Footlighters Theater in Berwyn, PA, will present the musical
March 20-29 at Footlighters Theater!
From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.
As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward. This new musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.
Janis Joplin’s album ‘Pearl’ was at the top of the Billboard 200 chart 55 years ago, on February 27, 1971
By Steven Brodsky
… The album, released on January 11, 1971, would go on to be in the number one position on that chart for a total of nine weeks.
From Pearl, Janis Joplin’s recording of the Kris Kristofferson-penned “Me and Bobby McGee”:
Janis Joplin passed away on October 4, 1970 at age 27.
Posted 2-27-26
One doesn’t need to be a grammarian
By Steven Brodsky
… to recognize the verity indicated by the double negative in this song’s title, and by the inclusion of the title’s words in the dialogue of the song’s speaker/character:
Though “I Don’t Think Much About Her No More” has no connection to Valentine’s Day, I’ll make a tie-in here to the upcoming unofficial holiday.
It’s easy to surmise that the song’s speaker/character could find Valentine’s Day to be especially difficult.
Same for many others.
It’s not always kind to wish people: “Happy Valentine’s Day.” These words can be hurtful to some people who won’t be having a happy Valentine’s Day.
Let’s be kind.
Posted 2-7-26
Happy 71st birthday wishes go out to Steve Earle
By Steven Brodsky
… Steve Earle was born on January 17, 1955.
Steve Earle’s birthday is especially opportune to revisit (or visit, if you haven’t been there before) “Copperhead Road” via this video:
Posted 1-17-26
It’s magic
By Steven Brodsky
… when a song exceptionally and effectively conveys an emotionally charged inflection point.
That kind of magic kind is evident in “This Magic Moment,” a song penned by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.
The Drifters recorded “This Magic Moment” on December 23, 1959, 66 years ago, with Ben E. King singing lead.
In commemoration of that recording session, enjoy the magic:
Posted 12-23-25
Cold turkey
By Steven Brodsky
… left over from Thanksgiving will have many of us “on the run” to refrigerators over the next couple of days.
Some (in the spirit of Thanksgiving) will be appreciative of having cooked and refrigerated turkey that’s left over from Thanksgiving. (I’d probably be more appreciative of left over pumpkin pie.)
“Cold turkey” has an entirely different meaning in this song:
Posted 11-27-25
18 minutes and 36 seconds
By Steven Brodsky
… is sufficient time for readers of the Entertainment, Culture andMore column to enjoy this recording of “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” in its entirety:
Some radio stations have a tradition of airing the recording on Thanksgiving Day.
We don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving Day to enjoy “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree”!
Arlo Guthrie recorded “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” in 1967.
Art Garfunkel was born on November 5, 1941 in New York City.
Posted 11-5-25
Two trippy songs
By Steven Brodsky
… are being shared here today on the 58th anniversary of the release of a beloved rock album.
The album: Disraeli Gears.
The band: Cream.
Disraeli Gears was Cream’s second studio album.
Disraeli Gears was released on November 2, 1967.
From Disraeli Gears:
Posted 11-2-25
Time may be on your mind upon waking up on Sunday, November 2, 2025
By Steven Brodsky
… Daylight saving time ends on November 2, 2025 at 2:00 a.m.; clocks will fall back an hour in most of the U.S.
And time may be on your mind today.
Posted 11-1-25
With up to 20 inches of snow in weather forecasts for a number of states in the U.S.
By Steven Brodsky
… memories related to literal and metaphorical cold fingers come to mind.
I’m acquainted with the discomfort of literal (very) cold fingers, having experienced fingers-numbing conditions while ice fishing, snow shoveling, etc.
And I’m not lacking experience with metaphorical cold fingers.
Most of us can recall personal experiences with cold fingers.
Whatever our experiences have been or are with cold fingers, we can be grateful that Bill Morrissey addressed the cold fingers theme with great artistry and vulnerability:
Posted 10-27-25
This’ll be a day to enjoy
By Steven Brodsky
… this recording of “That’ll Be the Day”:
The single for Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day” was in the number one position on the Best Sellers in Stores chart on September 23, 1957, 68 years ago.
Posted 9-23-25
‘I’m just a long-haired son of a sinner’
By Steven Brodsky
… sings Jelly Roll in “Son of a Sinner” (one of my favorite Jelly Roll songs):
We’re all children of sinners.
And all of us have sinned.
Nonetheless, God loves us.
Romans 5:8 KJV: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Paul Simon heard Jessy Dixon perform ‘The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling’
By Steven Brodsky
… in Radio City Music Hall in 1972, which prompted Paul Simon to invite Jessy Dixon to sing with him on Saturday Night Live. The two would go on to tour together in the U.S. and overseas for eight years.
Enjoy this video of Jessy Dixon singing “The Wicked Shall Cease Their Troubling” at The Dome:
Job 3:17: “There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.”
Jessy Dixon passed away on September 26, 2011 at age 73. This post appeared in the Conversations About Faith section of the Entertainment, Culture and More column.
Posted 1-10-21, Reposted and Revised 8-19-24
How meeting Livingston Taylor at a concert affected the career of John Flynn
By Steven Brodsky
John Flynn has been interviewed several times for this column. In a 2011 radio interview, John and I spoke about Livingston. We did so again last year in this interview for this column.
John, where and when did you first meet Livingston Taylor and how old were you at the time?
Gene Shay introduced me to Livingston back in the ’80s. It was prior to one of his appearances at the old Bijou Café in Philadelphia. I was in my early twenties and just starting out. I was a big fan of Livingston’s and I had just appeared on Gene’s radio show on WMMR. I heard Gene mention that he was going to host Livingston’s show, so I asked for an intro. Gene was just too nice to say no.
What was going on in your life?
I was playing some bar gigs, writing songs and mailing demos to Nashville. This was a few years before I got signed to my first publishing deal down there.
Describe what took place. What did Livingston tell you?
To begin with, Livingston was incredibly gracious. As a performer, I really see that now in hindsight, because usually the last thing I want to do before a show is to meet new people and have them sing their songs to me. Actually, I don’t think I’ve met anyone before or since who would have extended themselves in this way to a stranger. But that’s exactly what happened. Gene apparently bragged about me enough to get Livingston to hand me his guitar and sit down directly in front of me. He asked me to play him a song and listened with an almost unnerving, totally focused attention. When I was done he asked if I had any more. I did a second song and he asked for another. I was only too happy to oblige, figuring that if he’d listen to three songs he must be hearing something he liked. When I finished singing, Livingston kind of scrunched up his face and got real thoughtful. There was a long pause. Then he said, “John, there are so many wonderful ways to spend your time in this life. Take a walk, read a good book, spend some time with someone you love. Please do ANY of these things rather than write any more mediocre songs.” The rest was a little bit of a blur. He talked about Cole Porter and Yip Harburg, writers I didn’t really know much about at that point. He really challenged me to study the greats. He spent like ten minutes talking about song structure, and he played me these long-forgotten but really beautiful introductions to popular old standards. – Unknown (at least to me) musical salutations from bygone eras, that had been intended by their composers to set the mood and put the listener in the proper frame of mind to receive the coming song. He even explained that he would be doing relatively few of his own songs in his show that evening because great songs are rare, and a song should be great if you’re gonna sing it. That was the bottom line. If you weren’t going to try to write a great song, then why write one at all?
How did you respond to this at the time?
I guess I was disappointed. But disappointment wasn’t all I took away from the encounter, because Livingston could have easily tossed me a few compliments. He was probably never gonna have to see me again so that would have been the easy thing to do. But I sensed that he respected songs and songwriters too much for that. He chose the harder path and told the truth. He threw down the gauntlet. And, in my way, I accepted the challenge that night. I determined to work much harder at my craft. To really try to write great songs. I’m not saying that’s what I’ve always accomplished. But he got me to aim there. I’ve always been grateful for that.
