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.

Walnut Street Theatre (WST) began their 216th season with the Broadway musical phenomenon JERSEY BOYS. This show takes you behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

I was thrilled to attend opening night with a friend. It was a packed house. Only two weeks left! The show closes on November 3.  

They were just four guys from Jersey, and while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — their story has made them an international sensation all over again. This Broadway-hit takes you behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi as they explore the rise of one of the most iconic pop bands in American music history.  

With a book by MARSHALL BRICKMAN and RICK ELICE, music by The Four Seasons member BOB GAUDIO, and lyrics by BOB CREWE, the show premiered on Broadway in 2005 to critical acclaim and has won four Tony Awards.

The documentary-style show dramatizes the personal and professional struggles of the members of The Four Seasons, from early brushes with the law to the group’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The show features a rich selection of the band’s greatest hits, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” 

RICHARD STAFFORD returns to the Walnut as Director/Choreographer, having previously directed and choreographed numerous Mainstage shows, including Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. In addition to his work with the Walnut, Stafford has also choreographed on Broadway and the New York City Opera.

Music and vocal direction is provided by CHRIS BURCHERI, whose Walnut credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; Elvis – A Musical Revolution; Rocky, the Musical; and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

Returning to the Walnut for the first time since his role as Bobby C in Saturday Night Fever is WILL STEPHAN CONNELL as Frankie Valli, the frontman of The Four Seasons. Connell is magnificent and his voice is similar to Valli’s in power.

Appearing alongside Connell as band member Bob Gaudio is EDDIE OLMO II, fresh from his role as Barry Mann in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Returning to the Walnut as a founding member of the band, Tommy Devito, is KEN SANDBERG, last seen in Elvis – A Musical Revolution. Rounding out The Four Seasons quartet and appearing as Nick Massi is CHRIS STEVENS, known for his role as Gaston in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Walnut favorite FRAN PRISCO takes on the role of mob boss Gyp Decarlo in his 41^st WST production, having just appeared in last season’s Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Appearing as producer Bob Crewe is RYAN KLEINMAN, who made his Walnut debut with Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. 

Returning to the Walnut to bring the streets of New Jersey to the Walnut’s stage is Scenic Designer JOHN FARRELL, whose designs were seen most recently in Aspects of Love on the Mainstage. Joining Farrell are Walnut veterans Lighting Designer MATT DEMASCOLO (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) and Sound Designer ED CHAPMAN (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), along with Assistant Lighting Designer JEN DONSKY.

Returning to the Walnut fresh from Beautiful – The Carole King Musical to costume their rockstars and capture the iconic hair of the 60s are Costume Designer MARY FOLINO and Wig Designer CARISSA THORLAKSON. 

From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s just too good to be true! 

The 2024-25 Season started October 1 with Jersey Boys. The 2024-25 season includes: Jersey Boys, Elf the Broadway Musical, Driving Miss Daisy, Noël Coward’s Hay Fever, and Dreamgirls. Subscriptions are available now for as little as $26 per show – up to a 75% savings compared to regular ticket prices! Individual tickets go on-sale July 23. For information on season subscriptions or individual tickets, call the Walnut at 215-574-3550 x6 or visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org.  

Will Stephan Connell, Eddie Olmo II, Ken Sandberg, and Chris Stevens in Jersey Boys.

Photo by Mark Garvin

Walnut Street Theatre (WST) is ending our 215th season with the highly anticipated BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. I attended opening night last week – this show entertains from start to finish.

This inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame features 20 multitalented performers and a live orchestra. The show will close out the season on May 5. 

With a career spanning over six decades, Carole King has left an indelible mark on the music industry. From her early days as a songwriter composing chart-topping hits for artists like The Shirelles and The Drifters, to her groundbreaking solo album “Tapestry,” which is one of the bestselling albums of all time, King remains one of the most prolific musicians.

Her unique blend of heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies has earned her numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. 

With a book by DOUGLAS MCGRATH and words and music by CAROLE KING, GERRY GOFFIN, BARRY MAN, and CYNTHIA WEIL, BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL made its Broadway debut in 2014, captivating audiences for over 2400 performances with its depiction of a schoolgirl turned superstar.

From King’s relationship with husband and songwriter Gerry Goffin to their friendly rivalry with song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, the show captures the untold story of Carole King’s journey. Featuring over two dozen hits, including “One Fine Day,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this Broadway celebration is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget!

RICHARD STAFFORD returns to the Walnut as Director/Choreographer, having previously directed and choreographed numerous Mainstage shows, including Rocky, the Musical. In addition to his work with the Walnut, Stafford has also choreographed on Broadway and the New York City Opera.

