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Tag Archives: musical
MCCC To Celebrate 30 Years Of Arts Excellence With 2016-17 Lively Arts Season
Blue Bell, PA —Montgomery County Community College will celebrate three decades of bringing world-class entertainment, soul-enriching music, peerless comedy and thought-provoking discussion to the community through its 2016-17 Lively Arts season.
Since 1986, the Lively Art series has connected the community through electrifying musical, dance and theater performances, stimulating workshops and lectures, Young Arts Explorers events and meet-the-artist receptions. This year’s season promises even more with its family series and a new film series. Visit www.mc3.edu/livelyarts or call 215-641-6518 for more information and tickets.
The series continues with a host of musical, theater and comedy performances, including:
· The Capitol Steps (Oct. 16) – The popular, award-winning group will share its special brand of satirical political humor – just in time for the presidential election – through song parodies and skits that play off recent headlines.
· Repertorio Español’s Production of “El Quijote” (Oct. 22) – The classic story of the Man of La Mancha is told in Spanish with English captions by experienced and emerging Latino theater artists.
· The Joey Alexander Trio (Nov. 6) – Child prodigy Joey Alexander, a 13-year-old self-taught Indonesian jazz pianist who released his first album in 2015, has performed for Herbie Hancock and Bill Clinton and at prestigious jazz festivals.
· Charles Lloyd and Friends featuring Bill Frisell, Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland (Dec. 4) – Venerated Memphis-born jazz musician and composer Charles Lloyd, who has played with such legends as B.B. King and Bobbie “Blue” Bland and has recorded with The Doors and the Beach Boys, brings his mastery of tenor saxophone, flute, piano and more to audiences in a blend of jazz, world music and other genres.
· Aaron Diehl Quartet featuring Warren Wolf (Feb. 11) – Diehl, a Juilliard grad and Cole Porter jazz fellow who has toured with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, is joined by Berklee-trained multi-instrumentalist and recording artist Warren Wolf for an evening of jazz blended with hip-hop, funk, rock and world music.
· Cyrille Aimée (Feb. 18) – The jazz vocalist and French native, who has been praised by the Wall Street Journal as “astonishingly creative…with a brilliant sound, fresh ideas [and] impeccable rhythm,” brings a gypsy sensibility to her singing.
· James “Blood” Ulmer Odyssey Trio (Feb. 25) – Ulmer, a jazz and blues guitarist, singer and recording artist, applies his southern roots in gospel toward a highly individualized sound described as “a cross between Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Mike Bloomfield.”
· Monnette Sudler’s Philadelphia Guitar Summit “Chord Nation” (Mar. 4) –Philadelphia-native guitar expert Monnette Sudler will present “Chord Nation,” featuring M’OUD Swing Moroccan Oriental Jazz, Paul Bollenback Portraits of Space and Time Quartet with Orin Evans, Mike Boone and Byron Landham, Gloria Galanta Harp Jazz Ensemble featuring Monnette Sudler and introducing Nasir Dickerson, soloist bringing his African melodies on the African harp-Kora.
· Sébastien Lépine (Mar. 12) – Lépine – the award-winning Canadian cellist, chamber musician, conductor and composer who breathes new life into classical music – will join forces with 4 Ailes, a string quartet that has performed all over Quebec and shared the stage with Ingrid St.-Pierre and other accomplished artists.
· Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (Apr. 1) – The Grammy-winning pianist, composer and founding artistic director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance performs with the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, which has preserved the music of his father, the legendary Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill.
· Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (Apr. 7) – Known as the “bad boys of jazz,” this troupe of seven brothers from the south side of Chicago formed a group as children under their trumpet-playing father, Kelan Phil Cohran, and has played with everyone from Prince to Mick Jones of The Clash.
· Koresh Dance Company (Apr. 29) – Now in its 25th year, this acclaimed dance company led by Israeli founder Ronen “Roni” Koresh has toured extensively and been praised for its “rich, multicultural blend of intensity and physicality” offering “all the finesse and grace of a ballet with the athleticism of an Olympic sport.”
