Walnut Street Theatre (WST) concludes its 217^th season of legendary stories with 1776 The Musical, steps from where the original story took place.

On Wednesday, I attended Opening Night of this production, a key part of Philadelphia’s celebration commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This awe-inspiring show continues its limited engagement through May 31 only.

The founding fathers come alive in 1776, the classic award-winning Broadway musical. Join John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they fight for independence against a deadlocked Continental Congress in a retelling filled with humor, romance, pathos, and nail-biting tension. Before Hamilton, there was the revolutionary musical 1776; it’s a captivating journey of what happened right here in Philadelphia!

Audiences will be engaged from the moment they step into the theatre, as 1776 The Musical is the first production in decades to display Walnut Street Theatre’s historic fire curtain, which was restored in summer 2025, in time for America’s 250^th anniversary with the support of The Arcadia Foundation.

The curtain features the painting “The Bells First Note – 1753” by artist J. L. G. Ferris, who has been called “the master painter of scenes from American history”. The curtain will be lowered prior to every performance, so audiences are invited to come early to view the fire curtain and enjoy pre-show festivities.

SHERMAN EDWARDS conceptualized the story for several years, developing lyrics and libretto that tell a story of the commitment these men had to the birth of the American nation. He was joined by collaborator PETER STONE, who wrote the book for the show. It premiered on Broadway in 1969 and won multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical. While still in the midst of its 3-year Broadway run and while touring in the United States, the show opened on the West End in 1970. A film based on the show, written by Peter Stone, was released in 1972.

GLENN CASALE, who previously directed some of the Walnut’s most successful productions including ELF The Broadway Musical and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, returns to direct. Casale directed the 2012 Dutch production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, the national tour, and several regional productions in the States including the Walnut.

Music and vocal direction is provided by CHRIS BURCHERI. His Walnut credits include A Christmas Story The Musical, Dreamgirls, ELF The Broadway Musical, Jersey Boys, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and more.   

The incredibly talented cast take on the challenge of portraying founding fathers and other historical figures. Walnut favorite BEN DIBBLE (Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella) returns to the stage to star as John Adams, and LUCY HORTON makes her Walnut debut as she portrays his wife, Abigail Adams. GRANT STRUBLE (Annie) plays the role of Thomas Jefferson and KATHRYN BRUNNER (Million Dollar Quartet) plays Martha Jefferson. SCOTT GREER (Driving Miss Daisy) brings Philadelphia native Benjamin Franklin to life and SCOTT LANGDON (A Christmas Story – The Musical) plays John Dickinson.

BEN MICHAEL (Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific) portrays Edward Rutledge and DANNY VACCARO makes his Walnut debut as John Hancock.

The creative team is equally as esteemed as the cast and transports audiences back to the days that history was made. Scenic Designer ROMAN TATAROWICZ (Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance) and Lighting Designer RYAN O’GARA (Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance) reunite once again, working with Sound Designer ED CHAPMAN (A Christmas Story – The Musical) to evoke the sights and sounds of late 1700s Philadelphia. Longtime Walnut collaborator MARY FOLINO (A Christmas Story – The Musical) joins the team as Costume Designer to work with Walnut debut Wig Designer CARISSA THORLAKSON to bring the 1700s to life on the stage.

The American Experiment began almost 250 years ago and just 33 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Walnut Street Theatre opened its doors. Many early audiences experienced the historic events of our country’s founding. Don’t miss your chance to become a part of history and experience this story live on stage with 1776 the Musical.

The 2025-26 Season concludes with 1776 The Musical.

For tickets, and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.

Last week, I was thrilled to attend opening night of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Edward Albee’s A DELICATE BALANCE at Walnut Street Theatre (WST). Directed by WST’s Producing Artistic Director, Bernard Havard, this production runs through March 29 on the Walnut’s mainstage.

In A DELICATE BALANCE, on an otherwise uneventful night, long-time friends arrive at the front door unannounced and terrified and ask if they can stay. An unexplained fear has gripped them, and they have turned to old friends as their first and last resort. What will they do? Edward Albee won the first of his three Pulitzer Prizes for this American classic, an absorbing look into the everyday hopes, fears, and secrets we all so delicately balance.

