June 14th, 2011
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Author: Many theater companies continue to thrive in the summer months, so there are still terrific offerings for theatergoers to enjoy. Here are some of the best our area presents for June, July and August. Enjoy:
— “Miss Saigon”: the award-winning musical, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil, follows the poignant story of a wartime romance with soaring music and performances. The Walnut Street Theatre production runs through July 24 at 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215-574-3550.
— “Next to Normal”: winner of a Tony Award for Best Play, this controversial rock musical explores the complexity of relationships, dealing with issues such as mental illness, drug abuse, and loss. From June 21 to 26 at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; 215-893-1999.
— “The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?”: this amusing one-man, five-character show confronts ideas about what women really want. July 6 to 31 at Act II Playhouse.
— “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”: described by the New York Sun as “‘South Park’ meets ‘Desperate Housewives,’” this is “a new show about agoraphobia, adultery, ’80s nostalgia, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, kleptomania, strippers, flan & disco …. It’s everything a musical should be.” Produced by 11th Hour Theatre Company and Montgomery Theater. Through June 19 at the Arden, 40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia; 267-987-9865.
— “Great Balls of Fire — A Legacy of the Fifties”: presents the nostalgic songs of that happy era, from Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry to Jerry Lee Lewis, June 16 to 26 at the Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215-785-6654.
— “Lost in Yonkers”: a Tony Award-winning coming-of-age comedy about two brothers sent to live with their grandmother, aunt and uncle and the effects people have on those they love. Through June 19 at Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia; 800-595-4849.
— “Two into One”: this British farce by Ray Cooney centers on a Parliament member planning an extramarital affair with the prime minister’s secretary, complete with hilarity from bumbling, confused and jealous characters at the hotel. Through Aug. 7 at the Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; 610-565-4211.
Also, “The Belle of Amherst,” a biographical one-woman play about poet Emily Dickinson, starring Penelope Reed, Saturdays through June 25.
— “In a Daughter’s Eyes”: the tale of two women in Oakland, Calif., one the daughter of Daniel Faulkner, a police officer killed in 1981, and one the daughter of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the convicted killer. Through June 19 at InterAct Theatre Company, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia; 215-568-8079.
— “Summer Solstice Celebration”: the Kimmel Center explodes into summer with 15 hours of delightful nonstop music and entertainment from 3 p.m. to dawn. During the day: artist vendors; a showing of “Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale,” featuring members of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia; face painting; a visit from the Philadelphia Zoo; and dance performances. At night: henna tattoos, improv comedy, silent movies and a sunrise drum circle. June 18 and 19 at Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; 215-893-1955.
— “Vigil”: an offbeat, dark comedy about the missteps, misunderstandings and tactless comments of a “middle-aged curmudgeon” who has quit his job to be with his dying aunt. Through June 12 at the Lantern Theater Company at St. Stephen’s Theater, 10th & Ludlow streets, Philadelphia; 215-829-0395.
— “Robin Hood”: for children, a new musical adaptation of the adventurous classic about a young man who “robs from the rich and gives to the poor.” Through July 30, weekends, at the Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100. Continued…
— “Hatchetman”: a farce about employees at a golf magazine office who fear corporate takeover and the dreaded “hatchetman,” and the wild, fast-paced mayhem that ensues. Through July 17 at People’s Light & Theatre, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern; 610-644-3500.
— “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra”: two dynamic couples take audiences from the 1940s swing era to the bright lights of Las Vegas with Frank Sinatra hits, including “Strangers in the Night,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “New York, New York,” and anecdotes. Tuesdays through Sundays through July 3 at the Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215-574-3550.
— “My Wonderful Day”: a comedy by Tony Award winner Alan Ayckbourn about a young girl who unexpectedly witnesses a tangled love affair when going to work with her mother, a cleaning woman, at a wealthy family’s house in London. Through June 19 at the Wilma Theater, 265 S Broad St., Philadelphia; 215-546-7824 (box office) or 215-893-9456 (administrative office).
— “Long Story Short”: in this comedic satire directed by Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Quinn gives a 75-minute history of the world, complete with sharp commentary, observation, and celebrity impersonations. June 28 to July 10 at the Philadelphia Theatre Company’s Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard streets, Philadelphia; 215-985-0420.
