The highly anticipated Broadway musical version of ROCKY, a uniquely Philly saga, made its triumphant premiere at Walnut Street Theatre (WST), opening its 214th season. Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, the production began previews on October 4, opened on October 12, and continues through October 30, 2022. Read on for more information about this exciting show, including my thoughts on the opening night performance.
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Walnut Street Theatre, America’s Oldest Theatre and a National Historic Landmark, is excited to announce its 214th season of live entertainment, and its 40th season as a not-for-profit producing theatre company. The ‘Knockout’ line-up includes three stunning musicals, a hilarious comedy by Neil Simon, and an American masterpiece. As a self-producing regional theatre, the Walnut is the most popular theatre company in Philadelphia.
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Walnut Street Theatre (WST) continues its 213th season with a world premiere adaptation of a classic mystery with Sherlock Holmes – The Adventure of The Speckled Band. Written and directed by Walnut favorite Bill Van Horn, the production begins previews February 22, opens March 2, and continues through March 27 on the Walnut’s Mainstage. Read on for more details.
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The Walnut Street Theatre continues its 213th season with the breathtaking Broadway hit for all ages, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Directed by Glenn Casale and choreographed by John MacInnis, the production began previews on November 16, 2021, opened November 24, and continues through January 2, 2022 on the Walnut’s Mainstage. I was fortunate enough to attend opening night. Read on for more information about The Little Mermaid and my thoughts on the show.
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While there are great shows to be had in New York, Philadelphia has excellent theaters and productions of its own. For years, local theatergoers have had the Walnut Street Theatre (the nation’s oldest theater), the Academy of Music and the Wilma Theater, among others, to go to for top-notch productions of commercially successful, and sometimes obscure, shows. Well, now we can add another theater to the list. This fall, the Penn’s Landing Playhouse opened in the Independence Seaport Museum on the Philadelphia’s waterfront, and its opening show is You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!
This play is a two-person comedy about a seemingly odd couple celebrating their 10th anniversary. The actors, who have a nice chemistry, effectively pulled the crowd into the story with charming witticisms and believable dialogue. By the end of the play, I could hear audience members getting choked up over the sentimentality of the final scene – a clear sign that the actors did a good job.
Speaking of actors, Robin Abramson, who played Annabelle, was the highlight of the show. She had great stage presence and exuded confidence. And Abramson did an excellent job delivering her lines with gusto. There were countless times when she set the crowd off in a fit of laughter with one of her many emotionally-charged retorts.
If you’re looking for a cute, fun show that’ll make you laugh, You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up! is worth the price of admission. It’s running from September 18 through November 24, and you can pick up your tickets here.
Synopsis
It’s Annabelle & Jeff’s real life love story, zany, hectic and uproariously funny. Whether you have been married forever, thinking about marriage,or still looking for the “perfect” relationship, you will laugh at the hilarious, romantic rollercoaster ride toward Happily Ever After, which proves there is Hope & Happiness for even the most incompatible of Lovers, Husbands & Wives.
After 15+ years of marriage, TV personalities and real-life-married-couple Annabelle Gurwitch (Dinner and a Movie, Fired!) and Jeff Kahn (The Ben Stiller Show, Forty Year Old Virgin) have staged their hilarious and often moving memoir, You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!
This uproariously funny story is sure to strike both laughter and terror into the hearts of any couple (not to mention every single man or woman who is contemplating the connubial state).
The book was developed through sold-out performances at The Comedy Central Theater and at Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles and made its New York premiere at The New York Comedy Festival 2009.