Steve Pacek News

Theatre Philadelphia is thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2014 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, including over 140 total nominations spanning 26 categories. The all-new Barrymore Awards Ceremony will be held Monday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. at The Merriam Theater at 250 S. Broad Street, immediately followed by an After-Party in the Commonwealth Plaza at The Kimmel Center.

Theatre Horizon unveils its 10th Anniversary Season, the third in its home at 401 Dekalb Street. This year, the theatre sets out to showcase works that deal with apartheid in South Africa, adulthood through a fairy tale, and homelessness. The season will include Pamela Gien's The Syringa Tree, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into The Woods, and Suzan-Lori Park's In The Blood. In conjunction with In The Blood, the theatre is conducting a county-wide project called Imagine No Homelessness. This thrilling season begins in October and runs through May. Subscriptions run between $62-$108 and are available online at www.theatrehorizon.org.

Continuing its 40th Mainstage Season, the Hangar Theatre's artistic director Jen Waldman will direct, Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, today, July 10 until July 26, 2014. This hilarious musical, based off of the 1960 movie, is cosmic fun for the whole family. With toe tapping tunes and a carnivorous alien planet, this show is sure to entertain. Join the cast, crew, and Hangar staff on opening night, Friday, July 11 at 8pm at the Hangar Theatre, as they continue to celebrate their 40th Anniversary of the Mainstage Season. The Hangar Theatre is located at 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850 near Cass Park.

Continuing its 40th Mainstage Season, the Hangar Theatre's artistic director Jen Waldman will direct, Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, July 10 until July 26, 2014. This hilarious musical, based off of the 1960 movie, is cosmic fun for the whole family. With toe tapping tunes and a carnivorous alien planet, this show is sure to entertain. Join the cast, crew, and Hangar staff on opening night, Friday, July 11 at 8pm at the Hangar Theatre, as they continue to celebrate their 40th Anniversary of the Mainstage Season. The Hangar Theatre is located at 801 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850 near Cass Park.

Horizon closes its season with a bit of movie and theatre magic. The final show of the 2013-2014 season will be Patrick Barlow's comedic adaptation of The 39 Steps. This TONY and Drama Desk award winning play runs May 15-June 8. Opening night is Thursday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$35. Theatre Horizon is located at 401 DeKalb St. More information can be found at www.theatrehorizon.org or by calling 610.283.2230.

When first asked if I had any musical skills for this show, I said I could rock a mean triangle and kick it with the maracas, but after meeting with the gifted and saintly Mary-Mitchell Campbell (check out her organization asteponline.org), I found myself agreeing to learn how to play a large Irish drum called the bodhran. Steve Pacek, who originated the same role in Delaware last year, was kind enough to give me my first official lesson. We played with a children's drumstick in my living room until he sent me a tipper stick a few days later. His first tip was to not watch videos on YouTube for fear I'd become intimidated. I nodded in agreement, but ran to my computer as soon as he left to search for examples. A few minutes of watching these incredible musicians resulted in a deep shame spiral with the gnawing fear being found out as a complete fraud. Luckily, I could carry a handful of rhythms weeks later, thanks to the endless hours of banging out tribal drumbeats at home (apologies to my neighbors and to my cats) and the support of people like Campbell.

Voting is now underway for Delaware! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Delaware! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Delaware! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Delaware! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Arden Theatre Company opens its 16th Season of Children's Theatre with Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Based on the beloved book series by Louis Sachar, this adaptation by John Olive will be directed by Whit MacLaughlin. The production runs from December 4, 2013 through February 15, 2014 and includes weekday matinee performances for students and weekend performances for families. Best enjoyed by families with children ages 5 and older, Sideways Stories from the Wayside School runs on the Arden's F. Otto Haas Stage at 40 N. 2nd Street in the heart of Old City, Philadelphia.

