Founded in 1809, the Walnut is America's oldest theatre and the oldest continually operating theatre in the English-speaking world. The self-producing non-profit company boasts a 57,000 member subscriber base, the largest in the country. The star-studded party began at the theatre, with performances "highlighting some of the great moments in recent Walnut history, while paying tribute to 200 continuous years of theatre at the corner of 9th and Walnut."
Among the 50+ performers who presented over two-dozen pieces from past Walnut shows were New York City regulars Mark Jacoby, Hugh Panaro, Cary Michele Miller, Cara Cooper, David Elder, Christina DeCicco, Ben Lipitz, Paul Schoeffler and Josh Young, and Philly favorites Jeffrey Coon, Joilet Harris, Ben Dibble, Mary Martello and Denise Whelan. Bruce Lumpkin directed the entertainment, with musical direction by Douglass G. Lutz.
The post-show reception was held in the Ballroom at the Benjamin Franklin House.
Here is a look at the festivities celebrating the bicentennial of the Philadelphia National Historic Landmark:
Director Bruce Lumpkin works through the finale with the cast, including Ben Dibble, Denise Whelan, Hugh Panaro, Jamie Torcellini and Charles Abbott
Deborah Jean Templin, Ben Dibble, Denise Whelan, Hugh Panaro, Jamie Torcellini, Charles Abbott, Brandon O’Rourke and Cara Cooper run through the final number.
from Les Miserables (2008)
The Walnut Street Theatre's current production of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire runs through March 1. Their next mainstage production, Garson Kanin's Born Yesterday, begins performances March 10.
For tickets and more information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org.