Written by EDWARD ALBEE through 1965 and into 1966, it premiered on Broadway in 1966. Met with critical acclaim for its exploration of fragile structures within an upper-middle-class household, it went on to win the 1967 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the first of three that Albee would receive for his works.

Since its debut, A DELICATE BALANCE has been revived multiple times on Broadway and produced extensively around the world, praised for its sharp dialogue and psychological insight.

Havard’s recent Walnut Mainstage productions include Driving Miss Daisy; Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit; Oscar Wilde’s A Woman of No Importance; The Humans; God of Carnage; and ART. He has spent his life in theatre as an actor, stage manager, director, managing director and producer. Recognized as one of America’s leading theatre producers, he has proudly served America’s Oldest Theatre for 43 years.

Under Havard’s leadership, the Walnut became a not-for-profit, self-producing theatre, and has gained international recognition as one of America’s premier regional theatres.

The show features an exceptional cast of Walnut favorites. ALICIA ROPER (Noël Coward’s Hay Fever) portrays Agnes, a woman who acts as the fulcrum for keeping her family in control and balanced through her role as wife, sister, and mother. PAUL L. NOLAN (ELF The Broadway Musical) brings to life Tobias, Agnes’ husband who clings to self-control and his marriage like a habit.

GRACE GONGLEWSKI (Last of the Red Hot Lovers) takes on the role of Claire, Agnes’ alcoholic younger sister who sees the cracks that exist in the relationships but seems to care nothing about social politeness. WENDY SCHARFMAN (Driving Miss Daisy) and PETER SCHMITZ (A Woman of No Importance) play Edna and Harry, respectively; the couple are friends of Agnes and Tobias who ask to stay with the family due to an unnamed terror in their own home.

Rounding out the cast is ALANNA J. SMITH (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) as Julia, Agnes and Tobias’ emotional daughter who has come home after leaving her fourth failed marriage.

The creative team includes an incredible team of long-time Walnut collaborators. ROMAN TATAROWICZ (Million Dollar Quartet) returns as Scenic Designer and reunites with RYAN O’GARA (Million Dollar Quartet) as Lighting Designer; the pair transform the Walnut stage into a well-appointed 1960s suburban living room. CHRISTOPHER COLUCCI (Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective) joins as Sound Designer to immerse audiences throughout the drama of the show.

REBECCA DWIGHT (Oleanna) as Costume Designer and AMARI CALLAWAY (Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective) as Wig Designer work together to translate the unmistakable mid-century aesthetic of the era onto the cast.

Don’t miss this strikingly psychological story of human dynamics and emotions hiding beneath the surface.

For tickets, and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.

Photo Credit: Alicia Roper, Paul L. Nolan and Alanna J. Smith in Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance. Photo by Mark Garvin.  

Last week, I attended opening night of Walnut Street Theatre (WST)’s world premiere of SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE GREAT DETECTIVE, an adaptation of some of the most famous detective stories ever told. The show only runs through February 15. I’ve been going to see WST shows for years now, and they never disappoint.

Intrigue, adventure, and comedy unfold in SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE GREAT DETECTIVE, a world premiere adapted from the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes and Watson, drawn together once more, face rivalry, disguises, and mishaps galore. From Baker Street, the two embark on a whirlwind chase, complete with antics and absurd conspiracies, all masterminded by the sinister Professor Moriarty. Mayhem and whimsical mystery unfold in this all-new tale with the world’s greatest detective.  

Playwright and Director BILL VAN HORN is no stranger to the Walnut’s stage in any sense. After the smash success of Sherlock Holmes – The Adventure of the Speckled Band in WST’s 2021-22 season, he was commissioned to adapt another brand-new story about the intrepid heroes, Sherlock and Watson. WST’s beloved yearly productions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol were also conceived and adapted by Van Horn.

