Andrea Stephenson - Page 15

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the first publicly performed collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, first appeared on Broadway in 1982. The musical actually began its life as a short pop cantata in London, and it was modified and expanded a number of times before it appeared on Broadway. The musical is based on the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis. In the musical, the story about Joseph is told by the Narrator, a character who exists outside the time and place in which the story takes place. It's the Narrator's job to engage the audience and draw them into the story of Joseph. Broadway World recently spoke to Erica Clare, who portrays the Narrator in the upcoming production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre.

British author Roald Dahl is well known for his dark humor, quirky characters, and unexpected twists and turns. Among his most popular works are Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. In 1961 he wrote James and the Giant Peach. James and the Giant Peach was adapted for television, film, and the stage. Among the stage versions is the dramatization by Richard R. George, which can be enjoyed at DreamWrights Center for Community Arts.

The 2007 play Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!) by Michael Carleton, John K. Alvarez, and James FitzGerald takes the audience on a high energy romp through a variety of Christmas traditions, beloved holiday classics (BHCs as they're referred to in the show), and holiday songs. In the midst of this Christmas chaos, one character tries desperately to get the rest of the cast on board to perform A Christmas Carol (which they've been rehearsing for weeks) because everyone always does A Christmas Carol at Christmas. Not only is Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!) a fun reminder of some holiday traditions, but it's also an exploration of tradition in general and how traditions come to be repeated year after year and generation after generation.

If you love humor and the holidays, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some) just may be the perfect show for you. This show by Michael Carleton, James Fitzgerald, and John K. Alvarez features three actors-one of whom is set on performing A Christmas Carol, while the other two try to derail all efforts to do A Christmas Carol. The result is a fun romp through numerous Christmas tales, carols, and songs from the past and the present with various references to pop culture and holiday traditions.

The 1843 Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol is a familiar tale. Each holiday season A Christmas Carol can be found in one of its over 130 adaptations on the screen or on the stage. As the stress of the holiday season grows, it is not unusual to hear someone utter the words made famous by Ebenezer Scrooge-Bah! Humbug! No matter what version of the classic tale we see, however, the story reminds us that the true spirit of the holiday season is one of compassion, kindness, forgiveness, charity, love, and hope. A Christmas Carol opened for the 19th year at Open Stage of Harrisburg on December 1st.

It's an unique experience to be a reviewer. We're tasked with having an understanding of theatre and performance and to be able to express what we experience at a variety of different shows to an audience of readers who may have seen the show or may be deciding whether or not to see the show. As a reviewer for many community theatres in the area, I see my role as many-faceted. On one hand, I'm a reviewer, and a review, to be a true review, necessarily includes some level of critique. I feel a responsibility to my readers to give them an idea of what they might expect if they see the show. On the other hand, as a supporter of the arts and a frequent director and performer myself, my personal goal is to promote the arts, to promote the theatres in our area, to lift up the many volunteers who do such amazing work. So, I try to frame my writing from these various points of view.

BroadwayWorld is thrilled to introduce you to a new performing group out of York, PA. The Trick 'R Treaters specialize in shows that fall into the genres of fantasy, sci fi, horror, and gothic. Their inaugural performance was Friday, November 16th at the Wyndham Garden, York. I had a chance to talk with Jessica Crowe, who is the founder, one of the directors for the evening, and the owner of Alba Rosa Cat Parlour, which sponsors the Trick 'R Treaters. Continue reading to learn more about this brand-new group promoting the arts in York County and to get a sneak peek into their world.

Gamut Theatre Group's performance of Shakespeare's Pericles, Prince of Tyre is a show you won't want to miss. It will be in production for two more weekends, running through November 25th. Pericles, directed by Thomas Weaver, is a beautiful production that draws you in from the first moment with wonderfully crafted sound, lights, props, costumes, and movement.

The classic novel A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a holiday favorite. Whether in book form, as a film, or on the stage, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit never fails to tug at the heart-strings and remind us about the things that are really important. Scrooge is helped along his journey from heartless miser to a kind and generous man by the ghosts of Christmas present, past, and future. A Christmas Carol opens at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre on November 15th, and we had a chance to hear about the production from Theresa Walker, Timothe Bittle, and Alicia McGinty, the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, respectively.

The Wizard of Oz has been delighting audiences since it first appeared as a 1939 movie starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. The story, first created by L. Frank Baum in 1900, has inspired a number of adaptations, and the most popular stage version frequently finds its way to the stage at high schools and community theatres. Even though many of you have probably seen The Wizard of Oz, you've likely never seen a production of it like the one that will open at The Eichelberger Performing Arts Center on November 16th. Why is this production so unique? Because it is being performed by actors from The Penguin Project of Gettysburg Community Theatre. This program gives youth with special needs an opportunity to perform with other youth, both with and without special needs, giving them a chance to focus on their abilities rather than their challenges. BroadwayWorld had an opportunity to hear from Gettysburg Community Theatre's Executive Director, Chad-Alan Carr, as well as from five of the actors who will be performing-Natalie Hurwitch and Maddie Greco, two of the peer mentors; Ella Scott, the actor playing Dorothy; Leah Watson, who portrays Glinda the Good Witch of the North; and TJ Williams, who plays the Wizard of Oz-about their experiences with this production of The Wizard of Oz.