-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
photo from Russian Ballet by Mikhail Morozov
Philadelphia’s world-class arts and theatre scene is back for 2022 as local theatre and arts groups navigate the pandemic and return for in-person performances. From a major American tour with Russian Ballet for Swan Lake, to the sour love notes by East Passyunk Opera Project, to the Broadway smash musical Choir Boys, to the Irish songs of Folk, the stages this winter and spring will come to life with the sound of music. Here are some upcoming events!
Deceptions: A Magical Night of Mystery and Deception
Mervant the Deceptionist
Every Thursday and Saturday, at 6:30pm / Speakeasy at Vesper, 223 S. Sydenham Street
https://www.deceptionsphilly.com/
Mervant is a Black artist that was born, raised and currently lives in Philly. He started to learn magic in his teens and he’s been perfecting his craft for over 15 years. He combines music with mind-blowing magic, Mervant’s high-energy show features comedy, drama, and interactive audience participation. His ability to entertain everyone makes him one of the most versatile performers working today. Mervant brings a new, fresh and exciting dimension of entertainment. Over the past five years, Mervant has become one of the most sought-after entertainers in the area performing around the world for celebrities and corporations like Philadelphia Eagles, Kesha, Apple, Google, Nike, AirBnb and Sony. The culinary and beverage team will pair new special cocktails made for Deceptions with new and updated cocktails for winter, plus a lite snack menu.
Bristol Riverside Theatre
You and I by Lauren Gunderson, Directed by Gia Forakis
Now – February 13, 2022
Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007
https://www.brtstage.org/?shows=i-and-you
Homebound due to illness, Caroline hasn’t been to school in months. Anthony, a high school athlete, arrives unexpectedly at her door with an urgent group assignment from their English teacher. As the two begin to let down their guards and share their secrets, they uncover the profound mystery that has actually brought them together. The end will leave you speechless. Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)
Inis Nua Theatre Company
American Premiere of Finding Fassbender by Lydia Larson, Directed by Tom Reing
February 9 to 27, 2022
Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake, 302 South Hicks Street
https://inisnuatheatre.org/show/finding-fassbender
Inis Nua Theatre presents the American Premiere of Finding Fassbender, a solo show from actor turned playwright Lydia Larson. When Eve gets a promotion, she moves to London in the hopes of having a glamorous big city life. But soon she discovers that being one in 9 million can be pretty lonely. Feeling at her lowest, a lifeline comes to Eve in the form of a letter for her apartment’s former tenant – Hollywood actor Michael Fassbender. Now all Eve has to do is return this letter to the rightful owner! The production will be directed by Barrymore Award-nominated director and Inis Nua Founder and Artistic Director Tom Reing. Previews begin Wednesday, February 9, with opening night on Friday, February 11. Tickets are $15 – $30, visit inisnuatheatre.org.
East Passyunk Opera Project- Love Notes 2.0 Sour Notes
with Society Hill Dance Academy and Manatawny Still Works
Virtual – February 11 to February 24, 2022
In-Person – February 19, 2022 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm
1919 East Passyunk Avenue
Love Notes is back! East Passyunk Opera Project teams with fellow East Passyunk businesses Society Hill Dance Academy and Manatawny Still Works to present Love Notes 2.0 Sour Notes because ePOP knows that love can get messy. Last year’s buzzed about show was all about love, love, sweet love. This year, it’s a little different. This year, the focus is on the “other” side of love. All the songs performed will be about breaking up, being dumped, fighting, flying solo, being uber sexed, or a little raunchy – but not just pink hearts, red roses and a box of chocolates. Repertoire performed will be from the opera, art song, and musical theater oeuvre. ePOP is thrilled to bring #OperaUpFront to audiences whether they attend the virtual performance, see the show live and in person, or both. BackYard Originals has signed on to partner and offer two complimentary cocktails to each guest over 21 years of age for the in-person event. Proof of vaccination will be required to enter, including booster shot, if eligible. ePOP’s Love Notes 2.0 Sour Notes virtual concert is set to premiere at 7:30pm on February 11th via a private Youtube link to be sent to ticket holders and will continue to be available through February 24, 2022. The live shows will take place at 7:00pm and 9:30pm on February 19th at Society Hill Dance Academy’s The Loft on Passyunk; 1919 E. Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Tickets are $25 per household for the virtual show, $35 for general admission to the live show, and $50 for a VIP ticket to the live show. Tickets are now live at www.epopphilly.org.
Russian Ballet Theatre– Swan Lake
Sunday, Feb. 13th in Newark at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, Feb. 15th in Trenton at the Patriots Theatre at the War Memorial
Wednesday, Feb. 16th in Sewell, South Jersey at Investors Bank Performing Arts Center
Thursday, Feb. 17th in Reading at the Santander Performing Arts Center
Russian Ballet Theatre announces a breathtaking new production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake that will travel to 52 cities across the United States, with four local stops in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Ballet fans will have the unique opportunity to enjoy this update on a classic, with dates set for Sunday, February 13th in Newark at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center; Tuesday, February 15th in Trenton at the Patriots Theatre at the War Memorial; Wednesday, February 16th in Sewell, South Jersey at Investors Bank Performing Arts Center; and Thursday, February 17th in Reading at the Santander Performing Arts Center. Russian Ballet Theatre is thrilled to hit the road and tour with Swan Lake for the first time since 2019. Swan Lake is presented by Co-Producers Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick. The production team includes Choreographer Nadezhda Kalinina, Production Designer Sergey Novikov, SFX Makeup Designer Irina Strukova, and Principal Ballet Mistress Tatyana Linnik. Prima Ballerina Olga Kifyak will dance the lead roles of Odette (The White Swan) and Odile (The Black Swan) – a unique and bold casting choice for the American 2022 tour. The cast also includes the amazing talents of Evgeny Svetlitsa as Prince Siegfried, Mikhail Ovcharov as Jester, Vasili Bogdan as Rothbart.
Bristol Riverside Theatre Presents: The Calamari Sisters’ SausageFest
February 16 to 20, 2022
Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007
https://www.brtstage.org/shows/the-calamari-sisters-sausagefest/
Delphine and Carmela Calamari are bringing their 23rd annual Italian SausageFest to the BRT. Celebrate the days of summer with these sassy, brassy broads from Brooklyn as they sing, dance, and cook delicious street-fair goodies for you and your friends. Whether you’re a sausage-lover or not, you’ll laugh until your sides ache and fall in love with these dynamic sisters. Come learn more secret recipes, hear hilarious Calamari family anecdotes, taste their sausage and peppers, help them make fried dough, and compete in the annual fertility and virility competition while the sisters sing their own special versions of Broadway and pop favorites.
Philadelphia Theatre Company
Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Directed by PTC Resident Artist Jeffrey Page
February 18 to March 13, 2022
Philadelphia Theatre Company at Suzanne Roberts Theatre
480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146
https://philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/choir-boy/
From Academy Award®-winning Tarell Alvin McCraney, Choir Boy electrified Broadway with its soaring gospel and R&B performances. Honor. Legacy. Pride. Taking his place out front as the choir leader at an elite all-boys, all-Black prep school, Pharus Young is determined to make his mark by challenging expectations in a world steeped in deep-rooted traditions. Can Pharus find harmony among his peers while staying true to his own voice? From Tarell Alvin McCraney, the Academy Award®-winning writer of Moonlight, Choir Boy electrified Broadway with its soaring gospel, spiritual, and R&B performances.
Azuka Theatre
World Premiere of Carroll County Fix by Val Dunn, Directed by Priyanka Shetty
March 2 to 20, 2022
Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street
https://www.azukatheatre.org/carroll-county-fix
This summer, Tess has a plan: make a boundary-pushing documentary in the local Walmart parking lot, get a full-ride to a fancy film school, and say goodbye to Carroll County for good. With her best friend Rach home from college, now’s the time to make it happen. But as these two try to tell their town’s story, they find themselves asking: do they still agree on what that story is? Amid a chorus of croaking frogs, rattling pill bottles, wry humor and heartfelt humanity, Carroll County Fix pushes past small-town clichés to explore the deep currents of change wracking rural communities. All performances are Pay What You Decide!
Bristol Riverside Theatre Presents: Menopause The Musical
The Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!
