Review - A Seat at the Tea Party: The Bearded Ladies Cabaret and FringeArts present Jackie Soro and Pax Ressler’s GIRL DOLLS: The American Musical
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Review - A Seat at the Tea Party: The Bearded Ladies Cabaret and FringeArts present Jackie Soro and Pax Ressler’s GIRL DOLLS: The American Musical

Photo by Johanna Austin.

A joint presentation by the Bearded Ladies Cabaret and FringeArts, the musical examines the role of gendered toys in American childhood and how they shape the adults we become. Soro and Ressler draw on their own experiences with a brand of dolls that hit peak popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, delivering a tight, funny, and inspiring musical.

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Preview - Broadway World:          GIRL DOLLS: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL To Premiere At FringeArts In Philadelphia
Preview, Bearded Ladies Cabaret Carlos Diaz Stoop Preview, Bearded Ladies Cabaret Carlos Diaz Stoop

Preview - Broadway World: GIRL DOLLS: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL To Premiere At FringeArts In Philadelphia

The Bearded Ladies Cabaret will present the world premiere of GIRL DOLLS: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL from May 9 through May 17, 2026 at FringeArts in Philadelphia. Created and performed by Jackie Soro and Pax Ressler, and directed by MK Tuomanen, the production examines themes of girlhood, identity, and cultural narratives through a musical theatre lens.

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Preview - THE SECRET SHARER World Premiere Adaptation of Joseph Conrad Short Story is Coming to ArtsEmerson
Preview, DNAWORKS Carlos Diaz Stoop Preview, DNAWORKS Carlos Diaz Stoop

Preview - THE SECRET SHARER World Premiere Adaptation of Joseph Conrad Short Story is Coming to ArtsEmerson

Image designed by Troy Lambert

ArtsEmerson will present DNAWORKS' World Premiere performance of The Secret Sharer, a stage adaptation inspired by Joseph Conrad's celebrated short story from April 24 – May 3, 2026 at the Emerson Paramount Center's Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theater. This theatrical experience invites audiences aboard a lone ship at sea where a young captain encounters a mysterious fugitive swimmer; a stranger who may also be his mirror.

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Review - Chicago Sun-Times: Exceptional cast lifts uneven staging of Scott Joplin's 'Treemonisha'
Review, Treemonisha, Volcano Theater Carlos Diaz Stoop Review, Treemonisha, Volcano Theater Carlos Diaz Stoop

Review - Chicago Sun-Times: Exceptional cast lifts uneven staging of Scott Joplin's 'Treemonisha'

The 20-member cast, including eight principals is largely effective, with Canadian soprano Neema Bickersteth (Treemonisha) admirably anchoring the production with clear, clarion singing and a grounded acting style. Other stand-outs include Cedric Berry (Zodzerick), with his expressive bass-baritone voice and easy stage manner, and SATE (Nana), a Toronto-based rock and AfroPunk singer with an agile, high-powered, pop-inflected style.

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Preview - Metro Philadelphia: ‘Beards on Ice’ tackles climate change with silliness and sincerity
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Preview - Metro Philadelphia: ‘Beards on Ice’ tackles climate change with silliness and sincerity

Photo by Maria Young

Grab your coats Philly, because the city’s most daring cabaret group, The Bearded Ladies Cabaret, is hitting a nearby rink with their internationally acclaimed extravaganza, Beards on Ice, to add some silliness to a sincere conversation about climate change.

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Review - Philadelphia Inquirer: The Grinch’s ex-wife tells her side of the story in a drag Christmas spectacular
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Review - Philadelphia Inquirer: The Grinch’s ex-wife tells her side of the story in a drag Christmas spectacular

Photo by Elizabeth Robertson, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer

Directed by drag and burlesque star Brett Robinson, the elaborate production delivers a refreshing and comical spin on Grinchcore that goes far beyond the scrooge we know.

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