All stories by Celeste Mann on BroadwayStars

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Review: ‘Peter Pan’ at the Arden Theatre by Celeste Mann

Arden Children’s Theatre opens its 20th Anniversary Season with a delightful production of Peter Pan, adapted for the stage by Douglas Irvine, and based on J.M. Barrie’s books. Whit MacL…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 04:21PM
Thursday, November 16, 2017

Review: ‘Annie’ at the Walnut Street Theatre by Celeste Mann

The sun’ll come out tomorrow Bet your bottom dollar that Tomorrow there’ll be sun…. Those familiar lyrics seem fresher than ever in Walnut Street Theatre’s new production of Annie. W…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 09:37PM
Thursday, November 2, 2017

Review: ‘Broken Stones’ at InterAct Theatre Company by Celeste Mann

Just because someone says it doesn’t make it true. What exactly are truth and reality? Both are subjective and depend on one’s perspective. In the news, there are often many sides to a s…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 09:30PM
Thursday, October 26, 2017

Review: ‘TouchTones’ at Arden Theatre Company by Celeste Mann

TouchTones is a new musical by playwright/lyricist Michael Hollinger and composer Robert Maggio. Directed by Emmanuelle Delpech, it delves into the romantic relationship between Christine a…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 05:00PM
Saturday, October 14, 2017

Review: ‘Belén Maya: Romnia’ at URBN Black Box Theater by Celeste Mann

The life of a Gypsy is hard. For centuries the Romany people, who are commonly referred to as Gypsies, have been persecuted across Europe. They have been discriminated against and have been …

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 08:21PM
Thursday, September 28, 2017

Review: ‘Cabaret’ at Arden Theatre Company by Celeste Mann

“Why do we continue to allow destructive powers to gain control?” – Matthew Decker, Director of Cabaret This is the question that runs through Arden Theatre Company’s production of t…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 08:37PM
Saturday, July 15, 2017

Review: ‘Perfect Blue’ at Tiny Dynamite by Celeste Mann

Something new and cutting-edge is happening at Christ Church Neighborhood House this summer – the U.S. premiere of Perfect Blue, by G.S. Watson. Perfect Blue, produced by Philadelphia-base…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 06:06PM
Saturday, June 24, 2017

Review: ‘Alex Keiper & The Next Generation’ at The Arden Cabaret Series at Arden Theatre Company by Celeste Mann

Alex Keiper is a well-known Philadelphia actor who was originally asked to do a solo cabaret show by the Arden Theatre Company. Unexpectedly, she decided she wanted to share this event with …

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:53PM
Sunday, June 11, 2017

Review: ‘School Play’ at Tribe of Fools by Celeste Mann

What is education? Just because you attend school and sit in a desk doesn’t mean you learn something. In addition, learning can happen beyond the traditional classroom. In School Play, Ter…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:01PM
Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Review: ‘Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage’ at the Merriam Theater by Celeste Mann

Dirty Dancing, a light, low-budget movie, came out of nowhere to become one of the biggest hits of 1987, and it’s still a beloved movie today. Written by Eleanor Bergstein, it showcased th…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 10:58AM
Friday, May 12, 2017

Review: ‘Peaceable Kingdom’ at Orbiter 3 by Celeste Mann

I attended Peaceable Kingdom, a new play by Mary Tuomanen, last night at Christ Church Neighborhood House. I am already checking my calendar for a day when I can see this unique and riveting…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 05:31PM
Saturday, May 6, 2017

Review: ‘Fronteras: A Door in the Desert’ by Almanac Dance Circus Theatre at FringeArts by Celeste Mann

I held my breath in glorious anticipation at several instances during Almanac Dance Circus Theatre’s captivating show Fronteras: A Door in the Desert. A Door in the Desert is the second pa…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 12:45PM
Saturday, April 29, 2017

Review: ‘Swallow’ at Inis Nua Theatre Company by Celeste Mann

Swallow, by Scottish playwright Stef Smith, was first seen at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015. This American premiere is produced by Inis Nua Theatre Company (which specializes in works from …

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:42PM
Friday, April 28, 2017

Review: ‘crazy beautiful’ at FringeArts by Celeste Mann

How are dances created? What might inspire a choreographer? Specifically, how does Tania Isaac develop a dance? What role does the viewer have in it all? These are some of the questions that…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:27PM
Sunday, April 2, 2017

Review: ‘Adapt!’ At The Wilma Theater by Celeste Mann

Adapt! is a new play that tells the story of Lenka, an immigrant from Communist-era Czechoslovakia who dreams of living in New York City. It’s a world premiere production, written and dir…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 03:29PM
Saturday, April 1, 2017

Review: ‘Anna’ at EgoPo Classic Theater by Celeste Mann

EgoPo Classic Theater presents the world premiere of Anna as the final work in its Russian Masters Festival. Anna adapts the story of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina with lots of humor and ph…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:52PM
Sunday, March 19, 2017

