PLAYHOUSE ACCEPTING ENROLLMENT FOR SPRING CLASSES, PRODUCTION WORKSHOPS, HOME SCHOOL DRAMA WORKSHOP AND SUMMER CAMP!

Pottstown, PA — Steel River Playhouse, at 245 E. High Street in Pottstown, PA is now accepting enrollment for the Spring term and summer program, which includes private study in guitar, piano, voice, trumpet and acting, along with group classes in acting, performance, improvisation and much more.

Steel River’s spring term began on Monday, March 28. Classes are available in Acting, Improvisation, Broadway Cabaret, and the popular Flights of Fancy and Imagination Theater programs for young actors to create and perform original works and perform for an audience. A home school drama club original production workshop is also accepting enrollment.

Students may also enroll NOW for workshop productions beginning in mid-March including productions of THE TEMPEST (classical workshop for dramatic actors), A CHARM SCHOOL WITCH (musical workshop for young performers), BANG BANG, YOU’RE DEAD (a contemporary drama workshop) and Broadway Cabaret workshop (Summer Lovin’ Cabaret). For more information on these productions, email the education department at education@steelriver.org.

Summer camp enrollment has also begun, and students may register for three different two week camps.

• Camp one offers a Variety Show theme, and runs from July 11 to July 22.
• Camp two runs from July 25 to August 8, and offers students the opportunity to work an original musical theme of global awareness, which explores a variety of cultures from around the world.
• Camp three offers students to create original one act plays, from August 8 to 19.

Camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (with option for half day camp for younger students). Each camp culminates in an original work that is performed for parents, and includes workshops in specialty skills that will be used in that performance, such as juggling, Broadway dance styles and more, while also incorporating lessons in confidence, cultural awareness and collaboration.

Steel River Playhouse employs educators who are regionally and nationally renowned in their fields with many holding advanced degrees. The facility is also renowned as one of the highest rated theatrical venues in PA, featuring state of the art performance spaces, studios, classroom space, sound reinforcement equipment and seating, full set, costume and prop shops as well as the best green room of any theater in the area. Steel River’s goal is to provide the highest possible educational experience for students and participants in the tri-county area, focused on every level of training from beginner to expert!

About Steel River Playhouse – Steel River Playhouse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable education and performance facility that seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Designated as a “gateway” performing arts center, Steel River provides affordable, high quality performances, comprehensive educational offerings, and enriching volunteer opportunities in all aspects of theatre arts. Students and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to explore and grow their skills by working side-by-side with professional instructors, performers, directors, and designers.

Lehigh Valley UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF BETHLEHEM presents:

October 30, 2015 | 7:30 pm @ Baker Center for the Performing Arts
Escher String Quartet

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PENNSYLVANIA SINFONIA ORCHESTRA presents:

October 23, 2015 | 7:00 pm @ Brookside Country Club
Not-Just-Art Auction

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MORAVIAN COLLEGE MUSIC INSTITUTE presents:

October 16, 2015 | 7:30 pm @ Foy Concert Hall
Moving Mountains, CD release performance

October 25, 2015 | 7:00 pm @ Peter Concert Hall
Moravian College Early Music Ensembles

October 30, 2015 | 7:30 pm @ Peter Concert Hall
Moravian College Celtic Ensemble & Guitar Ensemble

November 1, 2015 | 4:00 pm @ Peter Concert Hall
Moravian College Clarinet Choir, Flute Troupe, & Woodwind Trio

November 1, 2015 | 7:00 pm @ Peter Concert Hall
Delta Omicron Musicale

November 8, 2015 | 4:00 pm @ Peter Concert Hall
Moravian College Women’s Chorus

November 8, 2015 | 7:00 pm @ Foy Concert Hall
Moravian College Community Orchestra

November 11, 2015 | 9:00 pm @ Peter Concert Hall
M.I.M.E. (Moravian Improvised Music Ensemble)

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MORAVIAN COLLEGE THEATRE COMPANY presents:

November 5, 6, 7, 2015 | all evening performances 8:00 pm @ Arena Theatre
November 8, 2015 | matinee performance 1:00pm @ Arena Theatre
Exhibit A
Click to purchase tickets for individual performances:
Nov. 5 at 8pm
Nov. 6 at 8pm
Nov. 7 at 8pm
Nov. 8 at 1 pm

PURCHASE TICKETS AT OUR BOX OFFICE TODAY!

