Comedy of Errors

                                        Matteo Scammell, Kishia Nixon & Dave Johnson

The Lantern Theater Company, presenting their works in St. Stephens Theater at 10^th  & Ludlow Streets in Philadelphia, is producing Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors through June 16, 2024. An outstanding ensemble cast has  the audience buzzing in their seats, trying to follow the list of characters. All too soon it becomes apparent that things aren’t quite what they seem when servants appear without expected rewards. So, too, is a seafarer mistaken for a husband and a husband is locked out of his house. The results are madcap and zany and inordinately farsical. At one point one of the characters even turns to the audience members and asks, “Does anyone even understand Shakespeare?”  The acting is “over the top,” in keeping with the general Modis Operandi of the production. This is one of Shakespeare’s earlier plays and  Shakespeare probably did not have so much flippancy in mind when he wrote it. The phenomenal sound effects curated by Christopher Colucci and the extraordinary Lighting Designs by Shon Causer add elements that leave the audience in stitches. For more information or tickets, call (215) 829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater/.org.

Little Women

                                                 Noa Harris, Camryn Hamm, Hannah Taylor & 

                                                                           Rachel Pantazis

Little Women: The Musical is playing through May 12, 2024, at the Playhouse on Rodney Square as part of Broadway in Wilmington. Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott, the production has 18 original musical numbers. Every member of the fine ensemble cast is given a chance to shine with a solo, although Hannah Taylor, portraying protagonist Jo March, belts out many more numbers than any other cast member. Camryn Hamm, portraying Jo’s sister Beth, sings a lovely duet with her as well as one with Mr. Lawrence ( Chris Carsten). Noa Harris gives a convincing performance as Jo’s petulant younger sister Amy.  Jo’s sister Meg , (Rachel Pantazis ) is the first one to break Jo’s heart. Moriel Behar gives an outstanding performance as the prim and proper Aunt March. The set design is very interesting with projections and a half-hidden staircase. Five exciting shows are on tap in Wilmington for the 2024-25 season.

Harvey Fierstein's TORCH SONG

                                                                      Jamison Stern

Harvey Fierstein’s TORCH SONG brilliantly gives us a glimpse into the LGBTQIOA+ community life of the ‘80’s  from the underbelly of the backroom bar scene to the search for domesticity in apartment life. 1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s only all-comedy theatre, is producing this masterpiece at  Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Street.  Seen through the eyes of Arnold  (Jamison Stern) , a drag queen, this production is exceptional on many levels for all adult audiences. The curtain opens to black and white projections of people and news items of the day. This  interesting technique is used multiple times throughout the show, frequently at the end of a scene which denotes a change in time. Another compelling technique is Arnold’s holding conversations with another character who we must imagine to be present. When Arnold’s friend (Gregory  Isaac ) breaks up with him for a woman, ( Karen Peakes) Arnold is devastated until he becomes involved with Alan, a young model ( Tyler S. Elliot ). Three-time Barrymore Award nominated Scenic Designer Chris Haig has designed another award-worthy set. When the two couples spend a weekend together, of course there is a bed…a large bed. One couple pops up from under the covers, chats, disappears under the bed, and the other couple pops up. Sometimes only  half of each couple “pops up”   to chat with the other half. Did I mention this  show is very funny?  Despite the seriousness of its underlying themes, the show gets a lot  of laughs from the audience. Act II takes  place in Arnold’s apartment over 5 years later . Two new characters are added to the scene. Elliot Colahan gives a commanding performance as David;  the teenager Andrew is fostering and hopes to adopt. Grace Gonglewski  gives a marvelous performance as Andrew’s mother who is of the “Don’t say gay” camp. This is surely a play not to be missed. It runs through May 19, 2024. For tickets or more information, visit www.1812productions.org. 

Message in A Bottle

 

Ensemble Arts in partnership with the Shubert Organization , Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK is presenting the Philadelphia Premiere of Message in a Bottle at the Miller Theater from May 14 - 19, 2024. This is a new dance theatre production , choreographed by artist Kate Prince  and set to the music of 17-time Grammy Award winning artist Sting. It  incorporates dance and athleticism weaving a tale of three siblings who are separated from their parents when  their village suddenly becomes under siege. The soundtrack to Message in a Bottle features vocals by Sting, and guest vocals  from award-winning  actress and singer Beverly Knight MBE and Lynval Golding. There are some scenes that are adult in nature; a moment representing sexual violence against a female character in Act I and some depictions of drug use in the beginning of Act II. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or by visiting online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org  In person tickets can be purchased daily from 10 a.m.–6 p. m at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street.  Orders for groups of 10 or more  may be placed by calling 215-790-5883 or emailing groupsales@ensembleartsphilly.org

 

RAIN A Tribute to the Beatles

RAIN A Tribute to the Beatles is returning to Philadelphia by popular demand. Presented by Ensemble Arts Philly, ( the new brand name of the Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Philadelphia Orchestra) the show will run from May 9-11, 2024, at the Miller Theater. Songs in the show cover an eclectic mix from The Beatles'  early favorites through Abbey Road. Band member Steve Landes, who grew up in Lansdale , Pa, and is one of the original founders of the group, will be making his return to Philadelphia with RAIN. Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN  has mastered every song. gesture, and nuance of Liverpool’s finest. With amazing costumes and beautiful visuals, RAIN A Tribute to the Beatles creates a thrilling concert with a wink to the 60’s. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or by visiting online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org. In person ticket sales can be purchased daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office at 240 S. Broad Street.

The Last Yiddish Speaker

                                                                  

                                                              Kaitlyn Zion &  Gabriel Elmore 

InterAct Theatre Company is  presenting The Last Yiddish Speaker by Deborah Zoe Laufer through April 21, 2024. This extraordinarily powerful One Act imagines a white Supremacist regime is in power in the years following a successful Jan. 6 insurrection. It’s set in a small mid-western town where everyone has to believe in the same things  or “be returned.”  Paul   (Dan Hodge ) and  his daughter Sarah ( Kaitlyn Zion) who has changed her name to Mary upon moving to the town, are living as Christians and are “inspected “ regularly by John (  Gabriel Elmore), a local 17-year -old .  This regime does not allow for books for girls. Girls may not read recreationally or attend college, but Sarah is bright and has trouble accepting this. When a mysterious visitor appears at their doorstep with a note attached to her clothing signed, “Aunt Chava” (Stephanie Satie), Sarah immediately empathizes with her while her father is afraid of being caught harboring a Jewish relative. The acting is outstanding. The set is well designed. Paul’s two-story apartment has a utility closet and an outdoor porch with many exits and entrances for the actors.  Although John and “Mary” have inherently different beliefs, meetings on the porch might overcome them. To discover the answer to this and other questions raised by this dynamic work, get tickets for The Last Yiddish Speaker, appearing at The Proscenium Theatre at the Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street.

Beautiiful The Carol King Musical

 

                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                           Kathryn Boswell, Sara Sheperd, Eddie Olmo II                                                                                                   &  Fran Prisco

Walnut Street Theatre is presenting Beautiful, The Carol King Musical on its mainstage through May 5, 2024. Beautiful, indeed, describes much of Carol King’s life as she meets , then marries Gerry Goffin portrayed by Matthew Amira. Together their songwriting collaboration results in hit songs for many popular groups, among them : The Drifters, The Shirelles and The Righteous Brothers. The staging is superb. As Carol, portrayed by Sara Sheperd, submits a song she and her husband have written, one of the singing groups appears onstage and begins a song and dance routine . This happens multiple times throughout the course of the musical and it is marvelous. The lighting design is dazzling, and its frequent changes alter each set in a magnificent way  With support of friends,  music writing team Cynthia Weil (Kathryn Boswell) and Barry Mann  (Eddie Olmo II ) and producer Don Kirshner ( Fran Prisco ), Carol survives divorce and begins her solo songwriting career. Beautiful, The Carol King Musical is magnificent in every aspect. The singing and dancing are excellent ; unfortunately, it constantly prompted someone in my row to sing along. It is tempting- I sang along in my head to several of the songs myself. For more information or tickets, visit www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.