On Stage: The Play’s The Thing

With holidays looming, productions blossom around Delaware Valley

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times

This is the time right now when several stage productions are muscling their way in and establishing their own space on the area entertainment calendar.

Now through November 29, the Kimmel Center’s Broadway Philadelphia series is presenting “Matilda The Musical” at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelcenter.org). The Kimmel’s series is also presenting “Book of Mormon” from November 24-December 27 at the Forrest Theatre (1114 Walnut St, Philadelphia, 215-923-1515).

“Matilda the Musical,” which was the winner of 50 international awards (including four Tony Awards), is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical” captured the imagination of young and old alike, and continues to play to packed houses at London’s Cambridge Theatre.  The London production was the winner of a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards in 2012.

The critically acclaimed production began preview performances on Broadway March, 4 2013, with the official opening night April 11, 2013. The National Tour started back in May in Los Angeles and has been working its way around the country.

Inspired by the twisted genius of Dahl, with original songs from comedian Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly, the show is a captivating new musical masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny.

The show’s story line revolves around Matilda, a precocious 5-year-old girl with the power of “mind over matter.” She is a bright young girl who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher find new meaning in her own life.

Cassie Silva, who plays the villainous role of Matilda’s mother Mrs. Wormwood, is very familiar with the show and the role.

“I was in the Broadway production for eight months and now I’m in the cast of the national tour,” said Silva, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Hershey. “On Broadway, I played a number of characters and I was the understudy for Mrs. Wormwood. I did the role of Mrs. Wormwood for three weeks on Broadway.

“I loved the book ‘Matilda’ when I was growing up. I loved the film adaptation as well. And, I had initially seen the show on Broadway just to see it. I sat in the last row in the theater on a lottery ticket. The show read so well. I was totally taken in by the show. It had amazing clarity.

“The story is told very well through the songs — extremely clear. Lyrics-wise, it’s super clear. Our lyrics are great. There is so much food for thought. The show was actually written for adults so there is a lot of complexity — and a lot of dark scenes.”

But, it’s not all doom-and-gloom. Not many musicals are.

“The play is a lot darker than the movie,” said Silva, who grew up in L.A. “Our show is written off the book and Dahl is very dark. It’s dark but we made light of it.

“Mrs. Wormwood is totally a villain. She’s dark but she is also a very colorful woman — extremely passionate and very opinionated. The most challenging parts of playing the role are the British accent and the fact that the Wormwoods are screaming the entire show.

“I do like her though. I like her because she’s a howl. She’s just so vivacious. When she comes in a room, she’s on fire. You have to pay attention to her. I don’t like yelling at the kids but, other than that, it’s an awesome role. I like that I can portray a dark character.

“One of the main reasons audiences like this show is because the scenes have so much variety. There is also the message — the message that you make your own reality.”

The production is directed by Matthew Warchus and designed by Rob Howell with choreography by Peter Darling, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, musical supervision and orchestration by Christopher Nightingale, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

Video link for “Matilda the Musical” — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=avzK3En1naM.

“Matilda the Musical” will run through November 29. Ticket prices range from $20-$110.

Another award-winning musical has arrived for a multi-week run at an area theater. Now through January 3, the Media Theatre (104 East State Street, Media, 610-891-0100, The MediaTheatre.com) is presenting “Billy Elliot: The Musical.”

The lively musical had its world premiere in 2005 in London’s West End in 2005 and was nominated for nine Laurence Olivier Awards. It won four — including “Best New Musical.” The show also won 10 Tony Awards and 10 Drama Desk Awards, including “Best Musical” from both.

Imagine an 11-year old boy from a tough blue-collar neighborhood like Ridley or Marcus Hook deciding that he preferred ballet slippers to boxing gloves and then having to deal with the reaction of his working class father and brother when they hear the news.

Got that picture?

Good because now you can wrap your mind around the story of Billy Elliot. The young athletic boy had to deal with just such a situation in England’s coal region – at a time when there was a miners’ strike that affected both his dad and his brother.

“Billy Elliot” was British drama film in 2000 that was written by Lee Hall and set in County Durham, one of the northern-most counties in England. In 2001, author Melvin Burgess was commissioned to write a novel version of the film and then the story was adapted as a musical.

