Spotlight Theatre Spins April 19

Note the new performance location: Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050

Ticket link: Spotlight Theatre (spotlighttheatrepa.org)

‘110 In The Shade’ at Footlighters

Footlighters Theater in Berwyn, PA, will present

April 4-13

Music by Harvey Schmidt
Lyrics by Tom Jones
Book by N. Richard Nash

Based on Nash’s 1954 play “The Rainmaker” and written by the same team that wrote “The Fantastiks.” It was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical during its original 1964 run and for Best Revival in 2007.

For tickets, visit AudienceView Professional

Footlighters is at 58 Main Ave, Berwyn, PA

BRT Presents ‘In the Heights’

The electrifying rhythms of Washington Heights pulse through Bristol Riverside Theatre (BRT) this spring as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical, a genre-bending blend of hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul, In the Heights, takes the stage March 25 through April 27. BRT’s production is directed by the visionary Carlos Armesto, returning to BRT following his sensory-driven production Odd Man Out in 2023. This season, Armesto brings the beloved hit musical set on the vibrant streets of New York to the stage.

In the Heights celebrates community, and we feel like we are celebrating our own community by inviting everyone over for a fiesta to celebrate the new theatre and the community that made building it possible. – Co-Producing Director Ken Kaissar who serves as the show’s producer.

Set over three transformative days, In the Heights captures the rhythm of a community on the brink of change, where love, loss, and dreams collide under the sweltering summer sun. At the heart of it all is Usnavi de la Vega, played by Daniel L. Melo, the neighborhood’s beloved bodega owner who dreams of a better life while staying grounded by his love for his community.

Usnavi’s bodega is the neighborhood’s heartbeat, where the colorful residents cross paths daily. Vanessa (Sonya Hernández), Usnavi’s love interest, dreams of escaping her troubled home life to make it downtown. Meanwhile, Benny (Wesley Hodges), who works for Kevin Rosario’s (Victor Rodríguez, Jr.) car service, fights for Nina’s (Paula Gaudier) love while navigating his place as an outsider in this close knit community. Suzanna Guzman brings to life the neighborhood’s matriarch, Abuela Claudia, who embodies the community’s heart and history. The stakes rise with the summer heat, culminating in a blackout that threatens to change everything.

Since its Broadway debut at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (2008), following an Off-Broadway run at 37 Arts Theatre (2007), In the Heights has garnered critical acclaim, winning four Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations. The original cast album later secured a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2009, cementing its place in the American musical canon.

Latino Theatre Night

In the Heights is complemented by a Latino Theatre Night (En Español) special event presentation of the musical on April 5. Ticket purchasers are invited to an evening celebrating Latino and Hispanic theatre-
makers, community, and culture. Included with an individual ticket to this show, guests will enjoy ligh refreshments at a pre-show social mixer and an optional post-show conversation with director Carlos
Armesto, community leaders, and the cast.

Tickets are available at 215-785-0100, brtstage.org.

On stage March 25 through April 27.

Bristol Riverside Theatre is at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA

‘State Fair’ Next for RVC&O

The Frake family will be portrayed by Sophie Bloom (Margie), Jeff Swafford (Abel), Lisa Franks (Melissa) and Chris Rubino (Wayne).

This spring, return to a simpler time and enjoy an old-fashioned fair as the Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra presents the musical, State Fair, March 29-April 6 at Strath Haven Middle School (SHMS) in Wallingford, PA. The show has music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli. The musical is co-directed by Kathy Michael and Robert Moore with music direction and conducting by Florrie Marks.

RVCO’s cast includes (front row) Steve Nazigian, Folsom; Tim Tillman, Parkside; Sophie Bloom, Collegeville; Ellie Knickman, Ardmore; Marie Maguire, Blue Bell; and (back row) Todd Andrews, Wilmington, DE; Chris Rubino, Drexel Hill; Jeff Swafford, Springfield; and Bill Michael, Wallingford; and Jennifer Heller, Swarthmore.

State Fair features an Academy Award-winning score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, including “It Might as Well Be Spring,” “A Grand Night for Singing” and “Our State Fair.” RVCO’s talented cast and large orchestra are thrilled to be able to perform these beautiful numbers that express the Frake family’s dreams.

State Fair is one of only two Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals that premiered as movies before their stage musical counterparts— the other one was Cinderella, performed by RVCO last spring. RVCO’s version is based on a 1945 movie starring Dana Andrews, Jean Crane and Vivian Blaine. The Broadway premiere of State Fair in 1996 earned both Rodgers and Hammerstein their final, posthumous Tony nominations. Interestingly, the movie was set in Texas and the musical in Iowa.

