Central Pennsylvania Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 7

Review: MEAN GIRLS At Hershey Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - October 11, 2023

Mean Girls shares its Broadway DNA with two other movies-turned musicals that also explores these issues,Heathers and Legally Blonde.  As Yogi Berra would say, 'it's deja vu all over again'....

Review: THE EXORCIST At Open Stage
by Andrea Stephenson - October 09, 2023

If you are looking for spine-tingling, bone-chilling, hair-raising special effects, this production of The Exorcist does not disappoint. Audiences who love classic horror should not miss out on this production of The Exorcist at Open Stage....

Review: I DON'T SPEAK SPANISH at Gamut Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - October 08, 2023

I Don’t Speak Spanish, an original play by local playwright, actor, and director David Ramón Zayas, is a beautiful, thoughtful exploration of the many layers that make up our lives. The actors weave together a story that the audience won’t soon forget. I Don’t Speak Spanish is an impactful, importan...

Review: MATILDA THE MUSICAL at DreamWrights Center For Community Arts
by Andrea Stephenson - October 07, 2023

Every single actor in this cast has wonderful stage presence, drawing the audience in with their intense and emotional performances....

Review: ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater
by Rich Mehrenberg - September 23, 2023

Escape to Margaritaville celebrates one last gasp of summer vibes.  It will be especially appreciated by Jimmy Buffet fans and Hawaiian shirt owners.  While you are at it, order a glass (or two) of the jalapeno-infused “Margarita Our Parents Warned Us About” to add some extra heat to your special ev...

Review: DARK NIGHTS 2 at Hersheypark
by Jessica Crowe - September 21, 2023

2023 has just flown by, and we find ourselves immersed in spooky season once again. I was both honored and thrilled to be asked to revisit Hersheypark's Dark Nights and share my thoughts on the second round of this now annual event....

Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN at Fulton
by Rich Mehrenberg - September 18, 2023

While the plot and jokes of Something Rotten will be appreciated by most audience members, if will be especially welcomed by musical theater nerds who will recognize the beginnings riffs of Pippin’s Magic to Do and brief homages to a certain Technicolor Dreamcoat.  The more you know, the more you wi...

Review: SPACE ODDITY: A CELEBRATION OF DAVID BOWIE at Open Stage
by Andrea Stephenson - September 10, 2023

Song after song, these performers pull out all the stops. Space Oddity: A Celebration of David Bowie at Open Stage is a powerful, high-energy show that will have audiences ready to dance in the aisles....

Review: LEADING LADIES at Hanover Little Theater
by Sandra Harberger - September 10, 2023

Douglas D. Cooper (Leo) and Aaron Trusky (Jack) took on the difficult roles of being Shakespearean actors portraying women to con a dying woman and still have the audience cheer for them. Their strong acting skills and comedic timing make this show hilarious. This ensemble cast works well together t...

Review: THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL YOUTH EDITION at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - September 10, 2023

Overall, this production was just plain fun. The cast brings so much joy to the stage that the audience cannot help but smile. This show is appropriate for audiences of all ages! Invite your family and friends for a fun and heart-warming shows and support your local community theatre!...

Review: CLYBOURNE PARK at EPAC
by Rich Mehrenberg - September 10, 2023

EPAC continues to do an amazing job of bringing stories of diversity to her Central Pennsylvania stage. The only thing better would be to see a similar level of diversity among her audience. ...

Review: A ROCK SAILS BY at Theatre Harrisburg
by Andrea Stephenson - September 09, 2023

This production of A Rock Sails By one hundred percent deserves the standing ovation it received on opening night. The script is smart, witty, and relatable. The stellar cast and talented production team at Theatre Harrisburg create a beautiful, engaging, and thought-provoking experience for the aud...

Review: SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD at Little Theatre Of Mechanicsburg
by Andrea Stephenson - September 03, 2023

Audiences can enjoy this madcap romp through Hollywood at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg under the direction of Patrice Whitson through September 17th. If you are looking for an evening of fun and laughter, join the cast and crew of Shakespeare in Hollywood at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg....

Review: THE ALCHEMIST at OrangeMite Studios
by Sandra Harberger - August 27, 2023

The ensemble cast of The Alchemist works well together to present this face-paced comedy for York, PA. Located in the Dance Hall of Brookside Park, the OrangeMite found the perfect setting for this old English play...

Review: YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU at TAFE-Theatre Arts For Everyone
by Andrea Stephenson - August 19, 2023

Overall, the cast delivers a charming, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable performance....

Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - August 12, 2023

Guys and Dolls is among the most famous and popular shows in all of musical theater.  Dutch Apple stays true to the source material and gives their audience what they expect. ...

Review: YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN at The Belmont Theatre
by Jason Davis - August 08, 2023

What did our critic think of YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN at The Belmont Theatre? A musical produced in a black box theater with only six cast members is an ambitious challenge for a community theater. With the up-close environment, every performer must be both a talented actor and accomplished v...

Review: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - August 06, 2023

This playis filled with witty dialogue, word play, and intrigue. The cast works well together, makes good use of the space, and brings their characters to life with their facial expressions and movements. For an evening of fun and laughter, check out Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at Gettysbur...

Review: THE PROM at EPAC
by Rich Mehrenberg - July 29, 2023

What did our I was lucky enough to see The Prom when it was on Broadway a few years ago.  It was fresh, funny, and inspiring.  EPAC’s production highlights all of those feelings without being redundant or derivative. critic think of THE PROM at EPAC?...

Review: CHILDREN OF EDEN at Susquehanna Stage
by Jason Davis - July 24, 2023

What did our critic think of CHILDREN OF EDEN at Susquehanna Stage? Audience members come to expect a professional level production at Susquehanna Stage. With creative staging and lighting, outstanding costuming, and remarkable talent, Children of Eden is no exception. ...

Review: NEWSIES at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - July 15, 2023

Dutch Apple Dinner Theater has scooped the competition, with their latest production, Disney’s Newsies.  Filled with excellent singing and dancing, Newsies is a sweet, summer treat on the Lancaster stage....

Review: HARRISBURG FRINGE FESTIVAL at Various Harrisburg Venues
by Andrea Stephenson - July 09, 2023

The final day of the Harrisburg Fringe Festival was just as exciting as the previous days. In spite of the rain, there were full houses for many of the performances, and audiences and artists alike were enthusiastic and ready for another day to “do something weird.”...

Review: HARRISBURG FRINGE FESTIVAL DAY 3 at Various Harrisburg Venues
by Andrea Stephenson - July 09, 2023

The third day of the Harrisburg Fringe Festival offered a smorgasbord of art. I wish I had time to see everything that this year’s Fringe Festival has to offer. Remember to visit www.hbgfringe.com for the full schedule and get your button and tickets to see today’s shows before it’s too late!...

Review: FRIDAY NIGHT HARRISBURG FRINGE FESTIVAL at Various Harrisburg Venues
by Andrea Stephenson - July 08, 2023

Harrisburg Fringe Festival truly has something for everyone. Friday night I took in 4 completely different and equally compelling shows!...

Review: DEATHTRAP At Oyster Mill Playhouse
by Andrea Stephenson - July 06, 2023

In the hands of the right director, production team, and cast, this show is the perfect mixture of comedy, horror, and mind-bending plot reversals. Under the direction of Mike Rogusky the cast and crew at Oyster Mill Playhouse certainly delivers with their production of Deathtrap....