Treaure Island

Ensemble Cast

Toby Hulse’s adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is a real treasure. Extended through June 9, 2019, this refreshing female-centric view of an age-old swashbuckling pirate classic has been set to music and is appearing on the Arden Acadia Stage, 40 N. 2^nd. Street, Old City. Emily, a young girl who loves everything pirates, imagines herself on a pirate adventure.  When confronted with a pirate character that she doesn’t understand, she is asked, “What do you think she is saying?” Over-and-over the point is driven home to the children in the audience that the story is make-believe and  everything  is happening in Emily’s imagination. The songs are wonderfully high spirited and comically enhance the plot. The six member ensemble cast accompany themselves on the violin, guitar, accordion, mandolin, castanets and tambourine. My ten year old granddaughter is a fairly sophisticated theatre-goer and she was captivated. Cast members play multiple roles. In the second act, Emily’s character (Jim) is told to yell “Halloo” so that an ambush can occur on the pirates. To make up for a deficit in numbers, the audience is supplied with tools to help, much to the delight of the youngsters. This is a wonderful production for all ages. It is a new look at a familiar tale for some adults, a first peep at a classic for others, and a fascinating experience for the younger audience members. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit ardentheatre.org.

Anastasia

Lila Coogan & Stephan Brower

The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus is presenting the Philadelphia premiere of anastasia through Sunday, April 12, 2017 at the Academy of Music as part of Broadway Philadelphia’s 2018-19 season. This stunning production opens with an intimate look at the Romanoff family in 1907, with young Anastasia saying au revoir her Nana, only to see the imperial family in full dress attire at a ball ten years later. Jaw-dropping special effects announce the beginning of the revolution and the end of the dynastic Romanoff Empire in Russia. The scenic designs created by designer Alexander Dodge are exquisite. Sets change from one gorgeous location to another as concrete scenery is seamlessly replaced with projections. An indoor café becomes an outdoor forest in the blink of an eye. A fountain becomes the heart of breathtaking St. Petersburg.  The costumes are dazzling, the choreography excellent and the musical renditions superb. Twenty-six incredible songs carry the storyline from St. Petersburg at the turn of the 20^th Century to Paris in the Roaring 20’s. Dmitri (Stephen Brower) and Vlad (Edward Staudenmayer cook up a scheme to get out of Russia -  present an ”Anya” to the Dowager Empress who lives in Paris and convince her that Anya is her surviving granddaughter. . Anya (Lila Coogan) has amnesia and is not sure who she is but as she is groomed with all the history of Anastasia, some memories seem to return. Anya may have lost some of her memory but she has not lost her voice. It is strong and vibrant and resonates throughout the Academy of Music. . Paris scenes are no less wondrous than those of St. Petersburg. Scenes of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower are nothing short of magnificent. .Tari Kelly, portraying the Countess Lily, a Russian expat in Paris, demonstrates that not only can she sing, but she can dance and vamp as well. This entire production is a feast for the eyes and the ears.