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, Friday,...

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 also...

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)...

On Stage: Stephen Kellogg revels in working solo

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Stephen Kellogg Stephen Kellogg has always maintained a dual career – as a solo artist and as a leader of his own band. He spent the first decade of the 2000s recording and touring with his band The Sixers. On June 4, Kellogg is returning to a venue that was the site of one of his first post-Sixers era shows — the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert (9...

On Stage: Jefferson Berry displays folk roots in new tour

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Jefferson Berry Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) is one of those venues where music fans know there will be great music every weekend. It doesn’t matter who is playing, the evening will feature top-flight acts performing in a comfortable venue with a great sound system. This weekend...