Philadelphia Theatre + Broadway News

RIVERDANCE: A Heart-Stomping, Pure Spectacle

(5/14/2012) RIVERDANCE draws on Irish traditions and the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music to the present day capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures. The show will take its last steps in June 2012.

The Bucks County Playhouse to Re-Open With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 7/2

(5/14/2012) The Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) in New Hope, Pennsylvania, has announced that the re-opening of the legendary and beloved landmark will kick-off with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, July 2 at 7:00 p.m. with the first performance of A Grand Night for Singing by Rodgers and Hammerstein to follow.

York Little Theatre Presents CHARLOTTE'S WEB, June 1-10

(5/14/2012) York Little Theatre will bring E. B. White’s classic, beloved novel, Charlotte’s Web, to life on the YLT mainstage, June 1 – 10. Considered the best-selling children’s paperback of all time, it tells the memorable story of Wilbur, a runty barnyard pig who is nursed to good health by the farmer’s daughter only to discover he will become the Christmas Ham. Charlotte, his dear friend the spider, spins an elaborate web to save his life and he becomes the prize-winning pig of the County Fair, the most famous pig ever. The beautiful story is filled with love, laughter, and delight and is bound by the lessons of friendship, loyalty and truth.

George F. Walker's FEATURING LORETTA and THE END OF CIVILIZATION at Walking Fish Theatre, 6/3

(5/14/2012) B. Someday Productions' presents the final show of its season, SUBURBAN MOTEL – two plays in repertory by “one of theatre’s most important voices (Maclean’s), George F Walker. The plays, FEATURING LORETTA and THE END OF CIVILIZATION will play the entire month of June at Walking Fish Theatre. This is the most ambitious and largest production the “scrappy” B. Someday theatre company has undertaken. Dates for the entire production run June 3-30, 2012 (specific show dates and times listed below). Ticket prices are $20.00 for a single show and $30.00 for both. Walking Fish Theatre is located at 2509 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19125. Tickets can be purchased online at www.walkingfishtheatre.com at no extra charge for the purchaser, or at the door.

Sylvia Kauders, Madi Distefano & More Lead 100th Anniversary Reading of Oscar Wilde's AN IDEAL HUSBAND, 5/14

(5/14/2012) Plays & Players celebrates their 100th Anniversary on May 14 at 7pm with a staged reading of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband featuring local celebrities of stage, screen, politics, and more. An Ideal Husband was first performed on Plays & Players' stage in the Spring of 1912, exactly 100 years ago.

Kimmel Center Hosts 'A Night of Broadway Stars' Benefit Tonight, 5/14

(5/14/2012) Broadway’s leading ladies and gents join forces with former homeless youth at the Kimmel Center for A Night of Broadway Stars tonight, May 14, 2012 at 6:30pm. This signature charity event sponsored by Covenant House Pennsylvania raises funds that directly benefit our city’s homeless youth.

Win Tickets to See IL DIVO in Concert!

(5/11/2012) The world's foremost classical crossover quartet IL DIVO is set to embark on its 2012 world tour, the group's fourth, which follows the release of the quartet's latest album, Wicked Game (on Syco/Columbia Records) and provides a new mark of achievement for the signature vocal blend and unique operatic arrangements which have captivated millions and launched a classical-crossover sensation. To celebrate the kick-off of this much-anticipated world tour, BroadwayWorld invites you to enter for a chance to WIN ONE PAIR OF TICKETS to see IL DIVO live in concert!

BWW TV Seattle Exclusive: Behind the Scenes of Kristin Chenoweth on Tour!

(5/11/2012) BroadwayWorld Seattle was granted EXCLUSIVE access to Kristin Chenoweth's debut performance of her new (and first ever) tour, which opened in Seattle on Wednesday night ... and received a whopping NINE standing ovations for a show unlike we had ever seen.

Freedom High School Leads FREDDY Award Nominations with 17 Nominations - Full Nominees List

(5/11/2012) Nominations for the 2012 FREDDY© Awards were announced yesterday, May 10th, live on 69 WFMZ-TV during the Noon News broadcast. Leading the pack this year are Freedom High School with 17 nominations. Emmaus High School and Parkland High School both scooped 12 nominations. Notre Dame High School is close behind with 11 nominations.

