Cirque Dreams Holidaze

                                                                 Christmas is Here

 Cirque Dream Holidaze, appearing at the Miller Theatre through December 31, 2023, is all about the magic and pageantry of Christmas. Presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization, Cirque Dream Holidaze is a pure delight, with something sure to captivate everyone in your party, no matter what  their age. Act I is set with gigantic Gingerbread Men. People tumbled with ropes,  others inside a gigantic hoop, and a third, amazingly simultaneously juggled hula hoops over several parts of his body. One of the most phenomenal performances of the evening followed the Dance of the Toy Soldiers when the Penguins  begin their jump rope dancing routine. The speed of their feet was extraordinary and watching four people jump in and out of ropes was impressive! There were a lot of aerialists and a lot of holiday music. Act II began with audience participation. Cast members chose 6 members of the audience to go up to the stage and shake a bell when someone on stage pointed to them. The bells sounded silly at first but ended up making music with orchestral accompaniment. The show continued with a breathless light pole balancing act and a contortionist who elicited “wows” from all over the audience. Many of the acts were accompanied  by Christmas favorites . Christmas is Here was exquisite in its presentation . The aerialist who accompanied the singers was magnificent in her performance as well. The grand finale was an outstanding idea. It  reprised a tinge of each performance.  This is a first rate holiday show. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or  by visiting online www.kimmelculturalcampus.org . In-person tickets sales can be purchased daily from 10:a.m.- 6:a.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street.

Mrs. Doubtfire

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization are presenting the musical comedy, Mrs. Doubtfire, based on the 1993 movie. Mrs. Doubtfire will be appearing at the Academy of Music on the Kimmel Cultural Campus from February 6 – 18 as part of the 23-24 Broadway Series. Philadelphia local, Rob McClure, is reprising his Tony Award nominated dual roles of Daniel Hilliard and Euphegenia Doubtfire alongside his co-star and real-life wife, Maggie Lakis, who plays Miranda Hillard in the U.S. National Tour. After losing custody in a messy divorce, out-of-work actor Daniel Hilliard creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphengenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. A hysterical and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, Mrs.Doubtfire is the musical comedy for our times, proving we’re better together. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, visiting online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org, or visiting the Box Office of the Academy of Music located at 240  S. Broad Street between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  For more information about Mrs. Doubtfire, visit www.DoubtfireBroadway.com .

This Is The Week That Is

 

1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s, only all comedy theatre, is presenting its annual satirical review of current events, This Is The Week That Is   at 1714 Delancey Place through December 31,2023. A myriad of skits and video productions on three screens had the audience in stitches. The 10,00 Pyramid  is a spoof on a popular game show that shows the differences in knowledge between different generations. RED Dolls is a beautiful production number in which Chris Christie is no longer a red doll and Nikki Hailey  is the only female one. You must come and see this fantastic show this year if only to see Jennifer Childs dressed as one of a handful of Banned Books.  There are also the usual segments - Good News, An Audience Participation, and Patsy from the Stoop in South Philly - but my favorite rendition this year is an  excellent parody  of The Cell Block Tango  from Chicago, starring “indicted” Hunter Biden,  Rudy Guliani, Ron DeSantis and  Donald Trump. This is the 18^th year that 1812 has presented This is the Week That Is, and it is probably Jennier Child’s most sophisticated one. Every year I tell myself that the comedy routines cannot possibly get any better and yet this year surpasses all with the breadth of its coverage. From the writers’ walk-out to “The Golden Bachelor", this is a show guaranteed to make you laugh. For more information or tickets, call 215-592-9560 or visit 1812productions.org.

Beauty and the Beast

                                                       Julia Udine & Daniel Wisniewski

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is appearing  on Walnut Street Theatre’s main stage through December 31, 2023.  It is an absolute joy.  Audiences of all ages will be delighted with over fifteen musical numbers, many of which are accompanied by charming choreography and costumes. There are several big production numbers, including “Gaston” in a tavern,   and “Be Our Guest” , “Human Again”  and “Beauty and the Beast”, all taking place  in the Beast’s castle. As amazing as viewing silverware and plates dance and salt and pepper shakers cavorting across the stage is, this is not the most incredible  portion of the show. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast begins with a fairy tale book projection, then the curtain of Walnut’s very deep stage opens up to reveal a scene from Belle’s provincial French town. The curtain rises again when Belle’s father goes into the woods then yet again when he is attacked by wolves and asks for asylum and appears in the Beast’s castle. There is still another room in the castle that can be shown and simultaneously a curtain falls, and everyone is taken back to the town. There are frequent scene changes and the ease in which this is done and the seamless change in backdrops is breathtaking. Come and see this very talented all-star cast. For more information about tickets, call 215-574-3550, or visit online at walnutstreettheatre.org  or ticketmaster.com  .

