Michael Philip O'Brien News

Go back to an era when life was cool, music was snappy, and everyone drank their martinis straight up and their bourbon neat. This swinging evening of singing and fantastic fun features Jeff Coon, Gretna Theatre’s own Michael Philip O’Brien, and some of their most talented and entertaining friends along with an incredible 17-piece Big Band. Join us at this hip, exclusive joint and you’ll experience an evening of live entertainment that you’ll never forget!

The epic struggle between good and evil comes to life on stage in this concert version of the Broadway smash musical, directed by Gretna Theatre’s own Producing Artistic Director, Michael Philip O’Brien.

11th Hour Theatre Company has announced the return to live performances with the Philadelphia premiere of SOON. This fully-staged musical by Nick Blaemire is a co-production with Lancaster's Prima Theatre, and is directed by outgoing 11th Hour Producing Artistic Director and co-founder Michael Philip O'Brien.

11th Hour Theatre Company presents CHESS THE MUSICAL. Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA, lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Lion King, Aida), and book by Richard Nelson. The concert is directed by 11th Hour co-founder and producing Artistic Director, Michael Philip O'Brien, with music direction by Madison Auch. This riveting rock musical event will perform January 11th-19th at Christ Church Neighborhood House, and will feature seven professional actors alongside an ensemble of eight Temple University students. Tickets are $19-$37 and can be purchased online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at 267-987-9865.

The performing arts has many siblings, many guises, many mutations on a theme. Is HETTY FEATHER a drama, is it a musical? Or is it a creative hybrid with no discernible niche?

Walnut Street Theatre is pleased to announce that it will honor US Airways, the official airline for Walnut Street Theatre, with the 2014 Edwin Forrest Award. The award will be presented to Robert Ciminelli, VP of Customer Experience and a Walnut Street Theatre Trustee, at its annual Gala. The evening's events will begin with a 90-minute concert hosted by Ben Lipitz, who Walnut audiences will remember from The Producers and God of Carnage. Featuring some of Philadelphia's favorite performers, including Rachel Beiswenger, Rachel Camp, Jeffrey Coon, Ben Dibble, Jennie Eisenhower, Sarah Gliko, Scott Langdon, Mary Martello, Ben Michael, Cary Michele Miller, Ellie Mooney, Michael Philip O'Brien, Lyn Philistine, Fran Prisco, Christopher Sutton, Tara Tagliaferro, Lilly Tobin and Denise Whelan, voices will fill the theatre with unforgettable musical moments from stage and screen. All proceeds from the Gala benefit the Walnut Street Theatre's Education and Outreach programming, which reaches over 120,000 students, teachers and families annually in the Delaware Valley.

Walnut Street Theatre is pleased to announce that it will honor US Airways, the official airline for Walnut Street Theatre, with the 2014 Edwin Forrest Award. The award will be presented to Robert Ciminelli, VP of Customer Experience and a Walnut Street Theatre Trustee, at its annual Gala. The evening's events will begin with a 90-minute concert hosted by Ben Lipitz, who Walnut audiences will remember from The Producers and God of Carnage. Featuring some of Philadelphia's favorite performers, including Rachel Beiswenger, Rachel Camp, Jeffrey Coon, Ben Dibble, Jennie Eisenhower, Sarah Gliko, Scott Langdon, Mary Martello, Ben Michael, Cary Michele Miller, Ellie Mooney, Michael Philip O'Brien, Lyn Philistine, Fran Prisco, Christopher Sutton, Tara Tagliaferro, Lilly Tobin and Denise Whelan, voices will fill the theatre with unforgettable musical moments from stage and screen. All proceeds from the Gala benefit the Walnut Street Theatre's Education and Outreach programming, which reaches over 120,000 students, teachers and families annually in the Delaware Valley.

