Take a trip outside Philly to discover the region’s rich theater options

Philly has plenty of great theater offerings this month, but spring has sprung, and it is time to get out of town and see what’s playing nearby.  

Why stop at the theater? Combine a stage show with dinner and drinks or a walk or bicycle ride. We’ll tell you how (and even how to get there via public transit) with this look at some of your top options to catch a show at a theater in our region. 

Bristol Riverside Theatre, Bristol, Bucks County 

Get ready for some laughs from “The Second City: Comedian Rhapsody.” the same folks who launched the careers of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Chris Redd, and Steve Carell. Chuckles and guffaws come courtesy of Bristol Riverside Theatre. Downtown Bristol is charming, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes. Try the wood-fired Detroit-style pizza at nearby Itri’s and don’t miss a walk to the wharf to see the river. Plenty of history as well in this former industrial and shipbuilding powerhouse that was first settled in 1681. 

• “The Second City: Comedian Rhapsody,” May 14-June 2, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St. Bristol, 215-785-0100. Less than a mile from the Bristol regional rail station on SEPTA’s Trenton line.  

Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, Bucks County  

Every seat in the Playhouse Deck, the bar and restaurant adjacent to the Bucks County Playhouse, has a view of the Delaware River, and every dollar spent there helps to support the theater. Also, every visit to the Playhouse can easily be a bi-coastal experience of sorts, with shopping, dining, and theater available on both coasts of the Delaware River in New Hope and in Lambertville, New Jersey, an easy walk across the bridge. Bring a bicycle for a ride along former canals with well-marked bike trails in Jersey and Pennsylvania.  

Meanwhile, on stage, is the first free public reading of three plays developed through the Playhouse’s South Asian Artistic Initiative, all presented at the Playhouse’s Lambertville Hall in Jersey. They are “Muslim in the Midst,” by Anand Rao, set in India after the Sept. 11 attacks, at 7 p.m. May 10; “American Hunger,” by Nikhil Mahapatra, about two Asian restaurants competing for customers in gentrifying Crown Heights at 2 p.m. May 11; and “Tea for Toofi,” by Ravi Kapoor, a farce set in Orange County, California, at 7 p.m. May 11. Registration required.  

Back in New Hope, the Broadway favorite, “Noises Off,” about a hysterically disastrous theater performance, takes the stage at the Playhouse. 

• “Noises Off,” May 17-June 16, Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope, 215-862-2121. Take a taxi from Doylestown regional rail station on SEPTA’s Lansdale/Doylestown line. 

• South Asian Artistic Initiative play readings, May 10-11, Lambertville Hall, 57 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ, 215-862-2121.  

Act 2 Playhouse, Ambler, Montgomery County 

Great Balls of Fire, there’s a reason to travel to Ambler to see Act 2 Playhouse’s production of “Forever Plaid,” about four wannabe basement-band crooners working on their arrangements of the greatest ‘50s hits. Post-show, or pre-, there are plenty of food and drink options within steps of the theater. Up for a movie? The Ambler Theater, a few doors away, offers new films and classics in a beautifully restored 1928 movie palace.  

• “Forever Plaid,” May 21-June 16, Act 2 Playhouse, 56 E. Butler Ave., Ambler, 215-654-0200. Short walk from the Ambler regional rail station on SEPTA’s Lansdale line      

Theatre Horizon, Norristown, Montgomery County 

Priyanka Shetty’s one-woman show “The Elephant in the Room” is an immigrant story – Shetty’s own — about her difficult/funny/sad/complicated decision to defy her family’s expectations and leave behind a software job in India to pursue acting in America. Interesting that Shetty’s immigrant story is playing at Theatre Horizon in Norristown, a town that has been home to waves of immigrant populations over the years, including, these days, people from Mexico. The Theatre Horizon crew loves Mexican food and recommends Trejo American & Mexican Restaurant, Taqueria La Michoacana, and El Jefe.  Taqueria 2 Hermanos is right across the street from Horizon’s Penn Street entrance. Cast and crew eat there a lot during productions. For cyclists, the Schuylkill River Trail runs through Norristown, just blocks from the theater. 

• “The Elephant in the Room,” May 17-19, Theatre Horizon, 401 DeKalb St., Norristown, 610-283-2230. Short walk from the Norristown station on SEPTA’s Manayunk/Norristown regional rail line. Also served by the Norristown high speed line, from the 69^th and Market Street station.  

Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley, Delaware County 

The U.S. premiere of Tim Crouch’s “Beginners” at the charming century-old Hedgerow Theatre works for both young and older audiences. Described as an exquisite, funny, and moving story about “three families trapped in a waterlogged cottage on their summer vacation,” “Beginners” allows children to celebrate the cleverness of the youngsters portrayed in the play. Their parents and grandparents, meanwhile, will remember what it is like to grow into growing up.  

Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lovely grounds of the former grist mill. Ridley Creek State Park is nearby. Less than ten minutes away, La Catrina or the Sterling Pig Brewery in Media are post-show theater favorites.   

• “Beginners,” through May 5, Hedgerow Theatre Co., 64 Rose Valley Rd., Media, 610-565-4211 About a 15-minute walk from the Moylan-Rose Valley stop on SEPTA’s Wawa-Media line. 

People’s Light, Malvern, Chester County 

At People’s Light, four Jersey housewives won’t know what hit them when Hurricane Diane blows in to recruit for an environmental revolution in Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George’s mythological comedic romp, “Hurricane Diane.” George, by the way, is the executive producer of the award-winning Hulu comedy series, “Only Murders in the Building.”  People’s has a restaurant, The Fern & Fable right on the theater grounds, but hours can shift, so make a reservation. On Thursdays, you can bring your own picnic and enjoy live music. Up for a bicycle ride? People’s is right off the Chester Valley Trail, connecting King of Prussia to Exton. 

• “Hurricane Diane,” through May 19, People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, 610-644-3500. Take a taxi from the Malvern stop on SEPTA’s Paoli/Thorndale regional rail line.  

South Camden Theatre Company, Camden 

From South Camden Theatre Co, “Kill Move Paradise” by Philly’s Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames explores the forces that impact the daily lives of Black men. Best spots for post-dinner eating are in nearby Oaklyn (Oaklyn Manor), West Collingswood Heights (Rexy’s) or in Collingswood, where many options line Haddon and Collings avenues. 

• “Kill Move Paradise,” through May 12, South Camden Theatre Co., Waterfront South Theatre, 400 Jasper St. (Michael Doyle Lane), Camden, 856-409-0365. Pick up the PATCO High Speed Line at 15^th and Locust Streets. Get off at Broadway and take bus 453 to Broadway and Carl Miller Blvd. Walk four minutes to the theater at 4^th Street and Michael Doyle Lane.  

Ritz Theatre Company, Haddon Heights 

Meet the Heathers, the hottest and cruelest girls in Ohio. Can their power triumvirate be buried? Maybe and six feet under if a dark and sexy stranger has his way. The Ritz presents “Heathers, The Musical.” Hungry? Just cross the street to Los Jalapeños Bar & Grill. 

• “Heathers,” May 10-26, Ritz Theatre Co., 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, 856-288-3500. Grab New Jersey Transit bus route 400 at 13^th and Market Streets and take it toward the Deptford Mall in Sicklerville. Transfer to the route 403 bus toward Camden College Voorhees Training Center. Get off 18 minutes later at Route 30 and Holly Avenue.  

McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton 

Playwright Winnie Holzman says her play, “Choice” “explores the subject of a woman’s right to choose, but not in a polemical way.” In an interview with Broadway World, she said she was wishing that someone would write a play about the topic, but then realized that she would have to be that someone.  

McCarter is part of Princeton University’s lovely, walkable campus with its collection of outdoor sculptures. The theater offers wine, beer, and snacks at its glass-walled concession area an hour before the show. For pre- and post-show dining, Dinky Bar & Kitchen and Roots Ocean Prime are just steps away on campus, plus there are plenty of other choices nearby.  

• “Choice,” May 8-June 2, McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. Take SEPTA or Amtrak to Trenton, then transfer to New Jersey Transit’s train to Princeton Junction, and from there take another five-minute train ride to Princeton for a quick walk to the theater.  

Delaware Theatre Company, Wilmington 

Prolific playwright Bruce Graham’s comic riff on love and marriage, “The Flatlanders,” stars one of the region’s most accomplished theatrical couples – Scott Greer and Jen Childs. “Flatlanders,” at Delaware Theatre Company, is a world premiere co-production with 1812 Productions, a Philadelphia comedy theater company headed by Childs. Save some time to stroll along the Wilmington Riverwalk with its gorgeous views of the Christina River and an array of bars and restaurants. Two nearby favorites? Banks Seafood Kitchen, 30 steps from the theater, and Docklands Riverfront, standard pub fare, on the Riverwalk.  

• “Flatlanders,” through May 5, Delaware Theatre Company, 200 Water St., Wilmington, 302-594-1100. A six-minute walk from the Wilmington train station. Take SEPTA or Amtrak. 

The Playhouse, Wilmington 

Everyone loves Louisa May Alcott’s classic, “Little Women” and the musical version is now being presented at The Playhouse on Rodney Square. The Playhouse is attached to Wilmington’s historic Hotel DuPont which houses the Le Cavalier French bistro, winner of Food & Wine’s inaugural 2023 Global Tastemakers Award. Also attached is the DE.CO Food Hall with eight restaurant installations and an atrium bar, a fun spot. 

• “Little Women: The Musical,” May 9-12, The Playhouse on Rodney Square,1007 N. Market St., Wilmington 302-888-0200. Take SEPTA or Amtrak to Wilmington and walk about 20 minutes to the theater.