City Theater's next production is "Dancing at Lughnasa," an Irish memory play. Joe del Tufo for Moonloop Photography.

How City Theater grounds ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ in Ireland

Ken MammarellaHeadlines, Culture

For Michael P. Toner, the vocal coach in the City Theater Company production of “Dancing at Lughnasa,” two of the most important things he offered coaching on were “dancing” and “lughnasa.” “Dancing” was important because it’s pronounced differently in Ireland, where the play is set. Think of a broad “a,” as in family or random, he explained, contrasting it with …

“Stompin’ at The Savoy” is a world premiere musical at the Delaware Theatre Company. Martin French illustration courtesy of Delaware Theatre Company.

Delaware Theatre Co. unveils fun, thoughtful ’24-25 season

Ken MammarellaHeadlines, Culture

The 2024-25 Delaware Theatre Company season features a world premiere musical, a Tony-winning musical, a play produced by DTC in 2005 but is newly relevant, a one-man show and a new holiday revue – plus multiple ways to create conversations and connect with the community. The season includes “Kinky Boots,” “Every Brilliant Thing,” “Home for the Holidays in the 302,” …

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” runs through April 21 at The Candlelight Theatre. Tisa DellaVolpe photo courtesy of Candlelight Theatre.

How Candlelight prepares for all those endings of ‘Drood’

Ken MammarellaHeadlines, Culture

“The Mystery Edwin Drood” poses an unusual mystery. It’s not because the musical has a complex plot that challenges the audience to outwit the playwright. It’s because the audience decides the ending. Director Jeff Reim figures there are about 480 endings, and each one deserved time and attention during rehearsals for the production, at The Candlelight Theatre in Ardentown through …

Mariah Ghant and Robert Tombari are Delaware Shakespeare's new artistic and managing directors.

Delaware Shakespeare names artistic, managing directors

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Delaware Shakespeare has selected a familiar face and a newcomer to lead the 21-year-old group. They are Mariah Ghant, artistic associate and literary manager for the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, as artistic director and Robert Tombari, program director of Goshen (Indiana) Theater, as managing director. When David Stradley decided to resign as Del Shakes artistic director, the Del Shakes board …

KJ Johnson's Young Simba in "The Lion King" on Broadway. (Courtesy of Kenneth E Johnson)

Cab student plays Young Simba in ‘Lion King’ on Broadway

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

The first Broadway show that KJ Johnson saw was “The Lion King.” And now the Cab Calloway School of the Arts student is in the hit Disney musical, as one of two actors playing Young Simba. When KJ and his father, Kenneth E. Johnson, got the news that he was cast, “There was a lot of jumping and screaming and …

Ed Emmi in the Milburn Stone production of "Sister Act." (Courtesy of Ed Emma)

‘Sister Act’ offers Del. actor chance to repeat fun role

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

For the first time in singing and acting in more than 300 productions, Ed Emmi is creating the same role at almost the same time for two different theaters. He’s playing Monsignor O’Hara in “Sister Act” in a production at the Milburn Stone Theatre in North East, Maryland, running Dec. 2-11. Tickets are on sale now. And he will play …

Abby Brewster (Kathleen Pirkl Tague) and her nephews Mortimer (Mic Matarrese, center) and Jonathan (Stephen Pelinski) in the University of Delaware Resident Ensemble Players production of “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

UD REP stages ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’

Ken MammarellaCulture, Entertainment, Headlines

Arsenic and Old Lace is a “bit of a love letter to the theater,” according to actor Mic Matarrese. “It does everything that’s nice and great about theater and is a good time.” The University of Delaware Resident Ensemble Players presents the 1941 comedy through Nov. 20. Matarrese said that his character, Mortimer Brewster, is the “engine” of the Joseph …

US Frozen TitleCard 6.13.22 1

Mount Pleasant wins contest to perform ‘Frozen: The Musical’

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Mount Pleasant High School will “let it snow” next spring, as it’s the only school in Delaware to be awarded licensing rights to perform Disney’s “Frozen” on stage. The school’s drama program will perform each night at 7 p.m. from March 30 through April 1. There will also be a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on April 1. Fifty-one schools …

Summer Lawn Concert 1

Summer’s filling up with entertainment outdoors

Betsy PriceHeadlines

Summer doesn’t officially begin until next week, but outdoor summertime entertainment is already on tap by multiple organizations. Here’s a roundup. Delaware Art Museum The Delaware Art Museum is hosting drive-in movies in its parking lot or movies on a big screen in its sculpture garden, 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington. “Dead Poets Society,” famously filmed in Delaware, is at 9 …