Michael Philip News

Atlantic Theater Company will present their 2024 Gala on Monday, April 29, 2024 at The Plaza. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.

Single tickets and subscriptions are on sale now for Gretna Theatre's 97th season, including five mainstage productions and four Family Series presentations, most of which will take place this summer at the historic Mt. Gretna Playhouse.

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!

Regarded as one of the finest musicals ever written, Gypsy is the unforgettable tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success, as well as her own. With a glorious score featuring some of Broadway’s most iconic numbers, this blockbuster musical shows the ups and downs of show business with passion, humor, and class.

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.

Gretna Theatre will present their 96th season, including five mainstage productions and four Family Series presentations, all of which will take place this summer at Mt. Gretna Playhouse. Below are descriptions for the mainstage productions.

Hendrik Meurkens is set to play at Mezzrow in celebration of his recent album, which is out now. The album features Hendrik Meurkens on vibes and harmonica, Steve Ash on piano, Chris Berger on bass, and Andy Watson on drums. The concert is set to take place at Mezzrow on Wednesday, June 8th at 7:30 & 9:00PM. Mezzrow is located at 163 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014. For tickets, call the Box Office at 646-476-4346 or click here for tickets.

In November of 2021, the theatre world lost one of its most prolific figures, and one of America's greatest composers, Stephen Sondheim. Gretna Theatre is honored to present Sondheim on Sondheim, featuring some of his greatest works from his greatest shows including Company, Into the Woods, West Side Story, and more.

In honor of bassist and composer Charles Mingus, whose 100th birthday would have been on April 22, 2022, Jazz at Lincoln Center will present a Charles Mingus Centennial Celebration to commemorate his legacy as a trailblazing composer, performer, and bandleader, and as a staunch advocate for social justice and education.

lduda@resnicow.com

Climate change rocks the earth. Your roommate is heading to the beach. What will you do about that Bar Mitzvah for your fish?

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.

Fellow 11th Hour co-founder and previous Artistic Associate Steve Pacek will be appointed as the Transitional Artistic Director this fall. As someone who has been with the company since its inception, 11th Hour is glad to retain the institutional knowledge and passion of Pacek. Pacek also brings the added benefit of expertise gained from a national and international theatre career, as well as a long history of service as the longest-serving board member of Theatre Philadelphia.

The musical follows Charlie, who has taken to her couch as the apocalypse nears with her favorite things: Peanut butter, Wolf Blitzer, and Hershel the Jewish fish.

Prima Theatre, an organization based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania committed to contemporary staged works, is preparing for its first in-theatre performance since March 2019. Like companies across the world, Prima produced outdoor concerts and streaming content online over the past year.

On Saturday, February 20th, 11th Hour Theatre Company invites you to throw away your cares and celebrate its coming of age as they turn “Sweet” 16. Join usinfor a (virtual) evening of memories, performances from artists across the country, raffle prizes, and everything else you would expect from an extravagant bash. Grand entrances, a signature drink, birthday wishes, and more. 

This Saturday, February 20th, 11th Hour Theatre Company invites you to throw away your cares and celebrate our coming of age as we turn “Sweet” 16. Join us for a (virtual) evening of memories, performances from artists across the country, raffle prizes, and everything else you would expect from an extravagant bash. Grand entrances, a signature drink, birthday wishes, and more. 

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.

 11th Hour Theatre Company has announced an exciting 15th Anniversary season. The only company in the city dedicated to producing all musicals has created a line-up of two Next Step Concerts of rarely produced musicals and a Mainstage musical years in the making. The season kicks off with a concert version of William Finn and James Lapine's Falsettos.  Then the company starts 2020 with a bang and a concert of Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Tim Rice's Chess. In the Spring, 11th Hour tackles a musical it has been hoping to produce for years: John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's sensation Hedwig and the Angry Inch. 11th Hour is also introducing a new series of Musical Theatre Salons for this upcoming season as well, which are exclusive member's only events featuring intimate conversations with some of Philadelphia's most well-known musical theatre talents. Subscriptions are available online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone at 267-987-9865.

On Friday, June 21, Flushing Town Hall's Queens Jazz Orchestra will return to the stage to present new music by National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, Dr. Jimmy Heath. 'It Ain't Over Yet' will span the corridors of Dr. Heath's musical and creative imagination, showing that jazz continues to be a vibrant musical force.