RIVERDANCE Will Play Final Performances in Philadelphia, Now thru 5/13

(5/11/2012) Recently, the producer of RIVERDANCE, Moya Doherty, announced that the United States touring production of the internationally-acclaimed worldwide phenomenon will close in June, 2012. RIVERDANCE, part of the Broadway Season, will play in Philadelphia at the Merriam Theater FOR THE VERY LAST TIME, tonight, May 11 through 13 for five performances only!

Straight No Chaser Returns to Hershey Theatre in December; Tickets on Sale Today, 5/11

(5/11/2012) ATCO/Atlantic recording group Straight No Chaser will bring their #SNClive Fall 2012 Tour to Hershey Theatre on Saturday, December 22 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Media Theatre Presents FOREVER PLAID, 7/18-22

(5/10/2012) The Media Theatre, Delaware County’s only professional theatre and one of Philadelphia’s most popular theatre companies, expands its audience base this summer with the start of its new “Broadway at The Beach” productions.

Get “Down and Dirty” with SOLOW FESTIVAL Philadelphia, 6/14 - 6/24

(5/10/2012) From elevators to peep shows, the 3rd annual SOLOW FESTIVAL is experimenting with the theme of “Down and Dirty.” A little over one month away, SOLOW FESTIVALl is an inexpensive artistic event dedicated to presenting new and experimental work in a collective manner. Bringing together over a dozen performing artists June 14th to 24th, SOLOW focuses on the artistic creation and growth of solo artists with conceiving new work with low or no-cost risk. The productions will be presented at a variety of non-traditional venues throughout the city. SOLOW FESTIVAL seeks to invite audiences and other artists to experience these original, unique, and experimental performances for affordably low prices.

American INSIGHT's Free Speech Film Festival Set for 5/16

(5/10/2012) American INSIGHT's first annual Free Speech Film Festival on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, will take place in the Benjamin Franklin Hall of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, PA.

Walnut Street Theatre for Kids to Present SKIPPYJON JONES, 6/2

(5/10/2012) Judy Schacher’s Skippyjon Jones comes to Walnut Street Theatre for Kids. This musical adventure is set for Saturday, June 2, with performances at 10:30am, 1pm and 3:30pm.

Azuka Theatre Closes Season with the Philadelphia Premiere of HAZARD COUNTY 6/20 - 7/1

(5/10/2012) Azuka Theatre is closing its season with the Philadelphia Premiere of Allison Moore’s Hazard County. This 2005 Humana Festival piece will also mark the beginning of an annual program, The New Professionals. The show will be performed at Azuka’s new home at the Off-Broad Street Theater at First Baptist Church, 1636 Sansom Street. The show starts previews June 14, opens Wednesday June 20 at 7 p.m., and closes Sunday July 1. Tickets cost $15-$27. Tickets are available online at www.azukatheatre.org or by phone at (215) 563-1100.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival One Night Only Performances Include Victoria Clark and More

(5/10/2012) Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has announced the lineup for its series of one night only concerts and performances.

Hedgerow Theatre’s ART Runs Now thru 6/17

(5/10/2012) Hedgerow Theatre’s production of the Tony Award-winning comedy Art, which runs tongiht, May 10 through June 17, features three popular local actors, Leonard C. Haas, Tom Teti and Zoran Kovcic. All are members of Actors Equity who have previously appeared at Hedgerow, but this marks the first time that all three of them will be on stage together.

State Theatre's Shelley Brown and WFMZ's Ed Hanna Announce FREDDY Nominations Today, 5/10

(5/10/2012) Nominations for FRED X: The 2012 FREDDY Awards will be announced live by the State Theatre’s Shelley Brown & WFMZ’s Ed Hanna today, May 10th on WFMZ Channel 69 during the Noon News broadcast.

