HANSEL AND GRETEL’S FRIGHT NIGHT at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse

The Music Box Repertory Company will present HANSEL AND GRETEL’S FRIGHT NIGHT, a musical comedy for children, on October 24, 25, 26, at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, PA 18704.

The two wild and crazy German kids find a lot of fun and mischief on Halloween as they come across many scary, yet comical versions of classic “horror” characters: Dracula, Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Headless Horsewoman, King Kong, and, of course, their worst enemy: the witch.

The show is written and directed by Debbie Zehner, with original music by Linda Houck.

Starring as Hansel and Gretel are Michael Gallagher and Debbie Zehner. Others in the cast include Kevin Costley, Dana Feigenblatt, Jennifer Rogers, D.J. Nat, Blaine McKeown and Katharine Moran.

Performance times: October 24: 6:00 PM, October 25: 1:00 and 5:00 PM, October 26: 1:00 PM.

School Day performances are scheduled for October 24 and October 29 at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM

All tickets are $10.00, which includes a McDonald’s Fun Meal. Group rates are available.

For information and reservations, call (570) 283-2195 or 800-698-PLAY.

DEATHTRAP to be Presented by PTPA

Just in time for Halloween, Hazleton’s Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts will present Ira Levin’s witty and intriguing murder mystery Deathtrap for six performances in October at the J. J. Ferrara Center on Broad Street. Director Drew Coffman has announced the cast list for PTPA’s production of the show.

Deathtrap, on Broadway from 1978 through 1982, still holds the record for the longest-running who-done-it in Broadway history. It was nominated for the Tony award as best play and was later made into a movie starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, and Dyan Cannon.

Long-time PTPA lead actor Lee Alucci will play Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers who has had a recent string of flops and finds himself in financial trouble. Bruhl and his wife Myra, played by PTPA newcomer Michelle Medek, open the play considering their options in their cozy Connecticut home.

Alucci, a veteran actor and director with the theater troupe, was last seen as Victor Velasco in PTPA’s production of Barefoot in the Park in March. He has had lead roles in many PTPA shows including George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life and Harold Hill in The Music Man. Alucci also directed PTPA’s 2006 holiday production of A Christmas Story and won a Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance award nomination for directing The Prisoner of Second Avenue in 2007. Medek, a member of PTPA’s Board of Directors and a local secondary social studies teacher, takes on the role of Myra, Sidney’s nervously ill but very devoted wife.

In the play, Sidney recognizes real talent and potential success in a script written by Clifford Anderson, a student in one of the classes Sidney teaches at a local college. Sidney and Myra concoct a plan to offer a collaboration to the student and Anderson quickly agrees.

Addison O’Donnell will play Anderson, the student who soon finds that things are not what they appear when he joins Sidney and Myra at their home. O’Donnell has played leads in several PTPA productions, including WillyWonka in this past summer’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Hysterium in last summer’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Obie Adams in A Monster Ate My Homework. O’Donnell was nominated for NEPTA’s 2007 best supporting actor in a musical award for his performance in Forum.

PTPA lead actress Lauren McGill will play the part of Helga ten Dorp, a Dutch psychic who shows up at the Bruhl home. The character of Helga is supposed to have assisted European police solve murders in the past. McGill, who directed Barefoot in the Park at PTPA last spring, has performed in many PTPA shows and was nominated for a NEPTA award as best lead actress in a drama for her role as Catherine in 2007’s Proof.

Rounding out the cast is Director Drew Coffman who will play Porter Milgrim, Sidney’s lawyer and best friend. Coffman, who has directed many of PTPA’s comedies and dramas over the past several years, won the 2007 NEPTA as best actor in a drama for his performance in Proof and shared the directing award for the same show.

PTPA’s production of Deathtrap runs October 3, 4, 10, and 11 at 7 p.m. and October 5 and 12 at 3 p.m. PTPA’s all-you-can-eat dinner buffet will be available 90 minutes before all four evening performances.

