The temperatures outside may be turning chilly, but indoors the theatre season is just heating up! Fall and winter are the perfect times to plan an outing to the theatre, and between the Main Line and Philadelphia, you can find outstanding performances for every age. So sit back and enjoy some rousing entertainment this season at one of these area productions.

WICKED

Academy of Music, 240 S Broad Street, Philadelphia
November 1–26, 2023

WICKED, the Broadway musical sensation, has arrived in Philadelphia! Ticket availability is spotty at this point, but even if you find yourself in nosebleed balcony seats, it’s sure to be a memorable show! The story of WICKED looks at what happened in the Land of Oz, but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships. That is, until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

Oliver!

Narberth Community Theatre, Overbrook Presbyterian Church, 6376 City Avenue, Philadelphia
November 3–19, 2023; Relaxed performance on November 12

Consider yourself at home with the Narberth Community Theatre’s presentation of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! This award-winning musical adaptation of the classic Dickens novel springs to life with some of the most memorable characters and songs ever to grace the stage. In this musical, the streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan, escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the old Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. However, fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.

Disney-Pixar Finding Nemo, JR.

The Springer Studio, 751 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville
November 10, 11 & 12, 2023

Enjoy a local production featuring youth actors perform this charming musical, based on the popular Disney-Pixar animated film. The Springer Studio is a small, privately owned theatre company that focuses on youth musical theater training and education for youth ages 4-18 years and strives to provide the highest quality of programming for children in Chester County.

A Christmas Carol

People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern
November 15–December 31, 2023

Witness the miraculous redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge in this fresh approach to Charles Dickens’ classic. Infused with original music and traditional English carols, and performed by a stellar ensemble — featuring Ian Merrill Peakes as Scrooge — this jubilant retelling of the beloved yuletide ghost story is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays. Bring your loved ones ages 6–106! Better yet, see it early for the best ticket price! Preview performances on November 15, 16, 17, and 18 are automatically discounted.

Jungle Jamboree

Wolf Performing Arts Center, 1240 Montrose Avenue, Bryn Mawr
November 18 and 19, 2023; showtimes at 1pm and 3pm

In this 1st and 2nd Grade Fall 2023 Performance, an ensemble of jungle creatures will strut their stuff in this tropical romp based on the children’s book, Giraffes Can’t Dance. As a musical adaptation, the performance will celebrate a variety of song and dance styles from salsa to the waltz to rock-n-roll. Get ready and excited to explore the rhythm of the jungle!

Beauty and the Beast

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
November 21–December 31, 2023

Experience the enchantment of the Broadway musical, Beauty and the Beast at Philadelphia’s historic Walnut Street Theatre this holiday season! Based on Disney’s Academy Award-winning film, this “tale as old as time,” features the enduring story you love along with all your favorite characters and songs. Let the magic unfold in front of your eyes as dancing dishes, gorgeous costumes, and spectacular settings bring this Disney classic to life on stage. Celebrate your holidays with the most beautiful love story ever told!

A Christmas Carol Comedy

Hedgerow Theatre Company, 64 Rose Valley Road, Media
November 22–December 24, 2023; elaxed and audio-described performance on December 9

Back by popular demand, A Christmas Carol Comedy returns to Hedgerow this holiday season! Delaware County’s favorite holiday tradition continues with a fun and festive adaptation featuring two-actors as Scrooge and “everybody else.” A celebratory spectacle for all ages that bursts to life and is sure to make spirits bright. Best enjoyed by ages 5+; relaxed performance for all ages.

The Fantasticks

Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Avenue (Mt. Airy), Philadelphia
November 22–December 31, 2023

This beloved American musical ruled off Broadway for four decades and will delight family audiences this holiday season. The Fantastiks is the story of two neighboring fathers who concoct a plot to outsmart their kids and make them fall in love. Can a parent’s stratagem result in a child’s happily ever after, or will true love take its own course of action? This production uses lyrics rewritten and approved by Tom Jones, and is recommended for audiences, age 10+.

