Rogers the Butler ( Dan Hodge ) is the epitome of
slapstick. Every time he bumbles off stage, he appears to be losing his balance
and a huge crash of cymbals is heard,
indicating a crash in the wings. Scenic Designer Brian Froonjian has done a remarkable
job with the scenic design. The sets in
the second act are outstanding. This show will surprise you. You will never
know where your next laugh is coming from, but it is coming, guaranteed! Get
tickets or more information by calling 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets
are also available by visiting
WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.
Monday, February 28, 2022
Choir Boy
Ensemble Choir
Philadelphia
Theatre Company, located at 40 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa. is
presenting Choir Boy, the
Philadelphia Premiere of a TONY® Award-winning play from Academy Award winning
writer Alvin McCraney. The show runs through March 13. Crystal Monee Hall is
the composer and musical director of this phenomenal ensemble cast of acapella singers engaged in gospel and R & B. Jeffrey Paige is responsible
for the direction and choreography of
the production. The musical numbers will leave you breathless with their intensity.
The drama that plays out on the stage is gut-wrenching. The Charles R. Drew
Prep School for Boys has been dedicated to the education of strong, ethical Black
men. Pharus (Justin Ross), the most gifted boy in choir, struggles to fit in
with his classmates. Bobby (Jeremy Cousar) and Junior ( Tristan Andre) are
quick to bully him. David ( Dana Orange ) has dreams of becoming a preacher and AJ
(Jamaal Fields-Green is content to stay out of conflict as his roommate. Pharus’
feelings of isolation become real and palpable as his senior year approaches. This is a stunning work on many
levels. Tickets are available at www.philatheatreco.org or
by phone at 215-985-0420. For the health and safety of patrons, cast, crew and
staff, PTC will require that audience members present proof of vaccination with
booster (if eligible) and wear a mask while in the venue.
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