Shrek The Musical

Nichalas L. Parker &
Ben Dibble

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting Shrek the Musical, on its mainstage through January 5, 2020. Nichalas L. Parker is the endearing ogre Shrek; Julia Udine  is a “beautiful” princess with a big secret and Dana Orange is an excellent Donkey trying to be a “best friend” to Shrek. It is Ben Dibble, however, who steals the show as the mean Lord Farquaad. Spending the entire production on special knee pads, Ben Dibble gives us a pint sized Lord Farquaad whose ambition is to marry a princess in order to become king. Not willing to come in contact with the dragon who protects the castle where the princess lives, Lord Farquaad sends Shrek to rescue her. When Princess Fiona and Shrek develop a certain closeness through joint rude behaviors, the audience becomes hysterical, and it is not just the kids in the audience who laugh. Robbie Roby’s choreography throughout  is spell bounding. The ensemble astounds as Pinocchio & Fairy Tale Character’s sing and dance in clockwork precision in several numbers. This is a delightful production for people of all ages. For more information or tickets, please call 215-574-3550 or visit www.walnutstreettheatre.org.    

The critically-acclaimed, award-winning THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL will make its Philadelphia premiere at the Forrest Theatre as part of Broadway Philadelphia, presented by the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization. Winner of the 2018 Drama Desk and Outer Critic Circle Desk Awards,  It can be seen at the Forrest Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2019 through   1:00 p.m. Sunday December 15. 2019.

SpongeBob and his friends leap from television to the Forrest Theatre stage in a Broadway blockbuster event featuring original music. Bring the entire family to celebrate friendship and cooperation, and learn the power of unity and inclusion. THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL explodes with energy and features an original pop and rock-infused score by several Grammy® Award-winning songwriters: Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I., Domani & Lil’C and songs by David Bowie & Brian Eno, and by Tom Kenny & Andy Paley. Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton. Additional music is by Tom Kitt.

 Led and conceived by visionary director Tina Landau (2018 Tony Award nominee) and a Tony Award®-winning design team, the production brings the spirit of SpongeBob to life with humanity, heart, and pure theatricality. THE SPONGE BOB MUSICAL features a book by Kyle Jarrow, orchestrations and arrangements by TomKitt, musical supervision by Julie McBride & Tim Hanson, and choreography by Christopher Gattelli. The design team includes scenic and costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Kevin Adams, projection design by Peter Nigrini, sound design by Walter Trarbach, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, make-up design by Joe Dulude II, 

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL is a one-of-a-kind musical event with original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I., Domani & Lil’C and songs by David Bowie & Brian Eno, and by Tom Kenny & Andy Paley. Additional lyrics are by Jonathan Coulton. and  additional music is by Tom Kitt.

The Original Cast Recording is available now from Masterworks Broadway wherever music is sold and streamed. 

SpongeBob SquarePants launched on July 17, 1999, and has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base.  SpongeBob SquarePants is the most widely distributed property in Viacom International Media Networks history, seen in more than 208 countries and territories, translated in 55+ languages, and averaging more than 100 million total viewers every quarter.  SpongeBob SquarePants is created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif.  The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (212) 239-6200, visiting www.telecharge.com, or in-person at the Forrest Theatre Box Office (1114 Walnut St.). Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (866) 302-0995 or visit www.broadwayinbound.com.  For more information visit www.kimmelcenter.org.

Next to Normal

Donna Vivino, Liam Snead
 & Danny Vaccaro

Bristol Riverside Theatre, located at 120 Radcliffe Street is presenting the much-acclaimed rock musical Next to Normal through November 24, 2019. Director Keith Baker’s production is nothing short of brilliant.  Roman Tatorwicz has designed a simplistic yet perfect set with two sets of spiral staircases and a loft overlooking the downstairs living area of the family home. Barrymore Award winner Ryan O’Gara, the associate lighting director for Hamilton, has done outstanding work with this set. The lights that flash on and off the set give the impression of waves of electricity generating throughout the air, mimicking electro-shock therapy. Next to Normal’s strong ensemble cast readily succeeds in showcasing the deterioration of one person’s mental illness  and how it can affect her entire family. Tom Kitt’s music and Bryan Yorkey’s lyrics are beautifully sung and frequently in exquisite harmonies by two or three cast members. Donna Vivino is very convincing as Diana, the confused mother who suffers from various forms of mental illness and cannot seem to find a treatment that works. Danny Vaccaro is Dan, her loyal husband who stands by her. Laura Giknis beautifully portrays Diana’s teenage daughter who gets no attention from her parents.  Gary Lumpkin is new to the professional stage and I look forward to seeing more of him. He was a great foil for Natalie, staying steadfastly by her side. Liam Snead is phenomenal as the spirit of Gabe, particularly during his number, “I’m Alive,” which he performs while singing, dancing and running up and down two sets of staircases. Scott Greer is always synonymous with great and this time is no exception as he portrays two different doctors, trying to help Diana. For more information or tickets to this truly marvelous show, call 215-785-0100 or visit brtstage.org.  .