BEN Around Philly

“1776” debuts on Valentine’s Day in Philly at the Forrest Theatre on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. This is a perfect show to premiere in Philadelphia of all places, almost 250 years after our founding fathers helped to shape this country. This incredible and unique revival has a whole new take on the best musical winning show. It especially has a new take on the Founding Fathers themselves. Described as “a glorious multiracial cast of female, transgender, and nonbinary actors portrays the fiery founders of this country, putting history in the hands of the humans who were left out the first time around.” Liz Mikel who plays Ben Franklin in the show, also starred as John Hancock in the Broadway cast.  She’s incredibly talented, and super sweet to talk to. Listen as Kristen speaks with Liz about the music and characters in the show, the Eagles vs. Dallas, and another topic too. The conversation takes a turn into a chat about another very familiar television role Liz played. Let’s just say she ‘smashed it”. Hint: Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can’t lose. Check out Liz Mikel as Ben Franklin in 1776 coming to Philadelphia from February 14th to February 26th at the Forrest Theatre on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Buy tickets now at KimmelCulturalCampus.org. Follow Liz on Instagram HERE. HERE are a few more photos from the show.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is jam-packed with so many songs we all know and love. Catch the show when it’s in town this week, playing February 22nd-27th at the Academy of Music. Listen as Kristen speaks with Ryan Farnsworth who plays Barry Mann in the show.  Buy your tickets for Beautiful at KimmelCulturalCampus.org. Find more on Ryan at RyanFarnsworth.net.  

The Broadway hit Hadestown won 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score AND a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. The show is headed to Philly for the first time ever on its inaugural North American tour and will be at the Academy of Music on the Kimmel Cultural Campus from Wednesday, February 9th – Sunday, February 20th. Kristen speaks with Bex Odorisio who stars in the show, about growing up in Ardmore, the tour so far, the mythology behind Hadestown, the costumes, the music, and lots more.   Purchase tickets at KimmelCulturalCampus.org.  Follow Bex on Instagram @benditlikebexy and check out her website: https://www.bexodorisio.com/.

Linda Torelli, Marketing Director at the Brandywine Valley SPCA returns to BEN Around Philly ahead of another Mega Adoption Event. The Brandywine Valley SPCA has once again teamed up with a number of other local rescues to host their Mega Adoption Event which will feature over 500 animals that will be up for adoption this weekend. Find your new family member Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and 5th at all Brandywine Valley SPCA locations. For just $35, you can take your new pal home with you - that same day - spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations. Pick up your new best friend, 11am to 5pm either day. Learn more at MegaAdopt.com.

Kristen’s cousin Xavier is 15 years old, and has been playing on a wheelchair basketball team called Katie’s Komets since he was 7. The team’s venue, the Carousel House in West Fairmount Park was slated by the city for demolition, and so the league is currently searching for a new space to play in Philadelphia. They have a fundraiser running this week to raise money for equipment, paid court time and travel expenses. If you are able to donate, they would very much appreciate every dollar toward their goal. Thanks for considering!  Follow the team on Facebook HERE.

Broadway Philadelphia is back! Anastasia is headed to Philly from November 23rd to 28th at the Merriam Theater. Kristen had a chance to catch up with Madeline Raube who plays Countess Lily in the show. Madeline was born in Camden, NJ, grew up in Hatboro, PA, and most recently resided in West Chester, PA. She’s super excited to return home to perform this week and gives all the details on the audition process, costumes, and can’t miss numbers in the show.  Find Madeline on Instagram @mdrsinger or check out her website at madelineraube.com.  Don’t miss Anastasia - Thanksgiving week at the Merriam Theater. Check out kimmelculturalcampus.org for tickets and more information.  

MANNA helps those who are battling serious illnesses by providing nutritional meals suited to each individual’s dietary and medical needs. Laura Payne, Senior Manager Marketing and Events for MANNA gives the details on Pie In the Sky, the organization’s BIGGEST fundraiser. Purchase a pie (or 6!) for Thanksgiving, and help support this awesome organization. The pies are delicious too! They have Aberdeen Apple Pie, American Airlines Sky Pie, Berry Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Sweet Potato Pie.  Order by THIS FRIDAY, November 19th! Learn more at Mannapies.org.  

Philly PR Girl is throwing their 6th Annual Turkey Day Tailgate this Sunday, partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence and The O’Hara Home Team. Get to the Eagles/Saints game EARLY this Sunday, November 21st beginning at 9am for food and fun to benefit an awesome organization. Hosted by Fox29’s Mike Jerrick, there will be amazing raffles, special guests, Thanksgiving inspired food and cocktails and much more! You could even win club level tickets to the Eagles/Saints game and a parking pass! Enter by Friday, November 19th at 3pm. (More HERE: https://e.givesmart.com/events/oot/i/_All/fLoq/?search=) For more information, and to buy tickets, check out: https://phillyprgirl.com/turkey-day-tailgate/. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, and how you could become a BIG, check out: https://www.independencebigs.org/.

Steve Griffith, Public Relations Director for the Kennel Club of Philadelphia joins Kristen to give all of the details on the National Dog Show 2021. The show runs November 20th and 21st at the Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks. Head to the National Dog Show for a day, or the whole weekend to see over 2000 dogs from over 190 different breeds. There will be agility dogs, therapy dogs, and show dogs galore. Plus, don’t miss the Saturday Thanksgiving Day TV taping, which will air on Thanksgiving Day from 12-2pm on NBC. Due to the pandemic, this year’s National Dog Show will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Tickets are $16 for adults who are vaccinated.  Unvaccinated individuals, including children under the age of 12, will not be permitted entry. For tickets and information, www.nds.nationaldogshow.com.    

Delaware County Literacy Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free literacy services to adults in Delaware County, including GED preparation, basic skills instruction, and English as a Second Language instruction. Susan Keller, Development and Communications Coordinator for the Delaware County Literacy Council gives details on the organization’s upcoming Expert Academy Online Telethon on Wednesday, October 20th.  The Expert Academy Online Telethon will feature three experts with roots in Delaware County sharing their wisdom through exciting online workshops. Catch Phil Rosenthal, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and star of Somebody Feed Phil, who will discuss writing for TV. Also Kathy Deitch, Shin Shin from the original Broadway cast of Wicked, will share tips on how to sing in full voice. Finally, Alex Garfinkel, chef and owner of Balboa Catering in Philadelphia, will demonstrate how to prepare tapas--small dishes from Spain. Each presentation will be about 20 minutes in length.  Brad Inglesby, creator of HBO’s Mare of Easttown and Villanova alum, will also be making a special guest appearance at the event, and the 2021 Champions of Adult Literacy will be honored.  This free event will be aired on YouTube Live on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 7:00 PM ET. More information is available at www.delcoliteracy.org.