Rich Mehrenberg

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a blockbuster spectacle.  It’s an electric powerhouse of entertainment that doesn’t let up. Word of mouth for this show is going to be strong.  I am going to see it again, at least once. I recommend buying tickets now before it inevitably sells out.

Along with the moody lighting and the creepy, curtained bedroom set, the Fulton produced a version of Misery that is just as, if not more so, scarier than the movie.  Stephen King would be proud.

Jesus Christ Superstar is a classic show that brought rock music to the Broadway stage.  EPAC’s production might not be perfect but it has a lot to offer.  Running now through October 28.

Mean Girls shares its Broadway DNA with two other movies-turned musicals that also explores these issues,Heathers and Legally Blonde.  As Yogi Berra would say, 'it's deja vu all over again'.

Escape to Margaritaville celebrates one last gasp of summer vibes.  It will be especially appreciated by Jimmy Buffet fans and Hawaiian shirt owners.  While you are at it, order a glass (or two) of the jalapeno-infused “Margarita Our Parents Warned Us About” to add some extra heat to your special evening. our critic think of ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater?

While the plot and jokes of Something Rotten will be appreciated by most audience members, if will be especially welcomed by musical theater nerds who will recognize the beginnings riffs of Pippin’s Magic to Do and brief homages to a certain Technicolor Dreamcoat.  The more you know, the more you will laugh.

EPAC continues to do an amazing job of bringing stories of diversity to her Central Pennsylvania stage. The only thing better would be to see a similar level of diversity among her audience. 

Guys and Dolls is among the most famous and popular shows in all of musical theater.  Dutch Apple stays true to the source material and gives their audience what they expect. 

What did our I was lucky enough to see The Prom when it was on Broadway a few years ago.  It was fresh, funny, and inspiring.  EPAC’s production highlights all of those feelings without being redundant or derivative. critic think of THE PROM at EPAC?

Dutch Apple Dinner Theater has scooped the competition, with their latest production, Disney’s Newsies.  Filled with excellent singing and dancing, Newsies is a sweet, summer treat on the Lancaster stage.

Fulton Theatre sets the wayback machine to 1959 with their latest production of Grease on the mainstage.  Most audience members have high expectations of this musical based on the iconic film and soundtrack.  The Fulton delivers with mixed results.

The show has a lot of funny lines, but this isn’t Neil Simon dinner theater. The humor emerges from the situations with real substance.

Six is a dynamic history lesson with an amazing pop soundtrack examined through a modern day lens.  It stands toe to toe with that show about the guy on the ten-dollar bill trying to do the same thing.

Hanover Little Theater has been bringing fun and funny entertainment to the area for almost 75 years.  Drinking Habits is a respectable addition to that long and accomplished history.

Elvis-A Musical Revolution is not among the better musical theater bio-shows.  Jersey Boys, Get on your Feet, and Buddy-the Buddy Holly Story are all significantly better.  Ironically, it is not even the best Elvis bio-musical.  Check out Million Dollar Quartet instead.

Go see it once, twice or a dozen times. No two shows will be the same-except they will all be hilarious!

I appreciate and value EPAC’s efforts to bring this production to the Central Pennsylvania stage.  They continue to take risks and select material found “outside the box”. 

While there may have been 28 singers on stage, it sounded, at least, double that number.  The rich choral arrangements blew the roof off of the joint, and it was a great thing to experience.

The music of Hadestown is mesmerizing and memorable. I already put the soundtrack on my Spotify playlist.