Behind the scenes, the set designer and production crew are creating sets that will transform the stage into 1946 Iowa, complete with fair booths filled with pickles, pies and pigs, all hoping for that blue ribbon!

If You Go

All performances are at SHMS, 200 S. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086, and include two shows on Saturdays, March 29 and April 5 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, March 30 and April 6 at 2 p.m.; and Wednesday, April 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are general admission and good for any performance. Online tickets can be purchased at http://www.rvco.org/. Cash, checks, and online payments are also available at the door.

For other questions, e-mail tickets@rvco.org or call our RVCO hotline at 610-565-5010.

‘Dreamgirls’ Closes Walnut Street’s 216th Season

Walnut Street Theatre (WST) is thrilled to bring the acclaimed award-winning musical “Dreamgirls” to life as they close their 216th season of dreams. This dazzling production begins previews on March 25, opens April 2, and runs through May 4.

Stars rise and fall… but dreams live forever! This sensational Broadway musical tells the story of a 1960s Supremes-like girl group that catches its big break during an amateur competition. But will their friendship – and their music – survive the rapid rise from obscurity to pop super stardom? Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, “Dreamgirls” is a sweeping and inspirational journey with a dazzling production, powerhouse vocal performances, and an unforgettable score filled with pop, R&B, gospel, disco and more!

First premiering on Broadway in 1981, “Dreamgirls” took the theatre world by storm, earning six Tony Awards, including Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Book. With book and lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger, the show’s infectious score and dazzling spectacle quickly cemented it as a Broadway classic. Following its acclaimed original run, “Dreamgirls” was reimagined for a new generation in a star-studded 2006 film adaptation, which won two Academy Awards. In 2016, the show made its long-awaited West End debut at London’s Savoy Theatre, where it played to sold-out crowds and earned critical acclaim, including two Olivier Awards for acting performances. Decades after its debut, “Dreamgirls” continues to shine as a beloved staple of musical theatre, capturing the soul and spirit of an era.

Leading the cast as The Dreams, the trio at the heart of the story, are AVEENA SAWYER as the powerhouse Effie White, GABRIELLE BECKFORD as the ambitious Deena Jones, and KHALIFA WHITE as the lively Lorrell Robinson; all three are making their Walnut debuts in these roles. CHALI COOKE (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical) joins as Michelle, rounding out the evolving girl group as they navigate the music industry’s highs and lows.

CLAYTON CORNELIOUS makes his Walnut debut as he takes on the role of the electrifying James “Thunder” Early, with JARRAN MUSE also making his debut as the smooth yet ruthless Curtis Taylor Jr. DEVIN L. ROBERTS (Hairspray) portrays C.C. White, the young songwriter with big dreams, while Tony Award nominee (The Scottsboro Boys) FORREST MCCLENDON (Finian’s Rainbow) brings to life Marty, the group’s steadfast advocate and mentor.

If You Go:

Previews begin March 25, 2025 and the show runs through May 4, 2025. Open captioning will be available on Sunday, April 6 for the 7 pm performance; audio description will be available on Thursday, April 17 for the 2pm performance.

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

TICKETS: walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster.com

PCS Theater Showcases New Musical By Local Playwright

A circular, folk art-style illustration titled 'The Ballad of King Henry' featuring a crowned king playing an acoustic guitar. The scene shows him centered against a backdrop of rolling wheat fields, a distant castle, and ornamental wheat stalks in the foreground. The design uses a limited color palette of navy, gold, and sage green, with decorative stars and birds scattered throughout.

The Ballad of King Henry

Music and Lyrics by Jeffrey Barg & Book by Sally Ollove; Conceived by Benjamin Kamine

Directed by: Mike Sokolowski

You never knew Shakespeare was all about the hootenanny. This raucous original new musical presents the Bard’s classic tale of a prince’s coming-of-age as it was intended–with all the foot-stomping, harmonica-blowing, acoustic-throwdown tunes your boxcar-riding bones can handle. The Ballad of King Henry adapts Shakespeare’s story of Henry IV, Prince Hal, Hotspur and Falstaff–arguably the greatest character the Bard ever wrote–to the sound of folk music.

Kamine, Barg and Ollove—who first collaborated more than 20 years ago in their college Shakespeare troupe—hatched this Henry IV adaptation as a Fringe show, whose original presentation married Shakespeare’s text with Barg’s original music and lyrics. Following that 2011 production, Barg added a slew of additional songs, while Ollove replaced Shakespeare’s text with a wholly original book that still follows the Bard’s story.

“Folk music has always seemed like the right vehicle for my favorite Shakespeare play,” says Barg. “Long before he goes on to be the towering Henry V, Prince Hal spends his time hanging out in bars with Falstaff—very much a man of the people. So it makes sense for him to be singing the people’s music. And Shakespeare himself is no elitist—his plays were truly popular entertainment.”

Ollove is associate artistic director of the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, and Barg also wrote the music and lyrics for The Angry Grammarian, which had a sold-out world premiere run in Philadelphia in 2024.

- - Prince Hal: Scott Berkowitz
  - King Henry: Harley Diamond
  - Falstaff: Max Segarnick
  - Hotspur: Zachary Zalis
  - Lady Percy: Amanda Strydio
  - The Douglas: Abrham Bogale
  - Blunt: Robert Correas-Rivera
  - Worcester: Bill Thomer
  - Quickley: Maura Taylor
  - Bardolph: Isaac William Anderson
  - Poins: Taylor Kellar
  - Ensemble: Aleeza Furman, Geoffrey Pizzuto, Kayla Bowe & Madison Claus

Performance Dates

Dates: Friday March 28, 7:30PM
Saturday March 29, 7:30pm
Sunday March 30, 2PM
Thursday April 3, 7:30PM
Friday April 4, 7:30PM
Saturday April 5, 7:30PM
Venue: PCS Theater 2nd Stage (not handicapped accessible), 614 Fairview Rd, Swarthmore, PA 19081
Tickets: Tickets are available online at pcstheater.org.

‘The Little Mermaid’ at SALT

The Little Mermaid comes to SALT Performing Arts with two casts March 27 – April 27, 2025.

“The Little Mermaid” is based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. It is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.”

The Little Mermaid will be performed by two casts: Acting Antics All-Abilities performers and actors from SALT Performing Arts.

In 2018, a group of leaders at SALT Performing Arts sat around a table and talked about dreams for how the vision for SALT’s theatre company could grow and make a larger impact in the community. One idea that was generated was to start a program whereby people of all-abilities could have the chance to experience the magic of storytelling in community with others through a stage production. After this idea was announced to the community, it was brought to SALT’s attention that an organization doing exactly that was already in existence in Chester County, and had been for over a decade, but they needed a new home for rehearsals and productions. This birthed the partnership between SALT and Acting Antics.

Acting Antics was founded in 2007 and offers unique opportunities for children, teens, and adults who have difficulty with social skills or a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, or who simply want to make friends in a safe and truly welcoming environment. They believe in using the creative arts to encourage social skills and communication growth. For the past 5 years, SALT has opened its doors for Acting Antics to rehearse their show in the Fall and Winter, and then partners to help produce the show with a set and the technical aspects of lights, sound, and special effects in the Spring.

If You Go:

This production takes place at the West Chester location: 19 Hagerty Blvd., West Chester PA 19382
Show runs March 27 – April 27, 2025.
Show schedule:
- Friday, April 4, 7, 7 PM | Dressy Attire & Champagne Opening Night
- Saturday, April 5, 2 PM, 7 PM
- Sunday, April 6, 2 PM
- Friday, April 11, 7 PM
- Saturday, April 12, 10 AM & 3 PM
- Sunday, April 13, 10 AM & 3 PM
- Friday, April 18, 7 PM
- Saturday, April 19, 2 PM, 7 PM
- Saturday, April 26, 10 AM & 3 PM
- Sunday, April 27, 10 AM & 3 PM
Show schedule ACTING ANTICS:
- Thursday, March 27, 7 PM
- Friday, March 28, 7 PM
- Saturday, March 29, 2 PM
- Sunday, March 30, 2 PM
Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.saltpa.com/littlemermaid
All ticket sales are final.
If you need handicap accessibility, please choose seats in the Front Row D for handicapped accessible seating (ground level) and email jelliott@saltpa.com to confirm.
Due to the “in the round” seating setup, latecomers cannot be seated right away. Once the show has begun, there are limited opportunities to be seated until the ship docks at intermission. Please plan to arrive at SALT West Chester early enough to be seated prior to showtime.
If you book your tickets on a mobile device, the system will choose the best available for you. If you book your tickets on a computer, you have the option of choosing your own seats.
SALT is mask-optional for audience members. Performers will not be wearing masks.
As part of a 10-year partnership with Chester County Food Bank, SALT will be collecting canned/pouch tuna in water for the Chester County Food Bank at every performance, as we believe everyone in Chester County should have “SALT” on their table. $1.00 from every ticket sale is directly donated to the Chester County Food Bank.