U.S. Steel Reorganizes Operating Units

U.S. Steel Tower in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

U.S. Steel Corp. is reorganizing its three operating units to focus on industries the company serves, the latest phase in the Downtown-based company’s Carnegie Way program to cut costs, boost revenue and return to profitability.

As part of the new management structure, U.S. Steel is realigning its North American Flat-Rolled division to focus on five markets: automotive, consumer, industrial, service centers and mining.

“These commercial entities will put our company in a stronger position to be best-in-class in product innovation, customer service and solutions, as well as steel manufacturing,” CEO Mario Longhi said.

The company is renaming its Tubular Products unit Energy Solutions, reflecting its focus on providing steel pipe to the booming oil and gas industry. And its operations in Europe were renamed U.S. Steel European Solutions.

Read more: http://triblive.com/business/headlines/7174309-74/solutions-steel-company#ixzz3JSeCmrZ7
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Photo: Will Smith And His Family React To Miley Cyrus At The VMAs

Editor’s note:  This is priceless and really says something.  Miley needs an intervention.  You gotta check out the picture!

Well it seems as if we weren’t the only ones completely dumbfounded by Miley Cyrus’ performance at Sunday evening’s Video Music Awards.

The pop star twerked, she gyrated, slapped a butt, and uncomfortably paraded around teddy bears during her risque number alongside Robin Thicke, even using a foam hand as a sexual prop – all while wearing a plastic bikini.  Oh, and she sang, too.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/television/Photo-Will-Smith-and-his-family-reacts-to-Miley-Cyrus-at-the-VMAs.html#0wj1sP4ubAfAwBp7.99

Muhlenberg College Professor Wins Major National Award

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – (January 6, 2011) — Charles O. Anderson, associate professor of dance and director of the African-American Studies program at Muhlenberg College, has been named one of 12 “Emerging Scholars” for 2011.  The scholars are chosen by and profiled in Diverse magazine.

In its Jan. 6 edition, Diverse profiles 12 “under 40” scholars from around the country who are making their mark in the academy through teaching, research and service. These outstanding scholars serve as an inspiration to both students and colleagues.

Anderson, a native of Richmond, Va., holds a B.A. in performance and choreography from Cornell University, and an M.F.A. with honors from Temple University. Over the past 10 years, his choreography has been presented through such venues as Mulberry Street Theatre, Danspace at St. Mark’s Church, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Danceboom! at the Wilma Theatre, WAX Performance Space and Here Arts Center among others.

He has performed in the companies of such noted choreographers as Ronald K. Brown, Sean Curran, Mark Dendy, Talley Beatty and Miguel Guttierez among others. Charles’ choreography has been funded by Dance Advance, The Community Education Center’s New Edge Residency, the Susan Hess Choreographer’s Project and The Puffin Foundation.

Anderson continues to enjoy a successful career as choreographer, performer and artistic director of his Philadelphia based dance company, dance theatre X. He was recently awarded a Dance Advance Grant (an organization sponsored by Pew Charitible Trusts) to collaborate with South African choreographer Vincent Mantsoe.
 
Diverse, then Black Issues In Higher Education, first published its “Emerging Scholars” edition in 2002. It has remained one of the magazine’s most popular editions since its inception. Diverse  editors selects honorees from a pool of candidates recommended by various scholars, department chairs, university public information officers, and others.
 
Each scholar is selected based on research, educational background, publishing record, teaching record, competitiveness of field of study, and uniqueness of field of study.

The “Emerging Scholars” for 2011 are:

Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, associate professor of higher education, The Ohio State University
Dr. Rochelle Parks-Yancy, associate business professor, Texas Southern
Charles O. Anderson, associate professor of dance and director of the African-American studies program at Muhlenberg College.
Dr. Chekesha Liddell, associate professor of materials science and engineering, Cornell University.
Dr. Wayne Alix Ian Frederick, associate professor, Howard University Medical School, specializes in surgical oncology.
Dr. Gina Núñez-Mchiri, an assistant professor of Cultural Anthropology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at UT El Paso
Dr. Federico Ardila, assistant professor of mathematics at San Francisco State University,
Dr. Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Northwestern University;
Dr. Carlos D. Bustamante, a population geneticist at Stanford University
Dr. Ashlesh Murthy, research assistant professor of biology, University of Texas-San Antonio
Yiyun Li, an associate professor of English, at the University of California at Davis
Sarah Deer, Assistant Professor, William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota.

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

David Archuleta Performs At The ALMA Awards

Check out this amazing performance by David Archuleta at the ALMA Awards on Perez Hilton

http://perezhilton.com/