In addition to leading the cast as both director and dramatist, Van Horn also returns to the role of Holmes’ familiar sidekick, Dr. John Watson, after portraying him in Sherlock Holmes – The Adventure of the Speckled Band.  

Tackling the role of the titular detective is HARRY SMITH. Audiences will remember Smith from last season’s production of Noël Coward’s Hay Fever. An avid mathematician and explorer himself, Smith is excited to return to the Walnut and make his mark on one of the world’s most iconic literary characters. DAN HODGE takes on the role of Professor James Moriarty, Holmes’ arch-nemesis and the criminal mastermind controlling Europe’s seedy underbelly.

The balance of the cast plays multiple characters, adding to the uproarious mayhem. Actress MARY MARTELLO also makes her highly anticipated return to the Walnut stage in her role as Mrs. Hudson and Others, Holmes’ long-suffering but steadfastly loyal landlady. Martello’s last appearance at Walnut Street Theatre was in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. ANNA BAILEY returns as well to portray Arabella Moriarty and Others, the sadistic younger sister of the scheming professor; audiences can recall Bailey playing opposite Smith in last season’s Noël Coward’s Hay Fever.

Rounding out the cast is DAVE JOHNSON as Detective Inspector Lestrade and Others, a determined but conventional Scotland Yard officer and a close friend of Sherlock’s. Johnson most recently appeared in Groucho: A Life in Revue.

Each member of the production’s creative team brings unique and spectacular talents to the team. Scenic Designer JASON SIMMS makes his Walnut debut as his sets transport audiences to London, the Alps, and across the continent.

Grab your bags, your closest confidant (or partner-in-crime), and get ready to leap into the hilarious mysteries of SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE GREAT DETECTIVE!

For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.

Photo Credit: Dan Hodge and Dave Johnson. Photo by Mark Garvin.

Walnut Street Theatre is inviting audiences to experience the holidays with Ralphie Parker and his family. Travel back to 1940’s Indiana with the Parkers in A CHRISTMAS STORY The Musical. The show only runs through January 4—you’ll want to bring family and friends to see this classic.  

A CHRISTMAS STORY The Musical is Broadway’s musical comedy gift. A boy named Ralphie has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas, a Red Ryder BB Gun. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, the dogs stealing the turkey, a cranky department store Santa and a triple-dogdare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas dream. This beloved musical captures holiday wonder with funny and heartfelt songs, show-stopping dancing, a pair of mischievous dogs, delicious wit and a heart of gold. 

Based on the classic 1983 motion picture A Christmas Story and the 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by JEAN SHEPHERD, the show features a book written by JOSEPH ROBINETTE and music and lyrics written by BENJ PASEK and JUSTIN PAUL (Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman). 

The show premiered on Broadway in 2012, where audiences embraced the entertaining family experience as the magic of the holiday season. Securing three Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score, the musical features an entertaining selection of songs for audiences of all ages, including “It All Comes Down to Christmas”, “Ralphie to the Rescue!”, and “A Christmas Story”. 

RICHARD STAFFORD returns to the Walnut as Director/Choreographer, having previously directed and choreographed numerous Mainstage shows, including last season’s smash-hit, Jersey Boys. Music and vocal direction is provided by CHRIS BURCHERI, who returned to the Walnut for his sixth season. 

Taking on the lead role of Ralphie, the daydreamer from Indiana who spends his days counting down to Christmas, are two Walnut veterans: TYLER JAI KNOWLES (ELF the Broadway Musical) of Red Hill, PA and RAPHAEL SOMMER (ELF the Broadway Musical) of Merion, PA. ELYSE LANGLEY makes her Walnut debut as Mother and FRAN PRISCO (Million Dollar Quartet) returns to the stage as The Old Man, Ralphie’s father. 

Rounding out the Parker family are KIERAN GALLAGHER of Philadelphia and OLIVER WONG of Lebanon, NJ, who make their Walnut debuts sharing the role of Randy. BILL VAN HORN (ELF the Broadway Musical) appears as Jean Shepherd, telling the story of the show, and ELLIE MOONEY (Noël Coward’s Hay Fever) portrays Miss Shields, Ralphie’s teacher. 