11th Hour Theatre Company presents its inaugural holiday program HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA for one night only on December 8 from 7:00-10:00 PM in the Caplan Recital Hall at the University of the Arts (211 South Broad Street). Featured performers are 11th Hour Supergroup including Cara Antosca. Kat Borelli, Rachel Camp, Melissa Joy Hart, Marissa Hines, Alex Keiper, Dan Kiernan, Craig O'Brien, Michael Philip O'Brien, Steve Pacek, Samantha Joy Pearlman, and Sigmund Washington. Also performing will be members of the cast from 11th Hour's Spring Mainstage production of Altar Boyz: Brendan Dalton, Kevin, Duffin, Adam Hoyak and Billy Kametz, as well as a special Philly Star Face-Off between Jeff Coon, Mary Martello and Jennie Eisenhower, and solo performances by Corey Regensberg and Danielle Lovier's group Olive Juice.

Last night, Theatre Philadelphia celebrated the past year in theatre across the region by presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award, cash awards totaling $56,500, and a masquerade after-party that featured performances of some of the highlights of the previous theatre season. Over 400 theatre artists, administrators and supporters attended the sold out ceremony and party held at Arden Theatre Company in Old City. More information about Theatre Philadelphia can be found at www.theatrephiladelphia.org.

11th Hour Theatre Company kicks off its Next Step Concert Series with the quirkily charming musical Zanna, Don't! on October 5-7 at the Caplan Studio Theatre at the University of the Arts (211 South Broad Street). Directed by 11th Hour's Associate Artistic Director Steve Pacek, the production features an ensemble cast of 11th Hour favorites including Laura Catlaw, Marissa K. Hines, Adam Hoyak, Joe O'Brien, Nick Park, and Candace Thomas, and introduces the 11th Hour debuts of Michael Linden and Bren Thomas.

Theatre Confetti presents the Philadelphia premiere of Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them, a moving new play by A. Rey Pamatmat. Theatre Confetti, formerly known as Nice People Theatre Company, is led by co-artistic directors Nicole Paloux and Bi Jean Ngo. The production is directed by Aaron Cromie and stars Ngo, Justin Jain and Steve Pacek in a timely play about adolescence, homosexuality and abandonment, running tonight, March 7 - 24, 2013.

Sold out for the past seven years, 11th Hour Theatre Company's Philly Rocks has become one of the can't miss events of the Philadelphia theater season. This exhilarating annual rock concert features top Philadelphia performers rocking out to some of the best songs ever written. This year's installment, Philly Rocks, Remixed on February 25 beginning at 6:00 PM at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street) is sure to shake things up a bit. Audiences will hear some of their favorite songs as they might have never heard them before. Hosted by Jess Conda, participants this year will be Alex Bechtel, Melissa Bird, Rachel Camp, Laura Catlaw, Colleen Hazlet,Marissa K. Hines, Alex Keiper, Mikey Jr., Craig O'Brien, Megan Nicole O'Brien, Michael Philip O'Brien, and Steve Pacek.

Theatre Confetti presents the Philadelphia premiere of Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them, a moving new play by A. Rey Pamatmat. Theatre Confetti, formerly known as Nice People Theatre Company, is led by co-artistic directors Nicole Paloux and Bi Jean Ngo. The production is directed by Aaron Cromie and stars Ngo, Justin Jain and Steve Pacek in a timely play about adolescence, homosexuality and abandonment, running March 7 - 24, 2013.

New York's newest theater company Breaking Bread Theatre, under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Joe Calarco and Jen Waldman, with Third Coast Creative, present a developmental lab of the new musical Ella Minnow Pea by Larson Award-winning writers Scott Burkell and Paul Loesel. The invitation-only presentations will be held tonight, October 25 - 26.

New York's newest theater company Breaking Bread Theatre, under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Joe Calarco and Jen Waldman, with Third Coast Creative, present a developmental lab of the new musical Ella Minnow Pea by Larson Award-winning writers Scott Burkell and Paul Loesel. The invitation-only presentations will be held October 25 - 26.

The Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre have announced their 2012 nominees. Scroll below for a full listing!