We've made it, folks. It's officially the start of theater season in Philly, with a number of local venues launching their 2024-2025 seasons in September.
The Philadelphia Fringe Festival kicks things off with hundreds of shows at theaters across the city, and a musical telling of the life of George Michael holds us over until "The Book of Mormon" hits the Academy of Music in October. Meanwhile, the Arden Theatre puts on an election-themed performance in "POTUS," and the Bristol Riverside Theatre shows us a never-ending game of cards.
Below, check out 10 can't-miss performances coming to the Philadelphia stage in September.
The 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival
Sept. 5-29 | FringeArts
One of Philadelphia's biggest theater events of the year kicks off Thursday, Sept. 5, with more than 300 indie shows at various locations around the city. Plus, there will be workshops, comedy, opera and more taking over the community. There's too many to name them all, but we've got eyes on Pig Iron's "Poor Judge," a satirical show called "Nosejob," Black Circus Week and an ode to the tomato.
'The Wanderers'
Sept. 5-Oct. 6 | Lantern Theater Co.
Catch the Philadelphia premiere of Anna Ziegler's show at the theater at 923 Ludlow St. in Washington Square. The play tells the story of two couples who seem written in the stars but have conflicting views of obligation and independence, centering on the human desire for connection. Tickets start at $25.
'The Gin Game'
Sept. 10-29 | Bristol Riverside Theatre
This Pulitzer Prize-winning play is set on the front porch of the Bentley Nursing Home, when one resident beats another at a game of gin rummy — again and again and again. Tensions and stakes rise with every game in this humorous show on stage in Bristol, Bucks County. Tickets start at $15.
'POTUS'
Sept. 12-Oct. 6 | Arden Theatre
Fans of "Veep" might want to turn their eyes to the stage for Selina Fillinger's show "Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive." The play tells the story of seven women attempting to put out the fires of a public relations nightmare at the White House. "POTUS" is described as a "hilarious homage to the women who keep things running and get the job done," and it has a cast of all women. Tickets for the performances at 40 N. Second St. in Old City start at $32.
'Alabama Story'
Sept. 13-29 | Old Academy Players
Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement, a pro-segregation state senator and a state librarian go head to head about a children's book about a black rabbit marrying a white rabbit in "Alabama Story." Meanwhile, a Black man and a privileged white woman who were once childhood friends reunite in adulthood. The play, on stage at 3544 Indian Queen Lane in East Falls, is based on the true story of "The Rabbits’ Wedding," written by the illustrator of "Charlotte's Web." Tickets are $25.
'The Toxic Avenger'
Sept 13-29 | South Camden Theatre Co.
Based on the 1984 cult film of the same name, "The Toxic Avenger" is a comedic musical about an "unlikely hero" determined to clean up toxic goo in his town, his girlfriend and a corrupt New Jersey mayor. The show combines environmental activism, quite literal toxic love and jokes at New Jersey's expense. The South Camden Theatre Co. is at 400 Jasper St. in Camden. Tickets start at $10.
'The Porch on Windy Hill'
Sept. 18-Oct. 13 | People's Light
Korean American violinist Mira and her boyfriend Beckett spend time reconnecting with her estranged grandfather in the mountains of North Carolina. With a fiddle, mandolin and banjo, all three explore how to heal wounds with music in the bluegrass/Americana style at People's Light in Malvern, Chester County. Tickets start at $42, or $32 for previews.
'The Life and Music of George Michael'
Sept. 19 | Miller Theater
The concert-style show tells the life of George Michael through his songs. Follow Michael from his start with Wham! through his solo career featuring hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go,” “Freedom,” “Faith,” “Careless Whisper” and “Father Figure.” Tickets for the one-night-only show at 250 S. Broad St. in Center City, start at $39.
'The Playboy of the Western World'
Sept. 19-Oct. 13 | Inis Nua Theatre Co.
Nigerian playwright Bisi Adigun and popular Irish writer Roddy Doyle bring a new adaptation of J.M. Synge’s 1907 play to the theater at 302 S. Hicks St. in Washington Square West. Young hero Christy Mahon is reimagined as a Nigerian refugee telling his story at a Dublin pub in the hopes of saving his life. Tickets start at $14.
'Cyrano De Bergerac'
Sept. 25-Oct. 20 | Quintessence Theatre at The Sedgwick
A new adaption of the play that inspired the plots of countless sitcoms and romantic comedies premieres at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave. in Mt. Airy in September. Ugly-but-smart Cyrano loans his poetry to dumb-but-pretty Christian to win well-read Roxanne in the infamous love triangle. Tickets start at $25.