Chad-Alan Carr News

Totem Pole Playhouse's national award-winning production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is coming to the Maryland Theatre for the first time this December 6, 7 and 8th for four performances only. Totem Pole's production of the holiday classic was recognized for the second year in a row as a 'Best of the Best' Award Winner by the American Bus Association (A.B.A.) which named the critically-acclaimed stage adaptation as one of the top 10 entertainment events in the United States.

Totem Pole Playhouse's critically-acclaimed annual production of A Christmas Carol has received a "Best of the Best" Award from the American Bus Association (ABA) as one of the top 100 events in North America. The "Best of the Best" designation is an annual compendium of the 100 best events for group travel in the United States and Canada. The American Bus Association provides more than 600 million passenger trips annually on charters, tours, scheduled service and shuttles. Membership in the ABA includes motorcoach operators, tour operators, and tourism-related organizations. A committee of its members selects the top 100 events each year from hundreds of celebrations, festivals, fairs, performing arts presentations, regional commemorative events, and more. Totem Pole's production was submitted for consideration by Destination Gettysburg, the official marketing organization for Gettysburg and Adams County.

It's an unique experience to be a reviewer. We're tasked with having an understanding of theatre and performance and to be able to express what we experience at a variety of different shows to an audience of readers who may have seen the show or may be deciding whether or not to see the show. As a reviewer for many community theatres in the area, I see my role as many-faceted. On one hand, I'm a reviewer, and a review, to be a true review, necessarily includes some level of critique. I feel a responsibility to my readers to give them an idea of what they might expect if they see the show. On the other hand, as a supporter of the arts and a frequent director and performer myself, my personal goal is to promote the arts, to promote the theatres in our area, to lift up the many volunteers who do such amazing work. So, I try to frame my writing from these various points of view.

The Wizard of Oz has been delighting audiences since it first appeared as a 1939 movie starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. The story, first created by L. Frank Baum in 1900, has inspired a number of adaptations, and the most popular stage version frequently finds its way to the stage at high schools and community theatres. Even though many of you have probably seen The Wizard of Oz, you've likely never seen a production of it like the one that will open at The Eichelberger Performing Arts Center on November 16th. Why is this production so unique? Because it is being performed by actors from The Penguin Project of Gettysburg Community Theatre. This program gives youth with special needs an opportunity to perform with other youth, both with and without special needs, giving them a chance to focus on their abilities rather than their challenges. BroadwayWorld had an opportunity to hear from Gettysburg Community Theatre's Executive Director, Chad-Alan Carr, as well as from five of the actors who will be performing-Natalie Hurwitch and Maddie Greco, two of the peer mentors; Ella Scott, the actor playing Dorothy; Leah Watson, who portrays Glinda the Good Witch of the North; and TJ Williams, who plays the Wizard of Oz-about their experiences with this production of The Wizard of Oz.

H-MAC should be commended for bringing this important show to Central Pennsylvania. It's themes of fear, intolerance, and distrust of others are more relevant now than ever.

(GCT) the not-for-profit 501c3 community theatre located at 49 York Street in historic downtown Gettysburg, will present a Cabaret performance by its Founding Executive/Artistic Director, Chad-Alan Carr, on Saturday, September 29th at 8pm, which includes a wine and cheese reception for patrons before and after the concert. The cabaret is presented annually around the director's birthday as a benefit for GCT's Taylor Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship Fund. During the cabaret, Carr will announce the 2019 Season.

Gettysburg Community Theatre (GCT) the not-for-profit 501c3 community theatre located at 49 York Street in historic downtown Gettysburg, will present its 10th year reunion cabaret Summer Nights on Friday, July 27th at 8pm, which includes a wine and cheese reception for patrons before and after the concert.

INTO THE WOODS is arguably a staple of American theatre. As one of the incomparable Stephen Sondheim's most recognizable shows, INTO THE WOODS is performed continuously by a multitude of theatres across America. From middle schools, to universities, to regional theatre and beyond, an active audience member can often find at least one theatre in their area presenting INTO THE WOODS in their current season. A show with this much popularity can begin to feel trite, and theatres may struggle to find originality in their own production of this often-told tale. However, this is not the case at Gettysburg Community Theatre. Their production of INTO THE WOODS trades elaborate sets and costumes for creativity and simplicity, allowing them to truly focus on the issues and moral questions the story presents. The unique twists sprinkled throughout the show are then facilitated through a host of talent, making Gettysburg Community Theatre's production of INTO THE WOODS not to be missed.

The 2nd Annual Gettysburg Pride Events are scheduled May 31-June 3, 2018 in downtown Gettysburg for LGBT+ Community and friends. In summer of 2017, when a few friends were sitting around wondering why Gettysburg didn't have a Gay Pride Event yet, they decided to organize a bar crawl. With just a two-week notice, they thought maybe a dozen people would show up. On June 22, 2017, over 80 people filled the bar at Gettysburg Hotel's One Lincoln. Pride flags, glow in the dark necklaces, and LOTS of smiles with friends old and new filled four different local bars as we walked around historic Lincoln Square with PRIDE. Similar to other LGBT Pride Fests like those in Baltimore, Lancaster, and Harrisburg, this year, Gettysburg Pride 2018 will have a full weekend of events of all kinds including: bar crawl, education/outreach and free rapid HIV testing and counseling from Family First Health's Caring Together Program, restaurant, winery, shopping tours, piano bar cabaret and more May 31-June 3, 2018. Many businesses in town will be sponsoring Gettysburg Pride so be sure to look for the Pride flags and visit them to say thanks for their support!

