Kelli Curtin - Page 4

"Jellicle cats come out tonight . . . Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball." This is the premise for the current show at Alpha/Omega Players version of CATS. The show is based on T.S. Eliot's collection of poems entitled, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, and Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the musical. The show tells the story of a group of cats called "jellicles," and they come out once a year to the Jellicle Ball. At the ball, the jellicle cats decide which cat will ascend to the "Heavenside Layer" and come back in a new life. The cast of the Alpha/Omega Players production of CATS radiates with enthusiasm and energy, which makes this show enjoyable and entertaining.

The newest musical to grace the stage at Bucks County Playhouse is SUMMER OF '42. This musical is based on the novel and 1971 film of the same name. Herman Raucher wrote the novel and screenplay. Hunter Foster (URINETOWN, HANDS ON A HARBODY) wrote the book for this musical and David Kirshenbaum wrote the music and lyrics. Foster also directs this production. SUMMER OF '42 is a coming of age story that reminds audiences about the innocence of youth. SUMMER OF '42 is a heartfelt story, and Bucks County Playhouse's production of this show is full of heart, humor, and heartbreak.

An evil witch, a good witch, a girl from Kansas, a talking scarecrow, a singing tin man, and a cowardly lion - these are all characters we are familiar with from THE WIZARD OF OZ. The characters all have a special place in our memories whether it is from watching the film on television and being mesmerized by the transition of the movie from black and white to color or reading the wonderful books by L. Frank Baum. THE WIZARD OF OZ is a timeless story, and children and adults alike enjoy the story of good versus evil. The Gretna Theatre does not disappoint in bringing this classic to life on stage and people of all ages will enjoy the adventure of Dorothy and her friends in the land of Oz in the WIZARD OF OZ.

The newest musical to illuminate the stage at Bucks County Playhouse is SUMMER OF '42. This musical is based on the novel and 1971 film of the same name. Herman Raucher wrote the novel and screenplay. Hunter Foster (URINETOWN, HANDS ON A HARDBODY) wrote the book for this musical and David Kirshenbaum wrote the music and lyrics. Foster also directs this production. According to Bucks County Playhouse, "SUMMER OF '42 is a coming of age story about three teenage boys living on a tiny island off the coast of Maine during the time when America was in the middle of a full-scale war and men were lining up to join the army. It becomes a summer they will never forget."

KISS ME, KATE, the Broadway classic opened last week at the Gretna Playhouse. This production dazzles audiences with its strong dancing and singing. It will have audience members tapping their feet with its memorable score as well as being entertained by the stories of the characters in the show.

Performances for REALLY ROSIE begin at the Bucks County Playhouse on July 5, 2013. The show is based on several books written by the beloved children's author, Maurice Sendak. This musical's book and lyrics are by Sendak and the music is by Carole King. REALLY ROSIE is based on various books by Sendak, such as, Chicken Soup with Rice, Pierre, One was Johnny, Alligators All Around, and The Sign on Rosie's Door. REALLY ROSIE is a perfect show for the entire family to enjoy.

The latest show to grace the stage at Bucks County Playhouse is THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND. This show is a celebration of the songs of John Kander and Frank Ebb. Kander and Ebb are a highly successful songwriting team. They are best known for their massive hit musicals, CABARET and CHICAGO, as well as the song "New York, New York." This tribute show showcases the songs of Kander and Ebb, and results in an pleasurable evening of entertainment.

Bucks County Playhouse presents THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND through July 21, 2013. The talented cast of the newest show at Bucks County Playhouse includes Emily Skinner, Tom Hewitt, Michelle Aravena, Janine DiVita, and David Josefsberg. Don Stephenson directs this current production. THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND celebrates the song writing of John Kander and Frank Ebb in this revue style show.