The Sound of Music

Salt Performing Arts Center, The Theatre at Yellow Springs, 1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
December 1–17, 2023

Join SALT Performing Arts (SPA) this holiday season for one of the most beloved musicals of all time! Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. See it performed live by SPA, a non-profit, community theatre organization that strives to foster an all-inclusive atmosphere that promotes a positive and uplifting experience for everyone.

The Little Prince: The Musical

Quintessence Theatre at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Avenue (Mt. Airy), Philadelphia
December 2–31, 2023

The Little Prince is a musical adventure for all ages and will challenge us to consider what is “important” this holiday season. About the story: A world-weary aviator’s plane malfunctions and crashes onto the Sahara Desert. Stranded and desperate for water, a mysterious boy appears and asks him to draw a sheep. Distracted from his crisis, the aviator joins the young Prince on an intergalactic journey of imagination and transformation, coming to terms with loneliness, friendship, and loss. Learn more about the Quintessence Theatre Group.

Mary Poppins

The Media Theater, 104 East State Street, Media
December 5–January 14, 2023

For the holidays, The Media Theatre is bringing to live the incredible and familiar tale of Disneys’ MARY POPPINS. Come watch as the magic unfolds before your very eyes as this legendary nanny operates her duties with joy and glee in a story that audiences worldwide have come to know and love.

A Christmas Story, The Musical

The Springer Studio, 751 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville
December 8–17, 2023

The especially beloved movie is now a musical production and now you can see it this holiday season at the Springer Studio Youth Theater. This small, privately owned theatre company focuses on musical theater training and education for youth ages 4-18 years and strives to provide the highest quality of programming for children in Chester County.

Once Upon A Mattress

Footlighters Theatre, 58 Main Avenue, Berwyn
December 8–17, 2023

Footlighters Theater is a non-profit theater that has provided quality, affordable family and adult entertainment to the Main Line for over 90 years! This holiday season, the theatre is featuring Once Upon A Mattress, a fairy tale that takes place many moons ago. In a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.

Seussical KIDS!

Wolf Performing Arts Center, 1240 Montrose Avenue, Bryn Mawr
December 13–17, 2023; see website for showtimes

Leap into the world of Dr. Seuss with the magical musical Seussical KIDS!, a 3rd and 4th Grade Fall 2023 Performance at Wolf PAC. The story begins as Horton the Elephant faces a whirlwind of challenges in the Jungle of Nool. Firstly, he must save the tiny Whos as their world is in danger of being destroyed. Then he must protect an egg abandoned by the carefree Mayzie La Bird and prove to the Wickersham Brothers, the Sour Kangaroo, and more that he is trustworthy and loyal. Actors will create bright characters with big imaginations in this exciting production!

Disney-Pixar Finding Nemo JR.

The Media Theatre, 104 East State Street, Media
December 16–January 14, 2023

Explore the big blue world of Nemo, Marlin, Dory and all the undersea characters from the beloved Pixar film in this lively new stage musical! Especially perfect for families, Disney’s Finding Nemo JR., is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

Disney On Ice presents Magic In The Stars

Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
December 24, 2023–January 1, 2024

Glide into the worlds of Frozen 2, Encanto, Aladdin, Tiana, the Disney Princesses, and more while Disney on Ice is in town. This time around, the show is “Magic in the Stars,” which brings your favorite Disney stories to life through world-class ice skating.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Miller Theater (Formerly Merriam Theater), 250 S Broad Street, Philadelphia
December 26–31, 2023

Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a whimsical, family, holiday spectacular featuring an ensemble of aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, fun-loving skippers, breath-taking acrobatics, and more. These dazzling performers are accompanied by an original music score including new twists on seasonal favorites such as “Deck the Halls,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” In essence, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life. 

Lead photo from Cirque Dreams Holidaze, courtesy of the Kimmel Cultural Campus.