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask, takes audiences on a journey. It's a journey of love, loss, betrayal, and acceptance. There is no such thing as the fourth wall in this show-this rock musical's audience is also the audience for the band Hedwig and the Angry Inch. As Hedwig performs she shares her story through word and song. After having the opportunity to hear from Chad-Alan Carr and Lindsay Bretz-Morgan about their experience performing Hedwig and the Angry Inch at HMAC, I had the chance to actually experience it for myself. And what an experience it is.

Located in the heart of Harrisburg's historic Old Midtown district, The House of Music, Arts & Culture (H·MAC) is a 34,000 sq. ft. multi-venue arts and entertainment complex. Listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings, HMAC presents live music, karaoke, open mic, theatrical productions and more year-round. This weekend at 8pm May 24th, 25th, & 26th HMAC presents the stage musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, at their Stage On Herr venue with a live rock band on stage.

If you're looking for something to do this Memorial Day weekend, check out Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This rock musical tells a story written by John Cameron Mitchell through the lyrics and music of Stephen Trask. Originally performed off-Broadway, the story touches on a wide range of themes and emotions to engage and challenge the audience. Hedwig and the Angry Inch comes to Harrisburg this Memorial Day weekend. Put together a live band, amazing acting, and breath-taking vocals, and this will be a show you do not want to miss. This production, at HMAC Stage on Herr stars Chad-Alan Carr as Hedwig and Lindsay Bretz-Morgan as Yitzhak.

Totem Pole Playhouse, America's beloved summer theatre, located in Caledonia State Park between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, PA, presented their annual Totem Pole Playhouse Awards last evening for outstanding production and performances by area high school students. The awards now in their fifth year were presented for the first time on the stage of the legendary Playhouse to the usual enthusiastic performances by the participating high school students. For the second year $1,000.00 scholarships were also awarded to the winners of the Outstanding Performance by an Actress and an Actor in a Leading Role.

Gettysburg Community Theatre (GCT) the not-for-profit 501c3 community theatre located at 49 York Street in historic downtown Gettysburg, announces casting for their summer productions of Into The Woods, Children Of The Battlefield, and America The Beautiful. These productions continue the theatre's 10th Season of revivals of some of the theatre's favorite shows. GCT originally presented Into The Woods Jr an all youth version in 2010 and originally presented America The Beautiful and the World Premiere production of Children Of The Battlefield in 2013.

Now in its 10th year, Gettysburg Community Theatre (GCT), the not-for-profit 501c3 community theatre located at 49 York Street in historic downtown Gettysburg, is making final preparations for its 10th Annual Gala to be held Saturday, April 14th 7-11pm at Oxford Hill Manor, the beautiful home of Michael and Jane Rice. The special event fundraiser will feature Broadway guest artist Jessica Hendy singing songs from the musicals Cats, Wicked, and Beautiful: the Carole King musical, as well as fine food, open bar, and silent and live auctions.

Theatre A Go-Go, Inc. in association with Chambersburg Community Theatre has announced the cast for its upcoming production of the Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar at the historic Capitol Theatre, 159 South Main Street, in downtown Chambersburg, PA. The production is a one-time, special event fundraiser to benefit Totem Pole Playhouse.

Gettysburg Community Theatre (GCT) the not-for-profit 501c3 community theatre located at 49 York Street in historic downtown Gettysburg, will present the international hit musical GODSPELL 8pm Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm Sundays March 2-18, 2018. GCT's Founding Executive/Artistic Director Chad-Alan Carr is directing and choreographing and this production marks the 7th time he has done Godspell in his career and the second time at GCT. This being the 10th year of GCT, Carr has selected productions from GCT's history to revive. The last time Godspell was produced at GCT was 2012 right after a successful broadway revival had premiered in NYC. One member of GCT's original 2012 cast, Kevin Foster, is again in this 2018 revival production at GCT.

Gettysburg Community Theatre (GCT) the not-for-profit 501c3 community theatre located at 49 York Street in historic downtown Gettysburg, is preparing to enter its 10th Season with the opening of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock opera, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which will perform 8pm Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm Sunday January 5-21, 2018.

Totem Pole Playhouse, in association with Gettysburg Community Theatre, will once again bring its original adaptation of the Charles Dickens' holiday classic A Christmas Carol to the stage of Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater this December 8-17. This year's production boasts an even larger cast of over 60 professional union, non-union, and local community actors, making it by far the largest production in Central Pennsylvania.

Gettysburg Community Theatre, located at 49 York Street within the first block of Lincoln Square in historic downtown Gettysburg, will present Arthur Miller's The Crucible October 13-29, 2017. The Crucible is a gripping drama about the Salem witch trials. Religion, conspiracy, witchcraft, and lust fill the story as paranoia becomes strong enough to poison a whole town. Miller composed The Crucible as a dramatization of the Salem Witch Trials, with the witch trials standing in for the anti-Communist witch-hunts of the 1950s during the McCarthy era. As with the alleged witches of Salem, suspected Communists were encouraged to confess and identify other Communist sympathizers as means of escaping punishment. Many of those accused of Communism suffered loss of employment and/or destruction of their careers; some even suffered imprisonment. The corruption and deception Miller represented in The Crucible stands as a timely reminder to not always take everything at face value. Smear campaigning, or any type of intentional, premeditated effort to undermine an individual's or group's reputation, credibility, and character, has nearly become synonymous with modern-day politics. Like the accusations of witchcraft, smear campaigns focus on unverifiable rumors that are often distortions, half-truths, or even outright lies disseminated by gossip. Just as it was when written in the 1950's, The Crucible is still a timely parable of our contemporary and political society.