Nancy and Bill are having a quiet dinner in their unit at Grand Horizons senior community when suddenly Nancy announces, “I think I would like a divorce.”  Bill, unfazed, replies, “All right.” So begins Bess Wohl’s Tony-nominated Grand Horizons, a comedy-drama of marital and family discord. 

The Stagecrafters’ upcoming production of Bess Wohl’s “Grand Horizons,” features (from left) Linda Palmarozza as Nancy, James Jesberger as Ben and Dan Crozier as Bill. Photo by Joanne Davis.

As their children descend to try to mend their parents’ fifty-year marriage, the explosive and comic revelations mount as they discover that they really did not know their parents. 

Bess Wohl is a playwright and filmmaker. Her plays have been performed on and off Broadway at such theaters as Second Stage, Manhattan Theater Club and the Goodman Theater among others. 

If You Go

The Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave, Phila, PA 19118

• Performance dates: Feb 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 @ 8pm
• Feb 9, 16, 23 @ 2pm
• Tickets $26 online, $30 at the door. Discounts available.

Visit:  http://www.thestagecrafters.org for more information or call 215-247-9913 for reservations

Rose Valley-based Hedgerow Theatre Company announces three new productions for its Winter/Spring season in 2025. The theatre’s presentations are highlighted by a U.S. premiere of a reimagined Henrik Ibsen classic, a Hedgerow Studio Series production offering a revelatory take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and a regional premiere of a poignant and satirical play by Oscar-nominated director and playwright Celine Song. 

This season celebrates the power of storytelling through bold, reimagined perspectives—both timeless and contemporary. We showcase voices that challenge, inspire, and connect us, from Stef Smith’s evocative reframing of Ibsen’s masterwork to Celine Song’s deeply personal exploration that plunges the depths of the ocean and self, and the intimate retelling of Shakespeare’s ultimate play about ambition, power, and moral corruption. I’m thrilled to collaborate with truly extraordinary teams of artists for each production and to invite our audiences to experience these unforgettable works.  – Marcie Bramucci, Hedgerow’s Executive Artistic Director.

Hedgerow’s next season begins in March with the U.S. premiere of Nora: A Doll’s House by Scottish Olivier Award-winning playwright and director Stef Smith. Directed by Emma Gibson, the play is an adaptation of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play A Doll’s House, which follows Nora, the “perfect” wife and mother. She is dutiful, beautiful, and everything is in its right place. But when a secret from Nora’s past comes back to haunt her, her life rapidly unravels. Over the course of three days, Nora must fight to protect herself and her family or risk losing everything.  Hedgerow’s U.S.  premiere production of Nora: A Doll’s House runs from March 12 to April 6. 

In addition to Nora: A Doll’s House, the theatre continues with the Hedgerow Studio Series production of Tim Crouch’s unique one-man show I, Banquo, directed by Peter DeLaurier. The play invites audiences to revisit Shakespeare’s Macbeth through the eyes of the titular Scottish King’s murdered best friend, Banquo. Overlooked and betrayed, Banquo reflects on the witches’ prophecies that doomed MacBeth and how he might have responded differently if they changed places.  Studio series plays have run times of 45-60 minutes and general admission seating. I, Banquo will be performed in repertory with Nora: A Doll’s House and runs from March 26 to April 6. 

In May, Hedgerow concludes its Winter/Spring series with the regional premiere of the daring and compelling play Endlings by Korean-Canadian director, playwright, and screenwriter Celine Song. On the Korean island of Man-Jae, three elderly women spend their dying days continuing a fading  ancient fishing tradition, diving into the sea with nothing but a knife. On the Island of Manhattan, a Korean-Canadian playwright navigates external expectations of how her identity intersects with the stories she tells. While her plays have been met with critical acclaim, audiences may also recognize Song as the writer and director of the 2023 romantic drama Past Lives, which earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Director. Hedgerow Theatre’s regional premiere of Endlings runs from May 14 to June 1. 

If You Go: 

Hedgerow Theatre Company is at 64 Rose Valley Road, Media, PA 

• Patrons can purchase a two- or three-play series subscription to attend Hedgerow’s upcoming productions, with packages starting at $50.
• Hedgerow’s subscriptions offer theatergoers first access  to performance dates, preferred seating, and savings of up to 35% compared to single-ticket  purchases.
• A Preview Series subscription is $50 and provides tickets to any preview dates during a production’s run. The Opening Night Series, which gets guests in for the opening night performance  for the three shows, is available for $80.
• Patrons can also purchase the Weekday Matinees, Weeknight Series, or Weekend Evenings subscriptions for $70.
• The two-play access subscription, allows audiences to attend weekend matinees that offer pre-show sensory tours, relaxed performances, audio descriptions, and open captioning for just $55. 
• For more information and tickets, visit www.hedgerowtheatre.org.