How did the encounter impact your life?
I’m here forty years later answering questions about music.
Author’s note to readers: Livingston Taylor is a professor at Berklee College of Music.
… after recalling this morning that the City of Philadelphia had honored Solomon Burke by having declared that July 19, 2002 would be “Solomon Burke Day.”
Solomon Burke (March 21, 1940 – October 10, 2010) was born in Philadelphia.
Posted 7-19-24
There weren’t many attendees at Bob Dylan’s Carnegie Hall debut performance
By Steven Brodsky
… nearly 62 years ago, on Saturday, November 4, 1961. Reportedly, 53 people purchased tickets to see the then 20-year old Dylan perform in a small auditorium that was located in Carnegie Hall. Tickets were priced at $2.00.
Bob Dylan did not perform “Blowin’ in the Wind.”
The song hadn’t been released nor had it been recorded.
Bob Dylan recorded “Blowin’ in the Wind” on July 9, 1962 at Columbia Recording Studios.
The recording was released on the A-side of a single on August 13, 1963 (the B-side is “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”); it appears as a track on the album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, released on May 27, 1963.
Bob Dylan’s Philadelphia debut didn’t draw much of crowd either, as this concert too was performed prior to the release of “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Gene Shay invited Dylan to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to perform the concert. The concert took place on Saturday, May 3, 1963 at the Philadelphia Ethical Society building on Rittenhouse Square. Approximately 45 people were in attendance. Tickets were priced at $1.50.
A few months before Bob Dylan’s Philadelphia debut, Dylan performed “Blowin’ in the Wind” on a television show:
Gene Shay told me that Dylan’s Philadelphia debut concert almost didn’t take place: the sound system components for the concert were inaccessible.
Gene Shay passed away from COVID-19 on April 17, 2020. He is greatly missed.
Posted 10-4-23
He was the ‘Jackie Robinson of television’; on his ‘show rode the hopes and fears and dreams of millions of people’; his show debuted nationally on November 5, 1956
By Steven Brodsky
… He was Nat King Cole, the first African American to host a television show on nationwide television. That show was TheNat King Cole Show. Today is the 66th anniversary of the national debut of the Nat King Show on NBC TV.
Nat King Cole ranks among the most acclaimed jazz and pop musicians of all time. Born as Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery Alabama in 1919, he would go on to achieve recording and concert performance success that was nearly unmatched by others of his generation. “Mona Lisa,” “Unforgettable,” “The Christmas Song,” are among the nearly 700 songs that he recorded. Well over 100 of Nat King Cole’s records charted. He was a prominent presence on national television shows (he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show on six occasions).
The Nat King Cole Show was popular and attracted some of the most sought-after entertainers, but it could not secure a national sponsor (other than a few sponsors for brief periods of time before the show expanded from 15 minutes to a half hour). There were 30 sponsors with cooperative arrangements supporting the show across the country on local stations, but nationwide—not one.
In an essay in the February 1, 1958 issue of Ebony titled “WHY I QUIT MY TV SHOW” by Nat King Cole (as told to Lerone Bennett Jr.), Nat King Cole said, “For 13 months, I was the Jackie Robinson of television… On my show rode the hopes and fears and dreams of millions of people.”
This March, Christ Church Burial Ground invites guests to explore the unexpected role alcohol played in America’s founding during its new Brew N’ History Tour, an immersive walking experience pairing Revolutionary-era stories with beer samples from Yards Brewing Company.
Philadelphia was not only the cradle of American liberty. It was also one of the brewing capitals of the New World. From early vineyards to smoky taverns where revolution was quietly debated, alcohol flowed through the city’s social, political, and economic life as early as the 1680s.
During this guided tour, visitors will explore the graves of some of early America’s most iconic figures, including Benjamin Franklin and four other signers of the Declaration of Independence buried on site. Along the way, stories of Founding Fathers, doctors, writers, and artists are paired with carefully selected Yards brews inspired by 18th-century drink culture.
