Motown

Chester Gregory as\
Barry Gordy

After a record-breaking run in 2015, Motown the Musical has come back to the Academy of Music for a two-week return engagement through June 11, 2017. Presented collaboratively by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization, Motown the Musical enjoyed the best-selling two week engagement in Kimmel Center history during its 2015 run. Judging by the audience’s reaction on the opening night of this engagement, history might very well repeat itself. When groups portraying The 4 Tops and The Temptations performed, the audience applauded. When Jackie Wilson sang and danced, no one sat still in his seat. By the time Chester Gregory began the first of his many solos as Barry Gordy, the audience was screaming. If this show were only the history of Motown, it would be a success, but it is ever so much more. There is political commentary with a nod to historical happenings told in both song and projections.The visual and sound effects give a very convincing portrayal of the race riots that occurred around the  time of Martin Luther King's death. The projections are phenomenal throughout the production. They vary from psychedelic to historic, from harsh to light, from obscuring to enlightening. The cast is brimming with talent; their rich voices and very fancy footwork are a delight to our senses.  If this weren’t enough, there are several times in the show that the audience is encouraged to participate and everyone happily does so. With over 4 dozen songs  in the score, there is something for everyone. This is a feel good  show and everyone leaves the theatre having had a wonderful time. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, visiting www.kimmelcenter.org. or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling 215-790-5883.

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical

BROADWAY PHILADELPHIA PRESENTS

Beautiful

The Carole King Musical

FIRST NATIONAL TOUR MAKES PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE AT KIMMEL CENTER'S ACADEMY OF MUSIC 

                MARCH 22 - APRIL 3, 2016 

Broadway Philadelphia presents the Philadelphia Premiere of the Tony and Grammy Award- winning musical Beautiful - The Carol King Musical which will appear at the Academy of Music from March 22 through April 3, 2016.   Starring Abby Mueller, this is the first national tour of the Broadway hit musical about the early life and career of the renowned and innovative singer/songwriter Carole King and fellow songwriters Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Beautiful features  a myriad of hit songs, among them "I Feel The Earth Move," "One Fine Day," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King's  rise to stardom, starting with being part of a songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, followed by her relationships with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann to finally becoming one of the most successful solo artists of our time. The show opened on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre  in January 2014 and has recently become the highest grossing production in the theatre's history. Tickets  for  the Philadelphia production are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (215) 893-1993, visiting online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office.  Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling (215) 790-5883. For more information, please visit www.BeautifulOnBroadway.com.

ANNIE

Sunny and Issie Swickle

ANNIE

TO PLAY IN PHILADELPHIA

March 17 – 22

AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Tickets On Sale Now!

Broadway Philadelphia is presenting a new incarnation of ANNIE   on national tour and will be appearing March 17-22 at the Academy of Music.  Broadway Philadelphia is presented collaboratively by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization. Original lyricist and director Martin Charnin will be directing this Award winning musical for the 19^th time. ANNIE is based on a book written by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin.  All three men received 1977 Tony Awards for their work.  This brand new production features a 25 member company. 9 year old Issie Swickle will make her tour debut in the title role of Annie; Gilgamesh Taggett will star as Oliver Warbucks and Lynn Andrews will play the role of Miss Hannigan. Also joining the tour are Ashley Edler as Grace, Garrett Deagon as Rooster, Lucy Werner as Lily and Allan Ray Baker as FDR. Sunny, a 4 year old rescue terrier-mix stars as Sandy. Tickets are available by calling 215-731-3333, visiting online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad and Spruce Sts. (open daily 10 am to 6 pm), or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad and Locust Sts, (open during performances only). Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling 215-790-5883- or 866-276-2947.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

The Jackson Five

Broadway Philadelphia, in collaboration with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and The Shubert Organization is not only presenting MOTOWN THE MUSICAL at the Academy of Music through January 18, it is transmitting a total Motown Experience to its elated audiences. Everyone is not only mesmerized by the electrifying projections on the stage but also totally immersed in the music.  The production is brilliant! This is the legendary tale of Berry Gordy’s dream of writing songs, producing artists who sang his songs the way he wanted, and publishing the songs to protect his royalties. The road he traveled, leading to the founding  and success of the Motown recording industry, is  vividly expressed over a span of 25 years. This foot-tapping, hand-clapping, seat-rocking explosion of musical hits from our younger years is exhilarating. No one can sit still or keep lips from moving to the lyrics made beloved by Dianna Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smoky Robinson, the Jackson Five and ever-so many more Motown groups. Original Broadway cast member Julian Thomas III has joined the First National Tour for a limited engagement.  How fortunate we are in the Philadelphia area to have a chance to see his dazzling performance. No actor gives a performance lacking in voice, dance skills or charm but take particular note of the youngster who plays the role of Michael Jackson in the Jackson Five.  Two boys alternate roles and it doesn’t matter whether you see Leon Outlaw Jr. or Reed. L. Shannon…..you will be blown away by the talent.  Berry Gordy fought to have his music accepted not only by Black radio stations but by everyone. He felt that people’s similarities were more powerful than their differences and believed, ”It’s what’s in the grooves that counts.”  MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is Berry Gordy's story.. Tickets are available by calling 215-731-333, visiting online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad and Spruce Sts. (open daily 10am to 6 pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad and Locusts Sts., (open during performances only).  Throughout your life there will be certain things you can’t sit still for……This performance is one of them.

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

Julius Thomas III

Original Broadway Cast Member

JULIUS Thomas III

Joins First National Tour of

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

As Berry Gordy

Will Star in the Philadelphia Engagement Jan 6-18

Julius Thomas III, original Broadway cast member of Broadway’s MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, has joined the First National Tour for a limited time in the leading role of Berry Gordy and will appear at the Academy of Music as part of Broadway Philadelphia, presented by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization. In addition to portraying Berry Gordy in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL on Broadway, Thomas has also appeared as Roy in The Scottsboro Boys and has been an understudy in The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Additionally he has appeared as Terpsicore in Zanadu, and has had roles in numerous regional theatres. The First National Tour of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL  opened to critical acclaim on May 8 in Chicago and has subsequently been seen by over half a million people. After leaving Philadelphia, the tour is scheduled to visit 15 more cities.to share the stories behind the hits of such musical greats as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson.  Tickets are available by calling 215-7113-3333, visiting online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad and Locust Sts.,(open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad and Locust Sts.,(open during performances only). Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling 2215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947.