Walnut Street Theatre (WST) is thrilled to present Noël Coward’s classic comedy “Hay Fever” as part of their 216th season of dreams. The show begins previews on Feb. 11, opens Feb. 19, and runs through March 9. 

In this elegant comedy, Judith Bliss, the once glittering star of the London stage, is still enjoying life with more than a little high drama and the occasional big scene. To spice up her weekend, she invites a young admirer to join her in the country, but her novelist husband and two children also have the same idea, and their unassuming visitors are thrown into a living melodrama. Misjudged meetings, secret seductions and scandalous revelations run riot at the most eccentric of all house parties.  

“Hay Fever” premiered in London’s West End in 1925 and quickly became a hallmark of British theatre. Inspired by Coward’s stay at the home of actress Laurette Taylor, the play showcases Coward’s signature wit and mastery of comedic dialogue. 

Directing this production is Bill Van Horn.

Portraying the famed Bliss family matriarch, Judith, is Walnut veteran ALICIA ROPER (Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit). Judith’s husband, David Bliss, is portrayed by DAN OLMSTEAD (Popcorn  Falls); BRANDON O’ROURKE (Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) and ANNA  BAILEY (Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) play Judith’s adult children: the artistic Simon and quick-witted Sorel, respectively, and round out the Bliss family.

Filling in the world around the eccentric Bliss family is Clara, the family’s reluctant housekeeper,  portrayed by CHARLOTTE NORTHEAST (An Ideal Husband), as well as the various invited guests.  JARED CALHOUN portrays Judith’s guest, Sandy, in his Walnut Mainstage debut and PATRICIA NOONAN also makes her Walnut debut as Myra, the sophisticated and sharp-tongued guest of David. Rounding out the cast is ELLIE MOONEY (Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical) as sweet and timid flapper Jackie, and HARRY SMITH (And Then There Were None) as Sorel Bliss’ guest, Richard Greatham. Each member of the cast brings a unique flair to this ensemble-driven comedy,  ensuring an evening full of laughter and surprises. 

If You Go:

Run Dates: Feb. 11 – March 9, 2025 

Walnut Street Theatre at 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107  PHONE: 215-574-3550  

TICKETS: https://walnutstreettheatre.org/season/show/hay-fever 

WEBSITE: The performance schedule varies weekly. Visit walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster.com  

Grand Horizons

The Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Ave. (Chestnut Hill) 

“Grand Horizons” by Bess Wohl, directed by Jane Toczek, will run:
Feb. 7, 8 8 pm, Feb. 9 2 pm
Feb. 13-15 8 pm, Feb. 16 2 pm
Feb. 20-22 8 pm, Feb. 23 2 pm

www.thestagecrafters.org

Or call 215 247 9913

Discounts available for Seniors and Students with ID

Kick off the new year with Legally Blonde, a fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie. Legally Blonde The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams.

Elle Woods (Maura Taylor) at SALT.

This Musical takes you from the sorority house to the halls of justice in a fabulously fun, pink-blonde-tastic style. On a deeper level, Legally Blonde explores themes of challenging societal stereotypes about femininity, and proving one’s worth despite appearances – highlighting that a woman can be both stylish and intelligent, essentially advocating for the idea that you can be yourself and still achieve success. -Lauren McComas, President and Artistic Director of SALT Performing Arts.

If You Go:

• Friday, January 31, 7, 7 PM | Dressy Attire & Champagne Opening Night

• Saturday, February 1, 2 PM, 7 PM

• Sunday, February 1, 2 PM

• Friday, February 7, 7 PM

• Saturday, February 8, 7 PM

• Sunday, February 9, 2 PM

• Friday, February 14, 7 PM

• Saturday, February 15, 2 PM, 7 PM

• Sunday, February 16, 2 PM

• Friday, February 21, 7 PM

• Saturday, February 22, 2 PM, 7 PM

• Sunday, February 23, 2 PM

• This production takes place at the Chester Springs location: 1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs PA 19425.

