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.

The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time

Adam Landon -
Christopher's astronaut fantasy

Prepare to be wowed by the powerful production presented by Broadway Philadelphia in collaboration with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is appearing at The Academy of Music through March 5. Adam Langdon is brilliant as Christopher Boone, an extremely bright teenager who has no internal mechanisms to relate to the world around him. Christopher takes everything literally and has no concept of nuance.   When asked to be quiet, he wants to know “for how long?” Unable to tolerate a human touch, and disoriented by bright lights or loud noises, Christopher frequently covers his head with his hands and groans if he finds something disturbing, a truly tortured soul. Conversely,having difficulty relating to others gives him time to plunge himself into worlds of fantasy. A narrator speaks his thoughts; a cacophony of sound effects and discordance accompanied by dazzling lights and flashing asymmetrical lines give us a peek into Christopher’s mind. And the peek is mind-boggling. In addition to the special effects, the set design is both functional and fantastic. Small doors open throughout the sides of the sometimes stark set to reveal access to props. Enraged by the killing of a neighbor’s dog and the fact that he was thought guilty, Christopher sets out to "detect" the guilty party.  The answer enables him to conquer many of his fears of the world around him and the audience is literally with him every step of the way. You will not find a more compelling tale told on the stage today nor one produced with more creativity. Tickets can be purchased by calling (215)893-3333, visiting www.kimmelcenter.org. or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. For groups of 10 or more, phone (215)790-5883.

The Bodyguard

Deborah Cox

Two gunshots ring out as the house lights go out and the audience gasps…and so begins Broadway Philadelphia’s presentation of the hit musical The Bodyguard, presented by The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and The Shubert Organization. From this dramatic opening to the fabulous dance party after the curtain call, there is never a static moment. Well-known television star Judson Mills portrays the Bodyguard, Frank Farmer, who is hired to protect Rachael from a stalker. Much-acclaimed recording star and actress Deborah Cox wows the audience as Rachael Marron, a celebrity preparing for her Academy Award appearance. Jasmin Richardson portrays Rachael’s sister Nicki. Nicki lives in her sister’s shadow but her remarkable voice certainly does not.  Not only is the score memorable and sung phenomenally by both Ms Cox and  Ms.Richardson, the staging throughout the production is magnificent. The creative team has many awards to their credit and The Bodyguard is the beneficiary of all of them. The sound effects are startling; the projections shown on the screen allow for a magical costume change as Deborah Cox disappears for a few seconds while singing;  and lighting on intermittent sections of the set give the effect of 3-D arches with changing colors. Perhaps the most stunning visual effect of all is Rachael’s appearance at the Academy Awards Ceremony where she seems to be singing between golden columns in front of a huge replica of an Oscar. It is not only the principal players that make this production extraordinary. The high energy ensemble is a treat for toe-tappiing feet. Rachael’s son, Fletcher, is double-cast because of his age. I saw Douglas Baldeo who already has several shows to his credit and certainly will add many more. This young man is athletic; can sing, dance and act! This show is a non-stop wonder, an incredible production. Run; don’t walk to the box office at the Kimmel Center or visit online at www.kimmelcenter.org.  to see if there are tickets available for the remaining performances.  The show will be performed at the Academy of Music through Sunday, February 26, with two performances on Saturday and Sunday.

New Shows Added to Kimmel's Broadway Philadelphia Season

Broadway Philadelphia

BROADWAY PHILADELPHIA

HAS ADDED TWO POPULAR

PRODUCTIONS

TO ITS 2016-17 SEASON

       RETURNING FAVORITES DIRTY DANCING

      AND CIRQUE ELOIZE JOIN THE SEASON LINE-UP

               Tickets On Sale To Subscribers Today

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Shubert Organization announce the addition of two productions to the 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia season.  Nouveau cirque troupe Cirque Eloize  will return to Philadelphia with its new production Saloon - A Musical Acrobatic Adventure January 13-14 2017 and back by popular demand is Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage May 16- 21, 2017, both at the Kimmel Center’s Merriam Theater. Season ticket holders will receive priority access to both shows starting June 20.  The general public can purchase tickets to individual shows beginning September 10. Broadway Philadelphia is presented collaboratively by The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and The Shubert Organization.  In addition to Cirque Eloize and Dirty Dancing, other 2016-17 Broadway Philadelphia shows include An American in Paris (November 22-27, 2016),The Bodyguard,(Feb 21-26, 2017), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (February 28-March 5, 2017), The King and I (March 22-April 2, 2017),Cabaret ( April 4-9, 2017), and Fun Home (June 13-18, 2017).  Add-on shows include: Mamma Mia! (December 27-31, 2016) Hedwig and The Angry Inch (April 18-23, 2017) Motown the Musical (May 30- June 11, 2017) and Wicked (July 26- August 27, 2017) Show packages are available now and include Tuesday through Sunday performances with an option to include any of the add-on shows. Tickets are available online at kimmelcenter.org/bwy1617 or by calling 215-893-1955.  Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling 215-790 5883 or 866-276-2947. You can also visit online at kimmelcenter.com/groupsales or telecharge.com/groups.