Christy Brooks

William Penn Performing Arts Institute (WPPAI), an outreach educational program of the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, presented SHE KILLS MONSTERS by Qui Nguien on November 17th and 18th, at William Penn Senior High School. SHE KILLS MONSTERS is a comedic insight into the world of the fantastical and popular role-playing game, 'Dungeons and Dragons.' Students of the WPPAI, took the liberty of recreating this story for their Fall play and it was a complete success.

A RE-IMAGINED PRODUCTION OF THE CLASSIC TALE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, OPENS DECEMBER 1ST AT OPEN STAGE OF HARRISBURG.

The focus on family for Hanover Little Theatre's 69th season continues with the family-friendly musical revue Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother.

FUN HOME is a musical, based on the 2006 graphic memoir by the American cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who is the author of the comic strip DYKES TO WATCH OUT FOR. Bechdel's play tells the story of her life as she navigates through her years of childhood to adulthood, while living in the same house in a town in Pennsylvania.

Mum's the word... SLEUTH is playing at The Fulton Theatre's Groff Theatre! The show is running now through Sunday, October 29th. This production is directed by Andrew Kindig and stars Warren Kelley (Andrew Wyke); Michael Ziabinger (Milo Tindle); Albert Reid (Inspector Doppler); Jack Edward (Police Constable Higgs); and Jerry Marr (Detective Sergeant Tarrant).

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER has landed at The Playhouse at Allenberry in Boiling Springs, with all the 'starstuff' required for an imaginative feast, and performed fantastically by the talented actors of Keystone Theatrics.

For two weeks only, now through September 16th, PRiMA Theatre will present EVITA at The Cultural Center Theater at Willow Valley Communities, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The four-time, Tony ® award-winning musical, PIPPIN, is currently making a national tour stop at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, in Lancaster, PA.

For the second year, the SUMMER ART MARKET, in coordination with THE PARLIAMENT ARTS ORGANIZATION located in Downtown York, Pennsylvania, has produced an opportunity for visual, fine and performing artists, to exhibit their talents for the area and surrounding communities. Kate Harmon, Director of Events and Marketing for The Parliament, states 'The Parliament Arts Organization is a nonprofit with a simple mission - Empowering artists. Transforming York. We do it several ways - through our art gallery with rotating shows, workshops to help creatives develop skills needed to make their business a success, and through hosting small and large events for the community. This year, the Summer Art Market was a way for us to really focus on giving local artists a platform to sell. By raising additional sponsorship dollars, we were able to waive the fee for local artists (and even rent them tents for free), so that nothing was in their way when it came to selling their wares.'

There is the small town, Stewartstown, located in South Central PA that has been serving their community for the last 38 years in an outreach mission for the performing arts for children through the age of 18.

SIMON & GARFUNKEL SHOW is an "internationally- acclaimed hit theatre show" that is coming to The Appell Center for the Performing Arts, in York, PA, on September 24, 2017.

Theatre Arts for Everyone (TAFE) presents THE FANTASTICKS!

Gavin Juckette is currently starring as Peter in Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre's magical production of the classic show, PETER PAN. The theatre is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and is showing now through August 12, 2017. I had the opportunity to interview Gavin.

As the story goes, James R. Harris discovered a diary that was kept by his great-great uncle, Joe Harris, during the Civil War. The diary serves as the cornerstone of storytelling in James Harris' musical, CIVIL WAR VOICES, currently playing at Gettysburg Community Theatre.

So, there is this duo of dynamite ladies who sling comedic prose like yesterday's dirty diaper but when it lands, smells a whole lot better. They are intelligent, witty, and downright ornery in every positive way possible. Their names are Kristen Hensley and Jen Smedley and they are the stars and genius creators of the web series, #IMOMSOHARD.

Pennsylvania's theatre gem, The Fulton, is currently presenting the Pennsylvania Premiere of the Tony® Award-winning musical, Disney's NEWSIES, June 6 through July 23, 2017.

The 2017 PRiMA Theatre Benefit Concert July 14th and 15th, featuring Broadway Star, Billy Porter., in Lancaster, PA

Upon arriving at Gettysburg Community Theatre to see their currently running show, RUTHLESS!, I was struck by the esthetic quality of the theatre and its majestic grandeur married with the hospitality of a well-connected community atmosphere.

Officially beginning Friday, May 5, 2017, The Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center will become the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, located at 50 North George Street, in downtown York, PA.

IN THE HEIGHTS is currently playing at THE FULTON THEATRE until April 4, 2017. Under the direction of Bob Cline, the musical stars Diego Klock-Perez (Usnavi), Mili Diaz (Nina), Kalyn West (Vanessa), Daniel Yearwood Benny), and Debra Cardona (Abuela Claudia). The music and lyrics of IN THE HEIGHTS are by a little-known composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda (whom I refer to as 'Shakespeare Nouveau'), and the book by Quiara Alegria Hudes.