 

Company

                                           Derrick Davis, Judy McLane & Britney Coleman

 There is a brilliant play on stage at the Forrest Theatre through December 10, 2023. It is the smashing success of the revival of Sondheim and Furth’s  Company , presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization.  Britney Coleman (Bobbie) leads an outstanding ensemble cast. Spectacular vignettes feature Bobbie’s friends celebrating her 35^th birthday party. Exceedingly funny, Bobbie’s friends express their various marital plights in song. Several numbers received uproarious applause from the audience, most notably  Matt Rodin's (Jamie's) rendition of "Getting Married Today" and  Judy McLane's (Joanne's) rendition of  "Ladies Who Lunch." The set designs are simplistic yet glorious thanks to Tony Award set designer  Bunny Christie.  Bobbie’s singing against a backdrop of a thunderstorm is phenomenal, thanks to  Set Designer Neil Austin and Sound Designer Ian Dickenson, both  Tony Award nominees. Company is a marvelous compilation of Sondheim’s songs with an extremely accomplished cast. For more information or tickets, call 212-239-6200, visitwww.telecharge.com or visit in person at the Forrest Theater box office 1114 Walnut Street.

Crumbs from the Table of Joy

                                           Morgan Charece Hall & Brett Ashley Robinson

Lynn Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy will be playing at the Lantern Theater Company at St. Stephen’s Theater through December 10, 2023.  It is an exquisite memory piece.  Morgan Charéce Hall, portraying Ernestine Crump, Godfrey’s older daughter, narrates the play as she steps in and out of the drama. Her performance is exceptional as she weaves the story of her father (Walter DeShields) moving up north to follow the teachings of Father Divine in Philadelphia and her Aunt Lily’s (Brett Ashley Robinson) free-thinking communist ways. ( It is debatable who steals more scenes- Ms. Hall or Ms. Robinson .) Ernestine and her sister are often mocked at school for their poverty as evidenced in their hand-made clothes, but discrimination becomes more intense once their father marries  a white woman.  Lynne Nottage weaves many themes throughout this masterpiece.  It is sometimes funny, quite often serious, but always breathtaking. For more information or tickets, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org.

 

Elephant in the Room

                                                                      Priyanka Shetty

Akuka Theatre, located in the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Drake, has extended the run of The Elephant in the Room through November 19th. Written and performed by Priyanka Shetty, this one act play, set in the dressing room of a theatre, explores the paths the playwright has traveled to reach the point of her performing in front of her parents who have traveled from India. I found The Elephant in the Room mesmerizing. Priyanka’s performance is bold as she illustrates two sides of arguments with her mother; has the door slammed in her face during auditions when she reaches America; has arguments with her “aunties”; and pleas with her brother to take her side and not side with her parents about having her freedoms. Her slight change of costume keeps the pace of the piece moving. Tales of rascism and near despair  are replaced by hope and  determination. She frequently speaks to the audience and the  audience members laugh in appreciation of her travails. Priyanka tells her truth in this, her first foray into playwrighting and does so exceedingly well.

Selling Kabul

                                                               Raz Ayer & Awesta Zarif

InterAct Theatre Company is producing the regional premiere of Selling Kabul  by Sylvia Khoury through November 19, 2023, in the Proscenium Theatre at the Drake, 302 S. Hicks. Street. This 95-minute drama is perhaps purposely slow-paced. It dramatically reveals the pressures placed upon all of the characters    Afiya, portrayed  by Awesta Zarif,  has her nerves on edge any time her brother, Taroon, portrayed by Raz Ayar, speaks above a whisper or appears near a window. She has been hiding him for months while he awaits a promised visa from the U.S. for help in translating. When he receives news that his wife has just had a baby the situation becomes even more fraught as he is determined to leave and see his wife and newborn son. A neighbor’s visit  (Leyla- portrayed by Lois Abdelmalek) only complicates matters. Tensions are high throughout this piece and  the audience is a bit traumatized as the play reaches its conclusion. Selling Kabul is extremely powerful and while not for the faint of heart, it demands to be seen by a wide audience. For more information or tickets, visit www.InterAct.org.

 

Walnut Street Theatre announces it’s spectacular holiday musical for the whole family, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST . It begins previews  on November 21, opens on November 29, and runs through the holiday season ending December 31, 2023. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST tells the story of a prince who is cursed by a magic spell and Belle, who wanders from her village to his castle and helps him  break the spell. The staged version of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST  combines the  songs of the animated film  with an expanded score and 6 additional songs. The first staged production on Broadway, following the success of the animated film , received 9 Tony Award nominations. Walnut Street’s production will feature an ensemble cast of 25 performers, many of them familiar to Walnut Street audiences, alongside a live orchestra. Open captioning will be available  during the 7pm performance on 12/3. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550 or visit online at walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster.com

