Tag Archives: Theater

Underestimating Women: Women—and the American Dream—and “Death of a Salesman”

October 31, 2016 | by Meghan Jones

Sharia Benn

In a letter to a fan in 1990, Kurt Vonnegut wrote, “It can’t be said often enough, ‘It is the woman who pays.’ The miracle is that so many can and so somehow… I told [my wife] one time, ‘I worry about women.’ She said, ‘Don’t.’”

This sentiment certainly echoes the themes present in Arthur Miller’s 1949 play “Death of a Salesman,” presented this month by Gamut Theatre Group. The play explores family and the “American Dream” and the complicated relationships, expectations and disappointments that come with it. Sharia Benn, the actress playing Linda Loman, the wife and mother in the play, says, “With all of the tragedies of life in the play, it is a celebration of being a part of a family.”

The American Dream can be summarized as: Anyone has the opportunity of success, no matter your place in society. All it takes is dedication and hard work to achieve prosperity and upward mobility. With the capitalist mindset, the middle-class American man could have the perfect life with a house, car, children and white-picket fence. This concept is clearly centered around men. Men brought home the money because they had the jobs, they provided for their families, and everyone was happy. Right?

“Death of a Salesman” explores how problematic this ideology is not only to the family, but to personal identity and to women, specifically. Benn’s character, Linda, plays a large role in that. With a husband and two sons, her role is centered around domestic stability. The family is about to make the last payment on their house, the boys have ideas on how they can help the family thrive, and her husband struggles with a constant paranoia that the reason for his perceived failure is because he is not well-liked. He holds strongly to values taught by the American Dream, yet is still not coming out ahead. All of the men are attempting to achieve success through being popular, making money or having social dignity. Meanwhile, Linda is keeping everything afloat. She plays the role of mother, wife and caretaker, but she fulfills so much more than that for the characters and for the plot.

“She does this amazing job of pulling it all together and making everyone else pull it together, too,” Benn said of her character.

In a way, Miller’s critique of the American Dream and its surface attractiveness is also held by Linda. She is representative of the importance of personal value and truth over monetary gains and is the character given the most power, as she is the only one who has the opportunity to change.

Indeed, Linda is always focused on others, the antithesis of the American Dream, which values individuality and self-reliance. Miller gives her the opportunity to express dismay about the way society tricks men into believing that the keys to success are measured in monetary gains. In Act 1, she says, “The man who never worked a day but for your benefit. When does he get the medal for that?” Benn agrees that Linda’s invaluable worth is in her ability to humanize her family as a method of protection.

“She understands what it is to be human and how fragile we are as individuals, and what I love about this play is that Miller allows, through Linda, the audience to unpack that through the family as a whole,” said Benn.

And are women overlooked or minimized for their role in the “man’s world” of the American dream?

“Miller is intentionally showing how men in society cut women off and disregard them, but, when they are in need, when something is happening, when there’s a problem that needs solved, they look to the woman,” she said. “And she holds it down.”

It is true that women are often the overlooked grounding force of plays in this era, and Linda has the benefit of understanding that her role goes beyond this moment, that her actions have consequences beyond her control, and that the most important thing is for her to be accepting of her own hardships. There is a reason why Miller makes Linda, one of the only women in the play, the only character able to do this. There is a reason he begins and ends the play with her. Benn muses that there really should have been a sequel, where we get to hear Linda’s story.

For this period of American ideology, the death of the salesman is imminent, inevitable even, but the life of the woman is the direct result. It is the woman who pays—Vonnegut remains true—but Miller drives home the fact that the women can take it, and do. Benn’s Linda sure does. Her lines at the end of the play have a lot of depth.

“I made the last payment on the house today… and there’ll be nobody home… We’re free… We’re free…” she states.

Free of the grasps of the life led during the play that causes each male figure to doubt himself and how he interacts with his world based on a warped concept of success that was fed to him his entire life.

“Death of a Salesman” will be performed Nov. 5 to 27 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.gamuttheatre.org.

