{"id":30917,"date":"2019-02-07T07:42:49","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T12:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=30917"},"modified":"2019-02-07T07:42:54","modified_gmt":"2019-02-07T12:42:54","slug":"on-stage-second-chance-to-see-finding-neverland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=30917","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Second chance to see Finding Neverland"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Finding Neverland. Photo: Jeremy Daniel<\/p><\/div>\n

If you missed the opportunity to see \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d when it played Philadelphia a little more than a year ago, you now have a second chance to catch a performance of the hit musical.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, be aware \u2013 if you snooze, you lose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinding Neverland\u201d is returning to the area for a run at The Playhouse on Rodney Square (10th\u00a0and Market streets, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577<\/a>,\u00a0www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/a>). But, unlike most shows that sit down for a week when they\u2019re here, the shows in Wilmington will run for just four days \u2013 February 7-10.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinding Neverland\u201d is a Broadway musical that tells the fascinating story of how Peter became Pan. Based on the Academy Award\u00ae-winning film of the same name, it has been brought to extraordinary life by the team behind \u201cShakespeare in Love,\u201d \u201cChicago\u201d and \u201cPippin.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The show follows playwright J.M. Barrie, who needs a big hit to save his floundering career. He finds the inspiration he\u2019s been missing when he meets the beautiful widow Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and her four young sons \u2014 Jack, George, Michael and Peter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Delighted by the boys\u2019 hilarious escapades, Barrie conjures the magical world of Neverland and writes a play unlike any the high-society London theatergoers have ever seen. It\u2019s a tremendous risk, but as Barrie himself has discovered\u2014when you believe, you can fly.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible, and the wonder of childhood lasts forever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tony Award\u00ae winner Diane Paulus (\u201cPippin,\u201d \u201cHair\u201d) directs this innovative new musical featuring an original score by noted songwriter\/composer Gary Barlow and Grammy Award\u00ae winner Eliot Kennedy, with a book by celebrated playwright James Graham.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starring in the show are Ruby Gibbs as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and Jeff Sullivan as J.M. Barrie.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRehearsals started on September 1,\u201d said Gibbs, during a recent phone interview from a tour stop in Dayton, Ohio.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe left New York City for Elmira, New York to tech the show and then opened on October 2 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe had three week-long sold-out runs in January. Then, we went back to split weeks and one-nighters. When we come to Delaware, it will be one of the split weeks. We\u2019re in Wilmington, North Carolina the week before we come to Wilmington, Delaware.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cFinding Neverland\u201d was last produced on Broadway in 2016. The production went through some changes when it went on the road. Thecreative team took the first 20 minutes and reworked it \u2013 revamped it and added new songs. Still, it\u2019s equally magical to the Broadway production.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many fans might already be familiar with \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d from the movie of the same name. The musical is similar to the movie. It tells the same story \u2013 how J.M. interacts with the Sylvie and her family.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had seen \u2018Finding Neverland\u2019 when I was young with our family watching the movie,\u201d said Gibbs. \u201cWhen the auditions opened for the musical, I chose not to watch the movie. I didn\u2019t want to watch it again until I booked this role.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI remembered the backstory of how Peter Pan was inspired. The musical is a much happier version than the movie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFinding Neverland\u201d is a show about the power of belief\u2026of imagination\u2026of never growing up\u2026.and of flying. It\u2019s childlike in that way. For adults, it takes them back to their childhood \u2013 back to more innocent times. It\u2019s also a good \u2018date show\u2019 because it\u2019s a love story.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great role because I get to fall in love every night,\u201d said Gibbs. \u201cIt\u2019s a huge honor to play the Kate Winslet role. People say that I remind them of Kate Winslet. This character is the epitome of grace, power and gentleness. She is powerful and graceful at the same time \u2013 the qualities of a good mother \u2013 be strong and be patient. With this character, I see a lot of my mom and how she raised us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This show is set in 1903 but it has a contemporary feel.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences love it,\u201d said Gibbs. \u201cIt gives the audience two hours solace from the real world. It makes them laugh and cry. It\u2019s perfect for people of all ages.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe story of Peter Pan is so fascinating and so beloved. It\u2019s a reminder that you never have to grow up. And, that you can find good even in dark places.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/uC3LxcC9wn8<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show is running now through February 10 at The Playhouse on Rodney Square. Show times are Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Friday, Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start at $40.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back in 2015, The Playhouse presented \u201cGuys and Dolls\u201d \u2013 one of musical theater\u2019s legendary productions. It also played there in 2001 with Maurice Hines in the role of Nathan Detroit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Guys and Dolls<\/p><\/div>\n

