Who doesn’t love live theatre? There is nothing like it and here we get chauffeured to great seats of many Broadway hit shows when they come to Philly. It’s so convenient and FUN!
When Broadway comes to Philly, the Lions Gate Broadway Club is always in the audience! Kim Clemons, Lions Gate Programming Director, started the club for residents because of her own love of live theater. “When a Broadway show is touring the country, Philadelphia is a frequent stop,” said Kim. “Each year the line-up of Broadway shows performing at the Kimmel Center has gotten better and better. I already coordinated a subscription series for residents interested in seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra perform, so I thought residents might be interested in day trips to see some of the wonderful Broadway shows making a stop in Philly. That’s how the Broadway Club came to be. I poll residents to see who is interested in each show, and if I have at least 8 residents interested, I book it. I get us seats in the Diamond Circle section so it’s easy to get to, and the view is always great. The Lions Gate transport bus takes us door-to-door. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the company of great friends watching great theater.”
Rabbi Herbert Panitch, a resident, was part of the Lions Gate group that went to see The Lion King at the Academy of Music. “It was fantastic!” said Rabbi Panitch. “Many years ago, I was a Dramatics Counselor at camp. I also used to take all the students in my Confirmation classes on a trip to NYC, and we would always go see a Broadway show. But I hadn’t been to the theater in years. When I heard the Broadway Club was going to see The Lion King, I thought that was something I’d really like to experience. The costuming was just so impressive. When the two giraffes walked across the stage it was breathtaking. I was so happy to have been a part of it.”
Resident Ina Beckman goes to see many shows with the Broadway Club, and she particularly enjoyed seeing Moulin Rouge this past summer. “The production was wonderful,” said Ina. “The costumes were gorgeous, and the singing voices were excellent. The real Moulin Rouge cabaret opened in 1889, the same year the Eiffel Tower was built. It’s best known as the birthplace of the Can Can. All of that excitement is beautifully captured in this musical. I loved it!”
Resident Michele Levene Brill went with the Broadway Club to see Six, Moulin Rouge, and The Lion King, and is very much looking forward to seeing the upcoming production of Wicked. “I can’t wait to see Wicked,” said Michele. “I am a big fan of live theater, but each time that Wicked has come to Philadelphia, I have been unable to attend. Nothing is going to stop me from seeing it this November. We are all so lucky to live near Philadelphia and able to see such wonderful productions without having to travel all the way to New York City to see them. A big thank you to Kim Clemons for starting the Broadway Club and making all the arrangements for us to see these shows. It’s wonderful!”
