This Is The Week That Is

                                                                     Founding Fathers
 

1812 Productions, Philadelphia’s only all Comedy Theatre, is presenting its This Is The Week That Is: Election Edition in the Plays and Players Theater 17th and Delancey Streets, Philadelphia. Audiences can be delighted by the election humor through November 3, 2024. The ensemble crew of Newton Buchanan, Pax Ressler, Lexi Thammavong, Robyn Unger, and Jen Childs is excellent beginning with the “’fact checking” of every statement Jen makes in her curtains speech.Three large screens allow video projections throughout the show. Michael Long's video designs are outstanding. Lexi makes an appearance as an adorable Liberty Belle to play a Bachelor Game with 3 candidates, Johnny Legend, Hulk Hogan, and a Bear. After the candidates respond to several questions, the Liberty Belle chooses the silent bear. He will make several appearances later in the show. This Is the Week That Is always has an audience participation segment. This time the audience member is chosen to make a run for president of the United States and must have a running mate. Guess who the running mate is - The bear! The audience member has an opportunity to choose items of clothing and accessories for the bear. There is a  segment highlighting Tim Walz and “Weird” statements made by the opposing party and another highlighting JD Vance’s  ‘single cat ladies’ remarks, both of which are enjoyed by the audience. Unfailingly, Sean Close’s Daily News Report is spot on. Jen Childs is a multi-talented writer, director, and actor. Every year in  This Is The Week That Is  Jen satirizes  a corner of South Philly by putting on her baseball hat backwards and donning her Patsy persona.  Invariably Patsy on the Stoop gives us something to look forward to so we can learn what she knows about “this and that.” This year’s segment has a surprise as she invites her whole ‘family’ to come join her in song. For more information or tickets, visit www.1812productions.org.  
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Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys is appearing on the mainstage of the Walnut Street Theatre through November 3, 2024. Will Stephan Connell gives a fabulous performance as Franki Valli, the lead singer of the iconic pop band The Four Seasons. He is joined by the extremely talented Bob Gaudio who provides the music for the show and in the show as well as band-mate Eddie Olmo II. Tommy DeVito ( portrayed by Ken Sandberg) and Nick Massi ( portrayed by Chris  Stevens ) are the other two members of this band that have the audience members rocking in their seats throughout the performance. An announcement was made before the show began that no one was to sing along to the familiar lyrics because the people on the stage could sing the songs much better. As difficult as it was to obey this admonition, almost everyone was very cooperative and settled for a little swaying in the seats instead. I’m sure this pleased the cast.  It was not necessarily easy on those of us who were sitting behind the enthusiastic boppers. The show is loaded with hit songs, over 30 in all. It is a delightful retelling of the struggles  a young  singing group surmounts on their way to  their induction into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. For a fun-filled experience, get tickets now to see Jersey Boys. For  more information or tickets, call 215- 574-3550 or visit online at walnutstreettheatre.org . or ticketmaster.com

 

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

Ensemble Arts Philly is presenting a holiday engagement of Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at the Miller Theater from November 26 through December 1. This holiday classic is sure to delight both children and adults alike. Audiences will discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale as it comes to life on stage.  Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes two small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Who’s. The Grinch broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical  features magnificent sets designed by John Lee Beatty and costumes designed by Robert Morgan, inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original book. The 2024 production is directed by Matt August and choreographed by Bob Richard, based on the original choreography by John Luca and originally created by four-time Tony Award winning director, Jack O’Brien. For additional information on the production, please visit www.GrinchMusical.com. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or 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, 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 . For more information, contact www.ensembleartsphilly.org.