As guests move through the final resting place of more than 4,000 Philadelphians, they will learn how beer, cider, and wine shaped daily life in colonial America. Alcohol was safer than water, reflected social status, supported military efforts, and fueled the tavern conversations that helped build a new Republic.
If You Go:
Participants will enjoy:
A guided walking tour through Christ Church Burial Ground
Stories of Revolutionary-era drink culture
Samples of signature brews from Yards Brewing Company
A fresh perspective on the lives behind the monuments
This 21+ experience blends history, storytelling, and craft brewing into an engaging evening in one of Philadelphia’s most historic spaces. Space is limited and advance tickets are strongly recommended.
Rachel Day Hughes, the director of Servant Stage Company’s production of ‘You Can’t Take It With You,’ is featured in a new promotional video; the video was filmed during dress rehearsals for the soon-to-open production
By Steven Brodsky
Enjoy:
Servant Stage Company’s production of You Can’t Take It With You opens on March 6, 2026. The performance run will end on March 22, 2026.
Performances will take place at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.
An additional performance has been added to the performance run of Servant Stage Company’s production of ‘You Can’t Take It With You’
By Steven Brodsky
… That additional performance has been scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 7 p.m.
A recommendation for Entertainment, Culture and More column readers who haven’t yet ordered pay-what-you-will tickets for a performance of this Servant Stage Company production: order your tickets a.s.a.p.
Servant Stage’s You Can’t Take It With You opens on March 6, 2026. The performance run will end on March 22, 2026.
Performances will take place at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Servant Stage Company’s production of the classic American comedy ‘You Can’t Take It With You’ to open in Lancaster County, PA on March 6, 2026 at Lancaster Alliance Church
By Steven Brodsky
Photo courtesy of Servant Stage Company
From a Servant Stage Company news release that was issued yesterday, February 11, 2026:
Lancaster, PA – Servant Stage is delighted to present the classic American comedy You Can’t Take It With You, opening March 6th at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster. Written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart in 1936, this Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud celebration of family, love, and laughter.
Set in 1930s New York, You Can’t Take It With You introduces audiences to the delightfully eccentric Sycamore family—an exuberant household of artists, inventors, dancers, and dreamers who have happily embraced a life free from convention. When their daughter Alice invites her very traditional Wall Street-employed fiancée and his straitlaced parents to dinner, the evening quickly spirals into comic chaos as two vastly different worlds collide.
Directed by Rachel Day Hughes, this Servant Stage production leans into the play’s heart and humor, highlighting its enduring message. Nearly a century after its debut, You Can’t Take It With You remains a timely reminder to slow down, laugh often, and focus on what truly matters.
In keeping with Servant Stage’s mission to make outstanding live theatre accessible to everyone, all performances of You Can’t Take It With You will be offered on a pay-what-you-will basis. This unique approach allows audiences of all ages and backgrounds to experience exceptional theatre regardless of financial means.
Performances will be held March 6-22 in the auditorium at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster. Tickets can be reserved online at ServantStage.org or by calling (717) 455-0255. Advance reservations are recommended to ensure seating before shows sell out.
Performance Schedule:
Friday, March 6 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 7 – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
Sunday, March 8 – 3:00 PM
Friday, March 13 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 14 – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
Sunday, March 15 – 3:00 PM
Thursday, March 19 – 7:00 PM
Friday, March 20 – 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 21 – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
Sunday, March 22 – 3:00 PM
About Servant Stage: Servant Stage is a non-profit theater serving Lancaster County since 2011. Through its innovative approach to theatre, Servant Stage reaches more than 50,000 audience members each year with Pay-What-You-Will performances. They recently announced their 2026 season of shows, including You Can’t Take It With You (March), A Broadway Melody (April-May), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (June-August), Anne of Green Gables (September), and Joy to the World (November-December).
Posted 2-12-26
Shackled and unshackled listeners
By Steven Brodsky
… have been enjoying episodes of UNSHACKLED!, the iconic radio drama show, since 1950.
W.B. Yeats received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923 “for his always inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation.”
