Rich Mehrenberg - Page 4

I am grateful that the company has decided to celebrate more non-traditional stories for a more diverse audience. Performances run now through November 1st. Let’s do this again soon!

To be totally honest with you, I would have been satisfied with EPAC’s recent production of Gypsy if it was simply the orchestra banging out the soundtrack.  The nine piece band led by conductor, Cheryl Markle was every bit as bold and brass and full of life as Mamma Rose, herself! 

Dutch Apple pulls out all the stops for their best show of the season!  Hairspray is a toe-tapping, feel-good show celebrating acceptance and inclusion.  It is warm and funny and has a lot of heart.

'Deathtrap' is a thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Just when you think you have it figured out, a new complication arises. Danger lurks around every corner, and nothing is as it seems.

This show might be up your alley if you are a Beetlejuice superfan, enjoy crude humor or like to have your senses assaulted. In any case, you probably should leave your kids and your epileptic friends at home.

Beautiful is just that, a beautiful show.  It is a great way to start the new season, and highlights Lancaster’s strong, continuing dedication to the fine arts.

What did our critic think of CHICKEN & BISCUITS at EPAC?

Avatar the Last Airbender-In Concert “blew” into the Hershey Theatre on Thursday, August 8th and was met with “thunderous” applause. Audience members were treated to a giant movie screen playing scenes from the “fiery” series, accompanied by a very talented, yet “grounded” live orchestra.  As you might be able to guess, Avatar (no connection to the James Cameron movies with the blue people) deals with a battle among the elements, and the people who have control over them.

Oh, what a night!  Dutch Apple brings the crowd-pleaser Jersey Boys to the Lancaster stage.  Based on the life and times of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, this toe-tapping blast from the past serves up all their hits like Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You. 

Broadway World recently had the opportunity to interview Emily Marshall.  Emily is the musical director/conductor for Avatar The Last Airbender Live In Concert. The tour will land in Harshey Theater on August 20th

I am a big fan of Rachael Opdenaker’s portrayal of Sally Bowles.  Opdenaker brings vitality and beauty to her role.  All of her numbers are fantastic, but her cover of the title song is a true powerhouse performance that needs to be seen and heard.

The Sound of Music is an iconic show, and Dutch Apple had a full and appreciative audience.  It’s a great first show for kids as well as family members who have seen the movie a dozen times

I am very grateful that EPAC brought Angels in America to their stage.  This important show is simultaneously contemporary and a product of its time. More people need to see it.

But just like sex and pizza, Shakespeare is always, at least, pretty good.  This show has its moments, and the cast gives 110% with tons of physical comedy, silly voices, and manic energy.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a scrumdiddlyumptious summer treat on the Fulton stage. The production retains everything you love about the original movie (Pure Imagination, eye-popping sets, bratty kids, etc.) and eliminates or updates the parts that weren’t so great (mediocre special effects and the always fast-forwardable Cheer Up, Charlie).

While theater often manages to entertain or to move its audience, Angles in America is a great example of how quality theater can also educate....upon hearing Kushner’s masterful dialogue and viewing Checchia’s excellently vulgar and vile performance (of Roy Cohn), I was incentivized to learn everything that I could about this man and the damage that he has done.

The Full Monty is a lot of fun, and a great palate cleanser after the more solemn, Ragtime.  It is playing now through June 22.

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 category for me.

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.

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.