The role of Schwartz is shared by OWEN AHLMER of Exton, PA and ALEX LIAS of Bala Cynwyd and the role of Flick is shared by TRISTAN MONAGHAN of Trevose and ELLIS TARGOFF of Philadelphia; all four make their Walnut debuts. Taking on the role of bully Scut Farkus is BRIAN MANNING of Havertown and MJ WERMUTH of Pennsauken, NJ, both making their Walnut debuts, and his sidekick Grover Dill is portrayed by BEN HOSBACH (ELF the Broadway Musical) of Swarthmore and TREY JOHNSON of Sewell, NJ in his Walnut debut. 

The Walnut production features an extended ensemble of children from the Delaware Valley, all students from its Theatre School. The incredible children’s ensemble includes JULIA MERCEDES HEUMAN of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, as well as Walnut debuts EMMA CAROTO of West Chester; OONA COOPER-THEIMAN of Philadelphia; LYDIA JONES of Harleysville; LILA MALEY of Pottsville; and SCARLET PRESLEY of Horsham. Additionally, the role of the hounds are played by GUS and JETHRO, courtesy of William Perloni Theatrical Animals. 

For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550. 

Photo Credit: Cast of A Christmas Story The Musical. Photo by Mark Garvin.  

Last week, I attended the thrilling opening night of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Walnut Street Theatre (WST). With smash hits and a story inspired by one of the greatest recording sessions in rock ‘n’ roll history, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is a must-see show! This production only runs through November 2.

This is an electrifying story of the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together to make music and ended up making history. Inspired by the actual events that took place on December 4, 1956, at Sun Records in Memphis, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is an engaging musical about a story of fame, friendship, discovery, divided loyalties, professional jealousy and incredible music.

The legendary meeting of the four musicians was masterminded by Sun Records’ founder, Sam Phillips, who brought them together to create music as a group for the first and only time in their careers. The show features over 20 smash-hits from a golden era of music including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Hound Dog,” and more. 

First premiering on Broadway in 2010 after record-breaking runs in Florida, Washington, and Chicago, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET quickly captured the attention and admiration of both audiences and critics, earning Tony nominations for Best Musical and Best Book. This jukebox musical, full of chart-topping hits inspired by rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Famers ELVIS PRESLEY, JOHNNY CASH, JERRY LEE LEWIS, and CARL PERKINS, features a book by COLIN ESCOTT and FLOYD MUTRUX, with original concept and direction by FLOYD MUTRUX.

The show later made its West End debut at the Noël Coward Theatre in 2011. Over 15 years later, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET continues to impress and delight audiences all around the world.

WST’s production is directed by longtime Walnut collaborator and favorite FRAN PRISCO. After 42 productions on the Walnut stages, Prisco makes his well-deserved directorial debut on the Walnut Mainstage. Prisco has previously directed WST’s productions of A Steady Rain and My Way in Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 and most recently directed at the Fulton Theatre. In addition to leading the cast as director, Prisco takes on the role of Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records. His other WST roles include last season’s ELF The Broadway Musical and Jersey Boys.

Portraying the four legends commonly referred to as the Quartet are MATTEO SCAMMELL (Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville)as Elvis Presley, BRIAN MICHAEL HENRY and PAUL HARROLD in their Walnut debuts as Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins respectively, and KEN SANDBERG (Jersey Boys) as Johnny Cash.

KATHRYN BRUNNER (ELF The Broadway Musical) takes on the role of Dyanne, a singer and girlfriend of Elvis’. STEVE HARDING makes his Walnut debut as Jay Perkins, brother to Carl Perkins. Associate Director JON ROSSI makes his own Walnut debut as Fluke.  

For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.

Photo Credit: Brian Michael Henry, Paul Harrold, Matteo Scammell, and Ken Sandberg. Photo by Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios.

Earlier this month, I was thrilled to attend the opening night of DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre (WST). This dazzling production runs through May 4 and you don’t want to miss it.