ELVIS- A Musical Revolution

Lucas Pastrana

Walnut Street Theatre is producing the World Premiere of ELVIS - A Musical Revolution through November 5, 2023. Lucas Pastrana exudes Elvis as he evolves from  his first  recording session through his tumultuous successes and decline decades later. Through 16 show-stopping tunes, he leaves the audience enthralled with his voice, his on-stage gyrations, and his grit. With the aid of the projection designs of Caite Hevner, the audience is whisked back in time to see Elvis as a young boy. Several scenes are beautifully enacted with the very talented kid Elvis ( Joey Caroto ) and his mother, the talented veteran Walnut Street actor, Rebecca Robbins. (Joey Caroto shares the role with Hunter Silverman on alternate performances.) Kid Elvis is interspersed with adult Elvis throughout the performance as time shifts back and forth. The projections show dates as well as real-life photos of Elvis. Kelly Briggs  gives a very strong performance as Colonel Parker. You might love Elvis, but this is one character you’ll love to hate. Director and choreographer Jeff Calhoun has been remarkably enterprising with the dance numbers. Not only are  they catchy and fun to watch, but the routines also utilize cast members who have other parts in the performance. This show is transformative, washing away years from those who lived through the Elvis Era and enlightening others on the star's birth, influence and eventual musical decline. No matter how you have perceived Elvis in the past, ELVIS- A Musical Revolution is one show you should not miss. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550 ext 6,  or visit online at walnutstreettheatre.org. or ticketmaster.com.

 

Assassins

                                      Assassins urging on Lee Harvey Oswold ( Robi Hager )

Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins  (book by John Weldman) can be seen in the  Arden’s F. Otto Haas stage through October 22, 2023. This production brings to life the chilling narratives of some of America’s most notorious figures in a way that is equal parts disturbing and mesmerizing. Set against the backdrop of a carnival shooting gallery, Assassins delves into the minds of  those who attempted to assassinate U.S. presidents. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, the show introduces us to a crew of historical characters, each driven by their own twisted motivations. The ensemble cast is nothing short of stellar. Each actor delivers performances that are as disturbing as they are riveting. The score is hauntingly beautiful, with songs ranging from darkly humorous to evocative. When “Another National Anthem” is sung and videos of storming the capitol on Jan. 6, appear on a screen, there is a collective gasp from the audience. One of the most compelling aspects of Assassins is the ability to make you question your own moral compass as the characters each justify their actions and grapple with their need for recognition. This is a thought-provoking theatrical experience that will linger in your mind long after the final curtain.
For tickets, call 215- 922-1122 .

 

WICKED

 

The Kimmel Cultural Campus presents the return of the Broadway sensation WICKED  for a month-long engagement from November 1-26 , 2023 as part of the 23-24 Broadway Series.  Winner of 3 Tony Awards, WICKED is the 4^th longest Broadway show. It is the winner of over 100 international awards including Grammy and Tony Awards.

It takes a look at Oz long before Dorothy arrives . The world cannot accept someone who is different with green skin. She must be “wicked”. With an exhilarating score that includes the hits “Defying Gravity,” “Popular” and  ”For Good”, WICKED has been hailed by the New York Times as “the defining musical of the decade, and by Time Magazine as “a magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage. NBC Nightly News called the hit musical “the most successful Broadway show ever.”

Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 , visiting online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org, or visiting the Academy of Music  Box office  daily from 10 am-6 pm located at 240 S. Broad Street.

 

Mean Girls

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization present the second National Tour of Tina Fey’s hit musical, Mean Girls, from October 3 - 8, 2023. Mean Girls makes its Philadelphia  return at the Campus ‘ Miller Theater , kicking off the 23-24 Broadway series. It stars former Kimmel-based musical theater Ethan Jih-Cook and MaryRose Brendel, alongside University of the Arts grad Mikela Rada.

Mean Girls made its world premiere in 2017 and opened to rave reviews on Broadway in April 2018. It has been called “hilarious “ by New York Magazine  and  "Fresh, Fun and Infectious,” by People Magazine.  Entertainment Weekly has called it “ A Marvel: Dazzling and Hilarious.”

Cady Heron grew up on an African Savannah, but nothing prepared her for the wild and viscious ways of her strange new home in suburban Illinois. Can she topple the Queen Bee without getting stung?  Come and see for yourself ! 

Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, by visiting online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. or   by visiting the box office in person at  240 Broad Street.

For more information about Mean Girls, visit www.MeanGirlsOnTour.com

 

 

 

Assassins

 

The Arden Theatre Company kicks off their 36th Season with Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins. This Tony Award - Winning Musical begins September  21, 2023, with an Opening Night on September 27. It has already been extended to October 22, 2023. Original and humorous, Assassins  tells the story of Americans consumed by grievance and a desperate need to be heard.  Arden’s production of Assassins is the 16^th time they have presented a show by Sondheim. There is an all-star cast including but not limited to Scott Greer, Katherine Fried,  Darren Micael Hengst, Monica Horan and Christopher Patrick Mullen. The outstanding production design team includes Paige Hathaway- Scenic Design, Thom Weaver - Lighting Design,  Elizabeth Atkinson - Sound Design,  Jorge  Cousineau -Video Design, and Ryan Touhey – Music Director/Orchestrations. For more information or tickets, call 215- 922-1122; visit online at www.ardentheatre.org; or visit in person at the Arden box office at  the Arden Theatre Company at 40 N. 2^nd Street.