Set in a small English town, the story follows Billy Elliot as he forsakes the boxing ring and moves into a ballet class where he discovers a surprising talent for dance. The show is billed as “a joyous celebration of one boy’s journey against the odds to make his dreams come true.”

The title role will be shared by a pair of young talents — West Chester’s Gunar Daniels and Media’s Brandon Ranalli. Ironically, the show’s production staff held the auditions in New York City, auditioned 30 boys and selected two young actors who virtually live in the theater’s backyard.

“I auditioned in New York back in June,” said Daniels during a post-rehearsal interview at the theater last week. “Knowing that the show was right here in Media gave me extra incentive. I’ve been taking acting classes at the Media Theatre with Roger Ricker.

“I think one of the reasons I got the role was my ballet. I’ve been acting for awhile — since I was five. I’m 13 now and I started ballet when I was eight. I danced ballet with Rock School West and now I’ve been invited to join Rock School Philadelphia.”

When asked whether he was an actor who dances or a dancer who acts, Daniels had a quick response.

“I’m an actor/singer who dances,” said Daniels. “To get ready for the audition, I bought the movie and the live musical from the West End. Once I got the role, I watched the movie and the musical again.

“I delved deeper into the show and Googled the miners’ strike. I learned about the strike and read about Margaret Thatcher. I learned about what they were striking for. And, I saw pictures of what it was like in a mining town.”

The show, which features a score by Elton John, is driven by a strong story, an energetic score and an impressive display of dancing by both “Billys.”

“One of the biggest challenges is to jump rope while tapping,” said Daniels. “Some of the singing is hard too. I have to really focus on some of the notes. It was also hard to learn the British accent that Billy talks in.”

This musical is not a shiny, happy musical with frivolous themes.  It’s a bunch of coalminers – really working class. Billy’s father and brother are northern England coalminers during a strike and he’s running around in ballet slippers. Obviously, serious clashes are inevitable.

“I think people like this show because it has a lot of emotion to it — the miners’ pride, the struggle and the anger,” said Daniels. “It’s a very emotional show.”

Tickets for “Billy Elliot: The Musical” are $42 for adults, $35 for seniors and $25 for children.

The Media Theatre will also have its latest children’s production running concurrently. “Jack Frost” will be staged now through January 3 with matinee performances every Saturday and Sunday.

In the show, Father Winter retires and little Jack Frost has to make sure the holiday comes. Unfortunately, everything Jack touches turns to ice. The story deals with whether or not Jack will be able to bring Christmas to town.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children.

The Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, 302- 475-2313, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) will be presenting the classic musical “Mame” from November 20-December 20.

Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m./show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m./show, 3 p.m.). Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $59 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12).

The Rainbow Dinner Theatre (3065 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, 800-292-4301, http://www.rainbowcomedy.com) is presenting its holiday production now through December 27.  “Goodnight Mrs. Puffin” will have matinee performances are every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and selected Saturdays with an 11:30 a.m. lunch and a 1 p.m. curtain.

Evening performances are every Friday, Saturday and selected Thursdays with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the show following at 8 p.m. There will also be “Twilight Performances” on selected Sundays with dinner at 2:30 p.m. and the show at 4 p.m. Ticket prices range from $48-$54.

The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-0 648-4102, www.AMTshows.com) had the season premiere of its 2015 holiday show on November With a posh Christmas-themed hotel as the backdrop, the show features an all-new program with spectacular singing, dancing and live music presented by the AMT’s talented cast and veteran orchestra.

The lively and colorful production features classic and contemporary holiday songs and carols including “Sleigh Ride,” “Silent Night,” “Silver Bells,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “I Wonder as I Wander,” “O Holy Night,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and “Deck the Halls.”

Video link for “2015 Christmas Show: Deck the Halls” — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Xruo1J2cbf8.

The show will have both matinee and evening performances each week with the addition of 10:30 a.m. performances on Sundays throughout December. Show length is two hours and 15 minutes with a short intermission. Tickets are $42 for adults and $21 for children.

