Lady Day 1987

Philadelphia is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for April 2024 include Beautiful, The Lehman Trilogy, and more!

The Heart of Rock and Roll, the new musical inspired by the iconic songs written and performed by Huey Lewis and The News, officially begins previews tonight, March 29. The musical  will open at The James Earl Jones Theatre on Monday, April 22. Meet the cast of The Heart of Rock and Roll here!

This time, the reader question was: Is Michael Greif setting a record by directing three shows this season?

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Joan Holden, playwright best known for her work with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, has died at age 85.

Everything in this collection is captured and remastered beautifully, spanning two discs with 28 songs on each, and that’s a treasure trove, for sure.

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. Learn more about the performances here!

Diane Warren will be honored with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award at the 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala in New York City on June 13, 2024. Other notable inductees include Hillary Lindsey, Timbaland, and R.E.M. The award reflects whose body of work upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer.

Chicago Children's Theatre's 2023-24 season finale will be a celebration of the same joyful energy that launched the company nearly 20 years ago, A Year with Frog and Toad. Learn more about the production here!

Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet will have its North American Premiere at the Ahmanson January 31, 2024 (with previews starting January 28th). Matthew directs and choreographs his cast of 27 New Adventures dancers. Matthew managed to answer a few of my queries on the phone amidst the background of police sirens blaring.

On Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 7:30pm, Carnegie Hall presents the American Composers Orchestra (ACO) in America in Weimar: On the Margins at Zankel Hall. 

Carnegie Hall presents the American Composers Orchestra in 'America in Weimar: On the Margins' featuring new works by John Glover, Kelley Rourke, Jerod Tate, and Tonia Ko. The program explores the United States' influence on the pre-World War II Weimar period.

Of all the films on IMDB's list of the 1000 highest-grossing movies of all time, 31 have been adapted into Broadway musicals. Check out a guide to each those musicals below, along with musicals that are in development or ones that have not yet made their way to Broadway.

The full cast has been revealed for the upcoming Broadway production of The Heart of Rock and Roll, the new musical inspired by the iconic songs written and performed by Huey Lewis and The News. Find out who is starring in the musical here!

With new exclusives and premieres to beloved movies starting to stream, check out everything coming to Paramount+ in January 2024. 

Stream Original Comedy Specials “Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?!” For HBO And “Gary Gulman: Born on 3rd Base” For Max, Max Original Documentary “Oprah and The Color Purple Journey,” HBO Original Documentary Series “Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage & Reckoning,” and more. Check out what's coming to Max and leaving Max in December 2023.

First Stage's Young Company presents Shakespeare's HENRY IV, PART 1, directed by Marcella Kearns. Witness the epic tale of power, honor, and rebellion in this riveting historical play.

From November 17 through 22, BAM presents the Masc film series. Spotlighting the rich stories and courageous lives of trans men, butch lesbians, and gender-nonconforming heroes, this collection—curated by writer-archivist-filmmaker Jenni Olson and critic Caden Mark Gardner—journeys through nearly four decades of cinema history in search of authentic, complex representations of masculine identity as it exists outside the realm of cisgender men.

Philadelphia is ready to make history once again. Pride 365: A Program of Galaei will present the inaugural Philadelphia OURfest: National Coming Out Parade and Festival/Resource Fair, the first National Coming Out Parade in the United States. Get event and lineup information here!

Battery Dance will celebrates the 42nd Anniversary of its free summer festival from August 12-18, 2023, in partnership with Battery Park City Authority. The 42nd Annual Battery Dance Festival will feature in-person and live-streamed performances staged each night at Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City, New York City at 7PM ET, with a rain date on 8/19.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival will be heading outdoors for an updated revival of the three-person comedy The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] presented on a new outdoor stage in front of the Trexler Library at DeSales University. The show previews, Wednesday and Thursday, June 28 and 29, opens Friday, June 30, and runs through July 16.

Theatre for a New Audience will present Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending, July 9–August 6 at Polonsky Shakespeare Center. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Julien's Auctions, the acclaimed auction house to the stars, held on Friday, May 19th and Saturday, May 20th the industry's premiere music auction event 'MUSIC ICONS,' featuring a spectacular line-up of over 1,200 pieces of music history from rock royalty owned and used by the likes of Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Lifeson, and more.

The CAPA Summer Movie Series, the longest-running classic film series in America, has announced the schedule for its 54th series of classic films and cult favorites. The 2023 series will run June 15-July 16 at the historic Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) and feature 19 films over five weeks.

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has announced the complete principal casts, creative teams, and events planned for the previously announced summer season.

The theater community rallied together once again with spirited skits, dynamic dance and brilliant bonnets as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ Easter Bonnet Competition returned April 24 and 25, 2023. The performances celebrated in-theater Red Bucket appeals that raised $3,601,355 for meals and medication, health care and hope for those who need them most.