Act II Playhouse Presents ‘Dial M For Murder’

Act II Playhouse announces its latest production, “Dial M For Murder” adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the Frederick Knott original.

The classic thriller, which originally premiered in 1952, finds disgruntled husband Tony Wendice convinced that this wife, Margot, is having an affair. In his jealousy, he will concoct a scheme to commit the perfect murder. His plan goes horribly awry guaranteeing edge-of-your-seat suspense in this tale of deception and murder. The play was memorably adapted to film in 1954 by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Grace Kelly.

Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher adapted the original with a scrupulous eye for detail, using Frederick Knott’s original notes to put a modern twist on the 70-year-old play. “The Frederick Knott Estate was particularly moved by my adaptation,” said Hatcher. “I was well acquainted with the original play and the film and it was a pleasure to find new plot twists in this time-honored material.”

Dial M For Murder is being performed in the tradition of last season’s sumptuous production of ‘Gaslight’ at the Playhouse. Playhouse audiences will delight in untangling the mystery of this suspenseful thriller and find themselves pushed to the edge of their seat.” – Act II Artistic Director, Tony Braithwaite

Several members of the “Gaslight” production team reunite for this production including director Kate Brennan who also directed Act II’s beloved production of “Eleanor” (2022). On stage, Jessica Dalcanton (Mrs. Manningham in “Gaslight”) returns to the Playhouse in the role of femme fatale, Maxine Hadley.

The cast is rounded out by Jamison Foreman as Tony Wendice, Anna Marie Sell as Margot Wendice, Mark Swift as Captain Lesgate, and Paul L. Nolan as Inspector Hubbard. Sell, Swift, and Nolan are all making their Act II Playhouse debuts.

If You Go

Previews begin Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Opens Friday, March 28, 2025.
The production closes on April 27, 2025.

Ticket prices start at $32 and are available online at act2.org, by calling the Act II Box Office at 215-654-0200, or in-person at the Box Office at 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, PA. The Box Office is open Mon-Sat, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Student tickets are $15 and group discounts are available.

RVCO presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘State Fair’ March 29-April 6.

Rose Valley Chorus and Orchestra (RVCO) presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “State Fair” March 29-April 6. The talented RVCO cast brings to life the award-winning music of Richard Rodgers and beautiful lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II. The show is based on the book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli, screenplay by Oscar Hammerstein II and the novel by Phil Stong.

Return to a simpler time, the Summer of 1946, as the Frake family excitedly anticipates the Iowa State Fair. Melissa and Abel have “blue ribbon” hopes and their children, Margy and Wayne, attend as young adults, bringing their dreams and cares in tow.

The two siblings meet newspaper reporter, Pat, and band singer, Emily, and they realize that life is more than the farm at home; the trip to the fair is more than a simple journey across the state.

Entwined in this beautiful love story, State Fair reminds us how a rash decision, a chance meeting, or the unexpected can change our lives forever.

If You Go:

Performances are at Strath Haven Middle School, 200 South Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086.

All tickets are general admission and good for any performance. Online tickets can be purchased at http://www.rvco.org/. Cash, checks, and online sales are also available at the door.

Adult – $25.00

Senior (60+)/Student – $20.00

Child (12 and under) – $10.00

Performances:

Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 30 at 2 p.m.

Wednesday, April 2 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m.

For other questions, e-mail tickets@rvco.org or call 610-565-5010.

Inis Nua Presents the American Premiere of ‘Iphigenia in Splott’

Inis Nua presents “Iphigenia in Splott” by Gary Owens March 12-30, 2025

We’re in Splott, a run-down industrial area in the Welsh capital. A young woman stumbles down the street, still drunk in the early dawn. This is Effie. Her life is an aimless, messy cycle of partying and vicious hangovers–until one fateful night gives her the chance to be so much more. Inspired by a Greek myth, this pulse-pounding modern story will make you fall in love with a tough and vulnerable young woman who must make impossible sacrifices for her battered community. Performed by a single actor but epic in scale, this modern Iphigenia (meaning “born to strength”) is brought to life by the electrifying Philadelphia actor Campbell O’Hare.

Performances at Louis Bluver Theater at the Drake, 302 South Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Ticket/info link: Iphigenia in Splott | Inis Nua

Inis Nua Theatre Company performs Mainstage Productions at The Louis Bluver Theatres at The Drake, 302 South Hicks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 and Pop-Up Plays at Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107