Central Pennsylvania Theater Reviews

Review: WHO'S HOLIDAY at Open Stage
by Andrea Stephenson - November 26, 2023

Who’s Holiday reminds us that, while life may not go the way we imagined, we can still find joy, love, friendship, and hope. The team at Open Stage steps up their game year after year with this adults-only holiday production. Audiences will laugh and cry as they spend some time with Cindy Lou Who in...

Review: ONE CHRISTMAS EVE AT EVERGREEN MALL at Little Theatre Of Mechanicsburg
by Andrea Stephenson - November 26, 2023

One Christmas at Evergreen Mall is a witty, emotional, heartfelt holiday play. The cast at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg brings the characters to life in a relatable way....

Review: CHICAGO at Hershey Theatre
by Jason Davis - November 26, 2023

What did our critic think of CHICAGO at Hershey Theatre?...

Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - November 19, 2023

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....

Review: H.M.S. PINAFORE at Gamut Theatre Group
by Andrea Stephenson - November 18, 2023

Gamut’s production sparkles with energy, humor, and talent....

Review: HALF BAKED at Hanover Little Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - November 11, 2023

The stellar cast and crew at Hanover Little Theatre bring the characters to life and keep the audience laughing. Barninger and his cast and crew give a great performance of Half Baked, highlighting the comedy, and teasing out the subtleties in the relationships between the characters....

Review: RUN FOR YOUR WIFE at Oyster Mill Playhouse
by Andrea Stephenson - November 05, 2023

Even though some of the language and jokes in the script are definitely cringe-worthy today, the performance of Run for Your Wife at Oyster Mill Playhouse is genuinely funny, and audiences that enjoy a fast-paced, well-acted farce will have an enjoyable evening....

Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Theatre Harrisburg
by Andrea Stephenson - November 04, 2023

Every aspect of this production is beautifully designed. This cast brings the people of Anatevka to life. Their harmonies are gorgeous, and they execute the choreography with precision and grace. Theater Harrisburg’s Fiddler on the Roof is a production you do not want to miss. It is filled not only ...

Review: BLOODY JACK at The Belmont Theatre
by Jason Davis - October 24, 2023

What did our critic think of BLOODY JACK at The Belmont Theatre? A most intriguing whodunit mystery, erroneously labeled a thriller and given the misleading title of Bloody Jack, entertained audience members at The Belmont Theatre in York. ...

Review: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at Keystone Theatrics At The Playhouse At Allenberry
by Andrea Stephenson - October 22, 2023

This performance of Young Frankenstein by the cast and crew of Keystone Theatrics is one you won’t want to miss. It is hilarious and heart-warming....

Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at TAFE-Theatre Arts For Everyone
by Andrea Stephenson - October 20, 2023

The story itself is delightful, surprising the audience with wonderful twists in an unique, original interpretation of Beauty & the Beast. It is a joy to see actors of all ages taking the stage together and putting their hearts and souls into their performance, and this is precisely what audiences w...

Review: AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Susquehanna Stage
by Jason Davis - October 17, 2023

What did our critic think of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Susquehanna Stage?...

Review: THE CRUCIBLE at Carlisle Theatre Players On High
by Andrea Stephenson - October 15, 2023

As with many of Miller’s plays, the success of The Crucible depends on the strength of the cast. The cast at Carlisle Theatre does not disappoint—they deliver an intense performance that really dives into the tumultuous emotions of the characters. This hard-hitting, beautifully designed, and well-ac...

Review: MISERY at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - October 15, 2023

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....

Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at EPAC
by Rich Mehrenberg - October 15, 2023

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....

Review: JEKYLL & HYDE THE MUSICAL at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - October 14, 2023

Every single member of the ensemble performs with full commitment and intensity. This production of Jekyll & Hyde The Musical is, in a word, entrancing. If it were not sold out, this reviewer would see it over and over again....

Review: MEAN GIRLS At Hershey Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - October 11, 2023

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'....

Review: THE EXORCIST At Open Stage
by Andrea Stephenson - October 09, 2023

If you are looking for spine-tingling, bone-chilling, hair-raising special effects, this production of The Exorcist does not disappoint. Audiences who love classic horror should not miss out on this production of The Exorcist at Open Stage....

Review: I DON'T SPEAK SPANISH at Gamut Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - October 08, 2023

I Don’t Speak Spanish, an original play by local playwright, actor, and director David Ramón Zayas, is a beautiful, thoughtful exploration of the many layers that make up our lives. The actors weave together a story that the audience won’t soon forget. I Don’t Speak Spanish is an impactful, importan...

Review: MATILDA THE MUSICAL at DreamWrights Center For Community Arts
by Andrea Stephenson - October 07, 2023

Every single actor in this cast has wonderful stage presence, drawing the audience in with their intense and emotional performances....

Review: ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater
by Rich Mehrenberg - September 23, 2023

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 ev...

Review: DARK NIGHTS 2 at Hersheypark
by Jessica Crowe - September 21, 2023

2023 has just flown by, and we find ourselves immersed in spooky season once again. I was both honored and thrilled to be asked to revisit Hersheypark's Dark Nights and share my thoughts on the second round of this now annual event....

Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN at Fulton
by Rich Mehrenberg - September 18, 2023

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 wi...

Review: SPACE ODDITY: A CELEBRATION OF DAVID BOWIE at Open Stage
by Andrea Stephenson - September 10, 2023

Song after song, these performers pull out all the stops. Space Oddity: A Celebration of David Bowie at Open Stage is a powerful, high-energy show that will have audiences ready to dance in the aisles....

Review: LEADING LADIES at Hanover Little Theater
by Sandra Harberger - September 10, 2023

Douglas D. Cooper (Leo) and Aaron Trusky (Jack) took on the difficult roles of being Shakespearean actors portraying women to con a dying woman and still have the audience cheer for them. Their strong acting skills and comedic timing make this show hilarious. This ensemble cast works well together t...