(With assistance from Erica Moser, Ticket Intern)
Many theater companies continue to thrive in the summer months, so there are still terrific offerings for theatergoers to enjoy. Here are some of the best our area presents for June, July and August. Enjoy:
— “Miss Saigon”: the award-winning musical, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil, follows the poignant story of a wartime romance with soaring music and performances. The Walnut Street Theatre production runs through July 24 at 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215-574-3550.
— “Next to Normal”: winner of a Tony Award for Best Play, this controversial rock musical explores the complexity of relationships, dealing with issues such as mental illness, drug abuse, and loss. From June 21 to 26 at the Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; 215-893-1999.
— “The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?”: this amusing one-man, five-character show confronts ideas about what women really want. July 6 to 31 at Act II Playhouse.
— “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”: described by the New York Sun as “‘South Park’ meets ‘Desperate Housewives,’” this is “a new show about agoraphobia, adultery, ’80s nostalgia, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, a broken electric chair, kleptomania, strippers, flan & disco …. It’s everything a musical should be.” Produced by 11th Hour Theatre Company and Montgomery Theater. Through June 19 at the Arden, 40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia; 267-987-9865.
— “Great Balls of Fire — A Legacy of the Fifties”: presents the nostalgic songs of that happy era, from Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry to Jerry Lee Lewis, June 16 to 26 at the Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol; 215-785-6654.
— “Lost in Yonkers”: a Tony Award-winning coming-of-age comedy about two brothers sent to live with their grandmother, aunt and uncle and the effects people have on those they love. Through June 19 at Plays & Players, 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia; 800-595-4849.
— “Two into One”: this British farce by Ray Cooney centers on a Parliament member planning an extramarital affair with the prime minister’s secretary, complete with hilarity from bumbling, confused and jealous characters at the hotel. Through Aug. 7 at the Hedgerow Theatre, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; 610-565-4211.
Also, “The Belle of Amherst,” a biographical one-woman play about poet Emily Dickinson, starring Penelope Reed, Saturdays through June 25.
— “In a Daughter’s Eyes”: the tale of two women in Oakland, Calif., one the daughter of Daniel Faulkner, a police officer killed in 1981, and one the daughter of Mumia Abu-Jamal, the convicted killer. Through June 19 at InterAct Theatre Company, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia; 215-568-8079.
— “Summer Solstice Celebration”: the Kimmel Center explodes into summer with 15 hours of delightful nonstop music and entertainment from 3 p.m. to dawn. During the day: artist vendors; a showing of “Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale,” featuring members of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia; face painting; a visit from the Philadelphia Zoo; and dance performances. At night: henna tattoos, improv comedy, silent movies and a sunrise drum circle. June 18 and 19 at Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; 215-893-1955.
— “Vigil”: an offbeat, dark comedy about the missteps, misunderstandings and tactless comments of a “middle-aged curmudgeon” who has quit his job to be with his dying aunt. Through June 12 at the Lantern Theater Company at St. Stephen’s Theater, 10th & Ludlow streets, Philadelphia; 215-829-0395.
— “Robin Hood”: for children, a new musical adaptation of the adventurous classic about a young man who “robs from the rich and gives to the poor.” Through July 30, weekends, at the Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
— “Hatchetman”: a farce about employees at a golf magazine office who fear corporate takeover and the dreaded “hatchetman,” and the wild, fast-paced mayhem that ensues. Through July 17 at People’s Light & Theatre, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern; 610-644-3500.
— “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra”: two dynamic couples take audiences from the 1940s swing era to the bright lights of Las Vegas with Frank Sinatra hits, including “Strangers in the Night,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and “New York, New York,” and anecdotes. Tuesdays through Sundays through July 3 at the Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia; 215-574-3550.
— “My Wonderful Day”: a comedy by Tony Award winner Alan Ayckbourn about a young girl who unexpectedly witnesses a tangled love affair when going to work with her mother, a cleaning woman, at a wealthy family’s house in London. Through June 19 at the Wilma Theater, 265 S Broad St., Philadelphia; 215-546-7824 (box office) or 215-893-9456 (administrative office).
— “Long Story Short”: in this comedic satire directed by Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Quinn gives a 75-minute history of the world, complete with sharp commentary, observation, and celebrity impersonations. June 28 to July 10 at the Philadelphia Theatre Company’s Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard streets, Philadelphia; 215-985-0420.
(With assistance from Erica Moser, Ticket Intern)
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