New this year in honor of the Lively Arts’ 30th anniversary, the College will debut a film series sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation On Screen/In Person. Films include:
· You Belong to Me (Oct. 18, 3 p.m.), an expose of what it meant to be an African American in the Jim Crow South in the 1950s as seen through the lens of a bizarre sex- and race-related murder.
· Love thy Nature (Nov. 8, 4 p.m.), a cinematic journey narrated by Liam Neeson about the beauty and intimacy of our relationship with the natural world.
· Hilleman: A Perilous Quest to Save our World’s Children (Feb. 8, 3 p.m.), which profiles the man who led a revolution in vaccine innovation that saved millions of young lives.
· Real Boy (Mar. 21, 7 p.m.), a coming-of-age story about a transgender teenager on a journey to find his voice as a musician, a friend, a son and a man.
· States of Grace (Apr. 13, 3 p.m.), an award-winning portrait of devotion and trust that documents one woman’s fight to restore her life with her partner and teenage daughter after a tragic accident results in a seven-week coma and a dozen surgeries.
In its annual Young Arts Explorers series, the College will engage children through highly entertaining, educational performances, including:
· Janet’s Planets (Jan. 26), a live performance from Janet Ivey of the popular TV show in which she explores science, technology, engineering, art, math and the wonders of the galaxy through an imaginative, interactive learning adventure
· Seussical (Jan. 27), a musical presented by TheatreWorks USA that takes audiences into the world of Dr. Seuss through a story of friendship, loyalty, the power of being unique and the importance of fighting for your beliefs
For its new Family Series, the College will engage audiences of all ages with:
· Seussical (Jan. 28), a musical presented by TheatreWorks USA that takes audiences into the world of Dr. Seuss through a story of friendship, loyalty, the power of being unique and the importance of fighting for your beliefs ·
Okee Dokee Brothers (Mar. 11), the Grammy-winning performers who use family-oriented Americana folk music to inspire kids to go outside, be creative and gain a greater respect for the natural world and their communities
The Lively Arts Series events are held in the Science Center Theater at the College’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell.
For more information, visit mc3.edu/livelyarts, email livelyarts@mc3.edu or call the Box Office at 215-641-6518. Follow the College’s “Destination Arts” page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DestinationArts.
Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre’s 35th Season Features World Premiere Children’s Musical “Grimm!”
Allentown, PA —This summer, Doppelskope Theatre Company bring its energetic puppetry, lively music, and interactive theatrical spirit — along with a little bit of magic — to the stories of the Brothers Grimm. Doppelskope’s world premiere children’s musical “Grimm!” will open June 17 at the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre.
“This piece of theater is very playful and present, drawing upon the whole company of everyone involved,” says director Ora Fruchter, who co-wrote the musical with her Doppelskope partner, Christopher Sheer. “It’s really about imagination and getting the audience to imagine along with us.”
The hour-long performance plays June 17 through July 25, Wednesday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. It is recommended for ages four and up. Audience members can stay after the show to meet the cast, and then for a free 45-minute activity workshop, featuring storytelling, movement, and crafts with the workshop team and members of the cast.
“Grimm!” offers classic fairy tales as they’ve never been told before. Brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm use their Story Machine to capture daydreams and make them into fairytales, but everything goes awry when the machine breaks, releasing colorful, fuzzy stories into the world. It’s up to the audience to help the brothers rescue the stories and keep them from unraveling.
Meanwhile, Charlotte, a young girl with a wild imagination, is on her own quest to save her father from the Blue Glowing Madness. She travels through the storybook landscapes of the Grimm Brothers’ classic fairy tales, including Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin.
The play emphasizes the importance of active, creative play, as well as the fun of storytelling of all sorts — encouraging families to engage in creating, recording, retelling and performing their own stories.
