PRiMA Theatre Announces Fifth Anniversary Season

PRiMA Theatre in Lancaster has announced their fifth anniversary season. The 2015 season features two creative cabarets, an immersive theatrical experience, and two rarely produced musicals.

Money-saving ticket subscriptions and tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities can be found at primatheatre.org/2015 or by calling 717-327-5124. PRiMA productions are produced at a variety of local venues with dates announced approximately three months prior to each production.

The season includes the following productions:

FIVE

A special anniversary cabaret featuring PRiMA’s finest talent and the unforgettable show-stopping tunes from the past five seasons.

 


SHOSHANA BEAN: Concert & Master Class 

Broadway’s green witch lands in Lancaster for an exclusive solo concert and public master class. Best known for playing Elphaba in Wicked, Shoshana is one of Jason Robert Brown’s favorite singers. From Hairspray to Godspell, singing with Michael Jackson to the Enchanted movie soundtrack, this powerhouse vocalist brings her vocal prowess and unique experience to the PRiMA stage.
 
CHESS IN CONCERT

Chess is a monumental musical about political and romantic gameplay. 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!’ Join us for a fresh anniversary revival of one of PRiMA’s early artistic successes.
 
CHILDREN OF EDEN

From the composer of Wicked comes this expansive and heartfelt musical. Loosely based on the stories from the Book of Genesis, Children of Eden is a tale about the challenges of parenting, breaking generational patterns, and the power of second chances. Experience this moving musical in concert staging within the magnificent St. James Church in Lancaster City.
BROADWAY VILLAINS
Celebrate All Hallow’s Eve weekend with this chic cabaret featuring songs from the Great White Way’s darkest characters.

 

 
SNOW QUEEN’S PARTY

Mrs. Claus is throwing a wild, theatrical party for the holidays...and you’re invited! Join the sassy leader of the elves for an immersive experience; a live version of a sugar-induced North Pole dream.

Extreme Makeover: Broadway Edition (Part 2)

So I had a conversation with my husband a few months ago that went a little something like this:

Me: You know what would be a really cool idea for a musical?

Chad: <rolling eyes> Here we go again…

Me: What if there was some kind of show that changed every time you saw it?
Chad: What do you mean?
Me: Like the ending changed or certain things in the show changed. So someone who saw the show one night would have a completely different experience than someone who saw it a different night.

Chad: Ok, that’s actually a decent idea.

Me: I mean, can you imagine the buzz this would generate? Not only would people want to know what happened in the show when others saw it, but some people would probably go to see the show a second (or even third or fourth) time.

And then I think he tuned me out while I rambled for another hour or so about the possibilities this idea could lead to and how it could actually work.

In my introductory Extreme Makeover: Broadway Edition post, I talked about the trend of Broadway shows closing, and how I feel like Broadway needs to make some changes to prevent this from happening. This trend has continued over the past weeks with the closing announcements of quality shows like Once and Pippin. And I think the conversation I had with my husband is a perfect example of one of the changes Broadway could make to keep shows around a little bit longer.

Once will play its last show on Broadway on January 4, 2015.

Sadly, good quality just isn’t enough to keep a show running anymore. Sure there are exceptions, like Wicked or The Lion King, but for the most part, a Broadway show is lucky if it makes it past a year or two on Broadway. This year's Tony-hopeful Holler if Ya Hear Me only lasted six weeks on Broadway before closing. SIX WEEKS! I realize that there are a limited number of theatres on Broadway, and one show needs to close in order for another to open. But six weeks (or even 1-2 years) is just too short of a run.

I've always felt like theatre should be more than a show. It should be an experience. The better the experience, the more successful the show. Shows like Cats and Les Misérables provided enough of an experience to keep the last generation of theatre-goers going to see them year after year, but today’s generation of theatre-goers want more. Maybe "more" isn't the right word to use; maybe "different" would be better. Either way, Broadway just isn't catching on to this. Flawless voices, moving music, a hot celebrity leading the opening cast for a month or two, and a few martinis with the right people will get a show to Broadway, but keeping it there now takes a more modern approach.

I’ve seen a few theatres testing out more modern approaches, and I like what I'm seeing. For example, London-based Punchdrunk's Sleep No More has been around for a while now. In this immersive theatre experience, audience members freely move through different rooms, going on a unique journey based on Shakespeare's Macbeth. And a new production called Blank! The Musical recently opened off-Broadway, where the audience chooses the plot by voting on their smartphones.

Now Broadway just needs to catch on to this trend. Call it what you want: immersive theatre, interactive theatre, modern theatre. Whatever you decide to call it, I think it's a huge -- and necessary -- step in the theatre world. In order to succeed, a show still needs a solid base of talent, of course. But adding some kind of interactive element to a show really brings it to a new level...a level that Broadway needs to find.