Upcoming theater events at Harrisburg’s professional downtown theaters

At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org

“Death of A Salesman” by Arthur Miller
Nov. 5 to 27
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Doors and bar open one hour prior to performance
Tickets are $30 on Fridays and Saturdays and “Bring Your Own Price” on Sundays.

“A Popcorn Hat Christmas Carol”
Nov. 30 to Dec. 17
Saturdays at 1 p.m.
Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. available by request for groups of 20 or more.
Tickets $8

At Open Stage of Harrisburg
www.openstagehbg.com

“A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 2 to 23
A new dazzling production of the Charles Dickens classic
Tickets $15 to $35

“The Santaland Diaries”
David Sedaris’ irreverent comedy Crumpet the Elf is on tour!
Sundays, Dec. 4 & 11 at Federal Taphouse
Dec. 9, 20 & 22 at Open Stage with Santa’s Little Helpers Improv opening
Tickets $20 to $35

Author: Meghan Jones

Happenings: Our August Calendar of Events

July 29, 2016 | by TheBurg Editor

Happenings

Museum & Art Spaces

3rd Street Studio
1725 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-385-3315; Facebook: 3rd Street Studio

“Guardians & Guides,” acrylic paintings by Dreon Olivetti, Aug. 19-Sept. 19; reception: Aug. 19, 6-9 p.m.

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Early Off-Roaders,” through Oct. 15.

“Mods vs. Rockers,” motorcycles and scooters, through Oct. 15.

“Steampunk U,” recycled gears and parts, repurposed with artistic and functional form, through Nov. 6.

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Off the Wall,” featuring sculptures by Mike Cerbone, Hannah Dobek, Jeremiah Johnson, Daniel Kalbach, Sean Matthews and Paul Nagle, Aug. 5-Sept. 1; reception: Aug. 12, 5-8 p.m.

Aughinbaugh Gallery
Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Student Juried Show,” featuring the artwork of Department of Visual Arts students, through Sept. 1.

BrainVessel Gallery
4707 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg
717-350-2306; bvcargo.com

“Somewhere: A Path to Abstraction,” artwork by Michele Taber, receptions: Aug. 5-6, 7-10 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Janice McCracken

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

“Downton’s Last Stand: A Reprise of the Fort Hunter Fashions of the Downton Abbey Era,” through Dec. 23.

Gallery@Second
608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
galleryatsecond.com

Works by Ralph Hocker and Sue Marrazzo, through Aug. 5.

Works by Linda Benton McCloskey and Paul Gallo, Aug. 11-Sept. 24; reception: Aug. 19, 6-9 p.m.

Landis House
Perry County Council of the Arts
67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Landis Legacy: Mary M. Landis,” a celebration of the life, legacy and community contributions of Mary Landis, PCCA’s benefactor of Landis House, through Aug. 6.

“Faith, Family and Community: Folk Art Links to the Early Pennsylvania Dutch in Perry County,” Perry Historians exhibition, Aug. 12-Nov. 5; reception: Aug. 12, 6-8:30 p.m.

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

Fiber-based work and woven wall hangings by Jenna Carls, through Aug.; reception: Aug. 19, 5-7 p.m.

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; Facebook: Metropolis Collective

“Summer of Speedee,” Aug. 5-Sept. 30; reception: Aug. 5, 6-11 p.m.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

“Tell Mother I’ve Been Good: Vice & Virtue in the Civil War,” illustrating the moral challenges faced by thousands of men in the ranks, through Dec. 31.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

“Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition,” through Aug. 27.

“2015 Youth Art Winners,” through Sept. 24.

PCCA Gallery
Perry County Council of the Arts
1 S. 2nd St., Newport
perrycountyarts.org

“Work in Progress,” highlighting the work of Savannah College of Art and Design student and West Perry High School graduate Emily Keniston, through Aug. 6.

“Dyeing for Peru,” featuring eco-dyed and ice-dyed silk scarves and textiles created by Marcia Labant of Luminous Nature, Aug. 12-Oct. 8; reception: Aug. 12, 6-8:30 p.m.

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

“Full Contact Bowling,” graphic design by Scott Laserow, Aug. 17-Sept. 8; reception: Sept. 1, 5:30 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Working Together for Wildlife: Three Decades of Pennsylvania’s Nature in Art,” through Sept. 11.

“We’re Here: Pioneering LGBT Rights in Pennsylvania,” through Oct. 30.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

“The City, Juried Exhibition,” through Aug. 11.

“The Luminous River,” works by John Pfahl, through Sept. 18.

“Recasting Nature: Selected Sculptures by Beth Galston,” through Sept. 18.

Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-867-6161; lvc.edu/gallery

“Con Spirito: Emotion through the Printed Image,” featuring printed images inspired by Irving Amen’s work “Con Spirito,” through Aug. 7.

Whitaker Center/The Curved Wall
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-221-0292; whitakercenter.org

“Studio To Stage: 25 Years of Music Photography by Drew Wiedemann,” through Aug. 21.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

“Art in the Wild,” a nature-inspired outdoor art exhibition, with installations mostly including natural materials, through Oct. 31.

Yellow Bird Café
1320 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-635-8991; yellowbird-cafe.com

Works by Crissy Wagner through Aug. 14

Works by Elizabeth Campbell, Aug. 16-Sept. 11

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

“Between the Lines,” ink on wood by Ted Walke, through mid-August.

“Through the Seasons,” award-winning photos from the 2015 PA Parks & Forests Foundation contest, Aug. 19-Sept. 15.

Read, Make, Learn

The Astronomical Society of Harrisburg
Edward L. Naylor Observatory
670 Observatory Dr., Lewisberry
717-938-6041; astrohbg.org

Aug. 7 & 14: Public Observing, 8:15-11:15 p.m.
Aug. 21 & 28: Public Observing, 8-11 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Aug. 10: “Gifts from the Sea,” 6-9 p.m.
Aug. 18: “Cruising the Caribbean,” 6-9 p.m.
Aug. 31: “Crab-tastic Dishes,” 6-9 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Aug. 1, 15: Fredricksen Writes, 6:45 p.m.
Aug. 2: Coloring for Grown-Ups, 7 p.m.
Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Master Gardener Plant Clinics, 6 p.m.
Aug. 5: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 6: Storytime and Music Therapy, 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 8: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 9: Bad A** Grandmother, 1:30 p.m.
Aug. 9: Curl Up With the Classics—“Their Eyes Were Watching God,” 3 p.m.
Aug. 11, 25: Drop-in Story Time, 7 p.m.
Aug. 12: Family Movie Night, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 12, 13: Safe Sitter Workshop, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Aug. 16: Fredricksen Reads—“The Aviator’s Wife,” 7 p.m.
Aug. 16: Gardening with Nature, 7 p.m.
Aug. 19, 26: Foreign Film Friday, 2 p.m., 7 p.m.

Healthy Living Kitchen
16 S. Rosanna St., Hummelstown
717-512-0077; healthylivingkitchenpa.com

Aug. 2: Root Vegetables to Curb Sugar Cravings, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Aug. 18: Balanced Plate Class, 6-8 p.m.

Landis House
Perry County Council of the Arts
67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Aug. 6: First Saturday/Free Drop-in Art Class, 1-4 p.m.
Aug. 13: “A Novel Idea” writing workshop, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Aug. 18: Heat Patina on Copper jewelry class, 6-8 p.m.