 

Tartuffe

        Frank X and Jered McLenigan

The Lantern Theater Company is producing Moliere’s Tartuffe, translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur, on the stage at St. Stephen’s Theater through October 8, 2023. What a delight! Meghan Jones’ scenic designs are masterful in their simplicity and their hint of grandeur with  a multitude of entrances and exits for the actors. Veteran actor Frank X doesn’t disappoint in his role of Orgon, head of the household.  He’s thoroughly besotted and under the spell of the falsely pious and malevolent Tartuffe. 3-time Barrymore Award winner Jered McLenigan  brilliantly portrays Tartuffe. With a slight shift  of body language and change of  the register of his voice, Tartuffe’s character fluctuates from supplicant  to bold leader back to coy charmer. His facial expressions are a marvel and the audience laughs in appreciation. The verse itself is cause for laughter on many occasions. Additionally, there are numerous instances of situational humor. Lee Minora’s  Dorine is hysterical when she sits on a step with a bag of popcorn to watch a  spat between Morgan Charece Hall’s Mariane and Dave Johnson’s Valere. For more information or tickets to this captivating romp, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org.

Elvis-A Musical Revolution

 

“Elvis- A Musical Revolution- kicks off Walnut Street Theatre’s 215^th Season on October 3^rd with the Press Opening Night on Wednesday, October 11, at 7:00 pm. Individual tickets and subscription tickets are on sale now. This exciting musical celebrates the icon who changed the history of music. It is packed with his greatest hits, including “Hound Dog” and “All Shook Up”. The production features a cast of 17 performers, both some Walnut Street regulars and some new to the WST stage. Lucas Pastrana will play Elvis Presley in his first appearance on a Walnut Street Stage. Jenna Pastuszek, playing both Priscilla Presley and an earlier girlfriend, makes her mainstage debut after having appeared  in Walnut’s Independence Studio on 3. Elvis’ mother Gladys is a Walnut Street veteran, Rebecca Robbins, most recently seen in last season’s holiday production of Cinderella. Elvis-A Musical Revolution begins October 3 and runs through November 5, 2023. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550, or visit only at WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com

 

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

 

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N. 2^nd Street, is presenting the uproarious 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee through an extended June 25, 2023. An engaging ensemble cast is joined by 4 members of the audience who participate with the others onstage  in the Spelling Bee. Each member of the cast has his own method to help him cope with the stresses of the competition. They range from writing on the arm, quietly speaking into a hand, beating out the rhythm of the word on a chest, to using a “magic foot” to spell the word on the floor before spelling it aloud. This show is a riot, filled with situational humor. Teenage angst aside, every member of the cast has a story to tell and the stories are  brilliantly told in song. The Comfort Counselor (Henry Gainza) and the moderator Rona Lisa Peretti (Patricia Noonan) have their solo moments in Act 1 while the contestants have their solo moments in Act 2. The music is clever; the voices are superb; and the comedy is  often unexpected. This is a must-see show for the end of the theater season. For more information or tickets, visit www.ardentheatre.org.

 

 

Disney's The Lion King

 

Disney Theatrical Productions, along with the Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization, announces the 4-week return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King at the Academy of Music on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. After 25 years on Broadway, The Lion King continues to be one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. It has won numerous Tony awards in 1996, including, Best Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical. The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from The Lion King animated film, along with three new songs by John and Rice and additional South African material. Disney’s The Lion King can be seen from August 16 – September 10, 2023 at the Academy of Music. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or visiting online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. In-person tickets may be purchased daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office at 240  S . Broad Street.

Philadelphia Theatre Company's 2023-24 Season

 

The Philadelphia Theatre Company, located in the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street, will open its 2023-24 Season with Macbeth in Stride. This Philadelphia Premiere is presented in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company and is written and performed by Whitney White. Whitney examines what it means to be an ambitious Black woman through the lens of Lady Macbeth. This 90- minute rock musical uses pop, gospel and R & B to trace the arc of this Shakespearean woman while lifting up contemporary Black female power and desire. The show will run October 31- November 12, 2023, with an  opening night on Wednesday, November 1, at 7:00 pm.

The second show of the season is also a  Philadelphia Premiere. Cost of Living is the winner of a Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Award nominations. It traces two relationships: one between a wealthy graduate student with cerebral palsy and his female caregiver and the other between a woman recovering from a terrible accident and her ex-husband. It can be seen February 2- February 18, 2024 with the Opening Night on Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune

By four-time Tony Winner Terence McNally

This play has been on Broadway three separate times. It is a tale of middle-aged love and desire and takes place over the course of one night.