Hershey Theatre to Welcome Elf The Musical

NETworks Presentations, LLC, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Unique Features, bring the Broadway musical Elf to Hershey Theatre from Tuesday, December 9 through Sunday, December 14.

Tickets for this show start at $25.00, $58.00, $73.00 and $78.00 (tax and applicable fees apply) and are available at Hershey Theatre Box Office. They can be charged by phone at 717-534-3405 and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). The production will feature direction by Sam Scalamoni and choreography by Connor Gallagher.

For more information, please visit www.ElfTheMusicalOnTour.com.

Dutch Apple Presents 'It's a Wonderful Life'

The classic 1956 Christmas movie directed by Frank Capra, It’s a Wonderful Life, has been brought to vibrant color in a magical musical adaptation by Sheldon Harnick at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. It’s a Wonderful Life will be at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre November 13 through December 23 and will feature a special, traditional Christmas dinner buffet.

It’s Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls, New York, and a depressed George Bailey is about to end his life. Clarence Oddbody, Angel Second-Class, is assigned to visit Earth and save George in hopes of earning his wings. He takes us through some of the most important parts of George’s life. A wealthy slumlord, Henry Potter, tried to shut down the Bailey’s Building and Loan Association, which gives home loans to the working poor. George put aside his dreams of travel in order to serve as executive director and save the firm. George also gave up his honeymoon when he married Mary Hatch in order to save the investors from a bank issue. George has spent his whole life bettering the lives of those around him; however, when his uncle misplaces a large sum of money, putting George in a bind, Potter refuses to help bail him out. Depressed by his current situation, George tries to end his life. Clarence appears to him and shows George what life in Bedford falls would have looked like without him. Ashamed that he did not appreciate life as he should, George returns to find that the town had all pitched in to solve his financial troubles. 

It's A Wonderful Life is an uplifting show for the whole family that celebrates the innate goodness in all of us. Dinner and Show prices are $49 - $55, and a limited number of Show Only seats are available for $32. Children’s prices are also available. Call 717-898-1900 to make a reservation or order your tickets online at www.DutchApple.com.

Phantom Theatre Company to Present Halloween Cabaret

On Saturday October 25, 2014, Phantom Theatre Company will present its newest cabaret, This Is Halloween, at the River City Blues Club located at 819 S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg. Showtime is at 7:00 p.m. River City will open at 5:00 p.m. so that guests have the option of dining before the show. Tickets are $15 and available at the door (cash or check only please).

 

 

This Is Halloween promises to be a hauntingly good time! Enjoy some of the season’s favorite songs performed by a talented cast. "People Are Strange," so be prepared for a "Spooky" show! It's no “Superstition"...you're gonna wanna run like a "Bat Out Of Hell" right to the River City Blues Club to see This Is Halloween!

 

More information can be found on Phantom’s website, www.phantomtheatrecompany.org.

Review: Jesus Christ Superstar at Carlisle Theatre

When a theatre makes the decision to perform a well-known classic in a modern way, it's taking a chance. It either works or it doesn't; there's no in between. In the case of Carlisle Theatre Company's production of Jesus Christ Superstar...it works. And it works well.

While the show still boasts the same dramatic intensity, raw emotion, and familiar Andrew Lloyd Webber music as the original 1970 rock opera, it also brings elements such as social media, corporate America, and modern technology into the production. Throughout the show, images of Twitter, YouTube, BuzzFeed, and even the Carlisle Sentinel flash on a large screen on the stage, providing "news" of Jesus and the disciples. Characters are given a modern makeover, often doing scenes in settings like a board room or even on a golf course. Outdated props like reporters' bulky cameras and tape recorders have been replaced with smartphones.

In addition to these elements, live video cameras capture various moments of the show and project them onto the large screen, enabling the audience to really connect with the emotion of the performers as they present the story of Jesus's last days.

The cast features some very talented actors, including Michael Miller (Jesus), Emily Falvey (Mary Magdalene), and Jeremy Patterson (Judas). Miller delivers an impressive performance, most significantly in his ability to transition from a smooth and controlled vocal to a rock star scream in an instant. Falvey's voice is a refreshing contrast to the electrifying rock music, specifically in her performance of "I Don't Know How to Love Him." And while Patterson performed well throughout the show, he was at his best when leading the Soul Sisters and Angels in "Superstar."

Ryan Boyles plays the role of Pontius Pilate, and at first seems to blend in with the cast. But the more time he spends on stage, the more he shines, and he ultimately delivers a really commanding performance in the "Trial Before Pilate (Including the 39 Lashes)." Ric LeBlanc (King Herod) provides an entertaining performance in "King Herod's Song," which has been turned into a televised show, "God or Fraud," where King Herod hosts an episode with Jesus, and fictional audience members can text their verdict of "God" or "Fraud." And Sushma Saha is a burst of energy as she takes on the role of Simon (typically played by a male), and boasts confidence and vitality in "Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem."

