Special Events » Arden Theatre Company Blog

25th Anniversary Granfalloon Preview Party

In anticipation of the upcoming 25th anniversary Granfalloon, Co-Chairs June and Steve Wolfson hosted a fabulous Preview Party in their home on April 24th. The evening included delicious wine and dinner and a special performance from Alex Keiper who will appear in our upcoming production of A Little Night Music. Guests included Granfalloon sponsors, Host Committee and this year’s honorees – past presidents of the Arden’s Board of Directors.

Join us on Friday, June 7th to celebrate the Arden’s 25th anniversary!

Pinocchio Opening Night

On April 13, we had a wonderful opening night for our Arden Children’s Theatre production of Pinocchio!

Special thanks to our opening night sponsors: 12^th Street Catering, The Center for Art in Wood, Harmelin Media, Hatboro Beverages, PixeΙation Photography, and Philadelphia Stories, Jr. Thank you also to our Production Sponsor Comcast | NBC 10 | Sprout.

Here are photos from the evening, including photos from our “Create Your Own Disguise” Photobooth. You can also find the Photobooth pictures on the Arden’s Facebook Page.

Opening Night of A Raisin in the Sun

Arden friends and artists gathered on March 13 to celebrate opening night of A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry’s classic play directed by Walter Dallas.

Members of the Sylvan Society joined together with Arden staff and The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation Teen Council for a pre-show cocktail party at Ristorante Panorama. After the play, guests enjoyed a reception following the show catered by JPM Catering with beer and refreshments courtesy of Hatboro Beverages.

Thanks to Plate 3 Photography for photos of our post-show party!

Endgame Opening Night

Arden friends and artists gathered Wednesday evening to celebrate opening night of Endgame, directed by Edward Sobel and our first foray into the world of playwright Samuel Beckett, a writer that transformed the way stories are told on stage.

Members of the Sylvan Society joined together for a pre-show cocktail party at Revolution House. Nearly 200 audience members enjoyed the opening night performance on the Arcadia Stage, which was followed by a post-show discussion led by Endgame Assistant Director Suzana Berger and Arden Associate Artistic Director Matthew Decker. Guests enjoyed a reception following the show catered by JPM Catering with beer and refreshments courtesy of Hatboro Beverages.

Thanks to Plate 3 Photography for photos of our post-show discussion and party!

Our 25th Anniversary Season Concert

In honor of our anniversary season, we held a one-night-only 25th Anniversary Concert on Monday, November 5th at 7 pm. Celebrating 25 years of Arden musical theatre, this event featured a number of fabulous Arden artists and was a fond look-back on favorite Arden musicals including Baby Case, Sunday in the Park with George, and A Year with Frog and Toad.

Big thanks to all of the talented artists who donated their time to make this event great: Griffin Back, Billy Bustamante, Jeff Coon, Ben Dibble, Eric Ebbenga, Liz Filios, Krissy Fraelich, Anne Robinson Frey, Gary Giles, Robert Hager, Joilet Harris, Mary Martello, Tom McCarthy, Michael Ogborn, Steve Pacek, Linda Pierson, and Ann Pinto. The concert raised over $15,000 in support of our anniversary season – thank you!

Here are some photos from the performance and post-show champagne toast!

All photos by Mark Garvin.

Opening Night of Freud’s Last Session

By Angela DuRoss, Development Director

Freud’s Last Session opened on Thursday, November 1 to a packed house. Members of the Sylvan Society joined together for a cocktail party at Gigi Restaurant prior to the performance. Nearly 200 audience members enjoyed the opening night performance, which marked the directorial debut for Philadelphia artist Ian Merrill Peakes. Guests enjoyed a reception following the show catered by JPM Catering with beer courtesy of Hatboro Beverages.

Thanks to Plate3Photography for photos of our post-show party!

Next to Normal – Opening Night

On Wednesday, October 3, we kicked off our 25th anniversary season with the opening night of Next to Normal! Sylvan Society members enjoyed a cocktail party just across the street at LG Tripp Gallery, with delicious bites from Race Street Café. Board member John McCawley presented us with a framed photo of the PECO Crown Lights displaying the message, “Arden Theatre Company celebrating 25 years.” Nearly 400 guests gathered at the Arden for the 7pm performance, including Arden supporters, members of the press, artists, former staff and friends. Everyone enjoyed a post-show reception hosted by 12th Street Catering and Hatboro Beverages.

Sylvan Society Set Tour and Shop Party

On June 9, members of the Sylvan Society gathered for an exclusive backstage tour, led by members of the Arden’s Production staff. They began with a tour of the Robin Hood set – learning what the green mulch is made from, and how the arrows miraculously appear onstage during the show. They made their way down to the Haas for a tour of the Tulipomania set, including a rare opportunity to learn how to make it rain onstage. The evening commenced in a fun barbeque at the Arden’s Scene Shop located off Cuthbert Street. Sitting amongst power saws and old set pieces, they enjoyed hot dogs, burgers and even a surprise birthday cake!

Opening Night for Tulipomania

By Angela DuRoss, Development Director

On Wednesday, May 30^th, we opened our final show of the season, Tulipomania: The Musical. Arden board member Lynn Haskin and her husband Don hosted a Sylvan Society cocktail party before the show at their home in the Moravian. Guests then headed over to the theatre for the 7pm curtain. President and CEO of Fox Chase Bank, Tom Petro, joined Terry Nolen and Amy Murphy for a few remarks prior to the show. Tulipomania: The Musical is the fifth show for which Fox Chase Bank has served as the Production Sponsor. The show opened to a full and enthusiastic house. Afterwards, guests enjoyed the company of the cast and Arden friends for a post-show reception with tasty bites from 12^th Street Catering and libations courtesy of Hatboro Beverage.

Here are some photos from the evening!

Robin Hood Opening Night

By Megan Staples, Development Assistant

The Arden happily celebrated the opening night of Robin Hood on Saturday, April 28^th by turning the lobby into our own Sherwood Forest! We welcomed community partners Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its Plant One Million booth, Ricochets Gymnastics Club lead our child guests through a tumbling obstacle course, and Historic Philadelphia came as well to help spread the word about Franklin Square and Square Burger’s Sherwood Forest Very Berry Shake (on sale through the month of May!). Arden staff helped the kids transform into merrymen with crafts and face painting! Then, our competitive guests moved on to the bow and arrow competition in the upstairs lobby. Kid-friendly food and beverages were provided by 12^th Street Catering and Hatboro Beverages. After the show, families enjoyed green apple sorbet over vanilla ice cream topped with caramel sauce, courtesy of The Franklin Fountain.

Here are some photos from the evening: