Andrea Stephenson - Page 14

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.

Pericles, Prince of Tyre is widely regarded as being the product of a collaboration between Shakespeare and George Wilkins. Scholars theorize that the first two acts, recounting the various travels of Pericles, may have been written by Wilkins, while the final acts were pure Shakespeare. It is estimated that the play was written around 1607. One of the most interesting aspects of Pericles is that it doesn't fit a typical Shakespearean genre. What seems like a tragedy ends with a beautiful and romantic reunion. Not only that, but it is filled with surprising and delightful elements of comedy. This was easily one of my favorite Shakespeare plays to watch, and it can be seen at Gamut Theatre from November 3rd-25th.

From Mickey's Christmas Carol with Scrooge McDuck to the Muppet Christmas Carol, the 1843 Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol has been adapted over 130 times. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser who seems to have a heart of stone, has captured the imaginations of generations of book readers, movie-goers, and theatre-lovers. This beloved classic criticizes a society that condemns and ignores the poor. As Scrooge is confronted with images of his life and the life of his employee Bob Cratchit through the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, he comes to see the error of his ways. In the end, Scrooge becomes a kinder, more generous, and more compassionate man.

From Mickey's Christmas Carol with Scrooge McDuck to the Muppet Christmas Carol, the 1843 Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol has been adapted over 130 times. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser who seems to have a heart of stone, has captured the imaginations of generations of book readers, movie-goers, and theatre-lovers. This beloved classic criticizes a society that condemns and ignores the poor. As Scrooge is confronted with images of his life and the life of his employee Bob Cratchit through the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, he comes to see the error of his ways. In the end, Scrooge becomes a kinder, more generous, and more compassionate man.

While the 1992 movie Newsies received mixed reviews and did not perform well in movie theaters, it developed quite a following as a home movie. The inspirational movie, based loosely on the historical newsboys' strike of 1899, starred Christian Bale as Jack Kelly and David Moscow as David Jacobs. In 2011 Disney Theatrical Productions adapted Newsies for the stage, and it opened on Broadway in 2012, earning eight Tony Award nominations. Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein, has found its way onto stages in many schools and community theatres, building up a new generation of Newsies fans. With its rousing musical numbers and high-energy dancing, Newsies is sure to bring audiences to their feet. Under the direction of Adam Gustafson and Kyle Weary, Theatre Harrisburg's Newsies opened at the Whitaker Center on November 2nd, when I had the opportunity to view this delightful show.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals, a comedy of manners, did not receive a warm welcome in it's first performance at Covent Garden Theatre in 1775. After a rewrite, however, it captured the audience's hearts and funny bones, and has been delighting audiences ever since. A new musical version of The Rivals, with book and lyrics by Richard Kellogg and music by Stephen Weiner, will hit the stage at the Bristol Riverside Theatre October 30th under the direction of Eric Tucker. The Rivals is the story of a wealthy young woman, Lydia Languish, who will lose a portion of her wealth if she does not marry someone of whom her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, approves. Between mistaken identities, scheming servants, and unintentionally misused words, The Rivals is sure to have audiences laughing. The all-star cast includes Harriet Harris, who has portrayed Bebe Glazer in Frazier, Mrs. Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Felicia Tilman in Desperate Housewives, among many other roles. BroadwayWorld recently had the opportunity to speak with Harris about her experience with The Rivals.

The musical Cabaret is a show that has truly stood the test of time. Based on the short novel Goodbye to Berlin and the play I Am A Camera, Cabaret has captured the attention of audiences through its show-stopping musical numbers, complex characters, complicated relationships, and intense emotions. Cabaret will be returning to Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC) on October 5th, and Broadway World had a chance to talk with Lindsay Bretz, who will be portraying Sally Bowles, and Michael Zorger, who will be taking the stage as the Emcee.

Based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles, Ken Ludwig's 2015 adaptation, Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: a Sherlock Holmes Mystery, follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they attempt to save Sir Henry Baskerville from a rumored family curse. This is one of the most self-aware shows this writer has seen from Ludwig, and the fast-paced humor-both verbal and physical-makes it intelligent and entertaining.

Sister Act lights up the stage at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre starting on September 20th. Broadway World had an opportunity to get the inside scoop from actress Megan Opalinski, who can be seen portraying the rapping sister, Sister Mary Lazarus.

I Hate Hamlet, by Paul Rudnick, first hit the stage in 1991. Set in actor John Barrymore's apartment, the play introduces the audience to Andrew Rally, a television actor considering an attempt at playing Hamlet. The characters, which include a television star, a Hollywood director, an agent, a realtor, John Barrymore himself, and a theatre-obsessed virgin girlfriend, are delightful, and the show is packed with humor. The Broadway run of the show was cut short when one of the actors was intentionally injured on stage. I Hate Hamlet opened at Oyster Mill Playhouse on Friday, August 17th.

Becky's New Car, written by Steven Dietz as part of ACT Theatre's New Works for the American Stage program in 2008, follows the story of Becky Foster, a wife and mother who works at a car dealership. Simultaneously funny and poignant, the play explores the question of what makes life most fulfilling-contentment or adventure. Becky's New Car opened in the studio theatre at DreamWrights Center For Community Arts on August 2.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask, takes audiences on a journey. It's a journey of love, loss, betrayal, and acceptance. There is no such thing as the fourth wall in this show-this rock musical's audience is also the audience for the band Hedwig and the Angry Inch. As Hedwig performs she shares her story through word and song. After having the opportunity to hear from Chad-Alan Carr and Lindsay Bretz-Morgan about their experience performing Hedwig and the Angry Inch at HMAC, I had the chance to actually experience it for myself. And what an experience it is.

If you're looking for something to do this Memorial Day weekend, check out Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This rock musical tells a story written by John Cameron Mitchell through the lyrics and music of Stephen Trask. Originally performed off-Broadway, the story touches on a wide range of themes and emotions to engage and challenge the audience. Hedwig and the Angry Inch comes to Harrisburg this Memorial Day weekend. Put together a live band, amazing acting, and breath-taking vocals, and this will be a show you do not want to miss. This production, at HMAC Stage on Herr stars Chad-Alan Carr as Hedwig and Lindsay Bretz-Morgan as Yitzhak.

Beauty and the Beast, Jr. opened at Gettysburg Community Theatre on April 27th with a wonderfully talented cast of children and teens. With just one weekend left to see this family-friendly show, Broadway World had an opportunity to gain some perspective on this production from director Bruce Moore.