April 26 – May 19, 2024 with Opening Night Wednesday, May 1, 7:00 pm.

World Premiere

The Duat by Roger Q. Mason

The Duat is a psychological portrait of Cornelius Johnson, a FBI counterintelligence officer, in a battle for his very soul. Using speech, drumming and choreography, this one-person world premiere is a story of redemption.

Subscription tickets are now on sale. For tickets or more details, visit www.philatheatreco.org or call 215-985-0420.

 

 

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization will present the Philadelphia Premiere of the 10-timeTony Award winner, Moulin Rouge ! The Musical   from July 5 – 30, 2023. As part of the 2022-23 Broadway Philadelphia series, Moulin Rouge! The Musical tells the story of star-crossed lovers who fall in love at the Moulin Rouge, a cabaret in Paris. A well-known dance hall in the Roaring  Twenties, the venue became a theatre where  many French and International artists stepped into the limelight. The musical not only  includes songs from the 2001 film of the same name, but also mashups of hits from artists like Adele, Pink and Katy Perry.  Moulin Rouge !The Musical is currently playing on Broadway at the Al Hirschfield Theatre where it opened to rave reviews in 2019.

For more information or tickets, call 215-893-1993 or visit online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Twelfth Night

                                                         Charlie DelMarcelle

The Lantern Theater Company’s presentation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night  is a delight. Nobody does Shakespeare like the Lantern and this year’s presentation is no exception.  The adaptation of Twelfth Night adds a few modern touches, such as a “grabber” for picking up trash and a microphone used by the jester ( Charlie DelMarcelle) when he sings with his guitar.  I’m not sure if the original Shakespearean work incorporated music, but the addition of the guitar and accompanying acoustic instruments is wonderous. Twelfth Night is a tale of mistaken identity but on the Lantern’s stage it is so much more. When Viola ( Joanna Liao ) disguises herself as a boy to become a page in court after losing her twin brother Sebastian in a shipwreck, she falls in love with the one who she is serving. He in turn is madly in love with the countess and wants her to plea his case. The countess ( Melissa Rakiro), of course, falls for Viola. (not knowing that he is really a she.) There are exceptional performances by Anthony Wilson (Sir Toby) for his enormous voice and J. Hernandez  (Sir Andrew) and Joanna Liao for their striking facial expressions. There are several instances of madcap mayhem, particularly when Viola’s long-lost brother (Tyler S. Elliott) returns. Seeing this production is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in Shakespeare as the  show is light,  and immensely entertaining. It can be seen in St Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow Street. For more information or tickets visit www.lanterntheater.org or call (215) 829-0395. The show runs through June 18, 2023.

 

 

Arden's 2023-24 Season

 

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N. 2^nd Street has an exciting schedule of plays for its 2023-24 season. Assassins  with book by John Weidman  and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is a darkly humorous  musical review which depicts nine misfit men and women who set out to assassinate American presidents. Assassins  spans several musical styles and many decades  from Abraham Lincoln’s presidency to  John F. Kennedy’s. What The Constitution Means To Me, by Heidi Schreck is a Pulitzer Prize finalist as well as a winner of Best American Play and the recipient of the New York Drama Critic Award and the Obie Award. It has opened to critical acclaim in multiple cities and will be appearing next season  on the Arden stage. A 2020 Tony Award-winning play, The Lehman Trilogy by Stefano Massini, is a portrait of Lehman, showing the cost of greed and financial crisis. It is the story of a family and a business that changed the world. It follows the Lehman Brothers from their humble beginnings as immigrants to  America to their rise as a global financial powerhouse to generations later when everything came crashing down. LADYSITTING is a World Premiere adapted by Lorene Carey, based on her memoir, “My Year With Nana at the End of Her Century.”  Once On This Island – lyrics and book by Lynn Ahrens/Music by Stephen Flaherty . In this one-act musical,  a peasant island girl of The French Antilles searches for her place in the world and bargains with the island gods to help her find it. For a subscription or tickets to any of these plays, call 215-922-1122 or visit the website at ardentheatre.org.

                                                       Charlotte Northeast 

The Philadelphia Artists’ Collective is presenting a World Premiere Adaptation of Jane Eyre originally written by Charlotte Bronte and adapted by Kathryn Macmillan, Charlotte Northeast, Jessica Bedford, and Megan Winch with Kathryn Macmillan directing and Charlotte Northeast starring as Jane. This presentation can be seen at the Christ Church Neighborhood House , 20 N. American street through May 28, 2023. There is a large ensemble cast with most of the actors playing multiple roles. In addition to Charlotte Northeast’s  excellent portrayal of Jane, there are 4 other Janes, representing different periods of Jane’s life. The four women act together as a Greek chorus at times to illustrate the different thoughts going through Jane’s mind. In addition to portraying “Jane”, each actor also an additional role in Jane’s life, either by portraying her Aunt Reed, her friend Helen, or Bessie. This production is outstanding. With a stark set that has few changes throughout, the audience is left to concentrate on the dialogue which is extraordinarily well written. The large ensemble cast  is remarkable in their support of Charlotte Northeast. J. Paul Nicholas is an excellent Rochester, lord of the manor, secretly interested in Jane. Interesting projections of other places, under the direction of Damien Figueras , help spice up the setting.

Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville  through April 30, 2023. Walnut Street’s main stage is literally transformed into an island paradise and the audience is along for a fun-filled experience. The ensemble cast is very talented. Matteo Scammell, as Tulley, has several opportunities to demonstrate his  voice with his guitar. Amanda Robles, as Rachel, harmonizes very nicely with him. Dana Orange portraying Jamal,  blows everyone away with his version of Volcano, lamenting, ”I don’t know where to go when the volcano blow.” Kelly J. Mazzella as  Tammy, a few days before her wedding day, has an unlikely pairing with bartender Brick, played by Zach Kononov.  Both are delightful to watch and  listen to. The ensemble is an excellent arm of the show. Experiencing  the production is  relaxing, entertaining, and laugh-out-loud funny. One of the songs requires audience participation and the audience loves the involvement. Laughter rings out throughout the theatre. Sets are always an integral part of the production at the Walnut but Brian Froonjian’s scenic designs are incredible. Sets roll out seamlessly one in front of another and others drop from the ceiling. At one minute you find yourself on the beach during the day, then  you're in the middle of starlit- trees at night. It is glorious.  For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550; visit online at WalnutStreetTheatre.org or visit the box office at 825   Walnut Street.

 

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

 

Philadelphia Theatre Company is presenting Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill  through April 30, 2023. Billy Holliday’s last performance was in Emerson’s Bar & Grill, a dive-bar in Philadelphia in 1959. Philadelphia Theatre Company has set its stage to mimic an intimate nightclub setting with small high-top tables and a bar. Seating is on a first come, first served, basis, so arrive early, get seated,  and have a drink before the show. Laurin Talese brings her classically trained voice to the stage to emulate the late Billie Holiday’s. Singing over a dozen numbers  in the persona of Lady Day, Ms. Talese captivates the audience in this intimate setting with her powerful voice and spot-on interpretation of a performer who is having a difficult time “holding on.” The numbers are  roughly a  recitation of her struggles in  life and are frequently washed down with a glass of "whiskey."  Her performance is riveting and certainly enhanced by her pianist, Musical Director, Will Brock, who portrays Billie Holliday’s right hand-man Jimmy Powers. Both performers are outstanding.

Lantern's 2023-24 Season

 

The Lantern Theater Company, located  in the St. Stephen’s Theater, 10^th and Ludlow Streets, has announced the schedule for its upcoming 2023-2024 theatre season. The first play of their  30^th Anniversary Season will be Moliere’s  TARTUFFE. directed by  Charles McMahon. It will run from September  7- October 8, 2023, with the PRESS OPENING on Wednesday 13, 2023  at 7:OO p.m. Prim and devout Orgon invites Tartuffe , a charlatan, into his household, laying the scene for social outrage. The next play is Crumbs From the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage which will run from November 9 – December 10. 2023 with a PRESS OPENING on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. The Crump family is newly landed in Brooklyn from the South and are seeking their place in the Philadelphia-based Father Divine movement, but their two teenage daughters are uncomfortable with their father’s religious strictures. They  are given encouragement from their carefree and lively communist Aunt Lily. The third offering is Faith Healer  Brian Friel and directed by Peter DeLaurier from February 1-March 3. 2024 with a PRESS OPENING on Wednesday, February 7. 2024 at 7:00 P.M. The Lantern Theater Company produces one  of Shakespeare’s works every year. Next year, it will be The Comedy of Errors, directed by Charles McMahon from May 16- June 16, 2024, with the PRESS OPENING on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. 2023-24 The Special Holiday Production is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol from December 2-27, 2023. This is an original adaptation by Anthony Lawton in collaboration with Christopher Colucci and Thom Weaver. For tickets, call 215- 829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org.

 

Beetlejuice

                The Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization will be presenting Beetlejuice  from May 30 - June 11, 2023, as part of the Broadway Philadelphia series. Based on Tim Burton’s film, this musical comedy tells the story  of an unusual teen whose life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon in stripes. The set is sure to please with over 100 special effects and optical illusions. Many members of the design team have been nominated for or have won Tony’s for work in their field. This promises to be a raucous delight. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-895-1999 or visiting online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.

