Central Pennsylvania Theater Reviews

Review: WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at Open Stage
by Andrea Stephenson - May 12, 2024

What the Constitution Means to Me is an important play that brings difficult themes, questions, statistics, and realities into the spotlight. It takes an empathetic, compassionate, thoughtful cast and crew to bring a show like this to life, and the team at Open Stage is just the right team to bring ...

Review: THE LAST 5 YEARS at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - May 12, 2024

Fulton has done some remarkable small-scale musicals on their fourth floor stage. Shows like Next to Normal and Five Guys Named Moe easily prove that not every show needs to have a big cast or a bigger budget to be entertaining and engaging.  Unfortunately, The Last 5 Years isn’t in that same catego...

Review: ABANDON ALL HOPE at West Art
by Rich Mehrenberg - May 12, 2024

Abandon All Hope is a timely show full of hope.  I think it resonates especially well with younger audience members who may struggle with identity and acceptance. ...

Review: HAY FEVER at Oyster Mill Playhouse
by Andrea Stephenson - May 11, 2024

While each individual actor is spectacular in his or her role, what really makes this show engaging are the interactions between the characters. For an evening of witty entertainment delivered by an outstanding cast and crew, get your tickets for Hay Fever at Oyster Mill Playhouse. ...

Review: SWEAT at DreamWrights
by Sandra Harberger - May 04, 2024

Dreamwrights presents “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage under the direction of Cal Weary from May 3rd to May 11th. The York community will enjoy this deeply moving 2017 Pulitzer Prize winning play with it’s familiar Reading, PA setting. The talented cast addressed the difficult themes of the show including ra...

Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Keystone Theatrics At The Playhouse At Allenberry
by Andrea Stephenson - April 28, 2024

The show is filled to the brim with witty puns, double entendre, and references to Shakespeare’s works and well-known musicals. Something Rotten! is the perfect solution for those in need of a good laugh!...

Review: SOUTH PACIFIC at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - April 28, 2024

I don’t think that South Pacific or even the shows of Rogers and Hammerstein are especially dated or irrelevant.  A few years back, Fulton put on The Sound of Music to great appreciation and acclaim.  I wish they were able to capture some of that magic this time around....

Review: SEUSSICAL at Theatre Harrisburg
by Andrea Stephenson - April 27, 2024

Theatre Harrisburg’s production of Seussical is fun, engaging, and inspiring. Audiences of all ages will fall in love with Horton, Cat in the Hat, Gertrude, Jojo, and the rest of the characters. Don’t miss out on this exceptional show!...

Review: RUPERT'S REMARKABLE REQUEST at TAFE: Theatre Arts For Everyone
by Sandra Harberger - April 27, 2024

Rupert’s Remarkable Request” is an awarding winning original play written by York local playwright Diane Crews. It is onstage at TAFE: Theatre Arts for Everyone from April 26th to 28th under the directions of Diane Crews. Rupert is a well-known character at TAFE, and he appears in “Rupert Meets Mrs....

Review: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at EPAC
by Rich Mehrenberg - April 22, 2024

Their robust and exposition-heavy first act scenes reminds me of that classic physics question, “what happens when an unstoppable force meets an unmovable object?”. ...

Review: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at The Belmont Theatre
by Jason Davis - April 21, 2024

What did our critic think of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at The Belmont Theatre?...

Review: FOREVER PLAID at Little Theatre Of Mechanicsburg
by Andrea Stephenson - April 21, 2024

The actors have wonderful interactions with one another and with the audience, and their comedy chops are highlighted well. The actors have good voices and there are moments of nice harmonies and solo work. Unfortunately, the show is disappointing due to some major pitch problems that even impacted ...

Review: EMMA! A POP MUSICAL at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - April 20, 2024

These young actors perform with an enthusiasm and dedication that will have audiences laughing, clapping, and singing along. Any time young actors take the stage with passion and joy, the audience cannot help but feel it, too...

Review: THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE at The Price Is Right Live Tour
by Rich Mehrenberg - April 17, 2024

This is the real deal!  Audience members were called on stage.  Real cash and prizes were awarded.  Same music, same sound effects, same games.  Hosted by “the host with the most’ Todd Newton, everyone involved had a great time.  Newton has that smooth, buttery emcee demeanor while simultaneously ex...

Review: RAGTIME at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - April 13, 2024

Dutch Apples steps outside of their comfort zone with mostly favorable results.  Ragtime is a challenging and thought-provoking piece, and any criticism is directed towards the script, not its talented cast and crew....

Review: CINDERELLA at Gamut Theatre's Young Acting Company
by Andrea Stephenson - April 13, 2024

The play is immensely creative, combining comedic dialogue with emotional moments and the beautiful message that being kind and not judging others is more important than wealth, looks, and being proper. To see these young performers bringing a classic fairy tale to life with such joy and passion is ...

Review: A TRIP TO THE MOON at DreamWrights
by Sandra Harberger - April 06, 2024

DreamWrights is performing “A Trip to the Moon” by Tracy Wells under the direction of Crystal Ganong from April 5th to April 14th. This vignette-style play will take you back to the summer of 1969 in America when everyone was talking about landing on the moon, Woodstock, and Vietnam. Each short scen...

Review: MAMMA MIA! at Hershey Theatre
by Jason Davis - April 03, 2024

What did our critic think of MAMMA MIA! at Hershey Theatre?...

Review: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - March 31, 2024

The audience laughs, cries, and if they are lucky, has something to reflect upon on the way home....

Review: THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at Open Stage
by Rich Mehrenberg - March 19, 2024

Open Stage presents its 24th annual production of The Diary of Anne Frank beginning March 19.  ...

Review: ROCK OF AGES at EPAC
by Rich Mehrenberg - March 17, 2024

This show is a ball for people who rocked a mullet in their senior picture, as well as those who think Def Leppard is a large spotted cat with a hearing problem....

Review: RUMORS at Carlisle Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - March 13, 2024

The Players on High at Carlisle Theatre, under the leadership of director Ben Greenberg with artistic director/acting coach Ashley Byerts and comedy coach Catie MO, presents Neil Simon's Rumors, March 15-24....

Review: THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at Oyster Mill Playhouse
by Andrea Stephenson - March 10, 2024

This cast of courageous women is dynamite. Every single actor pours her whole heart into the performance, bringing energy and passion to the stage. The team at Oyster Mill Playhouse approaches the material with sensitivity, bringing validation to the experiences of women and giving voice to those ex...

Review: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE at Gamut Theatre
by Sandra Harberger - March 09, 2024

The original “Pride and Prejudice” was written in 1813 and has sold over 20 million copies and inspired many adaptations in written form, television, or film. Kate Hamill offers a unique twist on the antics of the 5 daughters in the Bennent family. You will be laughing out loud at the physical comed...

Review: THE GLASS MENAGERIE at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - March 09, 2024

Gettysburg Community Theatre’s The Glass Menagerie is poignant, heartfelt, and gorgeous. The cast works together wonderfully, giving a nuanced and touching performance....