The LBGT Center of Central PA
1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-920-9534; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.
Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27: Weekly Meditation Practice, 11 a.m.
Aug. 9: Seniors Group, 6 p.m.
Aug. 11: Aging with Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12 p.m.
Aug. 14, 28: Common Roads Young Adults, 4 p.m.
Aug. 16: Women’s Group, 6 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Aug. 2: Internet for Seniors, 10 a.m.
Aug. 2: Sci-Fi Writer’s Group, 7 p.m.
Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m.
Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
Aug. 5, 12, 26: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
Aug. 6: Health and Wellness Meet-up, 10 a.m.
Aug. 6: Good News Café, 6 p.m.
Aug. 7: Intro to Internet, 1 p.m.
Aug. 9: Dauphin County Young Democrats Meeting, 7 p.m.
Aug. 9: Men’s Conversation, 7 p.m.
Aug. 11, 18: Camp Curtin Toastmasters
Aug. 13: Story time with Lisa, 11 a.m.
Aug. 13: Author Talk and Signing: Cooper Wingert, 2 p.m.
Aug. 17: Sci Fi & Fantasy Book Club, 7 p.m.
Aug. 20: Local Author Saturday: Amy Brooks & Tawanda Brown, 2 p.m.
Aug. 21: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
Aug. 21: LGBT Book Club, 5 p.m.
Aug. 22: Harrisburg Young Professionals, 6 p.m.
Aug. 22: Feminism Book Club, 7 p.m.
Aug. 23: Friends of Midtown Safety Committee, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 28: Harrisburg Young Professionals Book Club, 2 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Aug. 12, 27: Letting Go! Paint Night Party, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Aug. 17: Sea Turtle Watercolor Paint Party, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The Movement Center
2134 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-238-0357; themovementcenter.net

Aug. 14: Community Yoga—Free Beginner Class, 10 a.m.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Aug. 4: Repurposed Junk and Upcycled Funk, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Aug. 9, 10: Fun with Watercolor, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Aug. 11, 12: Garden Sprouts Camp, 1:30-4 p.m.
Aug. 16, 17: Stage Combat Camp, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Aug. 18, 19: Nature Crafts Camp, 1:30-4 p.m.

The Studio by Absolute Pilates
1322 Saxton Way, Mechanicsburg
717-516-2062; thestudiobyap.com

Aug. 27: Free classes, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

Aug. 6: Late Summer Morning Bird Walk, 8-10 a.m.
Aug. 7: Summer Morning Walk, 10-11:30 a.m.
Aug. 10: Stress Relief Walk, 6-7:30 p.m.
Aug. 13: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Aug. 14: Flower Walk—Heat Tolerant Plant, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Aug. 17: Preschool Storytime—Summer at Wildwood, 10-10:45 a.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Aug. 7: The Shoji Tabuchi Show
Aug. 15: Styx
Aug. 21: Aaron Lewis
Aug. 26: Kellie Pickler
Aug. 28: Loretta Lynn
Aug. 29: Toto

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Aug. 13: Hank and Cupcakes
Aug. 18: The Mantras & Aqueous
Aug. 24: Buckwheat Zydeco
Aug. 27: Solar Federation, Rush Tribute Band

Bucks Valley Winery
333 Meadow Grove Rd., Newport
717-204-7508; bucksvalleywinery.com

Aug. 6: Stan & Wes Hoke
Aug. 20: Irvine & Lewis

Buddy Boy Winery
111 Barnett Dr., Duncannon
717-834-5606; buddyboywinery.com

Aug. 24: Coffeehouse Open Mic (Perry County Council of the Arts)

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

Aug. 2: Daniel Sheehan
Aug. 3: Deborah Anderson
Aug. 4, 14, 18, 28: Anthony Haubert
Aug. 5, 10: Jessica Perla
Aug. 6, 11, 20: Corinna Joy
Aug. 9: Christine Purcell
Aug. 12, 23, 26, 27: Noel Gevers
Aug. 13: Ted Ansel
Aug. 16, 19, 25, 31: Chris Emkey
Aug. 17: TBA
Aug. 24: Maria Battista
Aug. 27: Roy Lefever
Aug. 30: TBA

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

Aug. 4: We Came As Romans
Aug. 10: Otep
Aug. 19: Frankie Ballard
Aug. 26: Local H
Aug. 27: Kurt Vile and the Violators

