Photo by Haley Harned
Imagine a play that takes place in a movie theater. Then imagine being able to experience that play while sitting in a movie theater.
This spring, you will be able to just that, as “The Flick,” part of Open Stage of Harrisburg’s 32nd season, will be performed at Midtown Cinema.
“The Flick” offers a peek into the lives of Sam, Avery and Rose as they deal with life’s daily struggles while working at a behind-the-times, rundown movie theater.
“If you really love a good character study, this is for you,” said Brennen Dickerson, who plays Sam. “There are three really wonderful, deep, complex characters that have very different points of view. It’s a slice of life that you haven’t seen before.”
Dickerson, as well as Maddie McCann, who portrays Rose, said that audiences will find the play to be very relatable. Though a small ensemble piece, attendees are likely to recognize themselves in one of the characters, they said.
“I see so much of myself in Rose,” said McCann. “When I tell people that I was cast in this role, they are not surprised at all. I think we are very alike in ways that are good and also in ways that are not good.”
Open Stage Producing Artistic Director Stuart Landon directs the show. Landon, who has worked in various capacities at Open Stage for 10 years, also has ties to the Midtown Cinema. He assisted in revitalizing the movie theater and has introduced many of the cinema’s special events, such as “Down in Front” and the annual “Red Carpet Evening” highlighting the Oscars.
“A good friend handed me the script while it was still in its original run,” Landon said. “I was blown away by the slow-brewing, slow-burning drama. I’m elated to bring together my two homes, Open Stage and Midtown Cinema, and two of my passions, theater and film. I think audiences are going to love this combination in ‘The Flick.’”
Written by Annie Baker, “The Flick” won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It’s not the typical kind of theater you see in central PA.
“Baker’s plays are really different than most of the things out there right now,” McCann said. “They are focused on people being people.”
Dickerson agreed, saying the show is unlike anything you are going to see in the area this year.
“If you want to see something different, this is definitely the play to see,” he said.
While many audiences may not be familiar with “The Flick,” McCann sees performing the piece at Midtown Cinema as a way to make the play more accessible.
“There is a different atmosphere when performing where the play is actually taking place,” she said. “It’s such an intimately written show. You feel like you’re peering into these people’s lives, and performing in an actual movie theater only adds to that.”
Landon is excited for the challenges of performing in such a unique place. This will be the first time any piece of theater has been hosted at Midtown Cinema.
“The play has such wonderful moments of heart and comedy and the joys and sorrows of everyday life,” Landon said. “All of that on top of having it performed at the cinema makes this a show audiences will not want to miss.”
“The Flick” runs March 25 to April 22 at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. It is recommended that guests be at least 14 years old to attend. For information and tickets, visit www.openstagehbg.com.
UPCOMING THEATER EVENTS
AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL
DOWNTOWN THEATERS
At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111
The Popcorn Hat Players Present
“Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
March 7 to 24
Saturdays at 1 p.m.
Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. available by request for groups of 20 or more.
Tickets are $8 and can be purchased online or at the door.
William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”
Educational Outreach Public Performances
March 16 to 18
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Doors and bar open one hour prior to performance.
Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office.
“Improvapalooza”
An evening of improvisational comedy, featuring the area’s most beloved improv theater troupes. Harrisburg Improv Theatre, The Oxymorons, Safe Word and Gamut’s own TMI can be seen in one location at one event. These “April fools” will be performing appropriately on April Fools Day weekend.
March 30
Doors and bar open at 6:30 p.m. and will remain open throughout the event.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door.
At Open Stage of Harrisburg
www.openstage.com
717-232-6736
“Akeelah and the Bee”
By Cheryl L. West
Based on the screenplay by Doug Atchison
Feb. 16 to March 11
A bright young girl from the South Side of Chicago trains to achieve a championship at the National Spelling Bee.
“The Diary of Anne Frank”
March 17 at 2 p.m.
Scottish Rite, 2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
By Frances Goodrich and Albert Hacket
Based upon “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl”
Based on the actual diary of a young girl who comes of age while hiding from the Nazis in a tiny, overcrowded attic with her family for more than two years.
“The Flick”
A new play by Annie Baker
March 25 to April 22
At Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg
While sweeping up stale popcorn in a movie house, three employees hold passionate debates about human connection.
Capital 10-Miler
March 31
A run for the arts.
To register, go to www.capital10-miler.com.