                            

SIX

                                                               SIX Wives of Henry VIII

 The Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization are presenting the marvelous musical , SIX through April 9, 2023. Inspired by the six wives of Henry VIII, this modern tale relates the woes of each wife through song, as the queens compete to re-count their misery. ….divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. The Tudor Queens try to outdo each other with their laments at the microphone and with their choreography.  The songs are high-energy and the arrangements are a delight.   The lighting design is phenomenal. The lights serve as a backdrop at the rear of the set, but they are so much more than that as they change and move about and leave the audience awestruck. This show rocks! For tickets call 215-893-1999, visit online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org  or buy tickets in person from 10 a. m. -  6 p.m. daily at the Academy of Music Box Office located at 240 S. Broad Street.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

                                                       Alanna Smith  &  Matthew Amira

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting  Tennessee Williams’   The
Cat on the Hot Tin Roof  through March 12, 2023. The audience is immediately taken to the sweltering Mississippi Delta, both with the large tree from the plantation, dripping with moss and with the way Maggie disrobes in the heat. Maggie (Alanna Smith) is the Cat who stubbornly tries to gain the interest of her husband Brick (Matthew Amira) who has lost interest in anything outside of alcohol. The family has gathered to celebrate Big Daddy’s( Scott Greer) birthday, but the special day  has a cloud over it. Scott Greer is phenomenal as always. This role was written for him!  Wendy Scharfman  is excellent as Big Mama. Never believing the unkind words Big Daddy speaks, she is the perfect, “little woman.” Alanna Smith has a tremendous task trying to seduce her husband and appear sexy with every move. Although the seduction may be in doubt, her role as a cat on a hot tin roof  is superb. The four young children are delightful. The design staff is brilliant. Roman Tatarowicz designed a set that had several entrances Most of the drama  centers in one room but there are accesses to the outdoors. Sound Designer Christopher Colucci  and Lighting Designer Shon Causer arranged amazing thunder and lightning events. Costume Designer Mary Folino and Wig Designer Carissa Thorlakson prepared clothes and wigs for the 1950’s era. This is a fascinating look at a dysfunctional family where each family member has its own agenda and is just trying to survive. For tickets call 215-574-2550 or visit  walnutstreettheatre.org. or ticketmaster.com 

 

EmpathitRaX

                                                    MAKOTO HIRANO & CLAIRE INIE-RICHARDS

Philadelphia Theatre Company, residing in the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, is presenting EmpathitRaX through March 5, 2023. All of the actors and designers in this production are Philadelphia based. This  futuristic one-act, in which a person can know how someone else is feeling just by swallowing a pill and touching them, has many scenes which are delineated by a blackout accompanied  by a short musical interlude. The star of the production has to be Stage Manager Leslie Ann Boyden, for while the ensemble cast of Makoto Hirano, Claire Richards and Matteo Scammell all give credible performances, the speed in which the sets are changed is nothing short of miraculous. Scenic Designer Chris Haig has cleverly designed  sets which can be placed in front of one another and then moved. Sound Designer Jordan McCree has  ingeniously designed the sound of a barking dog which appears to emanate from a dog crate on cue. Does this pill really work ? What happens when the dosages wear off? Can you have the same results  by using your imagination? See this fascinating  production for yourself and decide. For tickets, visit www.philatheatreco.org. or call 215-985-0420 or visit the Box Office , 480 South Broad Street.

Come From Away

                                                                 Ensemble

With a remarkably talented ensemble cast of a dozen performers and 6 stand-bys, one of whom, Cailin  Stadnyk,  performed on opening night, Come From Away makes its second appearance on the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music stage. Come From Away tells the extraordinary story of the hospitality of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, after 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers of multiple nationalities were rerouted to its airport after the skies were closed due to the dreadful attacks of 9/11. The lighting on the set is phenomenal throughout the duration of the show. The backdrop appears to be a plane some times, but a subtle switch in the projected lens has the audience believing they are  looking at clouds in a sky. The minimalistic set is perfect. Chairs that are once rows in an airplane are successfully rearranged to become seats in a bar for a new scene. The music is uplifting; the choreography is brilliant and this rendition is every bit as excellent as the original Come from Away that appeared on Broadway and as the first touring company that appeared in Philadelphia as part of the Broadway series. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or visiting online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.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.

Sing Hallelujah

 

The Kimmel Cultural Campus presents an evening of Jewish Music with SING HALLELUJAH  on April 26, 2023. Noa, a renowned musician, humanitarian and Israel’s most prominent  cultural advocate, will perform alongside regional choirs. Sing Hallelujah  returns for the fourth time to the Kimmel Cultural Campus. This year’s program will celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of the State of Israel and Israeli singer, songwriter and humanitarian Noa. Noa will perform alongside 175 singers from congregational and community choirs from synagogues throughout the Delaware Valley.  Cantor David  F. Tilman will lead  the assembled choirs  in music highlighting 75 years of Israeli musical tradition. Audiences can sing along with the choir to several renditions such as “Hallelujah”,  Naomi Shemer’s  “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” “Ani V’Ata” by Arik  Einstein, and  “Oseh Shalom”  by Nurit  Hirsh. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215 893-1999 or by visiting online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. Tickets can also be purchased in-person from 10 A.M. – 6 P.M. in person at the  Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S Broad Street.

 

 

Into The Woods

                                          Ta'Nika Gibson,  Brooke Ishibashi, & Nancy Opel

The Kimmel Cultural Campus in partnership with the Shubert Organization is bringing the critically acclaimed Grammy-winning production of Into the Woods direct from Broadway for a limited engagement from April 4—9 2023. Broadway stars Montego Glover ( the witch ), Stephanie J. Block ( the Baker’s wife), Sebastian Arcelus. (The Baker) and Gavin Creel  ( Prince, Wolf) will reprise their Broadway roles. Into the Woods first premiered on Broadway in  1987, winning 3 Tony Awards, including best Score and Best Book. It became the first hit of the 2022-2023 Broadway season after being off Broadway for 20 years. This production is dedicated to the memory of Stephen Sondheim. For more information or tickets,  call 215-893-1999 or visit online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org . Tickets can also be purchased daily from 10 a. m – 6  p. m in person at the Academy of Music Box Office located at 240 S. Broad Street.

Cats

Ensemble

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Theatre will be presenting the return of CATS, by popular demand. CATS  will be playing at the Miller Theatre ( March 14 – 19 ).  Composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber and based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, it is one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history. This new iteration features new sound design, new direction, and choreography. If you have seen the production before, plan to see it again with brand new eyes.  If you have never seen it, prepare to be in for a special treat. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or by visiting online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person at Academy of Music Box office, located at 240 S. Broad Street.

 

The Last Parade

                                                                      Ensemble Cast

InterAct Theatre is presenting the World Premiere of The Last Parade at the Proscenium Theatre at the Drake, 302 Hicks Street, Philadelphia, Pa. through February 19, 2023. The excellent ensemble cast of  Adam Howard ( Borya), Leah Walton (Zoya), Ava Weintzweig (Anya), Tim Moyer (Yasha),and Anthony Lawton (Leon) portray three generations of a Jewish family in post-Soviet Ukraine struggling with where to emigrate in 1991. The family had applied to both Israel and the United States for immigration and are waiting for invitations. Passions run deep among many members of the family and there are several twists in the plot. The design team has skillfully executed a bi-level  set. The stage is centrally raised off the floor, but scenes also take place on the  floor to the side while the central stage is back lit or dark. Adam Howard’s Broya is excellent with his thick accent and his asides to the audience. I have been  following Anthony Lawton for many years and will run to any show that he appears in, but it is Leah Walton’s Zoya that steals this show with the breadth of her emotions. For more information or tickets, visit https://interacttheatre.orgthe-last-parade.

Broads

                                        Melanye Finister, MB Scallen, & Rebecca Robbins

1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s ALL COMEDY Theatre Company, is presenting Broads through February 26, 2023, at Plays and Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Street. Curated and Directed by Jennifer Childs, Broads stars Melanye Finister, Rebecca Robbins, and Mary Elizabeth Scallen  who goes by  the name “MB”, confiding to the audience that it stands for “ more bourbon. “ This audacious One Act Revue has the three actors onstage for the entire time, allowing two of them a moment or two of respite around a bar when the third one has a solo. Broads are defined in numerous ways- “She takes up her own space. She knows what she wants.”  A tribute is paid  in song, jokes, one-liners, and vignettes to many of the world’s most influential Broads of their time. Mae West wrote books and plays and was a great Vaudeville Act. She wrote a play entitled “Sex” that had horrid reviews which only served to draw in more and more crowds of people. It ran for a year. In her diary she wrote that “good girls go to heaven but bad girls go everywhere.” Sophie Tucker, Belle Barthe, Patsy Abbot and Moms Mabley  are also part of the revue. Moms’ persona was an old woman in a nightgown with no teeth.  She recorded 24 albums including “Has Anyone Seen My Old Friend John?” after the death of JFK. Ms. Finister, Robbins, and Scallon are all  extremely talented women who can tell one-liners with skill as well as belt out a ballad. Tickets for this fun-filled revue can be purchased at 1812productions.org.

A Soldier's Play

Eugene Lee and ensemble cast 

The revival of the award winning  A Soldier’s Play  is being presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Shubert Organization through February 5, 2023 , at the Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut Street. This national tour stars Norm Lewis as Captain Richard Davenport and Eugene Lee as Sergeant Vernon C Waters but that is only the tip of the iceberg. While both of these men are outstanding in their individual roles, the expertise of the rest of the cast cannot be overlooked.  The scene is set in an  army barracks  of a Black unit in 1944 in Louisiana. When a sergeant is murdered, no one seems to worry too much until someone is brought in to investigate. There are many people who had a reason to kill the sergeant. (  I had thoughts of doing so myself. ) Through a series of investigations and flashbacks, the crime is solved. The acapella singing that is woven throughout the piece  is soulful. The changing of the lighting to place accents  is masterful. This is a powerful work on many levels. Tickets can be purchased by calling 212-239-6200, visiting www.telecharge.com or visiting the Forrest box office (1114 Walnut Street.)