Your guide to musicals in Philly for the 2024-25 season

For those looking to indulge in some musicals in Philly for the 2024-25 season, there are plenty of options to choose from—all you have to do is reserve your spot.

Arden Theatre Company

Philadelphians looking for musicals can head to the Arden next spring when they close out their 2024-25 season with the Tony Award-winning play, ‘Rent.’ The show, which follows a group of bohemians in the East Village struggling with love, loss, and gentrification amidst the AIDS crisis, will be on stage at the Old City venue from May 15 through June 8, 2025.

Before ‘Rent’ opens its curtain, locals can head to the Arden to check out ‘Potus: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive’ (now through Oct. 13), ‘Intimate Apparel’ (Oct. 24- Dec. 1), ‘Holy Grail of Memphis’ (Jan. 16- Feb. 23), and ‘August Wilson’s King Hedley II’ (Feb. 27-March 23.) Families are also in luck, the Arden has plans for ‘Peter Pan’ (Nov. 27-Jan. 19) and ‘The Hobbit’ (April 2- May 25) in its Children’s Theatre this year as well.

40 N 2nd St., ardentheatre.org

Academy of Music

If you’re looking for some musicals in Philly this year, the Academy of Music (part of Ensemble Arts Philly) is always a venue full of options. ‘The Book of Mormon’ for one will hit the stage next month (Oct. 1-6.) Following suit will then be ‘Hamilton’ (Oct. 29- Nov. 23), ‘A Beautiful Noise’ (Dec. 10-22), ‘Stomp’ (Dec. 26-29), ‘MJ the Musical’ (Jan. 8-19), ‘Come From Away’ (Feb. 4-9), ‘& Juliet’ (March 25-April 6), ‘Riverdance’ (April 18-25), ‘Some Like it Hot’ (May 20-June 1) and ‘The Wiz’ (June 3-15.)

But that’s just the Broadway series coming to this Avenue of the Arts venue. The Academy will also showcase events for the Philadelphia Orchestra, a Jazz Series and Family Discovery Series (with shows like ‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical’) and more. A full schedule of events and ticket information can be found online.

 240 S Broad St., ensembleartsphilly.org

Bristol Riverside Theatre

Those looking to take a trip to New Hope can stop in the Bristol Riverside Theatre, especially since their 2024-25 season is currently underway. Musical-wise, Bristol will be showcasing the winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical, ‘In the Heights’ next spring. The show, which takes place in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood, comes from Lin Manuel Miranda (the creator of ‘Hamilton’) and will be on stage from March 25 through April 25.

Bristol will also be showcasing ‘The Gin Game’ (now through Sept. 29), ‘Venus in Fur’ (Oct. 22- Nov. 10), ‘Fires in the Mirror’ (Feb. 4-23) and ‘Alibi: An Agatha Christie Story’ (May 27-June 15.) Philadelphians can stop by the neighboring restaurant, Stella of New Hope, or explore the charming small town before or after whichever show you choose.

120 Radcliffe St., brtstage.org

Walnut Street Theatre

The Walnut Street Theatre is a staple for many looking to catch some musicals in Philly. This season, audiences can find ‘Jersey Boys’ (Oct. 1-Nov. 3), ‘ELF The Broadway Musical’ (Nov. 19-Dec. 29) and ‘Dreamgirls’ (March 24-My 5) on stage at the popular venue, plus, Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ (Dec. 6-21) and Disney’s ‘Aladdin Jr.’ (April 26-May 11) for families.

Also hitting the WST this season will be two more prize-winning additions: ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ (Jan. 7-Feb. 2) and Noël Coward’s ‘Hay Fever’ (Feb. 11- March 9.) More information and tickets can be found online.

 825 Walnut St., walnutstreettheatre.org

The Playhouse on Rodney Square

Located in Hotel Du Pont, The Playhouse on Rodney Square holds a variety of different creative experiences, including some Broadway musicals. For the upcoming season, Philadelphians who head to Wilmington can find ‘Tina-The Tina Turner Musical’ (Oct. 11-13), ‘Mean Girls’ (Nov. 15-Nov. 17), ‘The Cher Show’ (Jan. 31-Feb. 1), ‘An Evening with Sutton Foster’ (Feb. 28), ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ (April 11-13) and ‘Hadestown’ (May 2-3.)

The Playhouse’s season will also feature a variety of concerts, variety and speaker shows, and theater productions in 2024-25. A full schedule and other suggestions to explore while in Delaware can be found online.

 1007 N Market St, Wilmington, Delaware, thegrandwilmington.org