With the exception of the large screen on stage, props were very basic and minimal. Costumes were also basic and minimal, with actors mostly wearing street clothing that could easily be found today on a college campus or in any number of popular mall stores. But this show doesn't need big, fancy props or costumes, and honestly I feel that the minimalistic approach fits perfectly with the modern theme of the show and makes it feel more real.

My only real criticism of the show is that I was underimpressed with the death scenes. I don't mean to sound morbid here, but there was very little attention drawn to Judas's suicide or Jesus's actual death. They were both brief and anticlimactic, which came as a surprise to me, considering the intensity of the rest of the show. I should say here that I've seen more than a few productions of this show, and there have been times where Jesus's death seems to go on and on forever (and ever and ever). But I think there's a middle ground, and in this production I would have liked the death scenes to be a little more dramatic.

The way the show ends catches the audience a little off guard. In my opinion, it ends the way I've always felt this show should end, and I was glad to finally see a production of this show that ends this way. I'm not going to give away anything else here, as I don't want to ruin the effect for anyone who's planning to see it. I'll just say that it makes a statement, and I think it's one of many great decisions that went into creating this spectacular production.

If you're looking for a superstar production filled with powerful music, intense emotion, and amazing local talent, then this is one show you don't want to miss. Overall I give this production 8 out of 10 standing ovations.

Jesus Christ Superstar is playing at the Carlisle Theatre through October 19. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit the Carlisle Theatre Company's website at www.carlisletheatrecompany.com. And for a little taste of the show, check out the preview video below:

Review: Crazy for You at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre's production of Crazy for You is the perfect combination of dynamic dancing, slapstick comedy, and pure talent, all brought together with toe-tapping Gershwin music. Stand-out leads and a company full of never-ending energy are sure to impress as they sing and dance their way into the hearts of the audience.

The cast of Crazy for You at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre lights up the stage with their vibrant dancing. (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

When New York banker Bobby Child (played by Jake Delaney) heads to Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose on a run-down theatre, he finds himself instead trying to save the theatre and win the heart of the theatre owner's daughter, Polly Baker (played by Emily Grace Tucker). Delaney is quick to impress with his tap dancing skills, and Tucker charms the audience with her beautifully sweet voice. But what's even more noteworthy is that Delaney and Tucker both showcase an impressive trifecta of dancing, acting, and singing talent throughout the entire show.

Bobby's plan is to put on a show to raise money to pay off the theatre mortgage. But after Polly finds out that Bobby has been sent to foreclose on the theatre, she wants nothing to do with him. Desperate to prove his love to Polly and his true intentions to save the theatre, Bobby hatches a plan to disguise himself as well-known theatre owner Bela Zangler (played by Craig Smith). Smith plays a convincing Zangler and provides some of the show's best humor in his scene where he drunkenly stumbles into an also drunk Bobby, who is dressed as Zangler.

Speaking of humor, the show has plenty of it. With a book by Ken Ludwig, the show is full of jokes and witty one-liners. While some puns had me rolling my eyes, other moments had me laughing out loud. (And for a little musical theatre humor, fans of Les Miserables will enjoy a brief recreation of a certain well-known scene.)

Jake Delaney (left) and Craig Smith (right) are a comical duo as they mirror each other in a state of intoxication. (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

Other characters in the show include Bobby's domineering fiance Irene (played by Millicent Hunnicutt), saloon owner Lank (played by Galloway Stevens), Bobby's rich and controlling mother Mrs. Lottie Child (played by Sherry Konjura), Polly's father Everett (played by Jim Johnson), the lead dancer of Zangler's Follies Tess (played by Ashley Rubin), the English guidebook-writing duo of Patricia and Eugene Fodor (played by Molly Tower and Connor McAndrews), and a handful of fun-loving cowboys and perky Follies girls.

With a talented company, the group numbers were a significant highlight of this show. The energetic and perfectly executed choreography (thanks to choreographer Samantha Hewes) made for show-stopping numbers like "Slap that Bass" and "I Got Rhythm." And the creative use of props during these songs made them even more entertaining. 

Company numbers, like "Slap That Bass" pictured here, showcased top-notch talent, entertainment, and choreography. (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

If you're looking for an evening of Wild West showdowns, lively tap dancing, romantic twists, and feel good musical comedy, then you'll love this satisfying production of Crazy for You. Overall, I give this production 8 out of 10 standing ovations.

Crazy for You is playing at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre now through November 8. For more details and ticket information, please visit the Dutch Apple website.