A CHRISTMAS STORY The Musical

                                   

                             A triple-dog-dare on the playground results in a frozen tongue

Walnut Street Theatre is presenting its holiday show, A CHRISTMAS STORY The Musical, on its main stage through January 4. Ralphie, played by Tyler Jai Knowles on opening night, leads a talented ensemble of children in this comic musical countdown to Christmas. He is obsessed with getting a RED RYDER CARBINE ACTION BB GUN for Christmas and plots various scenarios to help him get his wish. Of course, he meets obstacles along the way, and a variety of sub-plots grab the audience’s attention. The musical numbers are catchy (“Ralphie to the Rescue’s” choreography is excellent as are the costumes. There are frequent little scene changes in “Ralphie to the Rescue” and they are done seamlessly. The choreography in “A Major Award” is brilliant with false legs interacting with the can-can dancers. “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” is a surprise tap routine that is astonishingly breathtaking. John Farrell has designed an excellent set with a two-story house so that Ralphie and his brother Randy (Kieran Gallagher) can go upstairs to their bedrooms. The house can slip back so that other scenes may play on a clear stage in front of it. This is a joyous holiday production on many levels. It is a perfect show for the whole family, particularly upper elementary students and older. For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster or call 215-574-3550.

Walden

                                       Campbell  O'Hare, Alice Yorke  & Newton Buchanan

                                           

                                            

 Interact Theatre Company is presenting the Philadelphia Premier of Walden through November 23, 2025. Set sometime in the not-too distant future, the earth is ravaged by tsunamis followed by news reports of millions of deaths, and earthquakes with comparable results. Scientists are actively trying to discover ways to colonize other habitats and “start over,” being kinder to the climate. Earth Advocates are trying to save this planet, against all odds, by returning to nature, spurning the use of electricity, and growing their own food. Campbell  O'Hare portrays Cassie, a NASA astronaut who has just returned from a moon mission and appears to visit her sister twin sister in a remote cabin. Alice Yorke beautifully  beautifully portray Stella, Cassie's twin, and the confused ex-NASA architect who isn’t sure whether to stay with her simple life or return to work with NASA. Newton Buchanan remains steadfast in his beliefs as Bryan. He is committed to his fiance Stella, but even more committed to his life as an Earth Advocate. All three actors portray believable characters and each one’s point of view presents a valid conundrum. As usual with the plays presented at InterAct, this one ends with a cliff hanger. You must buy a ticket to see this breathtaking performance.

https://ci.ovationtix.com/35072/production/1232767?performanceld=11608142

 

Macbeth

                                                      Karen Peakes -  Lady Macbeth

Lantern Theater Company is presenting William Shakespere’s Macbeth through December7, 2025, at St. Stephen’s Theater at 10^th and Ludlow Streets, Philadelphia, Pa. One of the powerful elements of the Lantern Theater Company is its ability to alter its stage at the theater. The seating is flexible. For this production, seating is on two sides of the stage only. The floor of the stage emulates tiles and barriers are built along the sides of the stage to indicate the sides of castles. Anthony Lawton is one of the most accomplished actors in the Philadelphia region. Casting Karen Peakes against him as Lady Mabeth was brilliant. The two are excellent in their roles; their voices project; you can feel their oncoming madness. Every actor is outstanding in his role as well. Frank X plays the original king who is deposed and he also plays multiple other parts. Jered McLenigan  well-plays the dual roles of McDuff. The weird sisters Rachael Brodeur, Eli Lynn and Amanda Schoonover make several appearances and are fleet of foot as they quickly disappear as the lights go out. The scene changes are numerous and are very tight. As some actors exit from one side of the stage, other actors enter from the other side. There are frequent flashes of light and accompanying sounds thanks to the superb work of Lighting Designer Shon Causer and Sound Designer Christopher Colucci. For tickets to this excellent production, call (215) 829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org.