Could it be karma? Or perhaps coincidence? Or maybe just foresight and good planning.
For couples in love or those with stars in their eyes, it appears that Theatre Harrisburg has planned an event so perfect in its conception that it’s come together like some romantic puzzle. So let’s take a look at the pieces.
On Feb. 14, Theatre Harrisburg will present “Evening of Romance.” It’s on a Friday—close to the weekend and absolutely perfect for those lovers or wannabes who wish to express what’s in their hearts for their significant other. Feb. 14 is Valentine’s Day. Remember?
“Evening of Romance” will take place in Uptown Harrisburg at the Jay & Nancy Krevsky Production Center, 513 Hurlock St. No big deal, right? But it is.
“It is appropriate that this event is being held here, named after a couple who met in this building, fell in love and married,” says Samuel Kuba, executive director of the theater. “Jay and Nancy’s passion for each other and Theatre Harrisburg has never diminished after all these years.”
Are you beginning to notice a theme here? Okay. Stay focused. There’s more.
Doors to the event will open at 6:45 p.m. There’ll be complimentary champagne, a gourmet dessert buffet and flowers and candy for each guest. No need to rush out and get the obligatory (and somewhat boring) heart-shaped box of chocolates and wilting posies. Theatre Harrisburg takes care of all that for you, and it’ll all be quite artistic. Additionally, there will be several special grand door prizes awarded. All of this amidst a sparkling draped lobby, illuminated by candlelight and decorated with fresh flowers. See? One less item to worry about in impressing that special person.
Next.
As you gaze into the eyes of that wonderful someone, you will be serenaded by songs sung by Jonathan and Beverly Hudson of Palmyra, another real-life married couple (there’s that romance theme again) with selections from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” “Candide” and other selections, including works by Verdi, Gershwin and Irving Berlin. All or most will surely speak to the affairs of the heart. Along with being a duet in the true sense of the word, the Hudsons have a creative connection to Theatre Harrisburg: Jonathan lent his operatic vocals to the show “The Last Romance” staged at the theater last summer which starred…wait for it… the Krevskys. Beverly starred in the 2012 production of “A Little Night Music” presented by Theatre Harrisburg at Whitaker’s Sunoco Theatre.
“Together, these two artists will generate enough musical heat to warm any heart and take the chill off even the most frigid weather,” Kuba says.
The puzzle is almost complete. Onward.
At 8 p.m. that evening, there will be a performance of the Ken Ludwig romantic farce “Lend Me A Tenor,” a lightning-fast, non-stop laugh fest that, at its core, involves several different—and sometimes unlikely—couples. One of those couples is the constantly quarreling spouses, Tito and Maria Merelli, played by—you guessed it—real-life husband and wife, Anthony and Ann Ariano. In keeping with the romance theme, all disagreements will remain on the stage and true domestic bliss will prevail. Audiences will witness every nuance because the venue’s intimate space guarantees everyone an up-close-and-personal experience.
So, could anything or any evening be more perfect? A venue named for a loving couple, sung by another loving couple, and performed by yet another loving couple. Candy, flowers, champagne, gourmet desserts, prizes, candlelight, Mozart and Gershwin. You can’t ask for more.
Wait, there IS more.
As if Theatre Harrisburg had some sort of magic wand, there will be a full moon that night.
C’mon, Theatre Harrisburg. You planned all this, right?
You did, didn’t you?
“Evening of Romance” will take place on Feb. 14, at Theatre Harrisburg, 513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg. Tickets available by visiting or calling Whitaker Center Box Office, 717-214-ARTS. “Lend Me a Tenor” runs Feb. 7 to 23.
