Coming Up, Music and Arts

Philadelphia native Phoenix Best returns as Éponine in Les Miserables at the Academy of Music 3/17-3/29.

-Brenda Hillegas This show will be postponed until a later date. Please visit the Kimmel Center’s website for details and updates.  Philadelphia’s loves Les Miserables! The acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s Tony Award-winning musical is back at the Academy of Music from March 17th to the 29th. When the musical was last here in 2018, it broke box office records during the … Continue reading Philadelphia native Phoenix Best returns as Éponine in Les Miserables at the Academy of Music 3/17-3/29.

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Coming Up, Music and Arts

Local playwright Douglas Williams talks about his latest creation, Ship, presented by Azuka Theatre through March 15th

Alison Ormsby (Caitlin) and Annie Fang (Nell) in Azuka Theatre’s production of Ship. Photo by Johanna Austin/AustinArt.org In Ship, written by Douglas Williams, we meet Nell. She’s just out of rehab and returns to her hometown of Mystic, CT where she has two goals in mind-  to track down her former classmate who tried and failed to grow the longest fingernails in the world, and to … Continue reading Local playwright Douglas Williams talks about his latest creation, Ship, presented by Azuka Theatre through March 15th

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Music and Arts, Reviews

Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale: A must-see at Wilma Theatre

-Brenda Hillegas Photo by Joanna Austin If the weather was a bit nicer today, I’d have my windows opened and I’d be able to hear the sounds of construction a few blocks behind my house. There are new condos coming and they’re about three times the price I paid for my own house just a few years ago. And just steps away from a nearly … Continue reading Renaissance in the Belly of a Killer Whale: A must-see at Wilma Theatre

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Coming Up

Actor Matteo Scammell talks about his theatre career and upcoming role in A Streetcar Named Desire at Arden Theatre Company

-Brenda Hillegas “People think they know this play and what’s in it. Well come and see. And you’ll be surprised by what you find…” I talked to University of the Arts graduate and Barrymore Award winning actor Matteo Scammell about his career so far and what audiences can expect when they see the iconic Tennessee Williams play, A Streetcar Named Desire. This play, regarded as … Continue reading Actor Matteo Scammell talks about his theatre career and upcoming role in A Streetcar Named Desire at Arden Theatre Company

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Music and Arts, Reviews

Say “Hello” to Dolly at the Academy of Music through March 1st.

-Brenda Hillegas (feature photo by Julieta Cervantes) When I interviewed John Bolton (Hello, Dolly‘s Horace Vandergelder), he hoped that audiences would simply experience joy as they watch the production. And that’s exactly what you’ll feel. Joy. As Dolly Gallagher Levi walks elegantly down a red staircase in a stunning red dress you’ll truly feel the magic of theatre. This scene is the beginning of one … Continue reading Say “Hello” to Dolly at the Academy of Music through March 1st.

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Coming Up, Music and Arts

Everything is Wonderful, a Kilroys’ List honorable mention, is playing now through March 8th from the Philadelphia Theatre Company.

-Brenda Hillegas Photo of Blair Sams as Esther by Anthony Werhun Philadelphia Theatre Company continues its 45th Anniversary season with Everything is Wonderful. This drama, set in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country, is about forgiveness and what happens when an Amish couple’s world is turned upside down after the deaths of their two sons. Family secrets are exposed and faith is tested. This not-to-be-missed play was an … Continue reading Everything is Wonderful, a Kilroys’ List honorable mention, is playing now through March 8th from the Philadelphia Theatre Company.

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Music and Arts, Reviews

InterAct Theatre Company’s Man of God has a few more performances left- DO NOT MISS THIS PLAY.

-Brenda Hillegas The good thing about Philadelphia’s theatre scene is how many options there are for people in the industry to share their stories. Big stages, small stages, new work, old work, local writers/producers/actors/directors have plenty of opportunities to share what they’ve created to eager and appreciative audiences. The bad thing is, I just can’t get to all of them. After seeing Man of God … Continue reading InterAct Theatre Company’s Man of God has a few more performances left- DO NOT MISS THIS PLAY.

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Coming Up, Music and Arts

Hello Dolly’s John Bolton hopes you experience joy when the Tony-winning show comes to Philadelphia 2/19-3/1.

-Brenda Hillegas Cover photo: John Bolton and the National tour company of Hello Dolly. Photo by Julieta Cervantes.   I spoke with Hello Dolly’s John Bolton recently as he was enjoying some downtime at home in upstate New York. The cast had a rare week off from tour, then it’s off to Florida, Georgia and finally Philadelphia for a near two-week stay at the Academy … Continue reading Hello Dolly’s John Bolton hopes you experience joy when the Tony-winning show comes to Philadelphia 2/19-3/1.

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Music and Arts, Reviews

Describe the Night questions what’s real and what’s not in a mysterious fairy tale about Russian history.

-Brenda Hillegas PHOTO: Sarah Gliko as Yevgenia, Steven Rishard as Nikolai, and Ross Beschler as Isaac in Describe the Night. Credit: Johanna Austin. It makes perfect sense that playwright Rajiv Joseph introduces us to real-life storyteller Isaac Babel in the first act of Describe the Night. In this scene, Babel is in the woods alongside Nikolai Yezhov, also a real, historical figure. The year is … Continue reading Describe the Night questions what’s real and what’s not in a mysterious fairy tale about Russian history.

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Music and Arts, Reviews

Harriet Tubman guides audiences through time in My General Tubman, at Arden Theatre.

-Brenda Hillegas Damien J. Wallace, Danielle Leneé, Dax Richardson, and Aaron Bell in MY GENERAL TUBMAN. Photo by Wide Eyed Studios My General Tubman connects two stories. One is set in present day Philadelphia and highlights a scenario that happens all too often- a young man named Nelson (played by Brandon Pierce) is charged with a crime he didn’t commit; his story is ignored and … Continue reading Harriet Tubman guides audiences through time in My General Tubman, at Arden Theatre.

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