Christopher Sutton to Lead BUDDY at Walnut Street Theatre; Opens 5/23

(5/9/2012) Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 203rd season with an all-new production of Broadway’s sensational BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. Directed and choreographed by Casey Hushion, the rock n’ roll explosion begins previews on May 15th, opens on May 23rd and runs through July 15th on the WST Mainstage.

Straight No Chaser Returns to Hershey Theatre in December; Tickets On Sale 5/11

(5/9/2012) ATCO/Atlantic recording group Straight No Chaser will bring their #SNClive Fall 2012 Tour to Hershey Theatre on Saturday, December 22 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Quintessence Theatre's THE SEAGULL, Begins Previews Tonight, 5/9

(5/9/2012) Quintessence Theatre Group concludes its second season with Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, in a translation by Mike Poulton, directed by Alexander Burns. THE SEAGULL starts previews tonight, May 9 at 7pm and opens on Saturday, May 12 at 8pm at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, 19119. To purchase tickets, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 1.877.238.5596.

Inis Nua Theatre Company Ends Season with THE WALWORTH FARCE, Now thru 5/27

(5/8/2012) Inis Nua Theatre Company is finishing its season with the Philadelphia premiere of Enda Walsh’s The Walworth Farce, a dark comedy by one of Ireland’s most celebrated contemporary playwrights. The show runs tonight, May 8 through May 27 at the Off-Broad Street Theatre at First Baptist Church, 1636 Sansom Street. Opening night is Wednesday, May 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$25 and are available by phone at 215-454-9776 or online at www.inisnuatheatre.org.

BWW Reviews: 1812 Productions' BOSTON MARRIAGE Misses the Mark

(5/7/2012) In David Mamet’s wicked comedy, Boston Marriage, Anna and Claire, a pair of middle-aged, verbose and quick-tongued women, share a life together on the fringe of society in the late 19th century.

State Theatre's Shelley Brown and WFMZ's Ed Hanna to Announce FREDDY Nominations, 5/10

(5/7/2012) Nominations for FRED X: The 2012 FREDDY Awards will be announced live by the State Theatre’s Shelley Brown & WFMZ’s Ed Hanna on Thursday, May 10th on WFMZ Channel 69 during the Noon News broadcast.

Azuka Theater Set to Celebrate Lenny Haas at 5/20 Gala

(5/7/2012) Azuka Theatre is holding their second gala celebration in honor of a visionary in the theatre community. At their first gala, they honored former Azuka Board President and Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Vice President for External Affairs Michael Norris. This year they are honoring local actor and philanthropist Lenny Haas.

B. Someday Productions Announce George F Walker's SUBURBAN MOTEL for June 3-30

(5/7/2012) B. Someday Productions' will present the final show of its season, SUBURBAN MOTEL – two plays in repertory by Canadian playwright, George F Walker. The plays, FEATURING LORETTA and THE END OF CIVILIZATION will play the entire month of June at Walking Fish Theatre. This is the most ambitious and largest production the “scrappy” B. Someday theatre company has undertaken. Dates for the entire production run June 3-30, 2012.

The Wilma Theater Presents Reading of Dustin Lance Black’s '8' Tonight, 5/7

(5/7/2012) The Wilma Theater, in partnership with American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), R Families, The Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation, and Broadway Impact present a one-night-only reading of “8,” a play chronicling the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8, written by AFER Founding Board Member and Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black. The reading will be held at The Wilma Theater on Broad and Spruce Streets tonight, May 7, 2012 at 7:30pm. To purchase tickets, visit wilmatheater.org or call the Box Office at 215.546.7824. Proceeds from the ticket sales will go towards AFER.

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT's Prince Poppycock to Headline 6th Annual Black and White Party Tonight, 5/5

(5/5/2012) This year’s headline entertainer for the 6th Annual Black and White Party is Prince Poppycock, an American singer, songwriter, and performer who came to national attention when he competed on America's Got Talent.

11th Hour Theatre Company Closes Season with THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, 6/4

(5/4/2012) 11th Hour Theatre Company is set to close its season with the Philadelphia premiere of The Marvelous Wonderettes. This musical trip down memory lane, written and created by Roger Bean, begins previews June 1, opens Monday, June 4 at 7 p.m. and will close Sunday, June 24. The show will be performed at the Skybox at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street. Tickets cost $30. Discount tickets are available for students. Tickets and more information are available online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at (267) 987-9865.