“Grimm!” features a script by Christopher Scheer and Ora Fruchter — the members of the Doppelskope theatre company — with music by Toby Singer and lyrics by Fruchter. The trio also collaborated to create last year’s successful world-premiere children’s musical “Gruff!” for Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre. Both shows rely heavily on audience participation, inviting the children in attendance to join in creating the story.
“What we really want is to engage the audience in the storytelling process — to tell the story not just to the audience but with them,” Scheer says. “We can go so much further if we all agree to imagine together. Let’s all collaborate together and collectively create the illusion that we’re in outer space or we’re in a fairy tale realm.”
This year for the first time, Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre presents free activity workshops after every performance. The workshops are designed to encourage children to explore their own family stories in a series of energetic hands-on activities that will get kids up on their feet, thinking, playing and expressing themselves. Members of the cast will join MSMT’s Workshop Team of experienced theater and movement teachers in leading storytelling, movement, and crafts. The Grimm Workshops are sponsored by Embassy Bank, Enterprise Car Rental and Highmark Blue Shield.
Participation in the Grimm Workshops is limited to allow for small group sizes, and advance registration is recommended. Parents can register their children online at http://www.muhlenberg.edu/grimm, or call the workshop team at 484-664-3695. Groups may inquire with the workshop team about bringing the workshop on-site.
“Grimm!” will be presented in two sensory-friendly performances for children with autism spectrum disorders and other sensory processing challenges. At these performances, sound levels are reduced, and startling sounds are avoided; lights remain on at a low level during performance, and strobes and other flashy lights are omitted; patrons are free to talk or leave their seats during the show; and attendance is limited. Social stories will be available in advance from the MSMT website, and the theater staff and cast will receive special training in meeting the needs of patrons with autism and sensory issues. Sensory-friendly performances will be offered Tuesday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 18 at 1 p.m. Tickets and information about these performances are available at http://www.muhlenberg.edu/grimm or at 484-664-3087.
“Grimm!” runs June 17 through July 25. Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m, and Saturday at 10 a.m. only. All tickets to “Grimm!” are $10 for June performances and $12 for July performances. Tickets and information for all of the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre productions are available at www.muhlenberg.edu/SMT or 484-664-3333.
Act 1 DeSales University Performing Arts Presents: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
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| Lehigh Valley Arts Council www.LVArtsCouncil.org ◊ www.LVArtsBoxOffice.org Rush Ticketing is a service of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council. For more information, visit: |
Act 1 DeSales University Performing Arts Presents: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
Tuesday ◊ April 28, 2015 ◊ 7:00 p.m.
Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts
2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, PA 18034
Book by Abe Burrows & Jack Weinstock & Willie Gilbert • Music by Frank Loesser • Based on How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying by Shepherd Mead • Directed by Steven Dennis
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Act 1 DeSales University Performing Arts Presents: Little Women The Musical
Friday * December 5 * 8:00 p.m.
Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts
2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, PA 18034
Based on Louisa May Alcott’s enduring novel, this popular Broadway musical follows the lives of Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March as they come of age in Civil War America. An aspiring writer, Jo finds inspiration in the memories of the lives, loves, and tragedies that she and her sisters experience while their father is off at war. This holiday season, Little Women will remind us to stand for what we believe in and to care deeply for those we love. Ages 6+
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Shrek The Musical! Thursdays Through Sundays, Dec 5 – 22 At Steel River Playhouse In Pottsown
SHREK THE MUSICAL!
Thursdays through Sundays, Dec 5 – 22
Music by Jeanine Tesori; book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig;
Directed by Deborah Stimson-Snow; Music Directed by Richard Lewis
Recommended for all audiences. Please note – children under 4 will not be admitted to the theater.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! The hilarious and irrepressibly charming story of everyone’s favorite ogre. In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Add a donkey who won’t stop talking, a vertically challenged bad guy with a “short” temper, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand – Shrek!
