Led by artistic director Tony Braithwaite, Act II’s hilarious ensemble will tackle a range of shows this fall, beginning with the Tony-winning Neil Simon classic, Biloxi Blues (Aug. 28-Sept. 23), an autobiographical coming-of-age tale. Switching gears, the playhouse tackles Donald Margulies’ Collected Stories (Oct. 23-Nov. 18), a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, (215) 654-0200, act2.org.
First up for Arden is the Tony-winning musical, Once (Sept. 20-Oct. 21), a lighthearted story of love in the streets of Dublin. Next is a sequel to last season’s A Doll’s House (Oct. 24-Dec. 9), which takes place 15 years after Nora made her life-changing decision.
40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia, (215) 922-8900, www.ardentheatre.org.
This intimate gem of a theater takes audiences south to Dishman Springs (Sept. 13-30), where Ida celebrates her 75th birthday and rediscovers her younger self. Then it’s on to ancient Greece for Euripides’ Medea (Oct. 18-Nov. 11).
64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley, (610) 565-4211, www.hedgerowtheatre.org.
Related: Meet the Mother and Son Duo Behind Hedgerow Theatre’s Success
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Nov. 6-18) comes to the Academy of Music—and be sure to get tickets now for next year’s performance of Hamilton (Aug 27.-Nov. 17, 2019).
300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, (215) 893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.
Lantern celebrates its 25th season with the local premiere of Hapgood (Sept. 6-Oct. 14), about a female spy who’s balancing a career and home life with some serious Russian espionage. Another Philadelphia premiere, The Heir Apparent (Nov. 8-Dec. 16) is a hilarious look at a family’s efforts to get their piece of a relative’s estate.
923 Ludlow St., Philadelphia, (215) 829-0395, www.lanterntheater.org.
This fall, it’s two audience favorites: Sweeney Todd (Oct. 3-28) and the beloved family classic, The Wizard of Oz (Nov. 14-Jan. 13, 2019).
104 E. State St., Media, (610) 891-0100, mediatheatre.org.
Eclecticism and bold choices are the norm at People’s Light. Such Things as Vampires (Sept. 20-Oct. 31) is a little like Dracula set to a punk-folk soundtrack. And Cinderella: A Musical Panto (Nov. 14-Jan. 6, 2019) marks the 15th anniversary of the theater’s beloved panto tradition.
39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, (610) 644-3500, www.peopleslight.org.
PCS kicks off fall on a familiar note with Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls (Sept. 14-29), before moving on to the lesser-known Bruce Graham work, The Outgoing Tide (Oct. 19-Nov. 3), set in the Chesapeake Bay region. Rounding out 2018: the quintessential holiday classic A Christmas Story (Nov. 23-Dec. 8).
614 Fairview Ave., Swarthmore, (610) 328-4271, www.pcstheater.org.
RTC founder Kristin McLaughlin Mitchell has quickly gained a reputation for bringing top-notch on-stage talent to the western suburbs—and this season is no exception. Fall begins with the auspicious Tony-winning musical Evita (Oct. 12-28). Then it’s Lend Me a Tenor (Dec. 14-30). Mitchell is no stranger to this classic screwball comedy, having worked alongside director Stanley Tucci on the Broadway version.
226 N. High St., West Chester, (610) 356-2787, rtcwc.org.
Related: Kristin McLaughlin Mitchell is Helping Transform West Chester’s Theater Scene
If there’s a local theater that never sleeps, it’s SALT. Chugging along seamlessly from summer to fall, its season kicks off with Little Women: The Play (Sept. 7-16), tackling the travails of Louis May Alcott’s March sisters. Later, audiences are treated to the Broadway sensation Cats (Oct. 19-Nov. 4).
1645 Art School Road, Chester springs, (610) 703-1734, www.saltpa.com.
Spotlight celebrates its 78th season with four shows. In Ron Bernas’ A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody (Sept. 14-29), a husband decides that the only way to ditch his wife is to kill her. Next, the troupe tackles Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (Oct. 19-28), followed by Neil Simon’s The Front Page (Nov. 30-Dec. 15).
129 Park Ave., Swarthmore, (610) 328-1079, spotlighttheatrepa.org.
This Philly institution christens its season with Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Sept. 4-Oct. 21), before moving on to something the kids will love: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (Nov. 6-Jan. 6, 2019).
825 Walnut St., Philadelphia, (215) 574-3550, www.walnutstreettheatre.org.