On Stage: Blue Man Group comes to Kimmel

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Blue Man Group Back in the late 1960s when a lot of British bands were playing songs by blues masters such as Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, a question frequently asked was “Can white men sing the blues?” In 1968, a British music group called the Bonzo Dog Band countered with a song called “Can blue men sing the whites?” Years later, there...

On Stage: ‘Tina’ tops wide rage of theater options in the area

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Tina – the Tina Turner Musical The calendar for late November and December each year always features a plethora Christmas and holiday events. Fortunately, for those who seek a brief respite from the full onslaught of holiday activities, special sales and the endless ringing of Salvation Army bells, there are several top-flight theater productions...

On Stage: A fun ‘Panto’ from People’s Light

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto When the Christmas holidays arrive, it means it’s also time for a panto arrive at People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, peopleslight.org). This year, it’s “Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto,” which is running now through January 1, 2023. Each year, the People’s Light holiday panto transforms...

On Stage Extra: Julia Othmer returns to the Delaware Valley

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Julia Othmer In some ways, there are many similarities between Julia Othmer and Andy Reid. Both are Kansas City residents and are loved in that city. Both are former Philadelphia residents and are still loved in this city. Both excel at what they do and have built a legion of fans around the world over the last two decades. Reid may be more well-known...

On Stage: Channeling the spirit of Robin Williams

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Roger Kabler as Robin Williams While Halloween and El Dia de Los Muertos are still a little more than a week away, there will be a visit from a departed person this week. The spirit will be the spirit of Robin Williams and its destination will be the Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org). More...

On Stage Extra: Villa Maria celebrates 150th anniversary with concert

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times This has been a very special week for Villa Maria Academy – and a week that will close with a very special event on September 30. Villa Maria Academy is celebrating its 150th anniversary and capping the celebration with a reception and concert at People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern) on September 30. The concert will feature the husband-and-wife...

On Stage: Bill Toms and Hard Rain make music, no matter what

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Bill Toms and Hard Rain If you’re a fan of jazz or blues, you should check out the schedule every week for the shows at Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com). If you’re a fan of both jazz and blues, then you should know you’ll find a show to match your taste every Thursday,...

On Stage: Squirrel Nut Zippers are back and playing Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Squirrel Nut Zippers There are three meanings for “Squirrel Nut Zippers.” “Nut Zippers” is a southern term for a variety of old bootleg moonshine. There was a newspaper story about an intoxicated man who climbed a tree and refused to come down even after police arrived. The headline was “Squirrel Nut Zipper.” Squirrel Nut Zipper is...

On Stage Extra: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Kimmel

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Richard Thomas as Atticus Finch “To Kill a Mockingbird” is an American classic – in many ways. It is an American classic as a novel. It is an American classic as a movie. It is an American classic as a Broadway play. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by the American author Harper Lee, which was published in 1960 and was instantly successful...

On Stage: Ben Brandt was born to play guitar

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Ben Brandt and the Soul Miners Union Independence Day Weekend has arrived — and so has an endless array of holiday celebrations. There are also many concerts on this weekend’s schedule – a wide variety of shows with something to please almost everyone. Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com)...