Philly's 2003 Theater Season – Broad Street's Broadway

It's been an interesting mix of theater in a city just 90 min. from Broadway. We've hosted our share of tours, mostly the traveling musicals in the main larger venues. Among the most talked about shows were the touring companies of Miss Saigon, Urinetown, Chicago and the recently named "world's most popular musical" Mamma Mia, which set a precedent by returning to the Forrest Theater less than year from it's original visit in Philadelphia. The Broadway touring production of Beauty and the Beast bid its final farewell performance after 137 engagements in 90 cities, to an appreciative Philadelphia audience.

A stir of excitement and anticipation was created when a favorite old venue took on a "stage face-lift" and opened its doors to Broadway in May 2003. The acoustically superb Academy of Music, home to Philly's best opera, ballet and symphony decided to join in the fun by presenting "Broadway at the Academy." It didn't take long for this landmark theater to fill its season with a program roster packed with the current touring companies, Equity and non-equity, following suit with next-door neighbor, The Merriam Theater. When you surround these two with the new GlassPalace, the KimmelCenter, now Philly's cultural hub, it's easy to see why

Broad Street

could be called Broadway.

I would love to see and review everything at all of Philly's great venues, the Walnut Street Theater, The Wilma, The Prince, The Arden, The Media Theater, Media, Pa. and the Bristol Riverside Theater, Bristol Pa., etc, etc. These popular houses hold some wonderful productions. Many of them are produced within there own creative organizations. The Walnut Street Theater premiered a new musical La Vie En Bleu celebrating the life, arts and loves of Pablo Picasso. The Bristol Riverside Theater, BristolPa. also made its American debut with Forget Herostratus, a political allegory for modern times, set in ancient times. Barry Manilow's new Broadway bound musical Harmony 'almost' made its Philly premier at the Forrest Theater. This much- anticipated preview was halted just 10 days prior to opening. Unfortunately, word about its financial woes hit Broadway long before the show's dream of coming to New York.

Between business trips to New York, catching the latest shows on Broadway and keeping up with the growing number of shows being added to the Philly theaters, it's a challenge to stay on top of everything. Still, I wanted to share some of the highlights and not-so high lights of a handful of shows and events that took place in the Philly area in 2003.

Broadways tours worth traveling for: Chicago and Urinetown.
Non-Equity tours to see: Miss Saigon and Smokey Joe's Cafe.
Touring shows to pass on: Starlight Express, The Exonerated, and Grease, despite Philly native Frankie Avalon ,who looked and sounded pretty good for a 60 yr.+ old teen angel.

Special Broadway Events:

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops presents "Broadway Show Stoppers," an annual evening of Broadway's favorites songs sung by some of Broadway's favorite stars. This year we were treated to the voices of Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Liz Callaway and William Michals accompanied by the world famous Philly Pops with conductor Peter Nero. This sold -out event is held at the KimmelCenter. The amazing Elaine Strich At Liberty opened the Broadway premier at the Academy of Music. Alice Ripley, Side Show graciously filled in on short notice, for the ailing Linda Eder who was scheduled to perform at the KimmelCenter. Eder, did however bring her glorious voice to the Philly area at the MannMusicCenter and LenapeRegionalPerformingArtsCenter, MarltonNJ. Christine Andreas also charmed the crowd at the Prince Music Theater with an intimate cabaret show.

Pleasant Surprises:

Annie at the Walnut Street Theater- super casting made this an oldie but goodie. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at The Bristol Riverside Theater. A legend, Chris Calloway (Cab Calloway's daughter for those who remember or not) plays a legend, Billy Holiday so fine. She was a wonderful treat and earned a Barrymore nomination as Billy. Urinetown at the Academy- a cast to rival Broadway and a great laugh to all newcomers.

Best overall performance: Raul Esparza

as Mihoels in The Prince Theater's The Green Violin. Christine Andreas as Vera in Pal Joey also at the Prince. Bianca Marroquin as Roxy in the Chicago tour at the Merriam. Tom Hewitt as Lockstock in Urinetown tour at the Academy.

Best Ensemble:

42^nd Street

Tour at the Merriam.
My Favorite Philly Shows: Chicago, Urinetown and Dame Edna.

Biggest Disappointments

: Jesus Christ Superstar at the Merriam with Sebastian Bach, who was dreadfully miscast for Jesus. Mandy Patinkin in Concert at the Lenape PAC, Marlton, NJ, outside of Philly. Mandy is a star name and a talent but his so-called brilliance borders the bizarre in his presentation.

My Most Anticipated shows for 2004: The Producers (Jan. 14- Merriam) Les Miserables (Mar. 2- Academy) BJ Crosby (May 5- Prince Cabaret) This year's Broadway Show Stoppers at the Kimmel Center featuring Dee Hoty, Sutton Foster, Donna McKechnie, Matt Bogart and William Michals. (Jan. 28,30,31 Feb.1) for starters. And that's prior to the announcements of half the 2004 season. I'm also hoping there will be more plays, drama, comedy and less musicals in this seasons to come as well as new works and premiers. So, there you have it, a look back at a few of the highlights of Philly Theater for 2003.

For more information on these and many Philly theaters: visit www.theateralliane.org