On Stage: Two very different musicals come to the Delaware Valley
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Book of Mormon
There are two national tours of Broadway hit musicals that are making return visits to the area this week – one which is definitely not geared for children and one that is geared for an audience that can look at the show through the eyes of a child.
The show that is basically “for adults only” is “Book of Mormon” which is...
On Stage: ‘Thurgood’ comes to People’s Light
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Thurgood
Over the last few weeks, there have been two shows at area theaters with a focus on civil rights leaders. The first was “The Mountaintop,” a show about Martin Luther King, Jr. that just finished a run at the Uptown Knauer in West Chester.
Now through March 19, People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org) is presenting...
On Stage: Wolf makes Philly debut at The Foundry
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Julia Wolf
In this era of cookie-cutter copy-cat modern pop, finding an original artist is a rarity. Finding something that makes the ears perk up and the brain smile is like buying a lottery scratch-off with a six-figure payoff.
Thankfully, every once in a while, a singer comes along who doesn’t follow the pack.
Fortunately, 2023 is a year when...
On Stage: Chesco native has key role in ‘Anastasia’
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Madeline Raube
When the national tour of the hit musical “Anastasia” visits Wilmington this week for a four-day run at The Playhouse on Rodney Square (1007 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, www.thegrandwilmington.org/venues/the-playhouse/), an actress from Chester County will be playing one of the lead roles.
The show, which is running...
On Stage: Deni Bonet brings special violin skills to Jamey’s
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Deni Bonet
Deni Bonet takes the violin to places most musicians don’t even dream about – and gladly takes listeners along for the ride.
On January 14, Bonet will be taking the audience at Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) along for the ride – a thrilling ride that spans...
On Stage ‘Jagged Little Pill’ comes to Philly
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Jagged Little Pill
The first touring Broadway presentation of 2023 has arrived – and it’s a good one.
Now through January 15, the Kimmel Cultural Campus (250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org) is presenting the Philly premiere of the hit Broadway musical, “Jagged Little Pill” at the Academy of Music.
“Jagged...
On Stage: Blue Man Group comes to Kimmel
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Blue Man Group
Back in the late 1960s when a lot of British bands were playing songs by blues masters such as Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, a question frequently asked was “Can white men sing the blues?”
In 1968, a British music group called the Bonzo Dog Band countered with a song called “Can blue men sing the whites?”
Years later, there...
On Stage: ‘Tina’ tops wide rage of theater options in the area
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Tina – the Tina Turner Musical
The calendar for late November and December each year always features a plethora Christmas and holiday events.
Fortunately, for those who seek a brief respite from the full onslaught of holiday activities, special sales and the endless ringing of Salvation Army bells, there are several top-flight theater productions...
On Stage: A fun ‘Panto’ from People’s Light
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto
When the Christmas holidays arrive, it means it’s also time for a panto arrive at People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, peopleslight.org). This year, it’s “Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto,” which is running now through January 1, 2023.
Each year, the People’s Light holiday panto transforms...
On Stage Extra: Julia Othmer returns to the Delaware Valley
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Julia Othmer
In some ways, there are many similarities between Julia Othmer and Andy Reid.
Both are Kansas City residents and are loved in that city.
Both are former Philadelphia residents and are still loved in this city.
Both excel at what they do and have built a legion of fans around the world over the last two decades.
Reid may be more well-known...