Tickets for Deathtrap are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Dinner and show tickets are $28 for adults and $22 for students. Group rates are available and some tickets will be sold at the door. For more information or reservations, call 454-5451 or visit www.ptpashows.org on line.

Shaw Comedy Opens Electric Theatre’s 17th Season

“A lifetime of happiness! No man alive could bear it; it would be hell on earth.” There is a curiously liberating quality in that phrase penned by George Bernard Shaw, playwright, music critic, political philosopher, and wit. Shaw had a habit of liberating minds with his trenchant observations on life, society, education, government, religion, war, and… well name it, he commented on it. And he commented so brilliantly, with such wit and fun, and with such a solid sense of fairness and affection for humanity, that he remains a favorite 125 years after his first play, and 60 years after his last. His plays are second only to those of Shakespeare in frequency of production on the English speaking stage.

Electric Theatre Company will present one of Shaw’s most beloved plays, Arms and the Man, as its first production of the 2008-09 season. The play previews September 17, 18 and 19, opens September 20 (with a post-show dance party), and plays through October 5 at the Electric Theatre, 326 Spruce Street on the second floor, Downtown Scranton.

Arms and the Man was first published in 1898 in a collection of Shaw’s work entitled “Plays Pleasant”, and it may indeed be the most pleasant of his comedies. But pleasant doesn’t mean that he resists applying his scalpel to dissect a number of scrappy issues. Arms and the Man is a romance that takes place during a ten day proxy war in 1885 between Austria and Russia, one that was actually fought by the Serbs and Bulgarians. A Swiss mercenary from the AustroSerbian army finds refuge in the bedroom of a young upper class Bulgarian lady. This tattered, worn, and frightened man hardly fits the heroic figure the young lady expects of a warrior, but when he complains of hunger the lady responds to his humanity and offers him chocolate creams; hardly grub a real soldier should enjoy, according to her romantic ideals. And to her horror, he devours them all and asks for more. That is the beginning of a play in which the characters explode illusions into dust and throw neat convention into a topsy-turvy mess. High romance is made to seem a mockery as base practicality takes on a romantic glow.

Arms and the Man is the first play that The Northeast Theatre is producing under its new name, Electric Theatre Company, and the first play to be produced involving the Theatre’s new resident artistic company. “We chose Arms and the Man because we love it and it fits the company beautifully,” explains producing artistic director, David Zarko. What the company didn’t know was that Arms and the Man was the play that launched The Northeast Theatre seventeen seasons ago. “That was just a wonderful serendipity,” says Zarko, ” and makes this new direction we’ve taken seem just right.”

The Theatre is taking a number of initiatives this season besides the new name. There’s the resident artistic company of five members who will work continuously for all 45 weeks of the season as actors, designers, teachers, and directors. In response to the tightening economy, ticket prices are going down to levels not seen since the 2004-05 season. The ever popular PlayPass is changing too. Always famous for its flexibility, it is now even more so. Use it like a debit-card to buy as many tickets as you want, whenever you want them, and save up to 40% on the cost. The web site at www.electrictheatre.org has been completely redesigned so that not only can you buy tickets and PlayPasses online, but can quickly find details and information on any of the Theatre’s many performances and programs. The Theatre itself has been redecorated, and new areas have been made public for receptions and parties. And when you attend, you’ll notice many more improvements and changes.

It all begins with previews of Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw on September 17. David Zarko directs, and the cast includes Resident Artistic Company members James Langan, Conor McGuigan, Mary Ethel Schmidt, and Heather Stuart. They are joined by New York actors Tom Patterson, Jim Fitzgerald, and Maura Malloy (who is a native of Scranton), and Griffin Conservatory graduate Pat Brogan. Marybeth Langdon is stage manager. Designers include Scenic Designer Brian Jones (chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, Indiana University of Pennsylvania), Lighting Designer James Langan of Scranton, Properties Mistress Liz Feller of Clarks Summit, Sound Designer Conor McGuigan of Scranton, and Costumer Rachael Miller of Carbondale.

