Kids’ Night on Broadway Returns to Hershey Theatre for Cinderella

(UPDATE: As of January 14, 2016, this promotion is sold out. However, regular tickets remain for all performances.)

Kids’ Night on Broadway is a year-round national audience development program of The Broadway League, the national trade association of the Broadway industry, created to introduce kids and young adults to the magical world of theatrical entertainment. Hershey Theatre is proud to participate on Wednesday, January 27, when Cinderella visits town.

On Kids’ Night on Broadway, kids ages 18 and under can get one FREE ticket to Cinderella when accompanied by one full-paying adult (at select price levels). Tickets are available at the Hershey Theatre Box Office, by phone at 717-534-3405 and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com. 

The night will be festive with kid-friendly activities and entertainment available in the lower lobby of Hershey Theatre, starting at 6:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. 

Kids’ Night on Broadway was created in 1996 by the League and Theatre Development Fund and has welcomed young people to Broadway shows in New York and on tour across the U.S. ever since.

With its fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella combines the story's classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball – along with some surprising twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She is a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. She not only fights for her own dreams, but forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too.

'Matilda the Musical' at Hershey Theatre is a Rare Gem of a Production

Let's start with the bad news: You only have a few chances left to see Matilda the Musical at Hershey Theatre.

The good news? You still have a few chances left to see Matilda the Musical at Hershey Theatre!!

The first time I saw Matilda the Musical was on Broadway back in January, and I fell in love with it. I loved the story, the acting, the music, the set, everything. So when I found out that this amazing piece of theatre was coming to Hershey Theatre, I could barely contain my excitement (ok, I couldn't contain it...I jumped up and down and screamed like I just won $10 tickets to see Hamilton).

Matilda the Musical at Hershey Theatre is just as incredible as I remember from seeing it in NYC. The story follows a smart little girl, Matilda, who doesn't have the kindest of parents. Mrs. Wormwood is too focused on her appearance and her dancing career to be bothered with a daughter. Mr. Wormwood is busy scamming people. And both parents much prefer their son, Michael, who mindlessly stares at a TV all day, to their intellectual and (mostly) well-behaved daughter. I'm far from the perfect parent, but these parents make me look like mom of the year!

When Matilda starts school, she befriends her kind teacher, Miss Honey. Miss Honey recognizes that Matilda is special and is determined to help her succeed. But the brute of a headmaster, Miss Trunchbull, has different plans for Matilda (and all the other children for that matter).

There are so many great things to say about this show. Let's start with the cast. The cast is made up of mostly children, and these kids are outstanding. They sing and dance their hearts out, with a seemingly endless supply of energy. Everyone from Gabby Gutierrez in the title role, to Evan Gray as the cake-stealing Bruce, to Charlie Kersh as Matilda's self-proclaimed best friend Lavender does an outstanding job from beginning to end. The adult cast members are equally as talented. In the role of Miss Trunchbull, Bryce Ryness steals the show at times, proving that his aerial acrobatics are almost as good as his acting. Quinn Mattfeld and Cassie Silva are perfectly obnoxious in their roles as Matilda's mother and father. And Jennifer Blood as Miss Honey has a voice that's as sweet as her character's name.

The music by Tim Minchin is another highlight of the show. It provides a perfect blend of power rock songs like "Revolting Children," sweet melodies like "My House," and upbeat childish tunes like "Naughty." This kind of score wouldn't work with a lot of shows, but it's absolutely perfect for this one! The lyrics in "School Song" are nothing short of genius, and the props and choreography that are incorporated into the set during this number are just as brilliant.

And speaking of the set, let me just say WOW. This set is one of the most impressive sets I've ever seen in a show, setting the tone of the show before it even starts. The set is filled with letters, which resemble scrabble letters, only they almost give the feel of being in another world. Throughout the show, keep an eye out for the different words that are subtly spelled, like "MATILDA" and "QUIET." The set is constantly changing. One minute you can be in the school, and before you know it you're in Matilda's bedroom.

