My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Temple Theaters' THE MATCHMAKER Begins Tonight

By:

Temple Theaters concludes its 47th season with Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker, directed by Douglas C. Wager. The classic American play about the tipsy relationship love and money runs tonight, March 25 - April 4 in the Tomlinson Theater. With a wild romp through late 19th century New York, The Matchmaker proves that sometimes money can buy happiness.

The charming and charismatic Dolly Levi (Julie Czarnecki) is hired by rich widower Horace Vandergelder (Robert Jason Jackson) to help broker fortunate marriages for himself and his niece Ermengarde (Gabby Huggins). With help from Dolly, Ermengarde plans to defy her uncle and run off with the poor artist Ambrose (Daniel Barland). Though tasked with facilitating a marriage between Vandergelder and Irene Molloy (Katie Horner), a young and successful businesswoman, Dolly has plans to take him for herself. In the end, the chaos of lies, schemes, and mistaken identities yields to a happy ending for all.

The Matchmaker is "a genuinely all-American play about living in the now," says director Douglas C. Wager. "His play is not simply a comic nostalgic period piece; it is also an iconic cautionary tale about pursuing wealth versus the pursuit of happiness," he continues. "It is also a shrewd parable about the waning currency of time, about the priceless value of seizing life, loving it and living it fully."

Temple Theaters' MFA PlayFest, staged readings of new plays, is the final presentation of the year, running April 24 - 26. Look for the announcement of the 2015-2016 season coming soon. Information about Temple Theaters main stage season and special events can be found at temple.edu/theater.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Direction of a Play - Top 3
1. Joe Mantello - Death of a Salesman
19.6% of votes
2. Duncan MacMillan, Jeremy Herrin - Every Brilliant Thing
17.4% of votes
3. Whitney White - Liberation
9.7% of votes

Need more Philadelphia Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Pinkalicious the Musical in Philadelphia Pinkalicious the Musical
The Keswick Theatre (5/30-5/30)
Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, June 2026 in Philadelphia Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, June 2026
309 Resort Dr (6/26-6/26)
#SuiteTea by TS Hawkins in Philadelphia #SuiteTea by TS Hawkins
Louis Bluver Theatre (5/23-5/23)
Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, May 2026 in Philadelphia Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, May 2026
309 Resort Dr (5/24-5/24)
Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, June 2026 in Philadelphia Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, June 2026
309 Resort Dr (6/21-6/21)
Million Dollar Quartet in Philadelphia Million Dollar Quartet
Labuda Center for the Performing Arts (6/10-6/28)
Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, June 2026 in Philadelphia Magic Show - Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic | Camelback Resort, June 2026
309 Resort Dr (6/20-6/20)
Family Magic Shows @ 1 PM in Philadelphia Family Magic Shows @ 1 PM
Smoke & Mirrors Theater in House of Magic (5/02-8/29)
Harrison Greenbaum♦ Funniest. Magician. Ever!!! - June 28th 2026- 8pm in Philadelphia Harrison Greenbaum♦ Funniest. Magician. Ever!!! - June 28th 2026- 8pm
Smoke & Mirrors Theater in House of Magic (6/28-6/28)
Gino Mozzarella June 19th & 20th 2026 - 8PM  in Philadelphia Gino Mozzarella June 19th & 20th 2026 - 8PM
Smoke & Mirrors Theater in House of Magic (6/19-6/20)