York may be best known for York Barbell and Harley Davidson, and Lancaster County is the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. But midstate theater-lovers know these nearby cities are home to more than just muscular pursuits and Amish culture.
Just a short hop away, live theater flourishes in both places, giving Harrisburg folks even more options beyond the already-rich offerings in our city and suburbs.
Let’s start in the White Rose City (aka, York), which has Dreamwrights Youth and Family Theatre, a nonprofit organization offering experiences in all aspects of the art form.
Founded in 1997, Dreamwrights features eight productions a year, fall and spring classes, weeklong summer camp sessions and outreach.
“Our programming is very process-oriented, based on teamwork, responsibility and healthy self-esteem,” said Ann Davis, executive director. “All these are essential in creating a production, and we invite people from age 7 to adult to create and grow.”
This year’s holiday production is “Miracle on 34th Street”—complete with an indoor Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “It’s a story about believing, loving and doing unto others,” said Diane Crews, artistic director/playwright in residence.
Fairly new on the block is the Pullo Center at Penn State York, focusing on concerts, Broadway shows, family entertainment and comedies, said Vickie Hubbard, general manager.
Penn State York’s resident theater, Pullo also serves as a venue for tech rehearsals of touring companies of Broadway shows.
“We have a state-of-the-art theater, which is convenient and has good logistics, such as parking,” noted Chris Beaverson, director of marketing and sales. “There are boxes and crates, and the next day the stage is set up. It’s a crazy but amazing process.”
York Little Theatre’s productions appeal to audiences of all ages, noted Lyn Bergdoll, executive director. “We do family shows, a children’s series—with performers under 18—but also edgier shows.”
Now celebrating its 81st season, YLT is “am-pro,”with three paid staff and many volunteers. Recently the theater launched the Belmont Academy, offering professional-level instruction in dance and Broadway musicals, among other areas. It also initiated a program for kids with disabilities.
“I strive to produce innovative shows that will have patrons wanting to see more,” said Rene Staub, director of artistic services. “We try to go the extra mile with special effects, costuming and set design… ”
Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit institution, offers diverse programming—ballet, stand-up comedy and family-friendly performances, such as last month’s “Hello Dolly.”
In the next county over, the arts scene in the Red Rose City (aka, Lancaster) is particularly flourishing.
Fulton Theatre, founded in 1852, is considered to be the nation’s oldest continuously operating theater and is one of only eight theaters in the country to be named a National Historic Landmark.
A professional regional company and one of the few Equity (actors’ union) theaters left in central Pennsylvania, Fulton has seven Premier Series productions and four Family Theatre productions each season, in addition to educational and outreach programs.
In 2009, the Fulton produced “Les Miserables,” which Executive Director Aaron Young called the “highlight” of his tenure. “It wasn’t so much the production as what the community felt. People were so excited.”
For the size of the community, added Artistic Director Marc Robin, “Lancaster has a deep appreciation for what the arts bring and a real outpouring of support. Actors here tell us they feel like artists.”
With an eye on the classics and new works, Theater of the Seventh Sister performs in different venues. Recently, it hosted a benefit Shakespeare Cabaret at Community Mennonite Church, featuring area actors in an evening of monologues, scenes and songs.
The Ware Center of Millersville University presents dance, classical music, opera and jazz and Broadway theatrical cabarets.
The American Music Theater focuses on Broadway, Christian, family and classical shows including the upcoming “Bring It On.” Sight & Sound in Strasberg, the largest Christian venue in the country, brings the Bible to life with elaborate productions.
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre presents traditional classics and new, critically acclaimed shows, as well as children’s theater, while Rainbow Dinner Theatre in Paradise bills itself as “the only all-comedy dinner theater” in the United States.
Two New York actors, David and Cindy DiSavino, founded Rainbow in 1984 and are the theater’s executive producer and artistic director, respectively.
“We do old and new standard published plays and brand-new ones,” David DiSavino said. “We cover the whole gamut of 20th– to 21st-century plays, including Kaufman and Hart’s ‘You Can’t Take it With You, ‘Arsenic and Old Lace,’ ‘Boeing Boeing,’ Neil Simon, a lot of farces by Ray Cooney and Ken Ludwig and murder mysteries.”
Opening the 2014 season is “Weekend Comedy” by Jeanne and Sam Bobrick, a play about an older couple going to the country to rekindle their romance.
In close-by Manheim, you can experience the outdoor Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire from August through October. But live theater enlivens Mt. Hope Mansion on the Faire grounds with its annual “Poe Evermore” and “Dickens of a Christmas” events.
“This year, the characters of ‘Dickens’ will be from Dickens’ novels,” said Mark Sullivan, artistic director. “As at the Faire, the actors remain in character and interact with the audiences; we break the fourth wall as part of our mission.”
Audience members are treated to a few shows in rotation—including, this year, an original musical version of “A Christmas Carol,” a trunk show about the “Nutcracker” and L. Frank Baum’s “A Kidnapped Santa Claus.”
Near Lancaster are Ephrata Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit presenting musical theater as well as stimulating, cutting-edge drama, and Gretna Theatre, a professional summer theater that does primarily musicals and kids’ shows.
There’s lots of theater to experience just a short drive outside of the capital city. So, take to the road to catch a play in York or Lancaster.