Delco Horror Haven is a non-profit horror arts organization that supports independent filmmakers, authors, artisans, and the community. They will host a Book Fair on Saturday, March 21, 2026, noon to 6 p.m., featuring 25+ independent horror authors, live author readings, kids’ corner, food truck, and more.
This event is at the Media Borough Community Center, 301 North Jackson Street, Media, Pa. Parking can be found in the lot behind the entrance and on the street.
Manayunk’s restaurant row is firing up the flavor heading into March for the first ever winter edition of Manayunk Restaurant Week. More than 20 restaurants will come together March 2 through March 8 with special two and three (and even five and six!) course menus from $15 to $45, plus special drink and dessert pairings.
The dining celebration to give food lovers even more reasons to explore Historic Downtown Manayunk and Main Street during late winter.
Diners can expect:
• $15, $25, $35 & $45 prix fixe menus
• Lunch & dinner options
• Owner/chef-driven restaurants
• Everything from comfort food to global cuisine
• Casual taverns to elevated dining
• Specialty cocktails, margarita pitchers, wine pairings & craft beer
Participating restaurants include The Goat’s Beard, Mia Ragazza, SOMO, Chabaa Thai Bistro, Jake & Cooper’s Wine Bar, Manayunk Brewing Company, Taqueria Amor, Lucky’s Last Chance, Bayou Bar & Grill, JD McGillicuddy’s, Blondie, New Leaf, Yanako, Zesty’s, and many more.
From $15 taco trios and burger pairings to $45 multi-course Japanese and Thai tasting menus, this is one of the most affordable ways to experience some of the biggest names on Main Street in one week.
Tim Crouch’s “I, Banquo” returns to Hedgerow Theatre directed by Stephen Patrick Smith for a limited engagement March 20-21. “I, Banquo” features an electrifying solo performance by Paul Harrold. The drama reimagines “Macbeth” through the eyes of Banquo, Macbeth’s closest friend and fellow thane.
Performances Sat, March 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m.
The 19th Media Film Festival is set for March 13-14. For 19 years, MAC has been dedicated to promoting the best of local, regional, national, and international independent short films. In the last couple years, they have made an effort to build more on the local and regional aspect of that mission. The vast majority of the films this year come from within 50 miles of Media.
Arden Theatre Company continues its 2025/26 season with William Shakespeare’s enduring classic, Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Barrymore Award–winning director Amina Robinson, the production offers a bold and resonant vision of Shakespeare’s iconic work. Running March 5 through April 5 on the F. Otto Haas Stage, the reimagining of Shakespeare’s most celebrated tragedy breathes new life into a story that confronts cycles of violence, power, and lost innocence, blending contemporary perspectives with classic Shakespearean elements.
In Romeo and Juliet, a story audiences know well, two young lovers fall in love hard and fast, only to be torn apart by families bound to an ancient feud. However, Robinson’s production strips the play to its emotional core, highlighting both the breathtaking beauty and devastating cost of love born in a divided world. Romeo and Juliet serves as a powerful reminder of the risks we take for love and the consequences of a society unwilling to change. Through a seamless blend of classical and contemporary design and text, the production creates a world that feels timeless.
The dynamic cast features Benjamin Bass (Prince/Friar John/Ensemble), Brian Cowden (Paris), Jared Delaney (Capulet), Charlie DelMarcelle (Friar Lawrence), Tyler S. Elliott (Mercutio), Frank Jimenez (Tybalt), Dave Johnson (Montague/Apothecary) , Travoye Joyner (Benvolio), Maggie Lakis (Nurse), Gabe Moses (Romeo), Patricia Noonan (Lady Capulet), Francesca Santodomingo (Juliet) and Jameka Monet Wilson (Ensemble).
If You Go:
Romeo and Juliet begins previews on March 5, 2026, and runs through April 5, 2026, on the F. Otto Haas Stage. Single ticket prices vary by performance. Tickets are available at ardentheatre.org, by phone at 215.922.1122, or at the box office at Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street).