Another thing that's so great about Matilda is that it's perfect for both kids and adults. My boys (ages 5 and 7) were just as excited as I was to see it a second time. It's full of non-stop action and suspense that will easily hold kids' attention while entertaining adults as well. And the story is one that is easy for kids to follow but has much deeper content that adults can appreciate.

This is one of the rare shows where I enjoy the second act more than the first (though both are incredible!). It's kind of like enjoying a sequel better than the original - it doesn't happen very often. But this show just keeps getting better and better, and just when you think it can't get any better, it does! Some of my favorite parts of the show take place in the second act, including the choreography during the swing song ("When I Grow Up") and the chalkboard scene near the end (I still can't figure out how they do it!). I also love the twist that is revealed in Matilda's story during the second act, but I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet!

Matilda the Musical at Hershey Theatre is a rare gem of a production that is full of energy, talent, and magic. I feel like I could talk all day about how magnificent this production is and it still wouldn't accurately portray the brilliance of it. It's just something you have to experience for yourself!

Fortunately you still have a few chances left to see this show, and I highly recommend that you do. It's not often that a show of this caliber comes to our area, so take advantage of it before it's gone! Matilda the Musical plays at Hershey Theatre from November 10-15. For details and tickets, please visit www.hersheytheatre.com.

PRiMA Theatre Presents a World Premiere Holiday Theatre Experience

PRiMA Theatre will present Snow Queen's Party, a theatre experience that offers the opportunity to interact with legendary holiday figures, who are fellow guests at the event, as they create chaos and fun in a pre-show cocktail time and zany variety show. Performances are December 6 and 13 at 7:00pm at the Ephrata Main Theatre.

“Experiential, immersive theatre is something that Lancaster has yet to see,” says Mitch Nugent, Executive Producer of PRiMA Theatre. Snow Queen’s Party is PRiMA’s world premiere immersive theatrical event. 

The cast features over two dozen performers including Katie Sina in the title role, Cissy and the Man (juggler and clown) playing the April Fools, Duane Hespell as Jack Frost, Jay Poff as the Easter Bunny, Reji Woods as the Leprechaun, Monica DePaul as the Tooth Fairy and Ray Hilton as Cupid.

The Ephrata Main is located at 124 East Main Street, Ephrata PA, within the Brossman Business Complex. Free parking is available in the garage behind the theatre with no pass or ticket required.

Tickets to the show start at $26.00 and are available at primatheatre.org or by calling the box-office at 717.327.5124. Snow Queen’s Party is appropriate for all ages.

Oyster Mill Playhouse to Present the Comedy 'How The Other Half Loves'

The Oyster Mill Playhouse will present How The Other Half Loves, by Alan Ayckbourn, November 6-22 at the theater located at 1001 Oyster Mill Rd in East Pennsboro Twp. Curtain is at 8:00 p.m. for all Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows, and 2:00 p.m. for Sunday matinees. Tickets are $16. Visit www.oystermill.com or call the box office at 717-737-6768 for tickets.

There are three couples in this play, the men all working for the same firm. One of the younger men is having an affair with the wife of the oldest, and when each returns home suspiciously late one night or early one morning they invent a story about having to spend some time smoothing domestic matters in the home of the third couple. Of course, the third couple have to show up to put the fat in the fire, but that complication only adds to the fun of this famous farce.

The show is directed by Greg Merkel, and stars Gail Kemeny, Kristen Borgerson Ottens, Kathleen Tacelosky, Ron Nason, Craig Copas, and Keith Bowerman.

Celebrate Halloween with PRiMA Theatre's 'Broadway Villains' Cabaret

PRiMA Theatre will present a "Broadway Villains" cabaret on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday November 1 at 7:00 p.m. The performances will take place at 26|East, located at 26 East King Street, Lancaster City. Tickets to the show start at $24.00 and are available at primatheatre.org or by calling the box-office at 717-327-5124.

Celebrate All Hollows' Eve weekend with this chic cabaret featuring songs from the Great White Way's darkest characters. Come early to enjoy the bar and food options available for purchase at 26|East. The cabaret features 10 local, professional theatre performers including Jaclyn Harnish and Kristen Brewer.