Visit ETC’s all new website at www.electrictheatre.org for show times, to purchase tickets and PlayPasses, to shop Amazon.com, to sign up for the monthly e-Newsletter, and for information on all of the Theatre’s activities. Call 570-558-1515 to buy tickets or PlayPasses, or if you already have a PlayPass, to make reservations. The Electric Theatre is located at 326 Spruce Street, Second Floor in the Old Hotel Jermyn in Downtown Scranton.

NEPTA to Stage an Evening of One-Acts

Area theatergoers can see a sampling of the best in community theater on Saturday, Sept. 6, as members of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Theatrical Alliance (NEPTA) present “One-Night of One-Act Wonders,” a program of short plays at the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre, 409-411 Main St., Duryea. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m.

NEPTA consists of nine community theater companies whose mission is to promote and support theater in northeast Pennsylvania. All nine companies will perform on Sept. 6. The theatrical event is a fundraiser for NEPTA’s scholarships, awarded annually to two area high school seniors planning to major in some facet of the performing arts.

Here’s a rundown of one-acts planned for the evening:

The Bracken Theater Company will perform the comedy Medea, by Christopher Durang and Wendy Wasserstein. Take classic Greek tragedy as told by the “Weekly World News” and you have this hilarious take on an ancient myth. The cast includes Alicia Nordstrom, Donna Vojtek, Ilvin Nieves, Kati Sudnick, Jennifer Momenzadeh, Bill Amos, Tim McDermott, Kimmie Wrazien, Kerry Kearns, Eric Van Duzer, and Will Moore, among others. Direction is by Karen Padden. Bracken performs in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

Pennsylvania Theater of the Performing Arts’ one-act is the comedy Triangle, written by the pseudonymous Jane Martin. It concerns Joyce, an English literature major, and her attempt to nip her partner’s emotional affair in the bud by inviting the “other woman” to their apartment. The action takes a bizarre turn when the other woman turns out to the goddess Aphrodite. The play is directed by Lynn Zanolini and stars Elise Popalis, Dathan Inman, and Jillian Ritz. The company is from Hazelton.

The Lakeside Players of the Lake Wallenpaupack area will present the classic comedy If Men Played Cards As Women Do by George S. Kaufman. Starring Tony Schwartz, Jerry Marino, Marty Courtney, and Frank DeSando, the play spotlights four men playing poker, but instead of discussing sports and other manly topics, they talk about clothes, home furnishings, and the latest gossip – just as women do. In the author’s words, “… (the sketch) is played in forthright and manly fashion.”

Dreamchaser, a short thriller by David Schmidt, will be presented by the Endless Mountains Theater Company of Susquehanna County. An actress who has fallen on hard times plans to commit suicide in a haunted theater house. Only the intervention of a theater ghost prevents her from going through with it, but the ghost cannot stop her from committing murder. The players are Dianna Wayman, David Schmidt, and Bob DeLuca.

The Diva Theater Company is offering the comedy sketch Hank and Karen Sue, by Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney, from the play Parallel Lives. Directed by Paige Balitski, the play stars Tiffany Saar and Eric Lutz. It takes place in a Texas bar where Hank and Karen Sue meet every night to discuss their comedic yet very lonely lives and have the same conversation — until the next night. Diva performs in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

Easy to Love by Rob Howell is being produced by the Worthington Players of Shawnee-on-Delaware, Monroe County. How quick is too quick to love? This comedy is a lighthearted look at how fast someone can fall head over heels. The play is directed by Midge McClosky and stars Amy Cramer, Dan Eash, and Maria Sole.

The Pennsylvania Rep Company’s one act is To Tongue or Not to Tongue, a comedy by Rob and Jill Howell. A community theater company is rehearsing Macbeth when the director instructs the lead actor and actress on how to do their kissing scene. The play is directed by Jill Howell. Penn Rep performs in Monroe County.

