Walnut Street Theatre announces its 217th season
Walnut Street Theatre unveiled its 217th season of live entertainment, marking its 43rd season as a not-for-profit producing theater company. This year’s dynamic lineup features five extraordinary productions that celebrate iconic moments, extraordinary stories and the shared human experience.
“As we look toward our 217th season, we’re celebrating the legends that shape our world and the art that continues to inspire,” said Producing Artistic Director Bernard Havard. “Whether it’s the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, the magic of Christmas or the fight for independence, this season honors the moments and characters that define us.”
The 2025-26 season includes Million Dollar Quartet (Sept. 30 – Nov. 2), A Christmas Story the Musical (Nov. 18 – Jan. 4), Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective (Jan. 13, 2026 – Feb. 15), Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance (Feb. 24, 2026 – March 29) and 1776 The Musical (April 14, 2026 – May 31). Subscriptions are available for as little as $26 per show – up to a 70% savings off regular ticket prices. For information, call the Walnut at 215-574-3550, Ext. 6 or visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org.
Evans, Scanlon oppose Laken Riley Act
U.S. Reps. Dwight Evans and Mary Gay Scanlon voted against the Laken Riley Act, which passed the House by a vote of 263-156.
All the votes against the bill were from Democrats.
Laken Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student killed last year while jogging in Georgia. The killer was a 26-year-old illegal Venezuelan who was caught in 2022 crossing the border, but released into the United States.
The Laken Riley Act would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain illegals arrested for burglary, theft, larceny and shoplifting. ••
Landau fears Trump policy changes
Councilwoman Rue Landau, Philadelphia’s first openly LGBTQ+ councilmember, held a hearing examining the city’s preparedness to protect immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals and to safeguard reproductive freedoms as the country braces for policy shifts under the Trump administration.
“In these last 48 hours, we have witnessed a wave of executive orders — orders that threaten to turn away vulnerable people who look to America for hope,” Landau said. “But Philadelphia has always been at its best when we stand together against injustice — our strength lies in our unity. And in the days ahead, we will need that strength.”
Among those testifying were representatives of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, Women’s Law Project and the Nationalities Service Center.
Trump has said there are only two genders, male and female, and authorized the militarized deportation of illegal immigrants. ••
Host foreign exchange student
World Heritage International Student Exchange Program is seeking local families to host foreign exchange students. World Heritage students come from countries such as Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, Ukraine, Japan and Australia. They are ages 15-18. Host families may be single parents, couples and single persons.
The exchange students have pocket money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance.
If interested in hosting an exchange student, call Debra at 800-888-9040, visit www.world-heritage.org or send an email to info@world-heritage.org to request more information or start the application process. ••
Dinner, dancing and sounds of Sinatra
The Buck Hotel, 1200 Buck Road in Feasterville, will present Valentine’s Day with the Romantic Sounds of Sinatra & Friends, featuring Joey C, on Saturday, Feb. 15. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 and the show at 8. The cost is $72, including taxes and gratuities. For tickets, go to thebuckhotel.com/eventscalendar. For more information, call 215-317-7675. ••
New poems, stories by g emil reutter
On the Other Side of Goodbye, a new collection of poems, flash fiction and short stories by Lawndale resident g emil reutter, was just released by Alien Buddha Press.
The book is his eighth title with Alien Buddha Press. It can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Goodbye-emil-reutter/dp/B0DPCLN3Y3
For more information, visit https://gereutter.wordpress.com/about/ ••
A retreat for moms
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center (3501 Solly Ave.) will present Mothers Be Still and Know That I Am God on Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The speaker will be Stephanie McCarthy, a Catholic wife, mother and spiritual director. The retreat is open to mothers of all ages for faith sharing and reflection with other mothers. The retreat costs $55 and includes continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more information, call 267-350-1830 or visit msbt.org. ••
New website for Review
The South Philly Review has a new website: https://patimes.media/
The website includes news, arts and entertainment, crime, sports, opinion and ways to subscribe and sign up for a newsletter.
The site includes an option to read the current issue in “flipbook” style.
Readers are also encouraged to follow the newspaper on Bluesky, on Facebook at South Philly Review and on X @SoPhReview.
In addition to the Review being delivered to homes, the paper can be found at these spots: https://patimes.media/pickup-locations/#spr. ••
VFW looking for members
Bustleton-Somerton/CTR1 Michael J. Strange VFW Post 6617 meets on the third Wednesday of every month at American Legion Post 810, 9151 Old Newtown Road.
Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.
If you are a military veteran who served in a designated combat zone, you are eligible to join the VFW.
Call Commander Israel Wolmark at 215-725-0630 if you would like to join the post. ••
