A CHRISTMAS STORY The Musical

                                   

                             A triple-dog-dare on the playground results in a frozen tongue

Walnut Street Theatre is presenting its holiday show, A CHRISTMAS STORY The Musical, on its main stage through January 4. Ralphie, played by Tyler Jai Knowles on opening night, leads a talented ensemble of children in this comic musical countdown to Christmas. He is obsessed with getting a RED RYDER CARBINE ACTION BB GUN for Christmas and plots various scenarios to help him get his wish. Of course, he meets obstacles along the way, and a variety of sub-plots grab the audience’s attention. The musical numbers are catchy (“Ralphie to the Rescue’s” choreography is excellent as are the costumes. There are frequent little scene changes in “Ralphie to the Rescue” and they are done seamlessly. The choreography in “A Major Award” is brilliant with false legs interacting with the can-can dancers. “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” is a surprise tap routine that is astonishingly breathtaking. John Farrell has designed an excellent set with a two-story house so that Ralphie and his brother Randy (Kieran Gallagher) can go upstairs to their bedrooms. The house can slip back so that other scenes may play on a clear stage in front of it. This is a joyous holiday production on many levels. It is a perfect show for the whole family, particularly upper elementary students and older. For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster or call 215-574-3550.

Walden

                                       Campbell  O'Hare, Alice Yorke  & Newton Buchanan

                                           

                                            

 Interact Theatre Company is presenting the Philadelphia Premier of Walden through November 23, 2025. Set sometime in the not-too distant future, the earth is ravaged by tsunamis followed by news reports of millions of deaths, and earthquakes with comparable results. Scientists are actively trying to discover ways to colonize other habitats and “start over,” being kinder to the climate. Earth Advocates are trying to save this planet, against all odds, by returning to nature, spurning the use of electricity, and growing their own food. Campbell  O'Hare portrays Cassie, a NASA astronaut who has just returned from a moon mission and appears to visit her sister twin sister in a remote cabin. Alice Yorke beautifully  beautifully portray Stella, Cassie's twin, and the confused ex-NASA architect who isn’t sure whether to stay with her simple life or return to work with NASA. Newton Buchanan remains steadfast in his beliefs as Bryan. He is committed to his fiance Stella, but even more committed to his life as an Earth Advocate. All three actors portray believable characters and each one’s point of view presents a valid conundrum. As usual with the plays presented at InterAct, this one ends with a cliff hanger. You must buy a ticket to see this breathtaking performance.

https://ci.ovationtix.com/35072/production/1232767?performanceld=11608142

 

Macbeth

                                                      Karen Peakes -  Lady Macbeth

Lantern Theater Company is presenting William Shakespere’s Macbeth through December7, 2025, at St. Stephen’s Theater at 10^th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. One of the powerful elements of the Lantern Theater Company is its ability to alter its stage at the theater. The seating is flexible. For this production, seating is on two sides of the stage only. The floor of the stage emulates tiles and barriers are built along the sides of the stage to indicate the sides of castles. Anthony Lawton is one of the most accomplished actors in the Philadelphia region. Casting Karen Peakes against him as Lady Mabeth was brilliant. The two are excellent in their roles; their voices project; you can feel their oncoming madness. Every actor is outstanding in his role as well. Frank X plays the original king who is deposed and he also plays multiple other parts. Jered McLenigan  well-plays the dual roles of McDuff. The weird sisters Rachael Brodeur, Eli Lynn and Amanda Schoonover make several appearances and are fleet of foot as they quickly disappear as the lights go out. The scene changes are numerous and are very tight. As some actors exit from one side of the stage, other actors enter from the other side. There are frequent flashes of light and accompanying sounds thanks to the superb work of Lighting Designer Shon Causer and Sound Designer Christopher Colucci. For tickets to this excellent production, call (215) 829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org.

The Tapcracker

The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble will be returning to the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad Street, for their signature production of The Tapcracker on Saturday, December 13 at 11:00 am, 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm and again on Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 pm. With a cast of over 40 dancers from PA, NJ, and DE, The Lady Hoofers have developed an all tap version of the much beloved holiday classic. The Tapcracker whisks audiences to Paris, where an infestation of rats has thrown the city into chaos: toy soldiers guard the Eiffel Tower, and mice wreak havoc in the metro.
A new portable wood floor amplifies the sound of previous productions. First company dancer Mia Valeriole will premiere a new work of choreography. At all performances, refreshments, apparel, holiday gifts, and lap-themed stocking stuffers will be available for  purchase.

Tickets may be purchased at: https://the-lady-hoofers.ticketleap.com/    

 

 

Back To The Future

 

Ensemble Arts Philly and the Shubert Organization will present the Philadelphia Premiere of Back to the Future: The Musical at the Academy of Music November 18 – 30, 2025. This production is based on the wildly successful Back to the Future film trilogy created by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale. Tickets for the musical are on sale now at www.ensembleartsphilly.org.

Back to the Future: The Musical follows Marty McFly, rock ‘n’ roll teenager, who is accidently transported back in time to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean. Before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love to ensure his own existence.

The production is directed by Tony Award winner John Rando and features a multi-Tony and Oliver Award-winning design team. The musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard.

Back to the Future: The Musical has been an international success. It has been playing for four years in London’s West End. It recently premiered in Tokyo and Sidney and is slated to open in Hamburg, Germany in March 2026. How fortunate it is to have it slated for Philadelphia in November 2025 !

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org, by calling 215-893-1999, or by visiting in person at the Academy of Music Box Office (240 S. Broad Street) daily from 10:a.m. – 6:p.m. For more information, visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org. Groups of 10 or more can save money by calling 215-790-5883 or  emailing  groupsales@ensembleartsphilly.org. 

Hadestown

 Ensemble Arts Philly and the Shubert Theatre Organization are presenting the return of Hadestown, back by popular demand, from December 2- 7, 2025 at the Forrest Theatre. The winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best New Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album; Hadestown invites audiences on a journey to the underworld and back. Visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org  to purchase tickets.

Hadestown was the most honored show of the 2018-2019 Broadway season. In addition to the show’s eight Tony Awards, the show has also been honored with four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical. The Grammy winning Hadestown Original Cast Recording is now available at Hadestown.com/music.

Visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org to purchase tickets or Telecharge at 800-543-4835.

In person tickets can be purchased at the Forret Theatre Box Office, located at 114 Walnut Street, Monday thru Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Group orders may be placed by calling Broadway Inbound at 866-302-0995.

Million Dollar Quartet

                           Carl Perkin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dyanne, Johnny  Cash & Elvis Presley

The Walnut Street Theatre is presenting Million Dollar Quartet on their main stage through November 2. The Million Dollar Quartet is inspired by actual events that took place on December 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Sun Records founder, Sam Phillips (Fran Prisco), brought the group of legendary musicians together – Johnny Cash (Ken Sandberg), Jerry Lee Lewis (Brian Michael Henry), Carl Parkins (Paul Harrold), and Elvis Presley (Matteo Scammell). Elvis  brought his girfriend Dyanne (Kathryn Brunner)because she could sing.  What happens next is a “feel good” production. There is a smattering of dialogue amongst Sam and the musicians, but it is mostly  the actors taking turns singing one “50’s” hit after another – “ Blue Suede Shoes,” “Down By the Riverside,” “Hound Dog,” and See You Later Alligator“ among them. Those are only a few of the reasons to come to see this show. Jon Rossi and Steve Harding are outstanding backup to the group with drums and bass. When Ken Sandberg sings, you can close your eyes and imagine Jonny Cash on the stage. Brian Michael Henry is an outstanding Jerry Lee Lewis. Not only is he a comedic actor; he is a phenomenal piano player. AND…. The show is not over when you think it is over! For tickets, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.