Music and vocal direction are provided by CHRIS BURCHERI, whose Walnut credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; Elvis – A Musical Revolution; Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella; and Rocky, the Musical. Associate Choreographer JOSEPH CULLINANE in his Walnut debut and returning Stage Managers PATRICK DAVID EGAN and MICHELE BEGLEY also lend their skills to this talented production team.

Making her Walnut debut and embodying the role of Carole King is SARA SHEPERD, an Ohio native who’s no stranger to the role, having played King in the national tour of BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Returning to the Walnut as Genie Klein, Carole King’s disillusioned mother, is SABRINA PROFITT, last seen onstage at the Walnut in Rocky, the Musical. Celebrating his 40^th production at the Walnut and portraying music publisher Don Kirshner is FRAN PRISCO, who audiences will recognize as having just played Cogsworth in this season’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

MATTHEW AMIRA returns as Gerry Goffin, Carole King’s former husband and songwriting partner. Amira is a Walnut favorite, known for his role as Rocky in the Philadelphia premiere of Rocky, the Musical and Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Walnut Street Theare. Making their Walnut debuts are KATHRYN BOSWELL and EDDIE OLMO II as the songwriting duo Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Boswell has appeared in shows including Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) and

The Watcher (Netflix), while Philadelphia-born Olmo has appeared in Broadway’s The Book of Mormon. 

Returning to the Walnut as members of famous musical groups and friends of the songwriting duos are CHALI COOKE (Elvis – A Musical Revolution), DANA ORANGE in his 10^th Walnut production (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), SAMANTHA ROCHE (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), Dance Captain AUDREY BIEHL SIMMONS (Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville), DEVON SINCLAIR (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), and Philadelphia-born SIERRA WILSON (Rocky, the Musical; Beehive – The 60s Musical).

Preparing the cast for this Broadway celebration are Costume Designer MARY FOLINO and Wig Designer CARISSA THORLAKSON. Folino’s designs have graced the stage for shows including Holiday Inn; Young Frankenstein; Rocky, the Musical; and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, while Thorlakson’s work has appeared in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; Elvis – A Musical Revolution; Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Rocky, the Musical and more here at the Walnut.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL started performances at the Walnut on March 26, 2024. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

The 2024 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show “United by Flowers” has dozens of exhibitors that create the must-see floral spectacle that has become a Philadelphia tradition.  

“United by Flowers” celebrates the colorful community that comes together to share in their love of gardening, flowers, and plants, and the impact they make on our lives all year round.  Now in its 195^th year, the award-winning PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is a world-renowned gardening event and PHS’s main fundraiser to support its impactful greening work that advances health and well-being in the region.

The event is known for its stunning visual displays, world-class plant competitions, family activities, artisanal crafts, educational offerings, and curated shopping.

The 2024 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show gathers some of the most cutting-edge, renowned landscape architects, garden designers, horticulturists, and florists from around the world to design dozens of breathtaking exhibits capturing the essence of this year’s theme, “United by Flowers” For a full list of exhibitors, visit: PHSOnline.org/the-flower-show.  

The PHS Entrance Garden at the Flower Show captivates with its innovative use of water as an artistic medium. Boasting the Show’s largest-ever created body of water, this glass-like centerpiece showcases vibrant floral sculptures emerging gracefully, while a colossal aerial floral sculpture reflects enchanting colors.

Seamlessly connecting water to sky, the garden offers a modern, refreshing vibe with bold angles and a kaleidoscope of colors, evoking a serene tropical sunset. Adorned with suspended floral clouds and petals, this oasis invites contemplation, and is a polished, vibrant blend of artistry and nature. 

In an innovative approach to showcasing the rich tapestry of local neighborhoods that make the region unique, educational exhibitors designed exhibits inspired by the special characteristics of select neighborhoods. Saul High School pays homage to its neighborhood Roxborough, while Temple University evokes the spirit of South Philly’s Pennsport.

The Lakeside School honors the famed Italian Market and Mercer County Community College celebrates the bond between Northeast Philadelphia and Trenton. Meanwhile, the University of Delaware encapsulates the essence of Spring Garden, and Delaware Valley University garners inspiration from the charming suburban town, Doylestown. 

The 2024 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show runs through March 10 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Tickets are on sale now at tickets.phsonline.org, with flexible ticket options starting at $29.99. 

Each visitor who purchases a Flower Show ticket, attends a Flower Show special event, or becomes a PHS member contributes to PHS advancing health and well-being through gardening. Through planting trees, supporting neighborhood greening, improving access to fresh food through community gardens, providing job training, managing public gardens, and connecting people with horticulture, PHS helps improve quality of life for all in the region. 

To stay up to date with the latest information on the 2024 Flower Show, visit phsonline.org/the-flower-show. 

Last week, I was happy to catch the opening night of GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVUE, a must-see for anyone who needs a laugh!

