Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

NATIONAL TOUR OF

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

RETURNS TO PHILADELPHIA'S

                      KIMMEL  CENTER

          DECEMBER 29, 2015 - JANUARY 3, 2016

Directed and Choreographed by Tony Award Winner Andy Blankenbuehler

Broadway Philadelphia happily announces the return to Philadelphia of the national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It will be performed at the Kimmel Center’s Merriam Theater December 29, 2015 through January 3 2016. The show will be directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler, choreographer of the current Broadway phenomenon, Hamilton.  Broadway Philadelphia is presented collaboratively by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization. The show can be seen on December 29 at 7:30 pm. December 30 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; December 31 at 2:00 pm; January 2 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm and January 3 at 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Tickets may be purchased by calling (215) 893-1993, visiting www.kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center Box Office or the Merriam Theater Box Office (open during performances only) Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (215)790-5883. For more information, visit www.josephthemusical.com. 

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.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:The Musical

RUDOLPH MUSICAL FLIES

INTO PHILADELPHIA

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON  DECEMBER 17-20

  Family-Friendly Stage Adaptation of
                             CBS'

 Highest Rated Christmas Special

                            Of All Time

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer:The Musical 

                Get tix today at kimmelcenter.org.

The animated television classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer made its television debut in 1964 and has become the longest running and highest rated television special.  It will return live on stage when Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical makes its Philadelphia premiere Dec 17 – 20 at the Merriam Theater as part of Broadway Philadelphia. Broadway Philadelphia is presented collaboratively by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization. Performances are at 7:00 pm on Dec. 17 and 18, with 3 performances on Sat. Dec. 19 and Sunday Dec 20 at 11:00 am, 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm.  The story tells the tale of a young Rudolph who isn’t allowed to play any Reindeer games because of his shiny red nose. He runs away and meets new friends and has a series of funny adventures. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical virtually whisks the audience into the production as songs drive the plot while familiar set designs characters and costumes come to the stage via projections. Added to all of this is a talented cast and puppeteers to help create the magic on stage. The production will benefit PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

Underneath The Lintel

Peter DeLaurier as The Librarian

The Lantern Theater Company, located in St. Stephen’s Church theater, 10^th and Sansom Streets, is presenting a new production of its 2004 Barrymore Award-Winning play Underneath the Lintel through December 6 under the direction of Kathryn MacMillan. Peter DeLaurier gives an astounding performance as he reprises his Barrymore Award winning performance as The Librarian. In an effort to solve the mystery of how a library book was returned to the library after a period of 113 years, he dutifully collects clues left by the original borrower of the book, A., hhappily picturing the fine that might be collected. What ensues is a fascinating journey that takes the librarian crisscrossing the world collecting evidences in London, China, New York and Australia. DeLaurier is masterful in relating this intriguing tale, connecting the dots, following the mysterious borrower’s journey and his message of “I am here,” echoing with a similar heart-rending message of his own. He is magnificent in the role of The Librarian who is a lost soul, wandering the world in search of something that remains just beyond his grasp, while mirroring the very object he is searching for. For more information or tickets, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at LanternTheater.org. 

Mountain:The Journey of Justice Douglas

Keith Baker

Bristol Riverside Theatre, located at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa, is presenting Mountain: The Journey of Justice Douglas through November 22. Justice William O. Douglas ( Keith Baker) spent over 36 years on the Supreme Court and served longer than any other justice. He remained controversial throughout his term. .The first act of the production  begins in January, 1980 and ends in the years between 1898-1922. The first scene in Act 2 covers the years between 1910-1922 and Act 2 ends in January, 1980 at the same point that the play begins.. Keith Baker does an outstanding job of portraying the various stages of Douglas’s life, from his mountain climbing days to his tough decisions on the bench to his failed marriages. Kenneth York and Sandy York play multiple roles and dart back and forth among them with finesse and panache. By far the most amazing part of the production is the lighting and projection design. Kudos to Lighting Designer Joe Doran and Projection Designer Caite Hevner Kemp for bringing us not only indoors, but the outside of the Supreme Court, mountains, avalanches,  and  night skies. The total effects are breathtaking. For more information or tickets to this production call 215-785-00100 or visit online at brtstage.org

This Is The Week That Is

2015 Cast

1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s only all comedy theatre, is excited to present the 10^th anniversary production of its extremely popular political comedy This is The Week That Is. Created and directed by the theatre’s artistic director Jennifer Childs, the show will run through December 31 at Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey Street.  The individual skits are written and performed by Aimé Donna Kelly, Dave Jadico, Alex Bechtel, Jennifer Childs, Sean Close, and Justin Jain.  The head news writer is Don Montrey and the musical director is Alex Bechtel. This 10^th anniversary production comes right in the middle of the 2016 presidential race. Tim Gunn (Alex Bechtel) and Heidi Klum (Jennifer Childs) present Project-Run-The-Country-My-Way, sending the candidates down the runway looking for lines of leadership and oval office material. Breaking down issues in the news, learn more about #BlackLivesMatter with Justin Jain and Aimé Donna Kelly and their reality special Keeping Up With The Caucasians. Immigration reform is a fight for the future with Hans Solo, Chewbacca, Leia, C3PO leading a charge for a united galaxy. Audience members will be treated to the Hillary Clinton Cabaret on the road following her season of Real World Bengasi. In order to cover the myriad points of view from all over the region, renowned correspondent Patsy from the stoop of South Philly has agreed to franchise.  Word on the street will come  from Fishtown Patsy, Delco Patsy, Down the Shore Patsy, Mainline Patsy and finally from Shunk Street Patsy. This annual show of political satire gets funnier every year. This 10^th Anniversary year promises to be the funniest one yet .Tickets may be purchased by calling 215-592-9560 or visiting online at www.1812productions.org.

Menopause The Musical

Menopause the Musical

Extended by

Popular Demand

Will Run Through December 22

At Penn’s Landing Playhouse

                        Tickets on Sale Now!

The international hit show Menopause The Musical, currently playing at Penn’s Landing Playhouse, has extended its run through December 22. Now celebrating its 14^th year, Menopause The Musical has the distinction of being the longest running scripted production in Las Vegas. It has been seen by women in over 450 US. cities and nearly 300 cities internationally. Set in a department store, four women meet while shopping at a lingerie sale.  After noticing commonalities, the women joke about their hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, and weight gain. Inspired by hot flashes and a bottle of wine, Menopause The Musical was created as a celebration of women who find themselves at any stage of “The Change.” This hilarious production gets audience members out of their seats and singing along to parodies from pop songs of the ‘60s, ‘70’s and ‘80s. Tickets can be purchased by calling 855-HIT SHOW (855-448-7469), online at www.plplayhouse.com or at the Penn’s Landing Playhouse box office. Penn’s Landing Playhouse is located at 211 S.  Columbus Blvd (at Walnut St). The theatre is inside the Independence Seaport Museum. Performances are Wed. and Thurs. evenings at 7:00 pm; Fri. & Sat. evenings at 8:00 pm and 2:00 pm matinees Wed., Sat. & Sun. afternoons. Discounted parking is available in the Open Air/City of Phila. lot adjacent to the Seaport Museum.  For more information visit www.plplayhouse.com or www.menopausethemusical.com