Relish in elegant music, welcome spring with Shofuso’s flowering cherry blossoms and more this month.
On April 19, listen in awe as 52-time Oscar-nominated composer John Williams is joined by violinist Anne- Sophie Mutter and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
4/1-10
Philly Theatre Week
Dramatists and actors alike: Prepare yourselves for Philly’s biggest theater event of the year. With around 85 events and shows from local theater companies, the celebration includes performances like Folk, where three loners forge a deep connection through their love of folk music, and the Philly debut of The Golden Girls Murder Mystery: The Curse of Jessica Fletcher. More formal events, such as industry panels, discussions and workshops, will also help to prove why Greater Philadelphia is among the most dynamic and influential regions for theater in the country. Multiple locations, 267.761.9950, theatrephiladelphia.org
4/8-10
Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival of Philadelphia
Take advantage of this fleeting, pink-hued magic at the Shofuso Cherry Blossom Festival, hosted by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. To welcome spring, attendees are invited to promenade among the fragrant cherry blossoms at Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, watch festival features like the taiko drumming performances and more. With the seeds planted nearly a century ago as a gift from Japan, the blooming trees paint the city. West Fairmount Park, 267.237.3550, japanphilly.org
4/12-5/1
The Cherry Orchard
Deemed “one of the world’s finest theatermakers” by The New York Times, Dmitry Krymov has constructed a remarkable new production. The storyline resembles Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s play of the same name, where a Russian family confronts the potential foreclosure of their estate. However, Krymov reinvented the show with modern surprises like a mechanical train flipboard that can tell the future. Get ready for the suspense of improvised scenes, sure to keep both the actors and audience on the edge of their seats. 265 S. Broad St., 215.546.7824, wilmatheater.org
Watch as Joshua Blue makes his Opera Philadelphia debut as the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto.
4/19
An Evening With John Williams and Anne-Sophie Mutter
For one night only, movie buffs can listen to their favorite film scores fill the Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center. Conducted by 52-time Oscar-nominated movie score composer John Williams and with performances from famed violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Philadelphia Orchestra, some of the most celebrated scores will come to life. 300 S. Broad St., 215.893.1900, philorch.org
4/20
Lorde Solar Power Tour
Breaking her four-year hiatus in touring, New Zealand singer Lorde will be hitting the stage once again with her sure-to-impress Solar Power Tour. Listen at the Met Opera House as the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter performs powerful songs from her third studio album, Solar Power, like “Stoned at the Nail Salon” and “Fallen Fruit.” 858 N. Broad St., lordephiladelphia.com
4/29-5/1
The Philadelphia Show
On their 60th anniversary, the Philadelphia Show is celebrating the fine arts world with folk art, ceramics, silvery, jewelry, textiles, decorative art and more. The show is set to feature over forty of the nation’s most reputable antique dealers and fine art galleries: Philip Bradley Antiques, Clarke Gallery and Hyde Park Boutiques to name a few. Now stewarded by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, proceeds of the event will benefit the museum's Division of Digital Resources and Content Strategy. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, thephiladelphiashow.com
4/29-5/8
Rigoletto
Calling all opera lovers to the Academy of Music for an evening of sensational scores in Giuseppe Verdi’s iconic tragedy, Rigoletto. As Opera Philadelphia Orchestra and Chorus take center stage, with costumes and sets from the New Zealand Opera, watch a story of love, curses and seduction unfold. Involving the Duke of Mantua, his court jester Rigoletto and Rigoletto’s daughter, Gilda, the show welcomes guests to lose themselves in the beauty of the most beloved arias in the operatic canon, like the famous “La donna è mobile.” 240 S. Broad St., 215.732.8400, operaphila.org
Photography by: Jessica Griffin; Arielle Doneson