Stars rise and fall… but dreams live forever! This sensational Broadway musical tells the story of a 1960s Supremes-like girl group that catches its big break during an amateur competition. But will their friendship – and their music – survive the rapid rise from obscurity to pop super stardom?

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, DREAMGIRLS is a sweeping and inspirational journey with a dazzling production, powerhouse vocal performances, and an unforgettable score filled with pop, R&B, gospel, disco and more!

First premiering on Broadway in 1981, DREAMGIRLS took the theatre world by storm, earning six Tony Awards, including Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Book. With book and lyrics by TOM EYEN and music by HENRY KRIEGER, the show’s infectious score and dazzling spectacle quickly cemented it as a Broadway classic.

Following its acclaimed original run, DREAMGIRLS was reimagined for a new generation in a star-studded 2006 film adaptation, which won two Academy Awards. In 2016, the show made its long-awaited West End debut at London’s Savoy Theatre, where it played to sold-out crowds and earned critical acclaim, including two Olivier Awards for acting performances. Decades after its debut, DREAMGIRLS continues to shine as a beloved staple of musical theatre, capturing the soul and spirit of an era.

WST’s production is helmed by director and choreographer GERRY MCINTYRE, whose dynamic work has been celebrated nationwide. McIntyre made his WST debut as choreographer for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Acclaimed for his choreography in the Berkshire Theatre Group’s Godspell, McIntyre has directed previously at The York, The Hangar Theatre, and others; his choreography credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’, Anything Can Happen in The Theatre, Side by Side, Tommy and My Fair Lady at the Berkshire Theatre Festival.

CHRIS BURCHERI returns as Music Director, having completed Jersey Boys and ELF The Broadway Musical at the Walnut earlier this season. Burcheri, currently in his fifth season providing music and vocal direction at the Walnut, first took the podium in the 2019-20 season and has led productions such as Rocky the Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. 

Leading the cast as The Dreams, the trio at the heart of the story, are AVEENA SAWYER as the powerhouse Effie White, GABRIELLE BECKFORD as the ambitious Deena Jones, and KHALIFA WHITE as the lively Lorrell Robinson; all three are making their Walnut debuts in these roles. CHALI COOKE (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical) joins as Michelle, rounding out the evolving girl group as they navigate the music industry’s highs and lows. 

E. CLAYTON CORNELIOUS makes his Walnut debut as he takes on the role of the electrifying James “Thunder” Early, with JARRAN MUSE also making his debut as the smooth yet ruthless Curtis Taylor Jr. DEVIN L. ROBERTS (Hairspray) portrays C.C. White, the young songwriter with big dreams, while Tony Award nominee (The Scottsboro Boys) FORREST MCCLENDON (Finian’s Rainbow)brings to life Marty, the group’s steadfast advocate and mentor.

The production’s talented ensemble features ANNE BRAGG (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical), CORNELIUS DAVIS (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical), BONNIE KELLY (ELF The Broadway Musical), ANDREW LEGGIERI (Mary Poppins), ZUMMY MOHAMMED (ELF The Broadway Musical), DANA ORANGE (Jersey Boys), and SIERRA WILSON (ELF The Broadway Musical), all bringing vibrant energy and stunning vocals to the stage.

Bringing DREAMGIRLS to life behind the scenes is an exceptionally creative team.

Emmy Award-winning scenic designer ANDY WALMSLEY debuts his designs on the Walnut stage while he sets the stage with dynamic visuals. Lighting designer JOSE SANTIAGO enhances the production’s vibrant atmosphere with his Walnut debut as well. ED CHAPMAN (ELF The Broadway Musical) delivers an immersive experience for audiences as sound designer, ensuring every note resonates.

DUSTIN CROSS captures the era’s elegance with dazzling costume design, and DESTINEE STEELE completes the cast’s transformations with stunning wig and makeup design; both make their Walnut debuts with their fantastic designs. Together, this team crafts a visually spectacular experience that transports audiences into the heart of The Dreams’ journey.

With its heart-pounding music, show stopping performances, and dazzling spectacle, DREAMGIRLS is an unmissable theatrical event!