Read more: http://www.steelriver.org/current-season/shrek-the-musical-thursdays-through-sundays-dec-5-22/
Pottstown TriPAC’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” – A Review
I had the pleasure of attending the Sunday matinée performance of Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Pottstown’s Tri-County Performing Arts Center yesterday afternoon. I must say it was one of the best things I have seen thus far at the TriPAC and the afternoon flew by!
This production is being done in the smaller theatre on the third floor. There are no bad seats! The performance was sold out! I believe it was announced all three weekend performances sold out. My comment to you is, call now and see if any tickets are available for next weekend!
Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a musical. In fact it is almost entirely sung. Although there is scarcely any dialogue, a story is told nonetheless! The cast of five actors is phenomenal and the musicians, who are also integral to this performance, are second to none! Our story takes place in Harlem in the 1930’s. Appropriately the entire cast is African-American as well as most of the musicians and the director. I must comment that the level of talent here is amazing! If you like the music of that era you will be beyond pleased with the high musical standards in this production.
In addition to superb music, I laughed until I cried. The “looks”, “stage whispers” and innuendo are priceless. This production is nonstop singing and dancing and the cast barely broke a sweat. The ease of the performances and the level of confidence displayed by the actors and musicians is professional. Kudos to Director, Zuhairah McGill for her excellent leadership. A good Director is worth their weight in gold and Ms. McGill definitely falls into that category!
There were three songs that I especially liked (I loved them all). Two were funny and one was very moving. When the Nylons Bloom and The Viper’s Drag were hysterical! Again, laughed until I cried. Black and Blue was one of those songs that run the gamut of emotion. It was a very sad song about the struggles of African-Americans during segregation. While the cast was singing, there were poignant pictures being displayed on the back wall of a segregated America. For Caucasians it is embarrassing and painful to watch, nevertheless “keeps it real” and reminds us how far we have come and how far we still have to go as a nation. I am old enough to remember segregation and remember the great turmoil and pain our nation went through before and after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964. Yet I didn’t feel preached at either. The point was made and we moved on.
I give a huge shout out to all five actors: Denia Gibson, Mia Mbuy, Alexa Morefield, Marc Sherfield and Isiah Robinson. Alexa, Marc and Isiah are TriPAC veterans. Denia and Mia were in their first TriPAC production. Stellar cast! Mr. Sherfield got a golden ticket to Hollywood on American Idol this season! How impressive is that! I would say that validates my comments on the talent level. Evidently Randy, Jennifer and Steven would agree, at least on 1/5th of the cast! You are all stars!
Another huge shout out goes to the orchestra! Ben Bullock’s piano skills are nothing short of amazing. Ben is the Minister of Music at Invictus Church and I am sure they are thrilled to have him there! The amount of playing is almost nonstop. Other than the intermission the production is two hours of music! I was very pleased to see Louis Rieger in the orchestra on string bass. Mr. Rieger owns the High Street Music Company and I applaud his community involvement! Louis has “mad skills” on the string bass and I thank him for sharing his considerable talent in this production. Mr. Rieger walks the talk! We like that here at Roy’s Rants! Mega kudos to orchestra members: Lewis Ben on drums, Aaron Gould on trombone and Barb Newberry on reeds. Great job all around!
The production staff did an excellent job as well. Everything went off without a hitch and it was a professional production all the way around.
One more shout out to the Red Hat Society who showed up in a big group.
I give this production two Roy’s Rants thumbs up. If had more thumbs they would all be up!
There are three more performances left: Friday, February 17th, Saturday, February 18th and Sunday, February 19th.
Tickets
ADULT: $17
STUDENT / SENIOR (65+): $15
CHILD (12 & under): $13
Groups of ten or more receive a $2.00 per ticket discount!
The Tri-County Performing Arts Center is located at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA.
