David Hess News

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 202nd season with the Philadelphia premiere of Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, winner of an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, two Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards.

On December 6, a slew of Broadway favorites, including: Marc Kudisch, Shannon Lewis, Andy Karl, Orfeh, Chris Sieber, Jim Saneck, John Tartaglia, Rachel York, Richard Kind and David Hess will perform in an invitation only reading of the new musical THE PROTAGONISTS.

The Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 202nd season with the Philly premiere of Broadway's smash hit, CURTAINS.

The Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 202nd season with the Philly premiere of Broadway's smash hit, CURTAINS.

The Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 202nd season with the Philly premiere of Broadway's smash hit, CURTAINS.

The Walnut Street Theatre opens its landmark 202nd season with the Philly premiere of Broadway's smash hit, CURTAINS.

The American debut of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Alvaeus new musical KRISTINA, will debut next week on September 23rd and 24th at Carnegie Hall in concert. Andersson and Alvaeus of the group ABBA are the masterminds behind the blockbuster musicals MAMMA MIA! and CHESS.

The American debut of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Alvaeus new musical KRISTINA, will debut next week on September 23rd and 24th at Carnegie Hall in concert. Andersson and Alvaeus of the group ABBA are the masterminds behind the blockbuster musicals MAMMA MIA! and CHESS.

The American debut of Benny Andersson and Bjorn Alvaeus new musical KRISTINA, will debut next week on September 23rd and 24th at Carnegie Hall in concert. Andersson and Alvaeus of the group ABBA are the masterminds behind the blockbuster musicals MAMMA MIA! and CHESS.

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' upcoming Carnegie Hall concert presentation of the new musical KRISTINA has announced full casting.

Maine State Music Theatre's third show of the 2009 season is the delightfully deceptive 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.' This Tony Award winning musical is based on the film of the same name and includes music and lyrics by David Yazbek, composer and lyricist of 'The Full Monty', and a book by Jeffrey Lane. In addition to the familiar story line, the musical boasts witty lyrics with a side of harmless adult humor.

Maine State Music Theatre's third show of the 2009 season is the delightfully deceptive 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.' This Tony Award winning musical is based on the film of the same name and includes music and lyrics by David Yazbek, composer and lyricist of 'The Full Monty', and a book by Jeffrey Lane. In addition to the familiar story line, the musical boasts witty lyrics with a side of harmless adult humor.

Maine State Music Theatre's third show of the 2009 season is the delightfully deceptive 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.' This Tony Award winning musical is based on the film of the same name and includes music and lyrics by David Yazbek, composer and lyricist of 'The Full Monty', and a book by Jeffrey Lane. In addition to the familiar story line, the musical boasts witty lyrics with a side of harmless adult humor.

Maine State Music Theatre continues its 2009 season with the award winning 'Crazy for You.' Winner of three Tony Awards (including Best Musical in 1992), two Drama Desk Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards, the show dazzles audiences with spectacular dance numbers and catchy, toe-tapping songs.

Maine State Music Theatre continues its 2009 season with the award winning 'Crazy for You.' Winner of three Tony Awards (including Best Musical in 1992), two Drama Desk Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards, the show dazzles audiences with spectacular dance numbers and catchy, toe-tapping songs.

Maine State Music Theatre will continue its 2009 season with the award winning 'Crazy for You.' Winner of three Tony Awards (including Best Musical in 1992), two Drama Desk Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards, the show dazzles audiences with spectacular dance numbers and catchy, toe-tapping songs.

The Walnut Street Theater welcomes another American classic to round out their 200th anniversary season with 'Born Yesterday'.

The Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 200th anniversary season with Born Yesterday - Garson Kanin's brilliant blend of satire, comedy and laughter. Directed by Mark Clements, this all-new production starts March 10, opens March 18 and runs through April 26 on the Walnut Mainstage.

The Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 200th anniversary season with Born Yesterday - Garson Kanin's brilliant blend of satire, comedy and laughter. Directed by Mark Clements, this all-new production starts March 10, opens March 18 and runs through April 26 on the Walnut Mainstage.

The current national tour of the Stephen Sondheim/Hugh Wheeler musical 'Sweeney Todd' blew into the Windy City for a two-week engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre this week, revealing that the show is so strong as originally written that almost any style of storytelling will reveal its truths. If this fact doesn't mark the show as a true performing arts masterwork, then I don't know how anything else could. This show, and this metaphor-laden production of it, are miraculous in their revealing of the human condition.