For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.

Khalifa White, Gabrielle Beckford, and Aveena Sawyer in Dreamgirls. Photo by Mark Garvin

Walnut Street Theatre (WST) is presenting Noël Coward’s classic comedy HAY FEVER as part of their 216^th season of dreams. The show is running through March 9.

From Noël Coward, the master of elegant comedy, HAY FEVER. Judith Bliss, the once glittering star of the London stage, is still enjoying life with more than a little high drama and the occasional big scene. To spice up her weekend, she invites a young admirer to join her in the country, but her novelist husband and two children also have the same idea, and their unassuming visitors are thrown into a living melodrama. Misjudged meetings, secret seductions and scandalous revelations run riot at the most eccentric of all house parties.  

HAY FEVER premiered in London’s West End in 1925 and quickly became a hallmark of British theatre. Inspired by Coward’s stay at the home of actress Laurette Taylor, the play showcases Coward’s signature wit and mastery of comedic dialogue. Widely celebrated for its elegant humor, HAY FEVER solidified Coward’s reputation as one of the leading playwrights of his time.

Over the decades, the play has enjoyed numerous revivals on stages around the world, earning its status as a timeless classic in the theatrical canon. WST’s production is a partner of The Noël Coward Foundation’s Anniversary Celebration, as part of celebrating 125 years of Noël Coward.

Directing this production is BILL VAN HORN, who appeared as Santa in ELF The Broadway Musical earlier this season. Van Horn’s recent Walnut Mainstage productions as director include Sherlock Holmes- The Adventure of the Speckled Band, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Peter and the Starcatcher, Around the World in 80 Days, and The Glass Menagerie. 

Portraying the famed Bliss family matriarch, Judith, is Walnut veteran ALICIA ROPER (Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit). Judith’s husband, David Bliss, is portrayed by DAN OLMSTEAD (Popcorn Falls); BRANDON O’ROURKE (Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) and ANNA BAILEY (Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) play Judith’s adult children: the artistic Simon and quick-witted Sorel, respectively, and round out the Bliss family.

Filling in the world around the eccentric Bliss family is Clara, the family’s reluctant housekeeper, portrayed by CHARLOTTE NORTHEAST (An Ideal Husband), as well as the various invited guests. JARED CALHOUN portrays Judith’s guest, Sandy, in his Walnut Mainstage debut and PATRICIA NOONAN also makes her Walnut debut as Myra, the sophisticated and sharp-tongued guest of David. Rounding out the cast is ELLIE MOONEY (Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical) as sweet and timid flapper Jackie, and HARRY SMITH (And Then There Were None) as Sorel Bliss’ guest, Richard Greatham. Each member of the cast brings a unique flair to this ensemble-driven comedy, ensuring an evening full of laughter and surprises.

The talented creative team behind the show brings a wealth of expertise and artistry to this production. The group of Walnut favorites includes MARY FOLINO (A Woman of No Importance) as costume designer, ROMAN TATAROWICZ (Driving Miss Daisy) as scenic designer, TESS JAMES as lighting designer, CHRISTOPHER COLUCCI (Driving Miss Daisy) as sound designer, and AMARI CALLAWAY (Driving Miss Daisy) as wig designer. Together, this exceptional team ensures a visually stunning and immersive theatrical experience.

For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.

Noël Coward is pictured below.

The charming story of Buddy the elf is here at the Walnut Street Theatre (WST). Travel with Buddy from the North Pole all the way to New York City in ELF The Broadway Musical. The show runs only through December 29.

Based on one of the most beloved holiday films and top streamed films of all time, ELF The Broadway Musical is the story of Buddy, who mistakenly crawled into Santa’s bag as a baby and was raised as an elf! Buddy is unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.

With Santa’s permission, he embarks on a journey to New York City with dreams to find his birth father and discover his true identity. What’s an adopted elf to do when he realizes his father is on Santa’s ‘naughty’ list and his half-brother doesn’t believe that there is a Santa Claus? It’s up to Buddy to save Christmas in this hilarious and charming Broadway musical.