On November 21, the Kimmel Center will present a show at the Merriam Theater that fits in somewhere between a concert and a stage performance — Christian McBride’s “The Movement Revisited.”

“In 1998, I was offered a commission by the Portland Arts Society to write a piece for their Black History Month programming,” said McBride, during a phone interview last week. “They wanted a piece that was written for a choir. I was quite hesitant about it originally because of the choir connection. They put me in touch with J.D. Steele. J.D. said — we’ll work together….whatever you want, give it to me.”

The original production of “The Movement Revisited” featured spoken texts from four major figures of the civil rights movement — Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King Jr. — along with a jazz band and a gospel choir.

“I chose four people who were not only important to me but also to people involved in the civil rights movement,” said McBride. “I’m sure they had felt a lot of pain. It was a very heavy era in the mid-50s through the 60s and into the 70s. Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King Jr. — they were the ones I decided to write ‘The Movement Revisited’ about. Each person has their own movement in this work. I took quotes from their pieces and wrote music around it. Ali’s role was very significant even though he wasn’t a political leader.”

After the initial performances, the show was revisited with McBride and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2008 and again two years later in Detroit.

“In 2010, the Detroit Jazz Festival commissioned me to expand the piece,” said McBride. “I ended up writing a fifth movement.”

The shows current format includes “Overture: The Movement Revisited,” “Movement One: Sister Rosa (Rosa Parks),” “Movement Two: Brother Malcolm (Malcolm X),” “Movement Three: Rumble in the Jungle (Muhammad Ali),” “Movement Four: A View from the Mountaintop (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)” and “Movement Five: Apotheosis: November 4th, 2008 (Barack Obama.)”

“I did the fifth movement ‘Apotheosis’ about Barack Obama,” said McBride, an international jazz legend whose roots are in Philadelphia. “He is the result of all the hard work done by the other four.

“With this project, I tried to capture the personality of each person and enhance the spirit of their words through music. Now, to be performing it in my hometown — I can’t begin to tell you how special this all is.”

Video link for Christian McBride — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=66YybA0wuuc.

The show at the Merriam Theater will begin at 8 p.m. on November 21. Ticket prices range from $29-$72.

On November 20, the Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http://www.lnphilly.com) will offer a show that features two of Warner Bros. Records’ top young acts — Lights and PHASES — and two the most interesting female singers around — Lights, who is the show’s headliner, and Z Berg, who is the lead singer of PHASES.

Lights, a native of Toronto, first visited the area in 2008 when she was the opening act for Copeland and was touring in support of her debut EP “Lights.” Since that time, she has returned for numerous shows at Philly venues and has released three albums — “The Listening” in 2009, “Siberia” in 2011, and “Little Machines” in 2014.

In addition to her music, Lights has been involved in art projects — ranging from comic book graphics seven years ago to high-quality lithographs more recently. The limited-edition vinyl box set of “Little Machines” included an “Up We Go” autographed lithograph by Lights.

“When I was working on ‘Little Machines’ and dealing with writers’ block, I had to step away and do other things,” said Lights, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from a tour stop in New York. “It was nice that I was able to draw and paint. I did a lot of paintings in that year. The dear is when you can mix both the art and the music.

“The ‘Little Machines’ album came out last fall (2014) and I’ve been touring pretty much straight through since then. It’s been the busiest time of my life with tours, one-offs and writing.

“I’ve been writing a lot. It’s a different situation every time I write. Some songs are written on keyboards and others on guitar. I’ve been writing a lot of acoustic guitar. The next project is an acoustic version of ‘Little Machines’ with the addition of two new acoustic songs.

“You get a certain intimacy with acoustic songs. It comes differently with every song. On this tour, I have an acoustic segment in the middle of every show — a few songs with the band. It’s a nice opportunity to take requests from the audience. We do one sampler of what’s on the acoustic album.

“I’m travelling with a four-piece band — drums, guitar and another keyboard. Between us, we make a lot of noise. On this tour, we’re doing a set that I think is my favorite set from all my tours. It’s a lot of fun.”

