Feature: FOR THE LOVE OF THEATRE! Valentine's Day Is On The Mainstage

FOR THE LOVE OF THEATRE

How is true love like a tech-week rehearsal? It's never-ending.

Valentine's Day is this week. Some call it a "Hallmark Holiday" and prefer to do something low key (or nothing at all), while others go all-out. No matter what your preference, or you typical V-Day go-to's, consider dropping the curtain on your Valentine's Day plans and maybe trading them in for a night at the theatre.

Here's why a night at the theatre is a great Valentine's Day date idea:

• Do you want to treat your date? The theatre doesn't have to be expensive! Just because your date wants to see a show doesn't mean you have to spend an arm and a leg for Hamilton tickets! There are so many great local theatre with ticket prices to appease any budget. Feel free to spoil yourself seeing a big name show at a big name theatre, or go to a local theatre and see something new in a more intimate setting. Many community and college theatres have tickets for less than $20 a person, so make sure to not overlook the theatres in your own neighborhood. There may be some amazing entertainment right under your nose!

• You're sure to find something that interests you and your date. The Philadelphia area is a rich theatre scene with an array of options from musical theatre to straight plays to cabarets to oneact festivals. Drama, comedy, romance, thrillers... you name it! The play doesn't have to be about love and romance. There are so many shows out there of all shapes and sizes, and you are sure to find the right one for you and your date whether you want something fun to just entertain or if you'd rather something avant-garde with profound political commentary.

• Make a night of it! Frame your date around the show time (and your budget). Why not head to a restaurant before the show to grab a bite? Or explore a new neighborhood downtown? So many theatres are in neighborhoods that are rich with culture, art, and of course, great eats! And a stimulating show is great to talk about over after show cocktails. (And if it's a first date, you avoid the awkward small talk during the show and then will have something exciting to discuss when the show is finished.) Some theatres (like Bridge Players Theatre Company in Burlington, NJ) even have partnerships with local businesses and restaurants and may offer coupon offers in their playbills or on their websites.

• Make it a tradition. Finding a great local theatre is the perfect datenight get away for you and your partner. Go see a show, and you'll be wanting to make it more of a habit.

My boyfriend was very skeptical when I first invited him to see a musical with me that I was reviewing about a year ago. He had never really seen many play productions, but soon he caught the "bug": he ended up loving the show, quoting lines from the play on the way home, and even still mentions the production to this day! Since then, he's seen several other shows with me and has told me he wants to see more. So, if your date isn't the biggest Broadway nerd, don't despair! Try something new. It's always amazing to try a new experience with your partner by your side.

So, now that you know you want to see a play Valentine's Day weekend, where do you go? What should you see? And how do you get tickets?

There are a ton of shows playing in the Philadelphia area this weekend! Here is a limited list of some of the amazing shows being performed! For a more complete list of shows (including more community and college productions) check out the BroadwayWorld Philadelphia region page at /philadelphia/

NEW JERSEY

FUN HOME playing now through Feb. 16th at Haddonfield Plays & Players in Haddonfield, NJ

THE BOYS NEXT DOOR playing now through Feb. 16th at Bridge Players Theatre Company in Burlington, NJ

RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL playing now through Feb. 17th at Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, NJ

THE DUMB WAITER playing now through Mar. 3rd at South Camden Theatre Company in Camden, NJ

PHILADELPHIA

ITALIAN BRED playing Feb. 15th -16th at Bristol Riverside Theatre in Bristol, PA

AWAKE AND SING playing now through Feb 17th at Quintessence Theatre Group

BETRAYAL playing now through Feb. 17th at Lantern Theater Company

KEN LUDWIG'S A COMEDY OF TENORS playing now through Mar. 3rd at Walnut Street Theatre (special buy one get one free ticket price for Valentine's Day)

DREAM GIRL playing now through Feb. 24th at Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium

SPINNING INTO BUTTER playing now through Feb. 24th at Stagecrafters

74 SECONDS... TO JUDGEMENT playing now through Mar. 3rd at Arden Theatre Company

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY playing now through Mar. 3rd at Philadelphia Theatre Company

AN OAK TREE playing Feb. 14th through Mar. 10th at Theatre Exile

Again, there is a plethora of amazing theatres and performing arts organizations in the Philadelphia area and this is only a select list of amazing productions to see Valentine's weekend.

So, silence your cell-phones, sit back, relax and enjoy your Valentine's Day at the theatre!

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