ELF is based on the New Line Cinema film by DAVID BERENBAUM and with a book by THOMAS MEEHAN and BOB MARTIN, music by MATTHEW SKLAR, and lyrics by CHAD BEGUELIN. The show premiered on Broadway in 2010, where it was embraced as a hilarious, charming adaptation of a holiday classic. The show features a selection of original songs infused with holiday cheer, including “Happy All The Time,” “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” and “Nobody Cares About Santa.” This holiday season, it’s up to one very tall elf to save Christmas.

GLENN CASALE, who previously directed the Walnut’s Mainstage productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, returns to direct. Casale directed the 2012 Dutch production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, the national tour, and several regional productions in the States. His work also includes the 1999 Broadway revival of Peter Pan, which received a Tony nomination for Best Revival of a Musical, as well as the National Tour of Peter Pan and the A&E television production.  

CHRIS BURCHERI returns as Music Director, having just completed Jersey Boys at the Walnut. Burcheri, currently in his fifth season providing music and vocal direction at the Walnut, first took the podium in the 2019-20 season and has led productions such as Rocky the Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. 

ROBBIE ROBY also returns as Choreographer. Roby previously choreographed for the Walnut’s production of Shrek The Musical and his work as a choreographer has also been seen in Broadway Backwards (New Amsterdam Theatre), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (La Mirada and Pittsburgh CLO), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The 5^th Avenue Theatre), Hairspray (Sugar Loaf PAC), and Little Shop of Horrors (Sacramento Music Circus).  

Making his Walnut debut is Broadway and West End star NIC ROULEAU as Buddy the Elf, a human who’s been raised at the North Pole since infancy. Rouleau is best known for his record-breaking 2600 performances as Elder Price in the Tony Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon. Walnut veteran KATHRYN BRUNNER (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) portrays Jovie, a practical Macy’s elf. The jolly BILL VAN HORN (Sherlock Homes: The Adventure of the Speckled Band) appears as the big man himself, Santa Claus.

Walnut favorite FRAN PRISCO (Jersey Boys) returns to the stage as Walter Hobbs, along with KRISTINE FRAELICH (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Emily Hobbs, BONNIE KELLY (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Deb, PAUL

L. NOLAN (A Woman of No Importance) as Mr. Greenway, and TIARA J. GREENE (Elvis – A Musical Revolution) as Macy’s Manager. JOEY CAROTO (Elvis – A Musical Revolution) plays Michael Hobbs, shared with FINN VAJAPEY making his Walnut debut. Boy on Santa’s Lap will be shared by NORA SHUTE in her Walnut debut and FAYE STOCKMAL (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof).

Also returning to the Walnut stage as New York locals and North Pole residents are Dance Captain AUDREY BIEHL SIMMONS (Jersey Boys), GIOVANNI DIGABRIELLE (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), KIMBERLY MAXSON (Jersey Boys), SIERRA WILSON (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical), SARA BROPHY (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), EDDIE OLMO II (Jersey Boys), ALEXANDRA FROHLINGER (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), BRETT-MARCO GLAUSER (Mamma Mia!), JESSE JONES (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), and ZUMMY MOHAMMED (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast). 

Making their WST Mainstage acting debuts and rounding out the adult cast are MADELINE KENDALL and DOMINICK SANNELLI.

The production’s set has been designed specifically for the Walnut by returning designers. Scenic Designer ROBERT ANDREW KOVACH (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) is joined by Lighting Designer MATT DEMASCOLO (Jersey Boys), Assistant Lighting Designer JEN DONSKY (Jersey Boys), Costume Designer KATE BERGH (Shrek the Musical), and Sound Designer ED CHAPMAN (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast). With cheerful colors and glistening snow, these favorites have brought the North Pole and New York City to the Walnut’s stage, complete with the beautiful Empire State Building.

Don’t walk 3,408 miles from the North Pole to New York when Walnut Street Theatre brings the holidays to you! 

For tickets and information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com or call 215-574-3550.