Tag Archives: Walnut Street Theatre

I Saw 1776 at the Walnut Street Theatre—Here is Why it’s the Best Way to Honor the 250th

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Photo by Mark Garvin.

I had the pleasure of heading over to the Walnut Street Theatre this past Friday to see 1776 The Musical. With the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth approaching, it felt like the perfect way to celebrate, especially while standing right in the heart of Philadelphia, just steps from where the original story took place. The production is a key part of the city’s commemorations for the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the atmosphere in the theatre was truly electric.

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Why You Need to See ‘A Delicate Balance’ at the Walnut Street Theatre

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Alicia Roper and Paul L. Nolan in Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance. Photo by Mark Garvin. 

If you’ve been following the Walnut Street Theatre’s 217th season, you know they’ve been on a roll. But their latest production—Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning A Delicate Balance—is something truly special.

Stepping into the theater for this performance, I couldn’t help but be transported back to the Walnut’s production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? from a couple of years ago. Much like that unforgettable show, this production captures Albee’s unique ability to peel back the layers of polite society to reveal the raw, messy humanity underneath. Under the seasoned direction of Bernard Havard, the Walnut has once again proved why it is the definitive home for American classics in Philadelphia.

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Philly’s Walnut Street Theatre Debuts New Sherlock Holmes Adaptation

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Bill Van Horn and Harry Smith in Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective. Photo by Mark Garvin.

The Walnut Street Theatre, America’s oldest theatre, is currently home to a thrilling world premiere: SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE GREAT DETECTIVE. As a staple of Philadelphia’s cultural scene, the Walnut has once again delivered a production that blends classic literary intrigue with high-energy stagecraft. This adaptation, inspired by the timeless stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is an anchor of the theatre’s 217th season and offers a “whimsical mystery” that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. I was fortunate to attend the opening night of a funny, entertaining show that kept my attention throughout. Read on for my full thoughts on Sherlock Holmes at the Walnut Street Theatre.

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Walnut Street Theatre’s 218th Season: A Year of Unforgettable Shows

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Walnut Street Theatre (WST), America’s Oldest Theatre and a National Historic Landmark, is excited to reveal its 218th season of live entertainment and mark its 44th season as a not-for-profit producing theatre company. The sensational 2026-27 season lineup features five captivating productions, each filled to the brim with deep emotion, hilarious comedy, brilliant spectacle, and enduring stories. With each new production – from Pulitzer Prize-winning plays to touching musicals that move the heart – WST invites audiences to what might be the greatest season in its history.

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Experience Holiday Magic with A Christmas Story The Musical

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Opening night at Walnut Street Theatre is always special, but this week’s premiere of A Christmas Story The Musical was downright magical. I had the pleasure of attending with my father-in-law, and together we were swept into Ralphie Parker’s 1940s Indiana world.

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From Page to Stage: Join the Walnut Street Theatre Playwriting Contest

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Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre (WST), America’s oldest theatre and the Official State Theatre of Pennsylvania, has announced an exciting opportunity for playwrights nationwide: the 2025–26 Walnut Outreach Playwriting Competition. This initiative invites writers to create original works designed to inspire and engage young audiences in grades K–6.

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Rock ’n’ Roll Magic: Million Dollar Quartet at Walnut Street Theatre Delivers a Spectacular Opening

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Paul Harrold, Steve Harding, Ken Sandberg, Matteo Scammell and Ensemble in Million
Dollar Quartet. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Last night, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending opening night of Million Dollar Quartet at the Walnut Street Theatre—and what a night it was. From the very first chord, the energy in the room was electric, and by the end of the evening, the entire audience was buzzing with excitement.

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Dreamgirls Dazzles at the Walnut Street Theatre

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Khalifa White, Gabrielle Beckford, and Aveena Sawyer in Dreamgirls. Photo by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.

The Walnut Street Theatre is closing out its 216th season with an electrifying, heart-stopping production of Dreamgirls—and if you’re a lover of powerhouse vocals, emotional storytelling, and glittering spectacle, this is a show you can’t afford to miss.

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A Whirlwind of Wit: Hay Fever at Walnut Street Theatre

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Brandon O’Rourke, Jared Calhoun, Ellie Mooney, Harry Smith, Alicia Roper, Patricia Noonan, Peter Herrick, and Anna Bailey in Noël Coward’s Hay Fever. Photo by Mark Garvin.

For anyone seeking an exhilarating blend of laughter and charm, look no further than Walnut Street Theatre’s spectacular production of Noël Coward’s classic comedy, Hay Fever. As a key highlight of their 216th season, this show invites you into a whimsical world brimming with comedic brilliance and delightful chaos that will leave you yearning for more.

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A Heartwarming Journey of Friendship: Driving Miss Daisy at Walnut Street Theatre

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Wendy Scharfman and Johnnie Hobbs, Jr. in Driving Miss Daisy. Photo by Mark Garvin.

This winter, Walnut Street Theatre brings a beautiful and timeless classic to life with its production of Driving Miss Daisy. As part of their 216th season of dreams, this heartwarming and thought-provoking story, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is a standout production everyone should see.

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