This year, 2013, marks the first time that the Student Theatre Festival has been at the Bucks County Playhouse in two years. The Playhouse reopened last summer, the summer of 2012. The festival was held for three consecutive weeks in May, and involved 800 students from twenty-five schools. Students from Pennsylvania and New Jersey preformed a thirty-minute segment from either a play or musical. The students then received critiques on their performance from a panel of adjudicators. The adjudicators was comprised of a select group of people with experience in theatre, some were from the local community and others were well-known screenwriters, actors or musicians. The Newtown Arts Company and the Bucks County Playhouse presented this year's Student Theatre Festival.

The Bucks County Playhouse will present the world premiere of new Terrence McNally play, MOTHERS AND SONS. This play, according to Bucks County Playhouse, '[tells] the story of a mother of a young man who died from AIDS and his partner at the time of her son's death. In the many years since they last met, both their lives have changed - more than either of them could have possibly imagined. MOTHERS AND SONS asks us to consider how far we have come as a society in need of healing and how far we still have to go.' MOTHERS AND SONS runs at the Bucks County Playhouse from June 13 -June 23, 2013.

The word 'brilliant' is the word that came to mind as I left the Arden Theatre after seeing their production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for this musical and Hugh Wheeler wrote the book. The Ingmar Bergman film, SMILE OF A SUMMER NIGHT, inspired this musical. Terrance J. Nolan directs this current production, and the Arden's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is astounding.

The newest original production to hit the stage at American Music Theatre is BROADWAY: NOW & FOREVER. This show celebrates Broadway through songs from current Broadway shows and past Broadway hits. The Artistic Director of American Music Theatre, Andrea McCormick successfully wrote, directed and choreographed this show. Those who love the magic of Broadway should not miss this production.

Bucks County Playhouse kicks off its 2013 season with an inspired and exceptionally executed production of MAME. This production of MAME was originally produced at the Media Theatre in Media, Pennsylvania. Jesse Cline directs the show, and MAME stars Andrea McArdle as Mame and Lea DeLaria as Vera Charles. Bucks County Playhouse's MAME will delight audiences with its exceptional choreography, powerful singing, and its heartwarming plot. If you have not gotten tickets to MAME at Bucks County Playhouse, I advise you to do so now before it is too late.

MAME, starring Andrea McArdle as Mame and Lea DeLaria as Vera Charles, will begin May 23, 2013 at Bucks County Playhouse. We had a chance to sit down with JD Triolo who plays young Patrick in the show.

LEND ME A TENOR is the latest play at Act II Playhouse, and this show hits all the right notes. Ken Ludwig's LEND ME A TENOR received nine Tony nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1989, and three Tony nominations for its revival in 2010. The play is a classic farce with doors slamming, storylines getting inter-tangled, and gags. The night is an evening full of laughter and entertainment and Act II Playhouse's production of this show does not disappoint.

The Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania will begin their season with MAME starting May 23, 2013. The show will star Andrea McArdle in the role of Mame and Lea DeLaria as Vera Charles. DeLaria is a multi-talented performer, she is known as a comedian, jazz musician, actress and author. On stage, DeLaria is best known for her role as Hildy Esterhazy in ON THE TOWN in which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award, and won a Theatre World Award.

Act II Playhouse in Ambler, Pennsylvania is producing LEND ME A TENOR, which begins on May 7 and runs through June 8, 2013. Jeffrey Coon is part of this talented cast and he will also be performing in his own cabaret, " Some Songs and Silly Stories: An Alliterative Adventure" on May 21, 2013.

Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY is considered one of the more challenging musicals for the cast, crew and orchestra, but if it is done well it provides for an enjoyable evening of theatrical entertainment. Pennsylvania Playhouse produces a successful show with their production of COMPANY.

ASSASSIN is a play that speaks to a culture in which people revere professional football players. It also addresses the brutality the game inspires in its players and fans. ASSASSIN is a fictional play, which is inspired by true events that occurred in 1978.

Bucks County Playhouse announced earlier this year that they would be presenting THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES with a star-studded cast. The cast includes Andrea McArdle, Adriane Lenox, Olivia Oguma and Zuzanna Szadkowski. In addition, Karen Lynn Carpenter directs the show. These multi-talented artists bring a variety of talent to the show.