Review: ‘Ironbound’ at Simpatico Theatre by Celeste Mann

Her face is banged up and she lights a small votive candle before saying a prayer. Although it is freezing, she has created a makeshift bed outside using her white parka as a mattress and an…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:57PM
Saturday, March 11, 2017

Review: ‘Our Town’ at Temple Theaters by Celeste Mann

Temple University Department of Theater’s production of the Pulitzer Prize winner Our Town would have pleased its author, Thornton Wilder. This American classic was written in the early 2…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:41PM
Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Review: “The Bodyguard: The Musical” at the Academy of Music by Celeste Mann

Whitney Houston is a tough act to follow, especially in a version of the vehicle created just for her to showcase her most popular songs. Deborah Cox, as the star singer Rachel Marron, holds…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 03:15PM
Saturday, February 18, 2017

Review: Balé Folclórico da Bahia at the Merriam Theater by Celeste Mann

They say “music is the universal language.” Balé Folclórico da Bahia definitely proved that in their one-night-only performance in Philadelphia at the Merriam Theater. The show, Bahia …

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:26PM
Sunday, January 29, 2017

Review: “Jerry Blavat’s Gospel, Soul and Doo Wop Reunion” at the Kimmel Center by Celeste Mann

Jerry Blavat, “a Philadelphia borne dancer, radio and television disc jockey, performer, entertainer, producer and nightclub owner” (according to the program insert), produced his 38th s…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 12:03PM
Friday, January 20, 2017

Review: ‘Doug Varone and Dancers’ at the Prince Theater by Celeste Mann

Congratulations are in order! Doug Varone and Dancers (a contemporary/modern dance company) is celebrating its 30th anniversary! Doug Varone’s creativity has stood the test of time. In top…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 12:20PM
Friday, January 13, 2017

Review: ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ at Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 by Celeste Mann

There is one man and three different women. He’s in the midst of a midlife crisis, trying to connect with somebody not his wife, and find something “beautiful” in an affair. But it’s…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 01:42PM
Sunday, December 4, 2016

Review: ‘A Philly Pops Christmas’ at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts by Celeste Mann

A Philly Pops Christmas is a delightful concert of Christmas Carols, humor and lights, which rings in holiday cheer. The POPS orchestra, conducted by Michael Krajewski, was joined by guest a…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 05:18AM
Friday, December 2, 2016

Review: ‘The Outer Space’ at SEI Innovation Studio at The Kimmel Center by Celeste Mann

 The Outer Space, is a new musical by Ethan Lipton. This production, at SEI Innovation Studio at the Kimmel Center, is like a cabaret with a narrative, weaving humor, storytelling and music…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 12:14PM
Sunday, November 20, 2016

Review: ‘Son of a Dog’ at Walnut Street Theatre by Celeste Mann

“Tawakalt ala Allah” is Arabic, and in English it means, “I rely on God”. This is the phrase that Gameel Al-Batouti uttered repeatedly as Egypt Air flight 990 went down on October 31…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 11:37PM
Friday, November 18, 2016

Review: ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’ at Walnut Street Theatre by Celeste Mann

From the moment I entered the Independence Studio on 3 (3rd floor of the Walnut Street Theatre), the holiday spirit was evident. Hot cider was available for the audience to savor, and once i…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 04:24PM
Saturday, October 22, 2016

Review: ‘The Philly POPS: ‘Elvis: The King’s Songbook’ at The Kimmel Center by Celeste Mann

The music and performance style of Elvis Presley lives on and is part of the American psyche. Although the “King” of rock-n-roll is dead, he will never be forgotten. This was evident in…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 04:38PM
Saturday, October 15, 2016

The Arden Cabaret Series: Michael Ogborn at The Arden Theatre Company, in Philadelphia by Celeste Mann

The Studio Theatre of the Arden Theatre Company’s Hamilton Family Arts Center was transformed into a nightclub/cabaret for Michael Ogborn’s Night at the Blue Parrot. Small round tables, …

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:58AM
Saturday, October 1, 2016

‘Tappin’ Thru Life’ at the Penn’s Landing Playhouse in Philadelphia, PA by Celeste Mann

About half the audience was standing and moving to the rhythm of the music. A few patrons remained in their seats and clapped while the Diva Orchestra played one last piece. There were no da…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 03:26PM
Saturday, September 24, 2016

2016 Philadelphia Fringe Festival Review: ‘Philadanco! in Concert’ by Celeste Mann

Youth, strength, beauty, rhythm, flexibility and technique—all synonymous with Philadanco! This Philadelphia dance troupe wowed audiences at Bryn Mawr College’s Goodhart Hall in their l…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 02:22AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards