May 24, 2021 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Ed Gilchrist, Director of Marketing
eg@walnutstreettheatre.org
215-574-3550 Ext. 556
Walnut Street Theatre Celebrates Its Return to the Stage With Its 213th Anniversary Season
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Walnut Street Theatre, America's Oldest Theatre and a National Historic Landmark, is pleased to announce its return to the stage, its 213th season of live entertainment, and its 39th season as a not-for-profit producing theatre company. The ‘Season of Celebration’ line-up includes three stunning musicals, a hilarious supernatural comedy by Noël Coward, and a world premiere Sherlock Holmes adaptation. As a self-producing regional theatre, the Walnut has become the most popular theatre company in Philadelphia and the most subscribed theatre company in the world.
"Our audiences have been eagerly anticipating when we would be back on stage," says Producing Artistic Director Bernard Havard, "and I am thrilled to announce that time is just around the corner! We are getting ready to welcome everyone back to the Walnut this fall with five spectacular shows.” Havard continues, “After being apart for so long, it's appropriate that we'll celebrate our return – and the return of our audiences – with singing, dancing, and stories that do what theatre does best: bring us together."
The celebration gets underway with the unforgettable music of the ‘60s in BEEHIVE, the ‘60s Musical; a stage adaptation of the beloved film and family favorite, Disney's The Little Mermaid; a hilariously wicked comedy, Noël Coward's Blithe Spirit; and a new comedic mystery adaption Sherlock Holmes’ The Adventure of the Speckled Band. The season of celebration ends on a musical high note with On Your Feet!, the energetic and inspiring story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan's rise to international stardom.
THE 2021-22 SEASON
The Walnut opens its 213th season with BEEHIVE - THE '60s MUSICAL, a loving, rockin' celebration of that era's powerful female voices whose music stands the test of time – including Diana Ross, Janis Joplin, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, and Tina Turner! With over two dozen timeless hits, including "It's My Party," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?," "Where the Boys Are," and "You Don't Own Me," the show takes you on a song-filled journey told from the perspective of six women coming of age during this unforgettable time, taking us from their first Beehive Dance through a decade of change. BEEHIVE - The '60s Musical will have you dancing in the aisles!
(September 28 – October 31, 2021)
Next, take a journey "Under the Sea" this holiday season with the Philadelphia premiere of DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID. Based on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen story and the classic film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful story of love and letting go. Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, challenges her father's authority as she dreams of finding her own way in the world above the sea. But what will she give up to fulfill her dreams of independence? Disney's The Little Mermaid will capture your heart with its timeless story and irresistible songs, including "Kiss the Girl," "Poor Unfortunate Souls," and "Part of Your World." Disney's The Little Mermaid promises to be one of the most spectacular productions ever staged at the Walnut!
(November 16, 2021 – January 2, 2022)
Next up, audiences will take an uproarious journey into the supernatural with NOËL COWARD’S BLITHE SPIRIT. To gather background for his new book, novelist Charles Condomine and his second wife, Ruth, invite the extremely eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to perform a séance. But Charles' spiritual skepticism vanishes when the ghost of his deceased first wife, Elvira, accidentally materializes—but only to him. Elvira's still in love and wants Charles back, and is not about to let a little thing like death stand in her way! From the delightfully wicked mind of Noël Coward comes Blithe Spirit, where love and marriage devolve into laughter and mayhem – and 'Till Death Do Us Part' no longer applies.
(January 11 – February 13, 2022)
Comedic mystery reigns as the season continues with THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND, a world premiere adaptation of a play based on the classic Sherlock Holmes tale. After her twin sister's unusual death at the family's run-down country manor, the young woman is terrified she will be next. To avoid a similar fate – and mystified by her sister's final words, "It was…the speckled band" – she enlists the world's greatest detective, Sherlock Holmes, and Dr. Watson. Six talented actors, playing over 30 quirky characters, take you deep into a world of quick-change disguises and murderous mayhem to unravel The Adventure of The Speckled Band.
(February 22, 2022 – March 27, 2022)
Finally, experience the exhilarating Broadway musical that will keep audiences on their feet from start to finish with ON YOUR FEET!, the inspiring true story about heart, heritage, and two people in love who believed in their talent, music—and each other—to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Now their story heats up the Walnut stage in an exhilarating theatrical experience that celebrates some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century, including "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," "Conga," "Get On Your Feet,"— and one of the most inspiring stories in music history.
(April 12 – May 29, 2022)
Subscribers to the 2021-22 Season will also have the first opportunity to guarantee their priority seating renewal for the highly anticipated Philadelphia premiere of ROCKY - THE MUSICAL, opening the 2022-23 Season.
TICKETS
The only way to guarantee the best seats is to subscribe. Subscriptions are available now for as little as $25 per show – up to a 70% savings off regular ticket prices! Individual tickets go on sale in August. For information on season subscriptions, call the Walnut at 215-574-3550 ext. 6, or visit our website at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.
All show titles, dates, and subscription prices are subject to change.
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