The Marx Brothers had a historic three-month run 100 years ago at the Walnut with this hilarious and moving tribute to ‘The Kings of Comedy.’ Original New York and London’s Olivier Award-nominated star and Walnut favorite Frank Ferrante along with a versatile cast take you from The Marx Brothers’ earliest days in vaudeville to film, stage, radio, and television stardom. This spirited musical comedy features classic songs and chronicles the remarkable rags-to-riches story of America’s funniest entertainer.

The legendary Marx Brothers performed their musical-comedy revue, I’LL SAY SHE IS, at Walnut Street Theatre from June 4th through September 1st, 1923, and to this day it holds the record for the Walnut’s longest running show. The following spring, after a national tour, the brothers returned to the Walnut for three weeks. On May 19th, 1924, two days after the Philadelphia closing, Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo Marx debuted I’LL SAY SHE IS on Broadway.

Julius Henry “Groucho” Marx was a 20^th century American comedian, actor, singer, writer, game show host, and vaudeville star. His trademark look—thick glasses, mustache, and greasepaint eyebrows—is a recognizable costume staple. Dubbed “Groucho Glasses,” these one-piece masks consisting of a plastic nose, black glasses, and fake mustache and eyebrows are only part of Groucho Marx’s legacy.

In addition to his solo work, Groucho performed with his brothers, appearing as “the Marx Brothers” on stage and on screen. With 14 feature films to their name, the Marx Brothers are considered among the most influential comedians of the 20^th century. GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVUE, written by Groucho Marx’s son Arthur Marx and Robert Fisher, is a tribute to the life and career of one of America’s greatest comedians.

Bringing Groucho to life as director and star of the show is Walnut favorite and lifelong Groucho devotee FRANK FERRANTE. Ferrante starred as Groucho in the show’s 1987 off-Broadway debut, marking the beginning of a decades-long career portraying the inimitable comedian. Described by The New York Times as “the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material,” Ferrante first appeared on the Walnut mainstage 31 years ago in a production of GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVUE and has since become a Walnut fan favorite.

Making his Walnut debut as both Harpo and Chico, the two brothers who formed the core of the Marx Brothers’ comedic act with Groucho, is MATT ROPER. The British-born actor is known for his comedic presence and has appeared in several adaptations of Marx Brothers’ material, including a production of The Cocoanuts with Frank Ferrante.

Returning to the Walnut as a Freedonian citizen and the off-stage voice of Lee Shubert and others is DAVE JOHNSON, who last appeared at WST in a production of Shipwrecked. Rounding out the cast and appearing as a variety of roles, from chorus girls to Groucho’s wives to Margaret Dumont, is DREYA WEBER, who made her Walnut debut in A Comedy of Tenors. Weber is no stranger to the Marx Brothers, having directed the stage and film versions of Frank Ferrante‘s Groucho.

Capturing the essence of the 20^th century theatre experience, complete with a replica of the wooden eagle that graced the proscenium arch when the Marx Brothers took the Walnut stage 100 years ago, is Set Designer DAVID P. GORDON. Gordon, who previously designed the WST productions of Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Trilogy, Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and Ken Ludwing’s A Comedy of Tenors, is joined by Lighting Designer and WST Technical Supervisor MATT DEMASCOLO (Beehive The 60’s Musical; Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) and veteran Sound Designer CHRISTOPHER COLUCCI (A Comedy of Tenors; Peter and the Starcatcher; Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?).

San Francisco based Costume Designer DEBRA BEAVER BAUER and Wig Designer CLAIRE WAID (Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) costume the cast for a range of decades, from 1905 to 1975.

GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVUE runs at the Walnut through March 10, 2024. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.

At a press conference held on Friday at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) revealed new details for the 2024 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “United by Flowers” including 4 artistic renderings offering a first glimpse of what the Show will look like.  

“United by Flowers” celebrates the colorful community that comes together to share in their love of gardening, flowers, and plants, and the impact they make on our lives all year round.  Now in its 195^th year, the award-winning PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is a world-renowned gardening event and PHS’s main fundraiser to support its impactful greening work that advances health and well-being in the region.

The event is known for its stunning visual displays, world-class plant competitions, family activities, artisanal crafts, educational offerings, and curated shopping. The 2024 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will run March 2-10 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Tickets are on sale now at tickets.phsonline.org, with flexible ticket options starting at $29.99. 

“This year’s theme, ’United by Flowers,’ focuses on coming together and we are excited to be showing all the ways that we build community with one another. From exhibits that show off the celebratory spaces that unite us to offering a series of experiences that are best when done together, there is something for every visitor to share with their loved ones at the Flower Show,” stated PHS’s Creative Director and Vice President of the Flower Show, Seth Pearsoll. 

Each visitor who purchases a Flower Show ticket, attends a Flower Show special event, or becomes a PHS member contributes to PHS advancing health and well-being through gardening. Through planting trees, supporting neighborhood greening, improving access to fresh food through community gardens, providing job training, managing public gardens, and connecting people with horticulture, PHS helps improve quality of life for all in the region. 

2024 Exhibitor Information 

The 2024 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will gather some of the most cutting-edge, renowned landscape architects, garden designers, horticulturists, and florists from around the world to design dozens of breathtaking exhibits capturing the essence of this year’s theme, “United by Flowers” For a full list of exhibitors, please visit: PHSOnline.org/the-flower-show.  

THE PHS ENTRANCE GARDEN 

The PHS Entrance Garden at the Flower Show will captivate with its innovative use of water as an artistic medium. Boasting the Show’s largest-ever created body of water, this glass-like centerpiece will showcase vibrant floral sculptures emerging gracefully, while a colossal aerial floral sculpture reflects enchanting colors. Seamlessly connecting water to sky, the garden offers a modern, refreshing vibe with bold angles and a kaleidoscope of colors, evoking a serene tropical sunset. Adorned with suspended floral clouds and petals, this oasis invites contemplation, and is a polished, vibrant blend of artistry and nature. 

CELEBRATING THE REGION’S NEIGHBORHOODS 

In an innovative approach to showcasing the rich tapestry of local neighborhoods that make the region unique, educational exhibitors will design exhibits inspired by the special characteristics of select neighborhoods. Saul High School will pay homage to its neighborhood Roxborough, while Temple University aims to evoke the spirit of South Philly’s Pennsport. The Lakeside School will honor the famed Italian Market and Mercer County Community College will celebrate the bond between Northeast Philadelphia and Trenton. Meanwhile, the University of Delaware plans to encapsulate the essence of Spring Garden, and Delaware Valley University will garner inspiration from the charming suburban town, Doylestown. 

RETURNING EXHIBITORS 

Apiary Studio – A landscape architecture, design/build, and experimental horticulture firm known for their use of unconventional building materials, unusual hardy plants, and adaptive reuse of urban decay, Apiary Studio’s exhibit “Right of Way” salutes highway roadsides as a unifying American experience. Shoulders, embankments, and ditches as encountered when pulling over on a road trip are in a sense a garden without a gardener, and the plants form a throughway unbound by state lines. 

Black Girl Florists – Created during the pandemic to seek community in the floral industry from other female, black florists, this nationwide collective has grown to be a recognized community that supports and celebrate black women in floristry. With their acclaimed inaugural exhibit in 2023, the Flower Show is thrilled to welcome them back. The collective will express their love and support of each other by depicting unity in a space where black women gather and connect organically — a hair salon. Set against a palette of bright colors grounded by nude tones, each area will depict the uniqueness of each florist and how their collective talent creates an atmosphere of oneness. 

Jennifer Designs – A floral event company from New Jersey whose owner and professional floral designer, Jennifer Reed, has over 20 years of experience translating her love of all art mediums into their floral form. Reed draws her inspiration from extensive experience, creating pieces that emphasize sculptural composition in design, and focused on items found in nature. Reed’s “Flower Road Trip” will showcase a larger-than-life United States floral map to express how we are all connected by flowers and gardening across the 50 states. 

Robertson’s Flowers and Events – A longtime favorite Flower Show exhibitor, Robertson’s makes its return to the Flower Show for the first time since 2020.Family-owned and operated since 1927, they have created floral designs for celebrations for generations. For their exhibit, Robertson’s will honor the geometric shapes that are found in nature and work together to create a sense of connection, like the symmetry of flower petals and the rings of trees. People from diverse backgrounds will gather at this floral table, enjoying the shapes of nature and the beauty our planet provides. 

ABOUT PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region. PHS programs create healthier living environments, increase access to fresh food, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and strengthen deeper social connections between people. PHS’s work spans 250 neighborhoods; an expansive network of public gardens and landscapes; year-round learning experiences; and the nation’s signature gardening event, the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS provides everyone with opportunities to garden for the greater good as a participant, member, donor, or volunteer.  

ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW 

The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation’s largest, and the world’s longest-running horticultural event and features stunning displays by some of the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. Started in 1829 by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Show introduces diverse and sustainable plant varieties and garden and design concepts. In addition to acres of garden displays, the Flower Show hosts world-renowned competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations, and special events.  

PHS PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW SPONSORS 

Exclusive Sponsors are Bank of America and Independence Blue Cross.  

Official Sponsors are ACME Markets, Bartlett Tree Experts, Belgard, EP Henry, Hendrick’s Gin, and The Sino-American Business & Travel Association. 

Photo Credit: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society