Arcadia Theater’s Interim Artistic Director Kevin Glaccum first met Terry Nolen and Amy Murphy, co-founders of the Arden Theatre Company, during their second season in 1990. Throughout the years since, Glaccum has worked at the Arden in a variety of roles, but never as a director. That is, until later this month when “Falsettos,” a contemporary musical, premieres.

“I have stayed connected with Terry and Amy in one way or another, and we’ve become very good friends,” Glaccum explained. “They approached me about ‘Falsettos,’ and I jumped at the opportunity. It’s my first time in the director’s chair there, and the Arden has always been a bit of an artistic home for me, so it’s really a full-circle moment.”

“Falsettos,” which runs Sept. 25-Oct. 26, 2025, takes place at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. During the musical, there are scenes of love, chaos, and resilience. Ultimately, it was these traits and more that drew Glaccum to the director’s chair.

The cast features a who’s who of Philadelphia theater. Steve Pacek, who has won a Best Supporting Actor Barrymore Award (Philadelphia’s theater awards), plays Marvin, the male lead, opposite Katherine Fried, who plays Marvin’s wife, Trina. Fried has starred in previous Arden Theatre productions such as “Rent” and “Assassins.” Also, for the first time in his career, Glaccum is working with a young actor. Twelve-year-old Joey Caroto is playing Jason, Marvin and Trina’s son.

“Joey’s a great kid,” Glaccum said. “I’ve never worked with an actor that young. He’s been amazing to work with.

While “Falsettos” has been taking up Glaccum’s time recently, he has still been working hard at Arcadia on the upcoming season. As the Interim Artistic Director, Glaccum is responsible for selecting the shows (with input from many others), hiring the directors, working to find the designers that will bring the shows to life, and more. 

The 2025-26 season kicks off Oct. 1 with a production of “The Fantasticks,” the world’s longest-running musical. The production will be the first in Arcadia’s Black Box Theater, which was recently updated.

“ We know there are a lot of student artists on campus, whether they’re creative writers, poets, painters, or whatnot,” Glaccum said. “Giving us this level of resource lets us know that the university sees it too. It’s a real validation of the work we do.”

For tickets to “Falsettos,” visit: https://ardentheatre.org/production/falsettos/.

For tickets to “The Fantasticks,” visit: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/arcadiautheater/the-fantasticks#.