• Tickets can be purchased at https://www.saltpa.com/legallyblonde

• All ticket sales are final.
  If you need handicap accessibility, please purchase tickets on a computer (not a mobile device) so that you can select your seats. Choose seats in Row A  and email jelliott@saltpa.com so that they can coordinate letting you in the real accessible entrance (the main entrance is not handicap accessible)

The Media Theatre, 104 E State Street, Media, will present The Lightning Thief, the Percy Jackson musical Feb. 2-March 1, 2025.

Based on the best-selling book, the stage adaption with an original rock score has a message of self-discovery. Join Percy, the half-blood son of a Greek god, as he faces newly-discovered powers he can’t control, a destiny he doesn’t want, and a mythology textbook’s worth of monsters on his trail. When Zeus’s master lightning bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the prime suspect, he has to find and return the bolt to prove his innocence and prevent a war between the gods.

Tickets at Buy: The Lightning Thief – Youth Ensemble Series

The next show of our 2024/2025 Youth Ensemble Series is here! The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. This beloved best-selling book is a must see stage adaption with an original rock score and message of self discovery. Join Percy, the half-blood son of a Greek god, as he faces newly-discovered powers he can’t control, a destiny he doesn’t want, and a mythology textbook’s worth of monsters on his trail. When Zeus’s master lightning bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the prime suspect, he has to find and return the bolt to prove his innocence and prevent a war between the gods. TICKETS

Bristol Riverside Theatre opens their newly-renovated theatre with Anna Deavere Smith’s Fires in the Mirror, directed by BRT’s Amy Kaissar, showing from Feb. 4-23. This tour de force one-woman show explores the historic 1991 Crown Heights Riots, presenting a tapestry of perspectives drawn from over 50 verbatim interviews. Join the incomparable Phyllis Johnson as she transforms into two dozen characters, each with a different truth about those three days.  

Fires in the Mirror marks the inaugural production in BRT’s beautifully renovated theater, boasting new seating and carpeting, increased accessibility, a new HVAC system, and upgraded electrical systems.  Following months of restoration, BRT proudly offers audiences a fresh and upgraded space to experience Anna Deavere Smith’s groundbreaking verbatim theatre storytelling and Johnson’s riveting portrayals. 

Bristol Riverside Theatre is thrilled to welcome Brooklyn-based actor Phyllis Johnson to the stage to inhabit the entire cast of Fires in the Mirror. Known for her depth and charisma, Johnson is a graduate of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University and brings a wealth of experience to this demanding show. Her theater credits include A Naked Girl on the Appian Way on Broadway in 2005, directed by Doug Hughes. Johnson has been nominated for two New York Innovative Theatre Awards: in 2007 for Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role for I’m Through with White Girls at the 45th Street Theatre, and in 2009 for Outstanding Ensemble for Hug at the 14th Street Y. Recent television appearances include Zero Day alongside Robert De Niro, The Equalizer, Uncoupled, Law & Order Season 22, Blue  Bloods, and Pose. As a voice actor, Johnson has contributed to over 400 film and television episodes, including Black Swan (2010), American Gangster (2007), and The Devil Wears Prada (2006).  

With Johnson embodying multiple roles, the play delves into the events that shaped its powerful story, conceived by Anna Deavere Smith in response to the 1991 Crown Heights riots. Fires in the Mirror presents multiple perspectives through verbatim interviews conducted by Smith with over 50 individuals. Politicians, religious leaders, everyday residents, and a range of voices, from grieving family members to community leaders, each offer a unique lens on the events that unfolded on August 19, 1991, when a car from the motorcade of Rabbi Schneerson, leader of the Chabad-Lubovitch movement, struck and killed 7-year-old Gavin Cato and severely injured Gavin’s cousin, Angela Cato. Longstanding tensions erupted into three days of unrest in the neighborhood.  

Originally performed by Smith, the play’s powerful exploration of identity, community, and the aftermath of tragedy captivated audiences and also earned widespread critical acclaim and recognition, beginning with its debut at The Public Theater in New York City (1992). The production was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1993) and won numerous other awards, including the Obie Award for Best New American Play (1993) and Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show. The production was also filmed for PBS.  

This play marks a powerful moment for Bristol Riverside Theatre as we continue our mission to spark conversation and connection. We’re honored to have the immensely talented Phyllis Johnson as the first actor to grace our new stage. – BRT Producing Director Amy Kaissar

Tickets for Fires in the Mirror are available at 215-785-0100, brtstage.org.  Bristol Riverside Theatre is at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA