Message in A Bottle

 

Ensemble Arts in partnership with the Shubert Organization , Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK is presenting the Philadelphia Premiere of Message in a Bottle at the Miller Theater from May 14 - 19, 2024. This is a new dance theatre production , choreographed by artist Kate Prince  and set to the music of 17-time Grammy Award winning artist Sting. It  incorporates dance and athleticism weaving a tale of three siblings who are separated from their parents when  their village suddenly becomes under siege. The soundtrack to Message in a Bottle features vocals by Sting, and guest vocals  from award-winning  actress and singer Beverly Knight MBE and Lynval Golding. There are some scenes that are adult in nature; a moment representing sexual violence against a female character in Act I and some depictions of drug use in the beginning of Act II. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or by visiting online at www.ensembleartsphilly.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.  Orders for groups of 10 or more  may be placed by calling 215-790-5883 or emailing groupsales@ensembleartsphilly.org

 

RAIN A Tribute to the Beatles

RAIN A Tribute to the Beatles is returning to Philadelphia by popular demand. Presented by Ensemble Arts Philly, ( the new brand name of the Kimmel Cultural Campus and the Philadelphia Orchestra) the show will run from May 9-11, 2024, at the Miller Theater. Songs in the show cover an eclectic mix from The Beatles'  early favorites through Abbey Road. Band member Steve Landes, who grew up in Lansdale , Pa, and is one of the original founders of the group, will be making his return to Philadelphia with RAIN. Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN  has mastered every song. gesture, and nuance of Liverpool’s finest. With amazing costumes and beautiful visuals, RAIN A Tribute to the Beatles creates a thrilling concert with a wink to the 60’s. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or by visiting online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org. In person ticket sales can be purchased daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office at 240 S. Broad Street.

The Last Yiddish Speaker

                                                                  

                                                              Kaitlyn Zion &  Gabriel Elmore 

InterAct Theatre Company is  presenting The Last Yiddish Speaker by Deborah Zoe Laufer through April 21, 2024. This extraordinarily powerful One Act imagines a white Supremacist regime is in power in the years following a successful Jan. 6 insurrection. It’s set in a small mid-western town where everyone has to believe in the same things  or “be returned.”  Paul   (Dan Hodge ) and  his daughter Sarah ( Kaitlyn Zion) who has changed her name to Mary upon moving to the town, are living as Christians and are “inspected “ regularly by John (  Gabriel Elmore), a local 17-year -old .  This regime does not allow for books for girls. Girls may not read recreationally or attend college, but Sarah is bright and has trouble accepting this. When a mysterious visitor appears at their doorstep with a note attached to her clothing signed, “Aunt Chava” (Stephanie Satie), Sarah immediately empathizes with her while her father is afraid of being caught harboring a Jewish relative. The acting is outstanding. The set is well designed. Paul’s two-story apartment has a utility closet and an outdoor porch with many exits and entrances for the actors.  Although John and “Mary” have inherently different beliefs, meetings on the porch might overcome them. To discover the answer to this and other questions raised by this dynamic work, get tickets for The Last Yiddish Speaker, appearing at The Proscenium Theatre at the Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street.

Beautiiful The Carol King Musical

 

                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                           Kathryn Boswell, Sara Sheperd, Eddie Olmo II                                                                                                   &  Fran Prisco

Walnut Street Theatre is presenting Beautiful, The Carol King Musical on its mainstage through May 5, 2024. Beautiful, indeed, describes much of Carol King’s life as she meets , then marries Gerry Goffin portrayed by Matthew Amira. Together their songwriting collaboration results in hit songs for many popular groups, among them : The Drifters, The Shirelles and The Righteous Brothers. The staging is superb. As Carol, portrayed by Sara Sheperd, submits a song she and her husband have written, one of the singing groups appears onstage and begins a song and dance routine . This happens multiple times throughout the course of the musical and it is marvelous. The lighting design is dazzling, and its frequent changes alter each set in a magnificent way  With support of friends,  music writing team Cynthia Weil (Kathryn Boswell) and Barry Mann  (Eddie Olmo II ) and producer Don Kirshner ( Fran Prisco ), Carol survives divorce and begins her solo songwriting career. Beautiful, The Carol King Musical is magnificent in every aspect. The singing and dancing are excellent ; unfortunately, it constantly prompted someone in my row to sing along. It is tempting- I sang along in my head to several of the songs myself. For more information or tickets, visit www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.