Lights won the 2015 Juno award for “Best Pop Album of the Year” for “Little Machines,” which is her best-selling album to date. The album, which was recorded in both Los Angeles and Vancouver, includes the hits “Up We Go,” “Running With The Boys” and “Same Sea.” Recently, she was on a sold-out headlining tour across Europe and the US in support of the album and she also opened for OneRepublic on their Canadian tour.

“On the acoustic album, I brought the whole band into the studio,” said Lights. “We were in the studio for eight days and did eight songs.

“It’s a really organic contradictory vibe to the electronic vibe of ‘Little Machines.’ It really shows a different side of the songs — stripped-down, late-night versions of songs you’d never expect from ‘Little Machines.’ We’re finishing up the masters now but there is no release date scheduled yet.”

Video link for Lights —

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1tjblu5jaBM.

PHASES is a band from L.A. that definitely likes upper-case names. In its previous incarnation, the quartet of friends — Z Berg, Alex Greenwald, Jason Boesel, and Michael Runion — was known as JJAMZ.

“We started playing together a thousand years ago,” said Berg, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from a tour stop in New York. “We were in different bands and JJAMZ was just a side project. We hung out together every day. After awhile, we realized we had the makings of a band. We made as JJAMZ album. The album came out and we didn’t have a direction. So, we broke up. My house had been broken into and my car got stolen. The band wasn’t getting along well. So, I said ‘forget it.’ I’ve been writing and playing solo acoustic music for a long time — I have very eclectic tastes — so I decided to move to Nashville.”

The other three musicians carried on in an attempt to reanimate what had felt like a creative dead end. They began writing material with a fresh, lightened tone that they all found to be reinvigorating.

According to Berg, who grew up in Santa Monica, she felt displaced for the first time in a city she had always been in love with. So, she said to the universe — “If you want me to stay, give me a reason.”

When they played me this new thing they were working on, it sounded like the opposite of my folk music, and like something I wanted to do. It sounded like weird, future spaceship music, from a very old spaceship.”

Very quickly, the four musicians’ vibes became aligned and strengthened.

 “It turned out that breaking up brought us together,” said Berg, who abandoned her plans to move to Tennessee. “From the ashes of JJAMZ rose PHASES like a phoenix. PHASES has existed for only about a year now. It feels new and fresh.

“We made the PHASES album over the course of last year. Everybody writes and plays in this band. We made the demos in Alex’s living room. We had about 30 songs and then took 10 into the studio with producer Mike Elizondo.”

The band’s new music is dance music and rock music — music that sounds old and simultaneously new.

It’s almost as if Stewie Griffin and Brian (“Family Guy”) hopped in Stewie’s time back in the mid-80s with a freshly-made, MTV-ready album of danceable tunes and brought them to 2015 to be remixed with the latest recording techniques and dance music influences.

“We were really excited about playing dance music from the 80s and 90s — but with today’s technology,” said Berg. “Our sonic palette included music by Chic, Chaka Khan and even Madonna.

“It’s become even so much better live. We wrote all those songs in the studio so we had to work on getting ready to perform them live. It’s like EDM (electronic dance music) live with a band instead of two laptops. Our drums are half electric and half live.

“It’s a whole other level of sonic excitement. I’ve never felt more like I’m in the right place at the right time than I do right now.”

Fortunately for Berg, it’s not just a phase — it’s PHASES.

Video link for PHASES — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=gMwitMUfwbc.

The show at the TLA, which also features the Mowgli’s, will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

On November 21, the Colonial Theatre (Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610- 917-1228, www.thecolonialtheatre.com) will host a show featuring a comedian who has been one of the genre’s best for the last few decades — Paul Reiser.

Reiser co-created and starred in the critically-acclaimed NBC series “Mad About You” — a show that brought him multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, American Comedy Award and Screen Actors Guild nominations. A seasoned actor, writer and producer, Reiser returned to television last year in the FX series “Married.” 

The versatile performer may wear many hats but his feet are planted in stand-up comedy.  Not one to abandon his roots in stand-up, in between projects Reiser tours the country performing to sold-out venues and was recently voted one of Comedy Central’s “Top 100 Comedians of All Time.”

“I come to towns to tell jokes,” said Reiser, during a recent phone interview from his home in Los Angeles. “I’m playing all my hits. I’m having a ball. Every few weekends, I’m out somewhere. Actually, doing stand-up now is more fun than when I first did it.

