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The cast of “The Women,” now at Old Academy Players, is made up entirely of women.

‘The Women’ keep a privileged edge in Old Academy revival

“The Women” by Clare Boothe Luce was a smash hit on Broadway in 1936. Running well over two hours, it is a curious work in many ways. more

by Hugh Hunter | 9/24/26

Michael Eddy Harvey and Greta Groothuis play the Donohues in “These Shining Lives.”

‘Shining Lives’ gives elegance to tale of corporate misdeeds

Even before “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich delivers its opening lines, the video display at The Stagecrafters Theater captures your attention. more

by Hugh Hunter | 9/24/26

The Stagecrafters Theater opens its new season on Sept. 18 with “These Shining Lives.”

Show goes on: Stagecrafters rebuilds post-pandemic

After the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many theaters weren’t able to recover. The Stagecrafters Theater, located in Chestnut Hill, has stayed afloat, but it is fighting to regain all of its audience. more

by Julianna Musser | 9/17/26

Sylvie Schuetz (above, left) as Lizzie and Brynn Smith plays Laura in “The Melon’s Cry” at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

‘The Melon’s Cry’ is a take on Victorian era poem

Effie Kammer, a writer and actor, can’t remember when exactly she came across the poem “Goblin Market” (1862) by Christina Rossetti. However, she does remember the impact the poem had on her. more

by Maggie Dougherty | 9/10/26

Lindsay Smiling was a founding member of the HotHouse Resident Acting Company, the Wilma’s ensemble of actors.

Mt. Airy’s Lindsay Smiling tapped to head Wilma Theater

Lindsay Smiling, a Mt. Airy resident, took over as sole artistic director of the Wilma Theater on Aug. 1. Smiling, however, is no stranger to the role. more

by Maggie Dougherty | 8/20/26

‘Eisenhower’ immerses audience in the life of a president

Now running at Act II Playhouse, “Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground” by Richard Hellesen, is a fictional portrait of the president, but draws heavily on Eisenhower’s public statements and private writings. more

by Hugh Hunter | 8/13/26

A rendering of the new look coming to the Sedgwick.

For the Sedgwick, new season to introduce new look

The Sedgwick Theater, home to Quintessence Theatre in Mt. Airy, is developing a new and improved theater experience as it embarks on a series of renovations. more

by Julianna Musser | 8/13/26

“Song for a New World” boasts a vibrant cast, including CJ Fischer seated in front. Standing left to right are Ryan Baber, Kristin Dennison and Christie Fischer.

‘Songs for a New World’ evokes memorable moments

Allens Lane is hosting the Pretzel Theater Company in a joyous revival of “Songs for a New World.” more

by Hugh Hunter | 7/30/26

Four of the team behind New Leaf Theatre Company: (L to R) John Williams, Meghan Basiliko, Olivia DiIorio, and Christopher Yingling.

New Leaf Theatre Company plants roots in Northwest

For many years, Christopher Yingling dreamed of having a theater company. When it came time for him to create one, he turned to some of his closest friends. more

by Maggie Dougherty | 7/30/26

Lantern Theater Company’s Mt. Airy location will be at the former Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church.

Lantern Theater Company making progress on Northwest expansion

The Lantern Theater Company is making progress on an expansion to Northwest Philadelphia, with a planned 2027 opening of its Mt. Airy theater. more

by Maggie Dougherty | 7/23/26

Old Academy’s “Summer Bonanza” consists of seven one-act plays, each about 10 minutes long.

Old Academy celebrates the season with ‘Summer Bonanza’

The 10-minute play is a unique theater genre that has taken hold in recent years, with many one-act festivals ranging from community-based events to international galas. more

by Hugh Hunter | 7/16/26

Young actors perform in last year’s Summer Sort of Thing outdoor show.

Yes! And… Collaborative Arts details summer initiatives

Yes! And… Collaborative Arts (YACA), a youth performing arts organization in Germantown, is having a busy and ambitious summer. more

by Maggie Dougherty | 7/16/26

“Kea and the Ark” combines puppetry, dance, electric cello and storytelling in a 60-minute performance.

ArtPhilly’s ‘What Now’ comes to the Northwest

ArtPhilly, an organization aiming to amplify Philadelphia as a major destination for arts and culture, is wrapping up its citywide, multidisciplinary festival called “What Now: 2026.” more

by Maggie Dougherty | 6/25/26

Susan Blair as Daisy, and Kareen Diallo Carpenter as Hoke, ably demonstrate their evolving relationship.

Old Academy’s ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ a heartwarming revival

Now running at Old Academy Players, “Driving Miss Daisy” (1987) by Alfred Uhry was warmly received on opening night. more

by Hugh Hunter | 6/18/26

‘Curious Incident’ sparkles at Stagecrafters

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” now running at Stagecrafters Theater, grabs your attention from the get-go. more

by Hugh Hunter | 6/18/26

Chestnut Hill resident Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, a performer in the theater production “GrandWomen,” told the Local, “It has been a wonderful experience, especially meeting the diverse, loving, fascinating elder women who make up the cast of six … now we feel like sisters.”

Hill rabbi a ‘GrandWoman’ in unique stage experience

The Theater of Witness is unlike any theater you will ever visit. more

by Len Lear | 6/4/26

Michael Isaac, in black, and Renee McFillin, in red with a rifle, play Frank Butler and Annie Oakley in the Act II Playhouse production of “Annie Get Your Gun.”

Act II’s ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ is a bang-up production

Actress Renee McFillin and director/choreographer Stephen Casey are teaming up once again in the classic musical “Annie Get Your Gun” (1946) at Act II Playhouse. The result is spectacular. more

by Hugh Hunter | 6/4/26

Emma Hearn, a graduate of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy and Germantown Academy, has the leading female role of Cherry Valance in “The Outsiders,” the Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2024 that will be staged May 26 to June 7 at the Academy of Music.

Hill area performer stars in Academy of Music musical

When Emma Hearn was acting and singing in plays at Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in Chestnut Hill and then Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, she dreamed of performing on professional stages. more

by Len Lear | 5/28/26

Choice (Ronnie Riggles) processes the fond recollections of his deceased mother shared aloud by the men at the barbershop in Glenn Alan’s play, “Don’t Sing No Blues For Me.”

Allens Lane’s ‘Don’t Sing No Blues For Me,’ set in a black barbershop, is a cut above

The restructured program at Allens Lane Theater now stages one full play a year, with an emphasis on relevance to the Mt. Airy community. more

by Hugh Hunter | 4/30/26

Strong performances, singing make ‘Carrie’ scary good

For many reasons, “Carrie: The Musical” is a challenge to stage. Even the title startles you. How do you turn Stephen King’s bloody gothic-horror novel into a musical? more

by Hugh Hunter | 4/30/26

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