Inis Nua Theatre Company Ends Season with THE WALWORTH FARCE, May 8-27

(5/4/2012) Inis Nua Theatre Company is finishing its season with the Philadelphia premiere of Enda Walsh’s The Walworth Farce, a dark comedy by one of Ireland’s most celebrated contemporary playwrights. The show runs May 8-27 at the Off-Broad Street Theatre at First Baptist Church, 1636 Sansom Street. Opening night is Wednesday, May 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$25 and are available by phone at 215-454-9776 or online at www.inisnuatheatre.org.

Matt Bergman, James Davis and More Set for THE NOBODIES OF COMEDY Tonight, 5/4

(5/4/2012) For the tenth year, the Nobodies of Comedy visit the State Theatre, tonight, May 4 at 8 PM.

Walla Fest Opens for Norristown Arts Hill Festival Today, 5/4

(5/4/2012) As part of the multi-day Norristown Arts Hill Festival, Walla Fest returns to the Centre Theater stage with a evening of music, art and film today, May 4. Walla Fest expands its horizons with a show full of regionally acclaimed bands.

Voting Opens for the 2012 BroadwayWorld.com Awards - Vote Now on the Best of the New York Season!

(5/3/2012) The TONY Awards Nominators had their say earlier this week and now it's your turn! We're pleased to announce that voting has now opened for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards!

DISNEY'S PHINEAS AND FERB Comes to the Hershey Theatre in December; Tickets Now On Sale

(5/3/2012) Mom! Phineas and Ferb are going on a live tour!” Join the Danville Tri-State Area Gang for a high-energy ride through their wildest invention yet in Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! The beloved characters from Disney Channel's animated series embark on a bold escape from the television screen to a live action adventure – right in your hometown! This brand new live stage production performs at Hershey Theatre on Saturday, December 1 at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.

Act II Playhouse Extends MY FAIR LADY Through 6/17

(5/3/2012) Due to popular demand, Act II Playhouse is extending its production of the classic Broadway musical My Fair Lady, directed by Bud Martin, until Sunday, June 17. The production, now running, has been heralded by the press and public.

Tommy Tune to Open Gretna Theatre's 2012 Season in STEPS IN TIME, 6/3

(5/2/2012) Gretna Theatre celebrates its 85th Anniversary season at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse with a sparkling opening performance by the one and only Tommy Tune in “Steps in Time” featuring the Manhattan Rhythm Kings for a single performance Sunday, June 3 at 7:30 pm. The nine-time Tony Award winner will perform his Broadway biography in song and dance to celebrate 50 years on the Great White Way.

Walnut Street Theatre Presents A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, Now thru 6/24

(5/2/2012) Walnut Street Theatre’s 2011-2012 Independence Studio on 3 season concludes with an all-new production filled with unforgettable music, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING. Directed by Bruce Lumpkin, the production opens tomorrow, May 3rd and continues through June 24th in the Walnut’s Independence Studio on 3.

Plays & Players Celebrates 100th Anniversary, 5/14

(5/2/2012) Plays & Players celebrates their 100th Anniversary on May 14 at 7pm with a staged reading of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband featuring local celebrities of stage, screen, politics, and more. An Ideal Husband was first performed on Plays & Players’ stage in the Spring of 1912, exactly 100 years ago. Tickets to this event are $25 for general admission or $50 for general admission and a “meet-the-artist” post-show reception from 9pm-10pm. Prior to the performance, there will be a pre-show reception and silent auction, with doors opening at 6pm.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Returns to Philadelphia, 6/4-10

(5/2/2012) Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Philadelphia as part of the Broadway Season, presented by The Kimmel Center and The Shubert Organization. Produced by NETworks Presentations, this elaborate theatrical production will come to life on stage at the Academy of Music for 9 performances on June 4 – 10. The engagement is now set to open on Monday, June 4 (from previously scheduled June 5 opening), with the additional performance added due to overwhelming demand. The press opening is still Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30 pm.