Voice: (610) 970-1199
Internet: http://www.tripac.org
GOLDILOCKS AND THE DOWN-HOME BEARS AT THE TRIPAC – POTTSTOWN
GOLDILOCKS AND THE DOWN-HOME BEARS – A Foot Stompin’ Musical (one-act family musical)
Saturday, Jan 28 & Sunday, Jan 29, 2012
Music and Lyrics by Karen Newman, Book by Neal Newman
Appropriate for All Ages (especially ages 5 – 12)*
PLEASE NOTE: This production is also available for school groups and clubs at the Tri-PAC or off-site from February through May.
Howdy folks! Come down to the holler to meet Goldie (Goldilocks) who is just about to celebrate the birthday that will make her a “teen Ager”. And what does she do? She runs away from her home and her strict parents, only to find the country cottage of the most fun lovin’, partyin’ three bears you ever did see. A down home musical for the entire family (especially for ages 5 – 12), GOLDILOCKS AND THE DOWNHOME BEARS celebrates family and friendships, and the joys and challenges of growing up for both kids AND parents!
Performances:
Saturday, January 28th @ 11:00am and 3:00pm
Sunday, January 29th @ 3:00pm
Tickets: Adult: $17, StudentT/SeniorR (65+): $15, Child (12 & under): $13
Buy Tickets: https://tix.cnptix.com/Online/?siteID=2109&cartID=1f363573-f98e-4daf-a158-5888504c00fe
Peter Pan At The TriPAC! Don’t Miss It!
I went to see Peter Pan tonight at the TriPAC. The theater was FULL! Lots of kids in attendance!
Great rendition of the Peter Pan story. Tons of special effects, including flying!
Stand outs were Peter Pan, played by P.J. Schweizer, Mr. Darling/Captain Hook, played by Joe Ciresi (Joe is the Spring-Ford School District Board of Education President), Mrs. Darling, played by Rebecca Shoemaker and Wendy played by Maddie Aicher.
Many youth were involved in the production and everyone did a great job! Deborah Stimson-Snow was the Director and did an a superb job! The orchestra rocked as usual!
There are a few shows left before this run is over:
PETER PAN (June 2 – 19)
Friday, June 17 @ 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 18 @ 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 19 @ 3:00 pm
Tickets
ADULT: Thurs $19; Fri, Sat & Sun $23
STUDENT/SENIOR(65+): Thurs $17; Fri, Sat, Sun $21
CHILD (12 & under): Thurs $13; Fri, Sat & Sun $15
TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST! Please log on to http://www.facebook.com/l/a4a16Q1PoJ135BDB9j13hW4CmCA/www.tripac.org to purchase your tickets online.
Another outstanding TriPAC production!
Holiday Musical Downtown Pottstown At Tri-County Performing Arts Center Starts Today
HONK!
Starts December 3rd!
A Musical Holiday “Tweet” for All Ages!
Musical by Drewe & Stiles
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story
“The Ugly Duckling”
Presented by arrangement with Music Theater International
Recommended for ages 4 through adult
to an American Tony Award), beating THE LION KING. The musical retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen story The Ugly Duckling, HONK! features a squadron of comical geese, a sly tomcat who wants to befriend ducklings only so he can eat them, a tearful mother, a dad always `ducking` out of his responsibilities, a duo comprised of a cat and a hen right out of a Shakespearean comedy, a wisecracking bullfrog, and an ugly duckling who discovers his inner beauty by becoming a swan. Ugly’s odd, gawky looks make him an instant outcast with his family and the neighborhood. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry cat, Ugly must find his way home. Along his rollicking and harrowing journey he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny, but also finds love and acceptance in all its forms.
With a witty book and score, and a great many “fowl” puns, HONK! won an Olivier Award for Best Musical when it opened in England (equivalent
HONK! (Dec 3 – 20, 2009)
Thursday, December 3rd & 10th – 7:30 pm
Friday, December 4th, 11th and 18th – 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 5th, 12th and 19th – 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 6th, 13th and 20th – 3:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO SHOW on December 17th. Instead, there will be an additional matinee on Saturday, December 19th.
