Are you looking for a Mother’s Day gift that will create long-lasting memories? Look no further, because our 2024-25 lineup presents unforgettable performances that will make the perfect present. Whether your mom enjoys Broadway, dance, classical music, or comedy, we have something for everyone. Keep reading for our top gift recommendations that are guaranteed to put a smile on Mom’s face.
1. For the comedy lover: Celeste Barber: Backup Dancer
[Mature Audiences]
Nothing says “I love you” like sharing a good laugh together. Treat Mom to an evening of side-splitting humor, clever wit, and comedic charm as Australia’s “queen of comedy,” Celeste Barber, takes the stage for a special Mother’s Day performance on Sunday, May 12 at the Miller Theater.
2. If she’s looking for moving melodies and soaring symphonies: Great Stages Concert
If you are in the market for an unforgettable, one-night-only experience, consider joining us at the Great Stages Concert on June 8, where we will honor the great contralto, civil rights icon, and Philadelphian, Marian Anderson. The Philadelphia Orchestra and their Music and Artistic Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, will deliver stunning performances alongside prestigious guest stars, including GRAMMY® Award–winning vocalists Audra McDonald, Angel Blue, and the acclaimed jazz pianist Marcus Roberts. The legendary Queen Latifah, winner of 6 GRAMMY® Awards, a Primetime Emmy®, and a Golden Globe® Award, will host an evening that promises celebration and empowerment.
3. For the dance and theater lover: Message In A Bottle
Photo Credit: Helen Maybanks
Give Mom the gift of dance, music, and pure magic with tickets to Message In A Bottle running from May 14-19 at the Miller Theater. Inspired by and set to the iconic hits of 17-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Sting, Message In A Bottle features a mix of exhilarating dance styles, high-energy footwork, and breath-taking athleticism, all the while telling an uplifting story of humanity and hope.
4. For the classical music fan: Yannick Conducts La bohème
Photo Credit: Jeff Fusco
Treat Mom to a spectacular musical experience as The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Music and Artistic Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conducts a captivating concert version of Giacomo Puccini’s timeless opera La bohème from June 7–9 in Verizon Hall. Fresh from conducting the spring 2023 engagement of La bohème at the Metropolitan Opera, Nézet-Séguin will once again bring Puccini’s immortal score out of the pit and onto the stage.
5. For a dose of female empowerment: Funny Girl
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
Surprise Mom with an evening of showbiz, glamour, and powerhouse performances and tickets to the iconic musical Funny Girl at the Academy of Music from July 16–28! Follow vaudeville sweetheart, Fanny Brice, on her journey to stardom in this remarkable Broadway revival. Loosely based on the life of the iconic American performer of the same name, this amusing yet profound show boasts one of Broadway’s most recognizable scores, with songs like “I’m the Greatest Star” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” Don't miss this opportunity to share a special night out with Mom.
6. For fans of pop disco and smash hits: MAMMA MIA!
Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
MAMMA MIA! is beloved by mothers because it captures the heart-warming message of love, family, and self-discovery. Featuring iconic hits from Swedish sensation ABBA, it’s impossible not to love this fan-favorite musical. Just the day before her wedding, bride-to-be Sophie Sheridan sets on a journey to find her father on a lush Greek island. To her surprise, she learns that there are three different men that might be her biological father. To find the answer, Sophie’s mother revisits the adventures of her youth. Join in the fun at the Academy of Music from August 6–11!
7. For lovers of sarcasm and satire: An Evening with Fran Lebowitz
Photo Credit: Brigitte Lacombe
As a style icon, producer, author, actor, and social commentator, Fran Lebowitz successfully meets the necessary criteria for a contemporary Renaissance woman.
“Her essays and interviews offer her acerbic views on current events and the media — as well as her pet peeves including tourists, baggage-claim areas, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan.”
Witness Lebowitz’s wisecracks in person at the Miller Theater on September 7.
8. For the aspiring chef: An Evening with Ina Garten
Later this fall, esteemed cook and television host Ina Garten will publish her 14th book: Be Ready When the Luck Happens. The Barefoot Contessa herself will give intimate talks discussing the memoir’s details, such as working in the Hamptons and meeting her husband (the famous Jeffery, who frequently appears on her shows and has a cookbook dedicated to him). Act fast; this one-of-a-kind experience is in high demand because this is Garten’s first ever book tour! Don’t miss the Barefoot Contessa when she comes to the Academy of Music on October 9.
9. Heartfelt and relatable: Mike Birbiglia: Please Stop the Ride
Comedian and filmmaker Mike Birbiglia has a style so unique that critics struggle to compare him to anyone else. His shows are the perfect combination of storytelling and stand-up. His Sundance Film Festival award-winning movie Sleepwalk with Me is largely centered around the time he ran through — and fell — from a hotel window while sleepwalking. Please Stop the Ride will stop at the Academy of Music on October 11.
10. For the theater lover: 2024-25 Broadway Season Package
Surprise Mom with a subscription to our 7-show Broadway package that features a blend of premieres and returning blockbusters. The package includes these extraordinary productions: Hamilton, A Beautiful Noise, MJ The Musical, & Juliet, Some Like It Hot, The Wiz, and Life of Pi. We also have swap-a-show options, which means you can swap up to three performances in your package and replace them with your choice of the following: Les Misérables, The Book of Mormon, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Come from Away, and Riverdance.
11. For the classical music lover: 2024–25 Philadelphia Orchestra Season Package
The GRAMMY®-winning Philadelphia Orchestra and Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin present a season featuring a spectacular array of fan favorites and rising stars. There are a variety of subscription packages to choose from depending on your taste and budget. The lineup for this year includes three of Gustav Mahler’s outstanding symphonies, two newly commissioned works by women composers, two presentations of film music, and much more. Not only will you be gifting Mom with great music, but she will also receive exclusive subscriber benefits!