Rock Bottom Theater Company of Wyoming and Susquehanna Counties will present The Worker, a dark comedy by Walter Wykes, directed by Tim Hutchins. When a manager discovers that all other employees have had early termination, he is forced to take over the entire company – or be terminated himself. The play stars Dean Hutchins, Suzanne St. Pierre, and Robbie Mitchell.

The Phoenix Performing Arts Centre will present a monologue written and directed by Angelina Glodzik, staring Bob Balitski. They will also present two dance numbers: “Buenos Aires” from Evita, performed by 10 dancers and choreographed by Lee LaChette, and “Mr. Bojangles from Fosse, performed by Alyssa Blamire and Lee LaChette.

The fundraising event will also include a basket raffle with 10 basket being offered. All tickets to the Sept. 6 performance are $12. Some plays contain adult language and themes, so the show is not appropriate for young children.

For advance reservations, call the Phoenix at 570-457-3589. Tickets will also be available at the door, but seating is limited, so advance reservations are suggested. For more information on the Phoenix, log onto www.phoenixpac.vpweb.com/default.html.

THE PURGATORY DIARIES OF JASON MILLER Live on Stage at Shawnee Playhouse

Shawnee Playhouse presents THE PURGATORY DIARIES OF JASON MILLER, live on stage for one night only, Friday September 5, 2008 at 8:00 pm.

THE PURGATORY DIARIES OF JASON MILLER is an intense one-man show that examines the soul in afterlife of the late Pulitzer Prize winning playwright (That Championship Season) and film and television actor (The Exorcist, F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood) Jason Miller.

Stuck in purgatory until he can answer for the mess that his life became before he died of a massive heart attack in 2001, Miller walks us through the shattered detritus of his career and alcoholic existence, a deeply troubled man who turned his back on Hollywood and returned home to Scranton, PA, to become the town drunk.

The play PURGATORY DIARIES OF JASON MILLER stars Robert Hughes, was written by Tom Flannery and Rodger Jacobs, and is produced by Suzanne Ford.

Tickets are $15.
For tickets and more information please contact the Shawnee Playhouse Box Office at 570-421-5093 or visit www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com.

CLOSER to Make its Northeastern Pennsylvania Debut

The Bracken Theatre Company is pleased to present the debut of Patrick Marber’s award-winning play, Closer in northeastern Pennsylvania. Dan (an obituary writer) meets Alice (a stripper) after an accident in the street, and the two become a couple. After an internet prank, Anna (a photographer) and Larry (a dermatologist) meet at an aquarium and fall in love. Through a series of events, these four people cross relationships and pursue each other, and struggle to find intimacy while failing to get closer.

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Misfit Players to Present SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD to Benefit 109th Field Artillery Family Support Group

The Misfit Players, in association with the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, will present Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World,” with all proceeds being donated to the 109th Field Artillery Family Support Group. “Songs for a New World,” is a musical in which each song tells a story about the struggles and changes dealt with in life, and how dealing with these struggles makes us stronger.

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Broadway Comes to the Sherman Theater with SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD

The sounds of Broadway come to the historic Sherman Theater on August 2, with a presentation of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs For A New World performed by Black Sheep Productions.

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“A Celebration of American Song” Concert

The Pocono Choral Society will commemorate this year’s Independence Day weekend with a celebration of America in song. You’ll hear many songs including Irving Berlin’s God Bless America, Thomas Dorsey’s Precious Lord, Take My Hand, favorites from the 40’s and a selection of gospel.

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Musical Theater Academy for Young Adults to Present AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER

The Musical Theater Academy for Young Adults will present AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER, an evening of theater, music, and dance, showcasing the talents 0f 20 students ages 13 to 18.

Performances will be held June 20, 21, at 7:00 PM, and June 22 at 2:00 PM. Ticket prices: $10.00 and $12.00.

Call (570) 283-2195 or 800-698-PLAY for information and reservations. At the Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St, Swoyersville, PA.

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