Broadway Villains is the first in a series of event collaborations with the new and exciting venue known as 26|East. PRiMA will produce other theatrical experiences in 2016 at the location, where patrons can have dinner before the show in the Barbaret Bistro.

For more information on "Broadway Villains," please visit www.primatheatre.org/villains. 

'Matilda The Musical' Will Make its Premier at Hershey Theatre

TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year, Matilda The Musical is coming to Hershey Theatre from Tuesday, November 10 through Sunday, November 15. Tickets for this show are $25.00, $35.00, $43.00, $58.00, $73.00, $78.00, $83.00 and $88.00 (tax and applicable fees apply) and are available at the Hershey Theatre Box Office. They can be charged by phone at 717-534-3405 and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

Winner of 50 international awards including four Tony Awards and a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical, Matilda The Musical is based on the beloved novel by best-selling author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox). It is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her destiny. 

Matilda The Musical is directed by Tony Award winner Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage), who helms this production with a book by Tony Award-winning playwright Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin. The production has sets and costumes by Tony Award winner Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Tony Award winner Hugh Vanstone, and sound by Simon Baker. For more information, please visit www.MatildaTheMusical.com.

Carlisle Theatre Company's 'Hairspray' Heats Up a Chilly Fall Day

Outside the Carlisle Theatre, the leaves on the trees are changing colors, people are carrying around pumpkin-spiced food and drinks, and the air is cooling off. But inside the theatre, things are heating up with the bright colors of the 60s, and dancing that's just as vibrant, in Carlisle Theatre Company's production of Hairspray.

Plump teenager Tracy Turnblad has big hair and even bigger dreams, and she doesn't let her size, her detention, or even her own mother stand in her way of auditioning for the opportunity of a lifetime: The chance to dance on the Corny Collins Show. When she surprisingly ends up on the show, she sets her sights even higher as she aims to integrate blacks into the show on a regular basis instead of just on "Negro Day," which is only one day a month. While Hairspray is a fun and upbeat show from beginning to end, it also successfully manages to present the more serious issue of racism in the 1960s, making the colors of black and white just as much a part of the show as the bright colors.

Through her journey on the Corny Collins Show, Tracy (played by Aimeebeth Davis) connects with various characters, including teen heartthrob Link Larkin (played by Greg Athanasatos); lovable dancer Seaweed J. Stubbs (played by Jeremy Patterson), his little sister Little Inez (played by Annalise Prentiss), and his soulful mother, Motormouth Maybelle (played by Gabrielle Dixon), who is the host of Negro Day on the Corny Collins Show; and lying, cheating, scheming, fame-obsessed mother/daughter team Velma and Amber Von Tussle (played by Lindsay Bretz and Hillary Miller). Tracy's best friend Penny (played by Carly Lafferty) is there to support her every step of the way, and Tracy's mother Edna (played by Ryan Boyles), while initially against her daughter auditioning, quickly becomes one of her biggest supporters.

Dixon's passionate performance was one to note, as she had her own cheering section with a handful of people who gave standing ovations after each of her songs. Boyles also had a memorable performance, perfectly executing his role while sporting nightgowns, dresses, heels, and even a red feather boa. And the smooth dancing skills of Patterson are worth a mention as well.

The score (by Marc Shaiman) features plenty of catchy tunes, from the opening "Good Morning Baltimore" to the closing "You Can't Stop the Beat," and the 36-member cast wastes no time showcasing top-notch dancing and choreography. While the voices in the show are good, the energetic dancing takes center stage. That the talented cast manages to sing while enthusiastically executing the non-stop dancing is a big part of what makes this show so spectacular. The 10-member orchestra has no trouble pumping out the fast-paced music, which only enhances the energy of the performance. And the costumes, sets, and lighting provide plenty of bright color to round out the production.

Carlisle Theatre Company's Hairspray is a fun, upbeat, and impressive production that heats up a chilly fall day better than any pumpkin-spiced latte ever could. Audiences of any age can enjoy this family-friendly performance filled with quality music, dancing, humor, and yes, hairspray. 

Hairspray runs at Carlisle Theatre through October 18. For additional details and ticket information, please visit www.carlisletheatrecompany.com/.