11th Hour Theatre Company presents its inaugural holiday program HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA for one night only on December 8 from 7:00-10:00 PM in the Caplan Recital Hall at the University of the Arts (211 South Broad Street). Featured performers are 11th Hour Supergroup including Cara Antosca. Kat Borelli, Rachel Camp, Melissa Joy Hart, Marissa Hines, Alex Keiper, Dan Kiernan, Craig O'Brien, Michael Philip O'Brien, Steve Pacek, Samantha Joy Pearlman, and Sigmund Washington. Also performing will be members of the cast from 11th Hour's Spring Mainstage production of Altar Boyz: Brendan Dalton, Kevin, Duffin, Adam Hoyak and Billy Kametz, as well as a special Philly Star Face-Off between Jeff Coon, Mary Martello and Jennie Eisenhower, and solo performances by Corey Regensberg and Danielle Lovier's group Olive Juice.

11th Hour Theatre Company closes its season with the intimate chamber musical The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brownon June 20-30 at University of the Arts' Caplan Studio Theatre (211 South Broad Street, 16th Floor). Directed by Megan Nicole O'Brien, the two-person cast stars Michael Philip O'Brien as Jaime and Cara Noel Antosca as Kathy.

11th Hour Theatre Company closes its season with the intimate chamber musical The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brownon June 20-30 at University of the Arts' Caplan Studio Theatre (211 South Broad Street, 16th Floor). Directed by Megan Nicole O'Brien, the two-person cast stars Michael Philip O'Brien as Jaime and Cara Noel Antosca as Kathy.

11th Hour Theatre Company continues its NEXT STEP concert series with Andrew Lippa's Wild Party, based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March and book, lyrics and award-winning music by Andrew Lippa, tonight, March 9-11 at Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 N. American St.). Directed by Megan Nicole O'Brien, this 'party to end all parties' stars Michael Philip O'Brien, Alex Keiper, Melissa Joy Hart and Melissa Bird.

Sold out for the past seven years, 11th Hour Theatre Company's Philly Rocks has become one of the can't miss events of the Philadelphia theater season. This exhilarating annual rock concert features top Philadelphia performers rocking out to some of the best songs ever written. This year's installment, Philly Rocks, Remixed on February 25 beginning at 6:00 PM at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street) is sure to shake things up a bit. Audiences will hear some of their favorite songs as they might have never heard them before. Hosted by Jess Conda, participants this year will be Alex Bechtel, Melissa Bird, Rachel Camp, Laura Catlaw, Colleen Hazlet,Marissa K. Hines, Alex Keiper, Mikey Jr., Craig O'Brien, Megan Nicole O'Brien, Michael Philip O'Brien, and Steve Pacek.

11th Hour Theatre Company continues its NEXT STEP concert series with Andrew Lippa's Wild Party, based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March and book, lyrics and award-winning music by Andrew Lippa, March 9-11 at Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 N. American St.). Directed by Megan Nicole O'Brien, this "party to end all parties" stars Michael Philip O'Brien, Alex Keiper, Melissa Joy Hart and Melissa Bird.

11th Hour Theatre Company continues its new NEXT STEP concert series with a concert version of Passing Strange with music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, and book and lyrics by Stew on Saturday, January 19-21 at Off-Broad Street Theatre (1636 Sansom Street). Directed by Michael Philip O'Brien with music direction by Alex Bechtel , this fourth-wall shattering, genre-bending musical features 2011 Tony Award nominee Forrest McClendon and 11th Hour favorite Carl Clemons-Hopkins as well as Demetria Bailey,Adrienne Brown, Erin Fleming, Nichalas Parker, and Candace Thomas. This show marks McClendon's return to 11th Hour since winning the 2009 Barrymore for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for its production of Avenue X.

The Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre have announced their 2012 nominees. Scroll below for a full listing!

11th Hour Theatre Company presents Philly Rock Star Masterclass on Monday March 26th, 2012 at The Twisted Tail.

11th Hour Theatre Company presents Philly Rock Star Masterclass on Monday March 26th, 2012 at The Twisted Tail.

11th Hour's seventh annual Philly Rocks concert will be Philly Rocks: and Rolls - The Greatest Songs of the 1960's! on Monday Feb. 27th, 2012 at the World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA at 7pm.

11th Hour's seventh annual Philly Rocks concert will be Philly Rocks: and Rolls - The Greatest Songs of the 1960's! on Monday Feb. 27th, 2012 at the World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA at 7pm.