Now, the timeless show is back in Delaware for a multi-week run at the Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313<\/a>,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuys and Dolls\u201d is one of the all-time classics of American musical theater. It features music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and is based on a pair of short stories by Damon Runyon.<\/span><\/p>\n

The hit musical opened on Broadway in 1950, ran for more than 1,200 performances and won five Tony Awards in 1951 — Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical.<\/span><\/p>\n

Runyon\u2019s short stories, which were written in the 1920s and 1930s, featured gangsters, gamblers and other assorted unsavory characters from New York\u2019s seedy underworld. Runyon was known for the unique dialect he employed in his stories — a mixture of highly formal language and slang.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show revolves around four main characters — Miss Adelaide, a veteran night club performer; Sky Masterson, a professional gambler addicted to his profession; Sergeant Sarah Brown, a prim and proper member of a Salvation Army style band; and Nathan Detroit, who runs an illegal floating crap game.<\/span><\/p>\n

The talented cast at the Candlelight Theatre features Julia Kershetsky as Sarah Brown, Shaun Yates as Nathan Detroit, Rebecca Schall as Miss Adelaide and Bob Miller as Sky Masterson.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI did a production of \u2018Guys and Dolls\u2019 this summer \u2013 a concert version,\u201d said Kershetsky, during a phone interview Wednesday night from her home in Philadelphia. \u201cIt\u2019s one of my husband\u2019s favorite shows so I\u2019ve listened to the soundtrack of \u2018Guys and Dolls\u2019 a lot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Guys and Dolls\u2019 is a wonderful show. It\u2019s a show you know well \u2013 almost subconsciously. Everyone knows the movie so well with Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra. I\u2019ve been familiar with it for a long time because I grew up listening to old musicals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kershetsky graduated from Boyertown High School, where she was involved in theater productions as well as playing varsity field hockey and lacrosse. She then got a degree in classical vocal performance at Penn State University. She followed with a graduate degree from New York University in musical theater and vocal pedagogy and is currently a professor at Molly College\u2019s Molloy\/CAP21 Theatre Arts Program.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the challenges with this show is how do you keep the old style and still give it your own style,\u201d said Kershetsy. \u201cFor example, \u2018Marry the Man Today\u2019 is a hard song to segue into. With this show, I think it took a minute for all of us to settle into it. It\u2019s one of the few older musicals with equal book and equal music.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe song \u2018I\u2019ll Know\u2019 starts the ball rolling. It\u2019s a standard soprano ballad and I have to make it my own. I love the song \u2018If I Were a Bell.\u2019 But, my favorite number is \u2018More I Cannot Wish You.\u2019 \u2018Sit Down, You\u2019re Rockin\u2019 the Boat\u2019 is the cherry on the sundae.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cGuys and Dolls\u201d is a show that became instantly popular when it premiered on Broadway and has remains very popular for almost seven decades. It has had Broadway revivals in 1976, 1992 and 2009. It opened in London in 1953 and has had West End revivals in 1982, 1996, 2005 and 2015. There was also a 1955 film adaptation starring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the biggest reasons for the show\u2019s continuing popularity is the music. The score is really good. Every single song in the show has become a standard. \u201cLuck Be a Lady\u201d still pops up on contemporary vocalists\u2019 set lists. And, the characters are just as valid today as they were in the 1950s.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences love it because they know it \u2013 their parents knew it,\u201d said Kershetsky. \u201cYou have two love stories going back-and-forth. And, it\u2019s a funny show. Any audience \u2013 no matter the age \u2013 can find something enjoyable in this show.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Candlelight Theatre\u2019s production of \u201cGuys and Dolls\u201d is running now through February 24. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.). Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $63 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12).<\/span><\/p>\n

Winter always seems to be the season that live theater flourishes. In addition to the shows now running in Delaware, there is major theater-related activity in Philadelphia.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>This week, Theatre Philadelphia is welcoming the return of Philly Theatre Week with 81 organizations, 100 events and more than 300 performances now through February 17. This year\u2019s Philly Theatre Week is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The festive 11-day celebration will showcase the vibrant and diverse theatre scene in the tri-state region with the goal of making liv theater even more accessible to the community. Participating organizations range from professional regional theaters to local community theaters, to self-producing artists, and everything in between.<\/span><\/p>\n

Events will include full performances, workshops, panels and more in Philadelphia and the Philly suburbs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. All tickets for participating shows are free, $15 or $30. Philly Theatre Week tickets are officially on sale now at www.phillytheatreweek.org<\/a> and through the TodayTix app. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to continue Philly Theatre Week as a new annual tradition in our region, celebrating the breadth and diversity of artists and organizations that make Philadelphia a vibrant hub for performing arts.\u201d said Theatre Philadelphia Executive Director Leigh Goldenberg.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re a marketing and leadership organization for the theater community in Philadelphia. Philly Theatre Week <\/a>was designed to introduce new audiences to our region\u2019s theatre scene, while encouraging existing theatre-goers to step out of their comfort zone and try something new with a variety of events and discounted price points.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I started at Theatre Philadelphia, the primary focus was on the Barrymore Awards. I noticed there was a large amount of work around the region that didn\u2019t fall into the Barrymore category. So, I looked at what other cities were doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Goldenberg soon began work on the new project.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started planning the first Philly Theatre Week in spring 2017,\u201d said Goldenberg. \u201cI announced it at the 2017 Barrymore Awards and soon started getting submissions. Last year, Philly Theatre Week ran from February 8-15. We intentionally picked this time of year because there is a lot of theater activity happening. Also, going to live theater is a nice activity for Valentine\u2019s Day and Presidents Day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, we had 83 events. This year, we have 100 events and well over 300 individual performances from indie artists presenting free events to Opera Philadelphia, Philadelphia Theater Company and the Kimmel Center. We have community theaters in the suburbs \u2013 Trenton, Bucks County, Wilmington, the Main Line. There are musical events, improv theater, jazz events, new plays. We just ask that any performing group have tickets for participating shows priced free, $15 or $30.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Sweat<\/p><\/div>\n

Local productions include Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center\u2019s \u201cJazz Cocktail Hour,\u201d People\u2019s Light\u2019s \u201cSweat\u201d by Lynn Notage, Delaware Theatre Company\u2019s \u201cSaint Joan,\u201d and Media Theatre Company\u2019s \u201cJulius Caesar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Area premieres are Philly Improv Theatre\u2019s \u201cThank You, Places,\u201d Philadelphia Dramatists Center\u2019s \u201cHeartbreak Hotel,\u201d Curio Theatre Company\u2019s \u201cThree Sisters, By Rashdash, After Chekhov,\u201d Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium\u2019s \u201cDream Girl by Elmer Rice,\u201d Val Dun & Jenna Kuerzi\u2019s \u201cJohnny Depp: a Retrospective on Late Stage Capitalism,\u201d EgoPo Classic Theatre\u2019s \u201cThree Sisters Two,\u201d Hella Fresh Theatre\u2019s \u201cCana of Galilee,\u201d Theatre Exile\u2019s \u201cAn Oak Tree,\u201d and Inis Nua\u2019s \u201cBox Clever.\u201d
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the featured classics are Opera Philadelphia\u2019s \u201cA Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream,\u201d The Wilma Theater\u2019s \u201cRomeo and Juliet,\u201d Philadelphia Theatre Company\u2019s \u201cBridges of Madison County,\u201d The Savoy Company\u2019s \u201cCome, Bumpers! A Night of Gilbert and Sullivan and Cocktails,\u201d and Quintessence Theatre Group\u2019s \u201cAwake and Sing!,\u201d Bristol Riverside Theatre\u2019s \u201cOn Golden Pond,\u201d and Bucks County Playhouse\u2019s \u201cBuddy: The Buddy Holly Story.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Black History Month-themed events include August Wilson Consortium\u2019s \u201cThe Black Experience in the Art of Drama: Revisiting the Works of August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, Amiri Baraka, and James Baldwin,\u201d Beacon Theatre Production\u2019s \u201cThe Spirit of Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I A Woman?,\u201d EgoPo Classic Theatre\u2019s \u201cBook Club Discussion: We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates,\u201d Theatre in the X\u2019s \u201cThe Colored Museum at the African American Museum of Philadelphia,\u201d Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Collective\u2019s \u201cDetroit ’67,\u201d Passage Theatre\u2019s \u201cTo My Unborn Child: A Love Letter from Fred Hampton,\u201d and Arden Theatre Company\u2019s \u201c74 Seconds…to Judgement.\u201d
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Goldenberg, \u201cTheatre Philadelphia wanted to create a new signature program that would draw even more attention to the region\u2019s theatre organizations and artists. We wanted to make a big and impactful statement about the importance of theatre in our city and region, and bring artists together in a collaborative and equitable format. Like Philly Beer Week, Center City Restaurant Week or Philly Tech Week, this festival celebrated theatre alongside our city\u2019s other flagship events that are nationally known and recognized.\u201d
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

For additional information, please visit www.phillytheatreweek.com<\/a> or call 267-761-9950.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0<\/span>http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a><\/span>) presents Better Than Bacon Improv Comedy – Bacon Gives Back to Tick Tock Early Learning Center<\/a> on February 7, The Melton Brothers Duo & The Sin City Duo<\/a> on February 8, Chris Barron (of Spin Doctors)<\/a> \u00a0on February 9, Lucy Kaplansky on February 10, andCalifornia Guitar Trio + Montreal Guitar Trio<\/a> on February 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, <\/span>www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a><\/span>) will host \u201cOpen Mic Night\u201d on February 7 and The Philadelphia Main Line Ukulele Meetup Group on February 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0<\/span>http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/a><\/span>) hosts SimpleFires, Florida Wayne Band and The Climaxers on February 9.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0<\/span>www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a><\/span>) will present Donna the Buffalo with special guest Miz on February 8, Tim Reynolds & TR3 with special guest That 1 Guy on February 9, and Winter Doldrums on February 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) presents Masters of Illusion Live<\/a> on February 7, and \u201cLonesome Traveler: A Concert featuring Peter Yarrow\u201d on February 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0<\/span>www.st94.com<\/a><\/span>) hosts Echoes (Pink Floyd Tribute) on February 8, Mario The Maker Magician on February 9, California Guitar Trio & Montr\u00e9al Guitare Trio on February 10, Ladysmith Black Mambazo on February 11, and Drivin\u2019 N Cryin\u2019 on February 12.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Locks at Sona (4417 Main Street, Manayunk, 484- 273-0481, sonapub.com<\/a>) presents Teddy Thompson with special guest Lisa Bastoni on February 8 and John Eddie with special guest Nalani & Sarina on February 9.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Entertainment Editor, The Times If you missed the opportunity to see \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d when it played Philadelphia a little more than a year ago, you now have a second chance to catch a performance of the hit musical. But, be aware \u2013 if you snooze, you lose. \u201cFinding Neverland\u201d is returning to the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[6518,9727,6170,10963,10962],"class_list":["post-30917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-finding-neverland","tag-guys-and-dolls","tag-sweat","tag-theatre-philadelphia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30917"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30918,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30917\/revisions\/30918"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}