On Stage: Unique background drives Lacey’s comedy
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Shapel Lacey
Standup comedians follow different paths before arriving at their careers in comedy.
One popular current comic grew up as one of the few black teens in a poor white neighborhood in Arizona.
One spent time as a guitarist in a punk rock band prior to becoming a professional comic.
One attended college on a cheerleading scholarship.
One...
On Stage: Jim Brickman’s music is soothing to the soul
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Jim Brickman
Jim Brickman’s music always has a warm, soothing quality – a sound that has endeared him to fans for nearly three decades.
This weekend will be a busy weekend for Brickman, who is one of the best-selling solo pianists of our time with more than 20 Number One albums and more than 40 Top 20 radio singles in Billboard Magazine.
First...
On Stage: Candlelight opens new season with ‘Clever Little Lies’
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Attending live performances of plays is nowhere near in the immediate future – in Pennsylvania.
It is somewhat different in Delaware.
Theater fans in the First State have reason to rejoice because a new season is starting at the Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) this weekend.
April 23...
On Stage: Broza’s April 17 show will aid COVID relief
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
David Broza
When David Broza performs a show on April 17 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com), it will be special in several ways.
This is an album release concert for “en Casa Limon,” which is Broza’s first all-instrumental guitar album.
It is also a charity event. All proceeds benefit...
On Stage: Belardo returns to her Wilmington roots
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Maya Belardo
The live entertainment scene over the last seven or eight months has been similar to flowers growing in outdoor gardens.
Almost nothing has survived over the winter months except for pansies. It’s ironic that the word ‘pansy’ is used as an insult meaning “a weak man’ when, in reality, the pansy is a strong flower that can...
On Stage: Aziza Nailah brings music back to The Queen
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Aziza Nailah
Live music is starting to slowly return after being relegated to the trash heap for more than a year because of COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.
This weekend, there are a variety of shows around the area including several that can be classified as “firsts” – including Aziza Nailah’s show at The Queen and shows at the Sellersville...
On Stage: An exploration of ‘Dull Space’ at Candlelight
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Cast members (left & right) Rebecca Schalland Dan Healy and ‘Dull Space’ writer and director Brian McCole (center).
Picture a couple living together who for the last year – because of the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown — have never been out of each other’s company.
Both work at home and rarely leave the safe confines of...
On Stage: Cotton finds ways to overcome tragedy, headlining at Sellersville
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Danielia Cotton
The COVID-19 pandemic has ripped through the music industry – especially the live aspect of the music world — like a California wildfire relentless torching thousands of acres.
Fortunately, things are looking up – if only a little.
The fires have not been extinguished — but they have been controlled a bit. There...
On Stage: Arnez J. headlining at Helium
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Arnez J.
Because of the pandemic, live entertainment by national acts is virtually non-existent in this area – and it is no laughing matter.
Fortunately, there are a few venues still presenting shows – and it is a laughing matter.
Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia has been presenting nationally acclaimed comedy acts on a regular basis for...
On Stage: Akaash Singh thrives on having a live audience
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Akaash Singh
There seem to be two main types of standup comedians.
Some give performances that are a series of bits – jokes and routines they have honed to elicit laughs from audiences. Others spend much of their time onstage interacting with audiences in a conversational way – talking about audience members’ dates, their clothing or their...