“It’s fun to do something so uncomplicated — talk and tell jokes.”

Some of his other activities are very complicated. While developing several television projects which he will write and produce, Reiser has again paired up with producer Steven Soderbergh to star in the Amazon series “Red Oaks” which premiered this fall.                   .

Following his role in Academy Award winning film “Whiplash, “ Reiser has a full slate of films coming up — “Concussion” (with Will Smith and Alec Baldwin), “6 Miranda Drive” (with Kevin Bacon), “Devil in the Deep Blue Sea” (with Jason Sudeikis and Maisie Williams), “Miles” (with Molly Shannon) and “War on Everyone” (with Alexander Skarsgard and Michael Pena).

“Part of making stand-up more fun when you’re 50 is that you have more life under your belt,” said Reiser, who also is an accomplished musician and songwriter. “There is more to talk about. Stand-up is also easy compared to TV and movies where everything us such an uphill struggle.

“There is more immediacy when you’re doing stand-up. I love jokes — story jokes but I don’t do ‘joke’ jokes — you know ‘two guys walk into a bar.’  I talk about stuff  I’ve gone through — marriage, life, kids. Audience members have gone through the same things. The audience commiserates with me. But, it’s not a lecture series — it’s stand-up.

“I usually do a 60-75 minute set. On any given night, the things that are memorable are the things you didn’t plan. I like to keep it fresh. And, the vibe is interactive. I even do a Q&A at the end.”

Reiser’s introduction to a mass audience came in 1982 when he was in the film “Diner” — a film that became a classic with a cast of then-young actors that also included Steve Guttenberg, Daniel Stern, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Tim Daly and Ellen Barkin.

“That was early in my career and ‘Diner’ was my entire springboard,” said Reiser. “It got me my first ‘Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.’”

Reiser, who was born and raised in New York City, also has forged a career as a successful author. His book “Couplehood” sold over two million copies and reached the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. His follow-up bestsellers  “Babyhood” and “Familyhood” did equally well.

Video link for Paul Reiser — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TxiTJuCQoVM.

The show at the Colonial Theatre will get underway at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25-$38.

The Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) will present Satisfaction (Nov 19),

Seagreen, Bomb Shelter Dropouts, Nine Kings (Nov 20), Billy Penn Burger CD Release Show (Free CD with Admission), Keli Vale (Nov 21), Joe Bublewicz and Chris Coccia (Nov 27), The Nik Everett Band and Angelee (Nov 28).

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com) will host Jesse Terry, Korby Lenker and Lizane Knott (Nov 19), Beaucoup Blue with Steve Zinno (Nov 20), Christine Havrilla with Porter & Sayles (Nov 21), Jeffrey Gaines with Ben Kessler (Nob 27) and Cliff Hillis and the Forward Thinkers with Smash Palace (Nov 28).

Chaplin’s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110, http://chaplinslive.com) will have Rofo Audio, Bret Alexander, and Eric DiSanto (Nov 20), Gabbii Donnelly (Nov 21) and Redtail Court, Nose Goblins and Seption (Nov 28).

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389, www.ardmoremusic.com) will present Conspirator (Nov 19), Everyone Orchestra (Steve Kimock, Zach Deputy, Todd Stoops, Hash from Thievery Corporation, Cris Jacobs, John Morgan Kimock, Matt Butler) (Nov 20), Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers (Nov 21), Tom Hamilton’s American Babies (Nov 25), George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (Nov 27) and Splintered Sunlight — Grateful Dead Tribute (Nov 28).

The Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King Of Prussia, 610-354-8118, www.vfcasino.com) will have host four acts in November and December — 38 Special (Nov 27), Artie Lange (Nov 28), Kenny Rogers (Dec 18) and Third Eye Blind (Dec 31).The Casino will also present Crazy in Stereo (Nov 21) and Burnt Sienna (Nov 28).

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547, www.burlapandbean.com) will present Mark Erelli with Michael Braunfeld (Nov 19), Harmonious Wail with Andrea Carlson (Nov 20), JiHAE (Nov 21), Andrea Nardello and Matt Duke (Nov 27), and The John Grecia Band and Drew Nielands (Nov 28).

Melodies Café (2 East Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, 610-645-5269, www.melodiescafe.com) will host Marian Call and Scott Barkan (Nov 19); Just Beto (Nov 21); and Craig & Aislinn Bickhardt, Beaucoup Blue and Lizanne Knott & Ciara (Nov 28).

World Café Live at the Queen (500 North Market Street, Wilmington, 302- 994-1400, www.queen.worldcafelive.com) will present Last Chance (Nov 19), Mike Maguire (Nov 21), Satellite Go, The Headies, Twin Coves, Worth, the Cloth and B’Gosh, Paint The Sun (Nov 25) and Jubilee Riots (Nov 27), Spokey Speaky (Nov 27) and Wilmo Rock Circus 2015 (Nov 28).

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com) will host The Robert Cray Band with Shemekia Copeland (Nov 19), Steve Hackett and his band (Nov 20), Arlo Guthrie (Nov 21), the Laurie Berkner Band (Nov 22), Acoustic Hot Tuna (Nov 25) and The Machine (Nov 27)

The Scottish Rites Theatre (315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J., http://www.collingswood.com/entertainment/theater-and-ballroom) also will be a tour stop for Steve Hackett and his band with a show on November 21.

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) will present Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys and Rootology (Nov 19),  Rubix Kube (Nov 20), Alfio (Nov 21), Lee Ann Womack (Nov 22), and Barleyjuice and Karmic Repair Company (Nov 25).

The World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, philly.worldcafelive.com) will present Jess Klein on November 19, Angela Sheik with special guest Arc Divers and Ponyhof (Nov 21), Against The Current with Vinyl Theatre and Jule Vera (Nov 19), The Ocean Blue (Nov 20),  Liberian Women’s Chorus for Change  (Nov 21), DJ Brother Mister  (Nov 22), and Jeff Campbell with Everything Turned to Color and Joe Marson (Nov 25).

The Trocadero (10^th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, 215-922-6888, www.thetroc.com) will have Lee Mazin, Ondeck Ent, Spadeo Quilly, City & Bigg Homie (Nov 20); and “Saved By The 90s Party” (Nov 25).

Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, www.thefillmorephilly.com) will present Mary Lambert, The Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement (Nov 19 — Foundry), Travis Scott, Bryson Tiller, Skepta (Nov 20), Young Rising Sons, Night Riots, The Mosers (Nov 21),  Ryn Weaver, HOLYCHILD, Astr (Nov 22 — Foundry), and King Diamond, Exodus (Nov 25).

The Tower Theater (69th and Ludlow streets, Upper Darby, 215-922-1011, www.thetowerphilly.com) will have My Morning Jacket headlining a show on November 19.

Tin Angel (20 South Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-928-0770, http://www.tinangel.com) will Cory Wade (Nov 19),  Brian Flanagan, Kicking Down Doors and Silver Skies (Nov 20),  The Weeklings Featuring Glen Burtnik (Nov 21) and Mutlu (Nov 25).

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N Front St, Philadelphia, 215-291-4919, www.kungfunecktie.com) will host ILL BILL (Nov 19); S.T.A.R.W.O. O.D., Not Blood Paint, Impressionist (Nov 20);  Daniel Martin Moore, Paul Josephs of Metrosonics (Nov 21); Skinless, Horrendous, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder (Nov 22); The Mountain Chiefs, PA Angelo, Garbage Brain, Tim Allen Iverson (Nov 23); Doomroller, Obey The Ooze (Nov 24); Extra Darkv (Nov 24); and Creepoid, Worriers, Mercury Girls, Legendary Divorce (Nov 25).

Fire (412 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, 267-671-9298, thefirephilly.com) always presents a diverse line-up of fresh acts and will have Mark Lanky, Otan Vargas and Dirty Soap Blues Band’s 60s Doo-Wop Tribute featuring Tracy Hill, Sarah Williams and Bridget Moran (Nov 20);  Kyle Nachtigal and Megan Davies (Nov 21); and Bryant Vasquez, Patrick Kinsley The Deadeyes and Gene Wildest (Nov 22).