Andrea Stephenson - Page 12

In honor of Women's History Month, TAFE (Theatre Arts for Everyone) of York recently presented a program called Women and One Acts which was just that: 4 short plays about women, 2 monologues and 2 plays with multiple cast members. It was the first in the Adult Perspectives series that aims to 'stimulate growth in artists and patrons and create a deeper sense of community through productions that broaden perspectives and grow awareness.'

'Actors - they lie for a living! That's their profession,' announces the priggish Reverend Duncan Wooley in Ken Ludwig's Pennsylvania-based comedy farce Leading Ladies. The actors in Keystone Theatrics at the Allenberry Resort clearly enjoyed playing that joke to the hilt in the play's two-week run, which ended March 1st.

Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's 1882 work An Enemy of the People was adapted by Arthur Miller, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre in 1950. Originally written in response to Ibsen's challenging of the hypocrisy of morality in the 19th century exemplified in his play Ghosts, An Enemy of the People explores the complicated and murky themes of power, truth, and morality. In their production of An Enemy of the People, Gamut Theatre Group will delve into these themes and more. You can catch this production February 29-March 15. Clark Nicholson, who plays the role of Dr. Stockman, took a few moments to give our readers a sneak peek into Gamut's upcoming production of An Enemy of the People.

Joseph Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace has long been a staple of high school and community theaters ever since playing on Broadway for four straight years from 1941-1944. But for director Michelle Denise Norton of Upstart Arts in York, Arsenic and Old Lace is what passes for a 'new' play. That's because for 20 years, the theater group of which she is the self-described 'creative engine' has been bringing Shakespeare to the York public in parks and on bridges and streets and wherever it's a good idea to bring live theater; namely, everywhere.

The romantic comedy Grumpy Old Men first came to life as a film in 1993 starring Jack Lemon, Walter Matthau, and Ann-Margret. With book by Dan Remmes, music by Neil Berg, and lyrics by Nick Meglin, Grumpy Old Men was adapted to the stage as a musical described by critics as 'unconventional but sincerely sweet' (Leo Buck at buckingtrends.me). Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre takes on this delightful story of friendship and love February 20-March 28. Miranda Jane plays the role of Ariel, Max and John's beautiful and eccentric neighbor.

The classic C.S. Lewis tale The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe takes the stage at DreamWrights Center for Community Arts February 14-23. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was first published in 1950 and became the first book in Lewis's acclaimed series The Chronicles of Narnia. The story has been adapted for television, film, and the stage, and it continues to captivate the imagination of readers and audiences.

John Cariani's play Almost, Maine, premiered in 2004 at the Portland Stage Company in Portland, Maine. Almost, Maine is comprised of nine short plays that all take place around the same ten minutes on a wintery Friday night in small-town Maine. This unique set of stories that explore themes of love and loss is the opening show of the 23rd season of DreamWrights Center for Community Arts.

The musical Amélie, first produced in 2015, is based on the 2001 film of the same name. The musical, by Daniel Messé, Nathan Tysen, and Craig Lucas, is charming and whimsical. It tells the tale of a French waitress, Amélie Poulain, who, inspired by Princess Diana's death and her own imagination, decides to make it her mission to help others. This contemporary fairytale can be enjoyed at Open Stage of Harrisburg under the direction of Stuart Landon February 1-March 8. At Open Stage, audiences will meet an unique cast of characters in an intimate setting. Gabriella DeCarli tackles the title role of Amélie Poulain in this production, and she took a few moments to share her experience with this extraordinary musical.

The classic novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn was first published in 1850. The musical is the creative collaboration of The Scarlet Letter Company - Stacey Mancine Koloski, Dan Koloski, Simon Gray, Michael Bahar and Eric Braverman. The Scarlet Letter musical was first fully produced for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and it can now be seen at Theatre Harrisburg for its first full-scale production in the United States. Under the direction of Kristi Ondo and musical direction by Aubrey Krepps, The Scarlet Letter takes the stage at Theatre Harrisburg's Krevsky Center through February 2.

Towards Zero is based on the 1944 Agatha Christie novel by the same name. The play by Agatha Christie and Gerald Verner was first published in 1956 and premiered in the West End at the St. James's Theatre. In typical Christie fashion, Towards Zero employs humor, red herrings, and many twists and turns to keep the audience guessing. See if you can solve the crime by joining the cast and crew of Towards Zero directed by Aliza Bardfield at Oyster Mill Playhouse January 17-February 2.

Three Tall Women first appeared on stage in Vienna in 1991. Considered a revitalization of playwright Edward Albee's work, Three Tall Women won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1994. Three Tall Women was inspired by Albee's experiences with his own adoptive mother. In Stretching My Mind, Albee states, 'I knew I did not want to write a revenge piece-could not honestly do so, for I felt no need for revenge. We had managed to make each other very unhappy over the years, but I was past all that, though I think she was not. I harbor no ill will toward her; it is true I did not like her much, could not abide her prejudices, her loathings, her paranoias, but I did admire her pride, her sense of self. As she moved toward ninety, began rapidly failing both physically and mentally, I was touched by the survivor, the figure clinging to the wreckage only partly of her own making, refusing to go under.'

DreamWrights Center for Community Arts welcomed new Artistic Director Lori Koenig on December 2nd. In the midst of the holiday season and jumping right in with both feet at DreamWrights, Lori took some time out to let us get to know her a bit.

Prancer began as a 1989 film written by Greg Taylor and directed by John Hancock. The story of a young girl's courage, love, and belief is just the tale we need this holiday season. The play, first produced by The Rose Theatre in 2016, is taking the stage at DreamWrights Center for Community Arts. Prancer introduces us to Jessica Riggs, a young girl who finds an injured reindeer. She believes the reindeer is one of Santa's reindeer, Prancer, and she is determined to nurse him back to health in time to take his rightful place in Santa's sleigh-pulling team.