Every spring season, the city turns the spotlight on some of the region’s best and brightest performers with the annual Philly Theatre Week. Theatre Philadelphia’s fan-favorite event spans over ten days of shows and activations geared towards showcasing the talent of local creatives, and 2024 is the biggest year yet.
“We are excited to be back for our seventh annual Philly Theatre Week and to be continuing its mission for more accessible theatre for the Greater Philadelphia community,” said Theatre Philadelphia Executive Director Sabriaya Shipley in a statement.
“In addition to the theatre companies and artist collectives joining us, Theatre Philadelphia is curating in-person and virtual discussions, podcast conversations, digital interactive campaigns, and community-centered events that engage with various intersections of the theatre community.”
The event kicks off this week (April 4) and will run until April 14. This year, there will be dozens of shows both in the city and suburbs for theatergoers of all ages, interests and experience levels, a release notes. Activations are broken down into Theatre Philadelphia curated events and showcases by participating theatres and artists.
A few Theatre Philadelphia events span a First Person Arts Story Slam and Collaborative Arts Community Picnic. The Story Slam (April 6, 3 p.m.) comes from a collaboration with TP and the team at First Person Arts. Taking place at the Adrienne Theatre (2030 Sansom St.), attendees will be able to hear first-person monologues about life as a theatre student, whether in college or working with a mentor, from storytellers Jamie J Brunson, Justin Jain, Jenna Kuerzi, Gabriela Sanchez, Sharese Salters, and Zuhairah McGill.
The Picnic on the other hand (April 13, 3 p.m.) comes from a partnership with Yes- And Collaborative Arts. The event will feature live music, indoor/outdoor games, a crafts circle, and a free book exchange—it’s all meant to encourage the community to support the youth-led theatre at the Yes And.. Shadow Company’s show “The Meal”. The Picnic will take place at 21 W Washington Lane, and more information can be found online.
Philly Theatre Week will feature a variety of different shows from companies around the area as well—and their plays all range in time, theme, format and offerings.
Columbus Square Drama Club’s ‘Hoopsical: Remixed! An Anti-Bully Musical in One Act’ for one is an experimental comedy that happens to be family-friendly. Taking place on April 5 and 12 (both at 6 p.m.), the show centers on school dynamics, friendships and bullying through song. The showcase will be performed at the Columbus Square Recreational Center (1200 Wharton St.) in South Philly, and food will be available.
Another showcase ‘Porn Stash’ is part of Crossroad Comedy Theater’s ‘Study Hall: Comedy Inspired Lectures’ series. Taking place from 10 to 11 p.m. on April 5 (at Theatre Exile, 1340 S. 13th St.), this sex-positive show will feature sex educators sitting down together and watching clips of porn in front of a live audience, followed by a discussion with hosts Betty Smithsonian and Ralph Andracchio.
Those who want more of the classics can find shows like ‘Macbeth’ from Quintessence Theatre Group (multiple dates at the Sedgewick Theatre, 7137 Germantown Ave.) or Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Nile’ from The Ritz Theatre Company (multiple dates, 915 Whitehorse Pike, Haddon Township, New Jersey.)
Other events are meant to take the idea of theater up a notch during Philly Theatre Week—like Gilbert & Sullivan & Cocktails from The Savoy Company of Philadelphia. This particular showcase (taking place at Trinity Memorial Church, 2212 Spruce St. on April 13, 7:30 p.m.) will feature Savoy Theater members performing selections from a number of Gilbert & Sullivan Operas, accompanied by three cocktail pairings.
Another stand-out, ‘Dare Night – National Treasure’ is Theatre Contra’s live movie reading series where audiences get to be in control of the classic Nicholas Cage film. Taking place at The Playground at the Adrienne Theater (2030 Sansom St.), locals can catch this event on April 5 and noon at 7 p.m.
Other shows to choose from span ‘An Enemy of the People’, (multiple dates, Yellow Bicycle Company), ‘The Last Yiddish Speaker’ (multiple dates, InterAct Theatre Company), ‘Urinetown the Musical’ (multiple dates, The Department of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts at Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey), ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee (multiple dates, Plays & Players) and much more.
“We hope that Philly Theatre Week continues to be a time of year for celebrating, honoring, and gathering the Greater Philadelphia community around the current theatre season offerings and also giving tangible resources or connections to put towards the next Philly theatre season,” Shipley finished.
More information and tickets can be found at theatrephiladelphia.org