ADULT: Thurs $19; Fri, Sat & Sun $23
STUDENT/SENIOR(65+): Thurs $17; Fri, Sat, Sun $21
CHILD (12 & under): Thurs $13; Fri, Sat & Sun $15
$2 off per ticket for groups of 10 or more!
Muhlenberg College Presents Bat Boy: The Musical
A Review of Bat Boy: The Musical
By Roy Keeler
I attended my first Muhlenberg College production Friday night, October 23rd, as a reviewer for Bat Boy: The Musical. Unfortunately, I have never attended any events at Muhlenberg before. The campus was easy to find and I had no trouble parking. Directions on the college website were excellent.
I read that the Theatre Arts Department is the number four ranked undergraduate theatre program in the United States by The Princeton Review 2009 so I had certain expectations based on this fact. Otherwise, I was not sure what to expect.
Bat Boy is playing in the Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion. The Pavilion, from the outside, is modern and impressive. I eagerly made my way to the box office and picked up my ticket. After a brief wait the doors opened and I was able to find my seat. The theatre itself is very nice with comfortable seats, clearly marked rows and seat numbers. The seating is stadium style which allows for unobstructed viewing. My seat was in the orchestra section, row G, seat 15. Dead center stage.
While we waited for the show to begin I browsed through the program and had a chance to look around. I think the set is imaginative and fits the story very well.
The “Sheriff” made a few comments about cell phones and without further delay we began. At the time I didn’t understand who the Sheriff was but that became clear in a few minutes.
The story takes place in Hope Falls, West Virginia, population 500. The time is the present. Without going into too much detail the basic premise of the story is Bat Boy is found by Rick, Ron and Ruthie Taylor in a local cave. Bat Boy is more animal than human at this point in the story and he bites Ruthie when the Taylor kids try to “make friends”. Rick and Ron subdue Bat Boy, take Ruthie to the hospital and turn Bay Boy over to the Sheriff. The Sheriff takes Bat Boy to Dr. Parker, the local vet, to be “put down”.
Bat Boy is put in a cage until Dr. Parker returns home. Mrs. Parker and her daughter have their own ideas about what to do with Bat Boy. Bat Boy starts out as a “pet” and ends up becoming part of the family. The story progresses from there but you will have to go see Bat Boy to find out what happens!
There are two acts with a short intermission. The intermission ends in an unusual way when some of the characters walk back onto the stage and other characters come down the aisle through the audience. There is no formal end to the intermission or beginning of the second act. It is funny and strangely appropriate. Nothing about this production is ordinary
Bat Boy is a horror musical. I was not at all familiar with this production and was not sure what to expect. I was not the only person who felt this way. During intermission several people around me were talking and stated they had similar feelings. After watching the first act they were discussing how the story really draws you in and that the music is “catchy” and something you would be humming for days (I still am).
One of the funniest things about Bat Boy is the use of males to play female characters (think Benny Hill or Monty Python). Several cast members have multiple parts and watching them transition in and out of different characters/genders is hysterical and very well done. Nick Flatto and Gabriel Martinez are absolutely brilliant. While Bat Boy is very funny, it carries a message of tolerance and acceptance that comes through loud and clear.
The lead characters are excellent actors and superb vocalists. Jeramie Mayes as Bat Boy, Denise Ozer as Meredith Parker, Eric Thompson as Dr. Parker and Leah Holleran as Shelly Parker are all to be commended for their outstanding performances.
The minor characters and the ensemble do a fantastic job as well. Erik Fiebiger, as Pan, delivers a powerful vocal performance. I was disappointed he only had one number.
The music is challenging and the cast rises to the occasion. The orchestra is first rate! This is a professional quality production that flows seamlessly from scene to scene. The cast seems to be enjoying themselves which adds to the campy fun.