March 30 to April 3, 2022
Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007
https://www.brtstage.org/shows/menopause-the-musical/
Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more! This joyful musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles.
Theatre Philadelphia Philly Theatre Week Kick-Off
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 5:00pm
Hamilton Garden at the rooftop of the Kimmel Cultural Campus
300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Join the theatre community on the rooftop garden of the Kimmel Cultural Campus to kick-off the 5th annual Philly Theatre Week! See preview scenes, songs, and interactive performances from participating Philly Theatre Week companies for Theatre Philadelphia’s first in-person event since 2020! Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and masks required. Free.
BIG NEWS: Philly Theatre Week is back! Philly Theatre Week is Theatre Philadelphia’s 10 day celebration (April 1 – April 10, 2022) of artists, organizations, and audiences that have made Greater Philadelphia one of the most vibrant theatre regions in the nation. Audiences will have an opportunity to try unique events from our theatre community through a choice of dozens of in-person, virtual, outdoor, and non-traditional productions, readings, and much more! Tickets and performance details will be announced on www.theatrephiladelphia.org on March 1st.
Inis Nua Theatre Company’s Philadelphia Premiere of
Folk by Tom Wells, Directed by Claire Moyer
April 6 to 24, 2022
https://inisnuatheatre.org/show/folk
The final mainstage production of Inis Nua’s 2021-2022 season will be FOLK by Tom Wells. Originally scheduled for spring 2020, the production was canceled due to COVID. Inis Nua is excited to be able to finally present this warmhearted play with traditional Irish and English folksongs for our audience. FOLK tells the story of three people who don’t quite belong: Winnie, a middle-aged Irish nun with a foul mouth and a penchant for Guinness; Stephen, a lonely man caring for his father; and Kayleigh, a pregnant teen struggling with loss. In their small town in the north of England there’s not much room for misfits, but these three loners forge a deep connection through their love of folk music. The Guardian said that FOLK playwright Tom Wells “has the priceless ability to endow the ordinary with luminous significance.” The production will be directed by four-time Barrymore Award-nominated director Claire Moyer and Music Direction will be provided by Justin Yoder.
Philadelphia Theatre Company Presents
Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company in Association w/ the Folger Shakespeare Library Presents
World Premiere of Where We Belong by Madeline Sayet, Directed by Mei Ann Teo
April 15 to May 8, 2022
In 2015, Mohegan theatre-maker Madeline Sayet traveled to England to pursue a PhD in Shakespeare. Madeline finds a country that refuses to acknowledge its ongoing role in colonialism, just as the Brexit vote threatens to further disengage the UK from the wider world. In this intimate and exhilarating solo piece, Madeline echoes a journey to England braved by Native ancestors in the 1700s following treatise betrayals – and forces audiences to consider what it means to belong in an increasingly globalized world.
Bristol Riverside Theatre
A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin, Directed by Ken Kaissar
May 3 to 22, 2022
Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA 19007
https://www.brtstage.org/shows/a-few-good-men/
Can you handle the truth? From the creator of The West Wing and The Newsroom, comes A Few Good Men. One woman fighting for her place in a world of men, two teenage marines accused of murder, and a world in which lives and nations hang on the precision of orders followed. But if lives depend on following orders, where do you draw the line? See the hard-hitting drama that launched Aaron Sorkin’s brilliant career.
Azuka Theatre’s World Premiere of Reverie by James Ijames
May 4 to 21, 2022
Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street
https://www.azukatheatre.org/reverie
When Jordan answers a knock at his door, he’s expecting to see his most recent assignation standing there, but instead encounters Paul, the father of a former boyfriend. Paul’s son Lucas died six months ago, and Paul found Jordan’s address amongst his son’s belongings. Reverie deals with grief, being true to yourself and the family dynamics that can make that so challenging.
COMING SOON– Thank you for being a friend!
Without a Cue Productions, the 20-year old female run and operated theatre company out of Bucks County, will thank you for being a friend. As they continue to pivot out of the pandemic look for the much awaited return of the SOLD OUT (each and every year) Golden Girls murder mystery parody. New dates, new venues, and new cities coming for 2022. Watch for details in the very close future.
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