Wilma Theater News

Three women joyfully tell the story of their hometown of Harlem in Renaissance in the Belly of the Killer Whale, on stage at the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia now through March 7. Due to popular demand, the company has added an additional performance on Saturday, March 7 at 2pm.

Mint Theater Company Artistic Director Jonathan Bank today announced a cast change for the current production, Chekhov/Tolstoy: Love Stories. Mint alumnus Henry Clarke will replace Alexander Sokovikov beginning Saturday evening February 29th.

This afternoon, the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia announced a groundbreaking artistic leadership plan. Building on the regional theater's esteemed 40-year history, the Wilma will embark on a new artistic vision called The Next Chapter. Under this plan, three new Co-Artistic Directors have been hired by the Wilma's Board of Directors to collaborate alongside Founding Artistic Director Blanka Zizka.

What is exceedingly special about the Wilma's production is that all storytelling elements work together in perfect harmony to create a visually stunning, entertaining and thought-provoking production. 

Truth, lies, and power - the thrilling play Describe the Night by Rajiv Joseph has announced an extension at Philadelphia's Wilma Theater. Due to popular demand, the award-winning epic, directed by Artistic Director Blanka Zizka, will now run to February 22, 2020.

Currently in previews, a?oeUntil the Flooda?? will open at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre on Wednesday, January 29 at 8 p.m. Written and starring Dael Orlandersmith and directed by Neel Keller, a?oeUntil the Flooda?? will continue through February 23. 

BalletX, led by Artistic & Executive Director Christine Cox, presents Spring Series 2020 at The Wilma Theater, a limited engagement of 13 performances, running March 18-29, 2020.

Theatre Philadelphia has announced the return of Philly Theatre Week with 75+ organizations, and 300 events and performances between February 6 to 16, 2020.

Performances begin on January 24 for a?oeUntil the Flooda?? at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre. Written and starring Dael Orlandersmith and directed by Neel Keller, a?oeUntil the Flooda?? will continue through February 23. The opening is set for January 29.

The Walnut Street Theatre continues its 2019-20 Independence Studio on 3 season with the powerful one-man production, THURGOOD. Written by George Stevens, Jr., directed by Jerrell L. Henderson, and starring Johnnie Hobbs, Jr., the production begins previews on January 7, opens January 14, and continues through February 9.

Seattle Rep will welcome back director Tim Bond and a cast of Seattle veteran actors for its production of Lucy Kirkwood's post-apocalyptic drama The Children, beginning February 7 in the Leo K. Theater. Tickets are on sale now through the Seattle Rep Patron Services Office at 206.443.2222 and online at seattlerep.org.

Lantern Theater Company continues its 2019/20 season with the Philadelphia premiere of The Vertical Hour, renowned British playwright David Hare's rich and intellectually gripping play about a family trying to come together and the secrets that may keep them apart. Lantern resident director Kathryn MacMillan directs a cast that includes Lantern veterans Geneviève Perrier, Joe Guzmán, and Marc LeVasseur with newcomers Sydney Banks and Ned Pryce. 

Three women joyfully tell the story of their hometown of Harlem in Renaissance in the Belly of the Killer Whale, on stage at the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia beginning Wednesday, Feb. 26. The show has already been extended due to popular demand and will now close on Saturday, March 7.

The Walnut Street Theatre continues its 2019-20 Independence Studio on 3 season with the powerful one-man production, THURGOOD. Written by George Stevens, Jr., directed by Jerrell L. Henderson, and starring Johnnie Hobbs, Jr., the production begins previews on January 7, opens January 14, and continues through February 9.

People's Light presents Lucy Kirkwood's The Children, 2018 Tony Award nominee for Best Play. Two retired nuclear physicists live a quiet life in a cottage by the sea. Outside, the world is plagued by earthquakes, tsunamis, and a nearby nuclear meltdown. When a former colleague turns up after forty years with a shocking request, three old friends must reckon with their shared culpability in this darkly funny disaster drama. Directed by Executive Artistic Director Abigail Adams, The Children stars People's Light veterans Janis Dardaris, Marcia Saunders, and Graham Smith; and runs in the 160-seat Steinbright Stage January 15 a?" February 9. Tickets start at $35, including fees. To purchase, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

Truth, lies, and power - the thrilling play Describe the Night by Rajiv Joseph takes the stage at the Wilma Theater from Jan. 28-Feb. 16, 2020. The award-winning epic, directed by Artistic Director Blanka Zizka, explores the blurred lines between lies, history, and conspiracy theories as it traces the origins of Russian President Vladimir Putin's power.

Casting is set for Studio Theatre's production of Pipeline, playwright Dominique Morisseau's searing drama about the school-to-prison pipeline and a mother desperately trying to keep her son from becoming ensnared in it. The production runs January 15-February 16, 2020 and is directed by Awoye Timpo. Starring are DC theatre favorite Justin Weaks (Studio's Curve of Departure) as high school student Omari and Andrea Harris Smith making her Studio debut as his mother, public school teacher Nya. In its recent People Issue, Washington City Paper's called Weaks a 'standout,' going on to say: 'D.C. theater audiences love Justin Weaks. ...Weaks came to D.C. for a job about four years ago, not expecting to stay. But he kept getting cast in shows, and lucky for local theatergoers, he's still here.'

RuPaul's Drag Race favorite singer/songwriter HONEY DAVENPORT has a big package to share with audiences this December as she presents STOCKING STUFFER - A CHRISTMAS SHOW WITH BALLS, her debut holiday extravaganza. As she waits for Santa to come down her chimney, the sticky and sweet drag star regales audiences with stories and holiday songs. Spoiler alert: Honey has been very naughty this year! Directed by Mark A. Dahl with musical direction by Paisley Fields.

Mint Theater Company Producing Artistic Director Jonathan Bank today announced that Katie Firth (A Day by the Sea, A Picture of Autumn, Susan and God, Far and Wide - Mint Theater, Museum - Keen Company), Anna Lentz (The Diary of Anne Frank - Geva Theatre Center, The Many Deaths of Nathan Stubblefield, The Tens, A Christmas Carol, Gratuitous Nudity and the Undisclosed Costs of Questioning Surveillance Rather Than Bad Broccoli - Actors Theatre of Louisville),

Lantern Theater Company continues the 2019/20 season with a remount of its original adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, commissioned and developed through the Lantern's New Play Program and co-created by Philadelphia-based artists Anthony Lawton, Christopher Colucci, and Thom Weaver.