ON STAGE
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A SOLDIERS PLAY
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HISTORY
The Forrest is a quintessential "road house", used primarily by touring theatre and dance companies. It was built in 1927 to compete with rival A.L. Erlanger’s planned new playhouse at Market and 21st Streets. The Shuberts intended the new playhouse--named after Edwin Forrest, the great Philadelphia born tragic actor of the nineteenth century--to surpass Erlanger's new theatre in terms of size and splendor.
ARCHITECTURE
The Forrest is one of architect Herbert J. Krapp's final theatre designs and also one of his more elaborate. Built at a cost of over $2,000,000, it boasted many modern conveniences including wider seats in the orchestra, a smoking room for both men and ladies in the lower lounge and state of the art ventilation and electrical systems. The interior was sumptuously decorated with gilt Adam detailing and silk brocade. The dressing rooms are housed in a separate building and connected by an underground tunnel to the Forrest’s stage.
Details on the Forrest Theatre's Accessibility
Access Information
Theatre is not completely wheelchair accessible. There are no steps into the theatre from the sidewalk. Please be advised that where there are steps either into or within the theatre, we are unable to provide assistance.
Accessibility by Seating Section
Orchestra Location: Seating is accessible to all parts of the Orchestra without steps. There are no steps to the designated wheelchair seating location.
Mezzanine Location: Located on the 2nd Level, up 2 flights of stairs (30 steps). Please Note: The entrance to the 2nd Level is at the east end of the Grand Foyer.
Rear Mezzanine Location: Located on the 2nd Level, behind the Mezzanine. The upper rear Mezzanine landing has a rear exit which connects with Mezzanine exits in the theatre. There is a total of 66 steps.
Handrails: Available at the end of every stepped seat row in the Mezzanine.
Wheelchair | Companion Seat Locations:Orchestra:
Y115 | Y114, Y113, Y112; Y2 | Y4, Y6, Y8; Y23 | Y21, Y19, Y17; Y27 | X25, X27, X29; G21| G19, G17, G15; G22 | G20, G18, G16
Aisle Seat with Folding Armrest | Companion Locations:
Orchestra: T1 | T3; T2 | T4; V101 | V102; V114 | V113; R28 | R26; R27 | R25; T28 | T26; T29 | T27; V29 | V27
Mezzanine: E101 | E102; E114 | E113
Elevators/Escalator
None Available
Restroom
There is a wheelchair accessible (unisex) restroom on the street level with no steps.
Water Fountain
Located in the unisex restroom on the main level (accessible).
Theatre Policies
The use of cameras, recording devices, cell phones, beepers, and other electronic devices during the performance is prohibited, except as permitted for accessibility services. Everyone attending a performance must have a ticket. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management. Wheelchair and mobility-impaired seating is intended for patrons with mobility disabilities. Children under the age of four years will not be admitted. No outside food or beverage permitted, unless medically necessary. No weapons permitted on the premises.
COMING SOON
A SOLDIERS PLAY
A Soldier’s Play, the 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning thriller by Charles Fuller, has rocketed back into the spotlight, thanks to this 2020 Tony Award®-winning Best Revival from Roundabout Theatre Company. “This is a play that deserves to be staged regularly all over America—though it’s hard to imagine that it will ever be done better than this. It keeps you guessing all the way to the final curtain” (The Wall Street Journal).
In 1944, on a Louisiana Army base, two shots ring out. A Black sergeant is murdered. And a series of interrogations triggers a gripping barrage of questions about sacrifice, service, and identity in America. Broadway’s Norm Lewis leads a powerhouse cast in the show Variety calls “a knock-your-socks-off-drama," directed by two-time Tony winner Kenny Leon.
“A knock-your-socks-off drama. Breathe slowly and keep your heartbeat steady if you hope to make it through this one without breaking up into little pieces." –Marilyn Stasio, Variety
“A highly entertaining, strikingly taut drama that you don’t want to end. A Soldier’s Play is powerful as ever after nearly 40 years.” –Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“A potent masterpiece. Fuller’s well-told murder mystery remains a bracing slap of a drama, a thoughtful examination of American bigotry and the many tolls it exacts.” –Greg Evans, Deadline
“Blistering and relevant, A Soldier’s Play still scalds.” –David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
“A Soldier’s Play is a powerful story that seems to live eternally.” –Trevor Noah, The Daily Show
“An explosive drama, it tells an enduring and urgent story, reverberating with a timeless message.” –Joe Dziemianowicz, Theater News Online
1776
COMING SOON
American Repertory Theater at Harvard University/Roundabout Theatre Company’s new production of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, 1776, is a tuneful, witty, “bold and exuberant” (Variety) reexamination of a pivotal moment in American history from directors Jeffrey L. Page (Violet) and Diane Paulus (Waitress).
1776 comes to Philadelphia with a cast that reflects multiple representations of race, gender, and ethnicity. You may never think about our country—who we are and why—the same way again. What will it take to get two dozen powerfully passionate, exceedingly complicated, and all-too-human individuals to settle their differences, while they hold the very future of a nation in their hands?
"A dynamic, captivating Broadway musical about to win some 2023 Tonys." -Boston Herald
"The great power of this 1776 will stay with you and will resonate on Broadway and across the country." -The Boston Globe
“A spine-tingling production brings critique front and center and infuses the story of the Continental Congress with 20/20 hindsight.”-Variety
“This electrifying production is no ordinary history lesson. There’s an infectious buzz in this energetic ride down a familiar path with an extraordinarily talented cast!”-NPR (WBUR)
1776 - Philadelphia PA Show Tickets
The opening performance was The Red Robe (1928), starring Walter Woolf and Evelyn Herbert. Many musicals, dramas and comedies have been launched from the Forrest. Yiddish Theatre, one man shows, dance programs, Gilbert & Sullivan productions and the Philadelphia Orchestra have all graced this stage.
Some notable Broadway shows which tried-out at this venue before debuting on Broadway include The Music Man (1957), Carnival (1961), Sail Away (1961), Bravo Giovanni (1962), Funny Girl (1963) starring Barbra Streisand, Holly Golightly (1965) —the first show at the Forrest where ticket prices broke $10.00, Sugar (1965), Golden Rainbow (1967), Brainchild (1969), The Wiz (1970), 70 Girls 70 (1973), Bob Fosse's Chicago (1975) starring Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, Prince of Grand Street (1976), 1600 Pennsylvania Ave (1976), When Hell Freezes Over I'll Skate (1977), I Love My Wife (1977), and Sophisticated Ladies (1980).
National tours which began here include Zorba (1967) and A Little Night Music (1973).
THEATRE SPECS
Forrest Theatre, Philadelphia
1114 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19107
Year Built |
|
1928 |
|
Seating Capacity |
|
1851 Total |
Orchestra |
|
924 |
Mezzanine |
|
260 |
Balcony |
|
639 |
Boxes |
|
16 |
Pit (Add'l) |
|
12 |
Wheelchair |
|
6 |
Aisle Transfer Arm |
|
11 |
|
Theatre Dimensions |
|
Proscenium Opening: |
43' 0" |
Height of Proscenium: |
30' 0" |
Depth to proscenium: |
39' 0" |
Depth to front of stage: |
40' 8" |
Stage Type: |
Proscenium |
|
SEATING CHART