'Chess The Musical' Comes to Lancaster

PRiMA is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the musical Chess with their upcoming main stage production. The show plays Sundays, May 17, 24 & 31, at 7:00 p.m. at Willow Valley Communities Cultural Center Theatre.

By the composers of Mamma Mia and the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, this intense story is woven together in what Time Magazine calls "one of the best rock scores ever produced." Featuring songs like "Anthem" and "One Night in Bangkok," Chess has a cult following for its classical music mixed with pop rock.

When the original concept album of Chess was produced, the Cold War was not far from the minds of the American public. The story follows Russian and American chess-playing rivals (loosely based on characters surrounding the historical Bobby Fischer) and their mutual love interest, Florence Vassy, whose estranged father is either imprisoned or dead at the hands of the Russian army.

PRiMA’s production focuses on telling the story of Chess through a contemporary lens, as international tensions continue to be relevant, 30 years after the musical was written. “These political rivalries mirror the interplay on a personal level, as characters use each other to their own ends, destroying themselves and each other as they progress,” says PRiMA’s Executive Producer and Director of Chess, Mitch Nugent. "We see the damage done when people use each other like pawns, but also that even the person who’s made a million mistakes always has the option to choose a more selfless path."

Tickets ($22, $38, $50) are available at primatheatre.org or 717.327.5124.

(L-R) Jay Poff, Bethany Swiontek, and Bryon Smith will star in PRiMA's upcoming production of Chess.

2015 Tony Awards Nominee Predictions

The snow has all melted. The trees and flowers are starting to bloom. Robins are searching for the perfect nesting place. All this can only mean one thing... It's Tony Awards season!

At 8:30am tomorrow (April 28), Bruce Willis and Mary-Louise Parker will co-host this year's Tony nominations announcement in a live webcast. And before the nominees are revealed, I like to make my predictions of which productions I think will be up for nomination this year.

Starting with the category of Best Play, here are the shows I predict will hear their names called tomorrow morning:

• The Audience
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
• Disgraced
• Hand-to-God
• Wolf Hall Parts One & Two

Here are my picks in the category of Best Musical:

• Finding Neverland
• Fun Home
• It Shoulda Been You
• Something Rotten
• The Visit

In the category of Best Revival of a Play, my picks are:

• The Elephant Man
• It's Only a Play
• Love Letters
• This Is Our Youth

And finally, in the category of Best Revival of a Musical, I'm betting on:

• On the Town
• On the Twentieth Century
• Side Show

What are your thoughts? Have you seen any shows that you're sure will get nominated (or win!) this year?

For a complete list of eligible productions or information on tuning into the live announcement tomorrow morning, please visit the Tony Awards website.

Stay Tuned!

There's an event coming up in NYC next week that's held annually by the Commercial Theater Institute. It's a 3-day course that focuses entirely on producing theatre. Networking opportunities, presentations by Broadway producers, panels covering various areas of producing... Sounds amazing, right? Well I haven't even told you the best part... I'M GOING TO IT!!!

Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited? I feel like a little kid gearing up for a trip to Disneyland.

Remember back in January when I shared my goal/dream to produce my own show(s)? I know I haven't posted much more about that, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten about it. In fact, it's the exact opposite. Over the past few months I've been busy taking steps to get this process started and make my dream a reality. And attending the CTI 3-Day Producing Intensive is just one of these steps.

Now, I should probably tell you that I'm not a very patient person. I'm working on it, but for the most part when I set my mind to something I want it to happen immediately. So these past few months have been absolute torture for me. As more and more ideas for new and buzz-worthy musical theatre experiences pile up in my head, all I've wanted to do is make them happen. But something like a new musical with unique and innovative aspects doesn't happen overnight. Of course I knew this going into this. But that doesn't make it any easier to sit back and wait for things to fall into place.

I'm really hoping to come back from New York next weekend with a clear path of how to get from point A to point Z. Actually, I might be at point B right now, but I'm still a long way away from point Z. Anyway, I'm hoping this CTI program answers many of my questions, aligns me with some people who are on the same page as I am, and gives me the direction I need to get my ideas on a stage. While I've spent hours upon hours slowly inching toward my dream of producing, my hope is that the CTI program is the boost I need to really send Row L Seat 1 Productions on its way to producing unique musical theatre experiences.

So for now, all I can say is stay tuned! I hope to have some exciting updates for you soon. As always, thanks for reading and for your continued support!

~Kim

How can I keep calm when I'm going to the CTI 3-Day Intensive in just ONE WEEK?!?!

Hershey Theatre Announces 2015-2016 Broadway Season

Hershey Theatre is pleased to announce another highly anticipated season of top Broadway entertainment. Four critically acclaimed productions will grace the stage at the iconic venue.

“Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and the M.S. Hershey Foundation are positively thrilled to announce the 87th season of presenting touring Broadway shows to Central Pennsylvania,” said Dennis Norton, Entertainment Programming Manager, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. “Milton S. Hershey built the Hershey Theatre to celebrate the performing arts and we are proud to be carrying on his legacy of offering premier entertainment to the region.”

The much-anticipated 2015-2016 Broadway Season programming includes: 

• Once
• Matilda The Musical
• Cinderella
• Ragtime 

About the shows

The variety-filled Broadway season kicks off September 15-20, 2015 with Once. Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, Once is a truly original Broadway experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights… but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, Once draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It’s an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all.

Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda will take the stage of the Theatre November 10-15, 2015.
 
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production will visit January 26-31, 2016 and features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love— the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream... or a really great pair of shoes.
 
At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing…and anything is possible. The Theatre will welcome Ragtime April 26-May 1, 2016. The stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician unfold - set in turn-of-the-century New York - all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. Their compelling stories are set to theatre’s richest and most glorious Tony Award-winning score.
 
In addition, Hershey Theatre is proud to collaborate with All Hands Interpreting Services to provide accessibility to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Interpreted performances are scheduled for Sunday matinee performances. Liz Marvin, Program Director for Easter Seals echoed Norton’s thoughts stating, ”We applaud Hershey Theatre for this important partnership so that the entire community can enjoy premier entertainment so close to home.”
 
“This is going to be a year to remember at Hershey Theatre, the area’s foremost performing arts center,” continued Norton. “In addition to this outstanding line-up, look for additional show announcements in the coming months.”
 
Subscription packages for these great shows are available now. Tickets for all Broadway shows go on sale to the public on Monday, July 13 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be available at Hershey Theatre Box Office, online at www.HersheyTheatre.com, or by calling 717-534-3405.
 
The 2015-16 Broadway series is proudly presented by Capital BlueCross.