The costumes, lighting and choreography are excellent. The Directors and Production Staff are all deserving of high praise for the attention to detail that make this production a big success.
I highly recommend this musical as a great way to enjoy the Halloween season and see a quality theatrical production in the Lehigh Valley. Area residents should take advantage of having this gem in their backyard and support the arts at Muhlenberg College. I give Bat Boy thumbs up!
Many thanks to Shawn Proctor, Marketing Director for allowing me to attend and review Bat Boy.
This production is recommended for mature audiences over age 14.
Muhlenberg College is located at 2400 W. Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104.
For more details:
Voice: 484-664-3333
Website: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/theatre/2tickets.html
Review Of “A Chorus Line” at Genesius Theatre In Reading
Review of “A Chorus Line” by Roy Keeler – Pottstown Herald Staff Reporter
On Sunday afternoon, September 13th, I attended a matinee performance of “A Chorus Line” at the Genesius Theatre in Reading. The theatre is a very intimate space and my seat was dead center so viewing was perfect. The seat was comfortable which was good because this production is performed without an intermission.
The set is stark. Everything is black and there are large rectangular mirrors that can be turned to show the front or back sides. The orchestra is behind the mirrors and can only be glimpsed when the mirrors are being turned. The theatre was not full but that is to be expected for a Sunday matinee at 2 pm.
The Director and Co-Choreographer, Irving Gonzalez came out to welcome us and make the normal announcements. Without further delay, the show began.
The story revolves around a group of hopefuls auditioning to be part of a chorus line for a Broadway show. The characters run the spectrum of age, size, gender and orientation. The casting was well done. The individuals chosen seemed to fit their character extremely well. There is no elaborate set so the acting has to be believable in order to draw the viewer in. Otherwise, there is not much else to look at.
“A Chorus Line” is a musical. Two of the most important elements are singing and the orchestra. I found the singing good to excellent depending on the character and the orchestra was excellent. The orchestra plays almost constantly in this show and their timing is crucial. Everything was well executed and the group blended together nicely which is a direct reflection on Music Director Melody Pierce.
The last major element would be the dancing. Characters are singing and dancing for a good portion of the show although there are spoken lines as well. Again, I found the skill levels good to excellent depending on the character. Irving Gonzalez and Deena Linn did a fantastic job with the choreography!
Richard Bradbury did an outstanding job as Zach. Zach is the director who is auditioning the dancers. Richard plays his part extremely well and even spends time in the audience delivering lines which further involves you in the story.
Timothy Feeg plays Paul. Paul is deeply conflicted and bares his soul in an emotional recollection of how he came to terms with his orientation. Tim’s ability to capture these intense emotions is amazing.
Deena Linn plays Cassie. Cassie has a past with Zach which is uncovered as the story unfolds. Deena has another difficult character to portrait and captures the raw emotion of Cassie in all her flawed glory.
Comic relief is provided by Matthew Kleckner (Mark) who offers an R-rated adolescent memory during his interview with Zach, Erin Stevens (Val) with her naughty little song “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three” (the original title more aptly suits the song) and Christina Ferlazzo (Kristine) with her very funny rendition of “Sing!”
The most familiar and anticipated song for me was “One”. It was well done. I definitely enjoyed the costume change at the end. The glitzy finale provides the appropriate closure and left us on a high note!
After seeing this production, it is no surprise “A Chorus Line” was one of the longest running and most highly awarded Broadway musicals of all time. In my humble opinion, this production does justice to the story and provides several hours of highly enjoyable entertainment. Kudos to everyone involved for bringing Broadway to Berks!
This is not a show for young children as some of the subject matter is very adult! Sexual subjects are frankly discussed and some course language is used. Parents should be cautioned.
The show runs through September 20th. Call the ticket office or check the Genesius Theatre website for dates and times.
Genesius Theatre
153 N. 10th Street
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 371-8151 or (610) 373-9500
http://www.genesiustheatre.org/
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