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Aug. 5: Jim Steele
Aug. 6: Alex McQuade
Aug. 7: Chroma
Aug. 12: Dale Stipe
Aug. 13: TBA
Aug. 14: Charlie Fry
Aug. 18: Jamie O’Brien
Aug. 19: Jim Haas
Aug. 20: Doug Morris
Aug. 21: Kirk Wise
Aug. 26: Seasons
Aug. 27: Dominick Cicco
Aug. 28: Crimson

Flinchy’s
1833 Hummel Ave., Camp Hill
717-761-9000; flinchys.com

Aug. 3: Freddy Long
Aug. 17: Shea Quinn
Aug. 20: Chuck & Friends
Aug. 24: Phil Cannizzaro
Aug. 26: Freddy Long
Aug. 27: Jeffrey J. Walker

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Aug. 8: Shea Quinn & Friends

Grain + Verse Bottlehouse
148 Sheraton Dr., New Cumberland
717-317-3044; grainandverse.com

Aug. 11: Indian Summer Jars
Aug. 18: Mark DeRose
Aug. 25: The Great Northeast

Gretna Music
Leffler Chapel and Performance Center, Elizabethtown College
717-361-1508; gretnamusic.org

Aug. 7: Jennifer Johnson Cano & Christopher Cano
Aug. 14: Lise de la Salle

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown
717-939-9333; hbg-cpac.org

Aug. 5: HCPAC Choir Concert

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

Aug. 14: Starling

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Aug. 5: tgDivergence, Vetour First Friday
Aug. 6: Jon Hatchett Band & A.D. Chandler
Aug. 12: Kenny George Band
Aug. 13: Finks Constant & the Keystone Ska Exchange
Aug. 19: Ryan Kauffman Duo, The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow & The Wild Hymns
Aug. 20: Redd Panda, Mother, McClinton, Dylan Andre, Ill Fated Natives & Another Day Dawns
Aug. 26: JR Wolf
Aug. 27: Humandala & The Hair Cut

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

Aug. 27: Symphony Stroll

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheyentertainment.com

Aug. 21: Celtic Thunder

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; hollywoodpnrc.com

Aug. 5: Vinyl Groov
Aug. 6: DJ Ray Rossi, Stand Tall Baby Doll
Aug. 12: The Luv Gods
Aug. 13: DJ Coach K, Stayin Alive, M80 Band
Aug. 19: Honeypump
Aug. 20: DJ Styles, Sapphire
Aug. 26: Funktion
Aug. 27: DJ Forest, Smooth Like Clyde

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-421-1512; keystoneconcertband.com

Aug. 13: Baughman UM Ice Cream Festival

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

Aug. 5: Les’ Bien
Aug. 12: Ellyot H. Ray
Aug.19: CHROMA
Aug. 26: TBA

The MakeSpace
1916 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgmakespace.com

Aug. 7: Chamber Music
Aug. 13: Jazz Night w/Real Talk Collective & Justin Clauser

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Aug. 12: Nico Padden

The Mill in Hershey
810 Old West Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-256-9965; themillinhershey.com

Aug. 2: Corinna Joy
Aug. 6: Funktion Quartet
Aug. 9: Darcie Miner
Aug. 13: HIP 450
Aug. 16: Josh Krevsky
Aug. 20: Troubadour Lights
Aug. 23: Jason Carst
Aug. 27: Ryan Moran
Aug. 30: Sherri Mullen

MoMo’s BBQ & Grille
307 Market St., Harrisburg
717-230-1030; momosbbqandgrill.com

Aug. 5: Back Rhodes
Aug. 12: Genesis Lorraine w/ The Start
Aug. 19: Skyla Burrell
Aug. 26: Christopher Dean

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Aug. 6: Nate Myers & the Aces
Aug. 20: Kilmaine Saints

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
rivercityhbg.com

Aug. 4: Mark Santanna and the Snake Oil Salesman
Aug. 6: Kat Hart, Norm Eberly Quartet
Aug. 7, 20: La Playa
Aug. 11: Blue Elephant & Friends
Aug. 12: 36th Annual Friends of Jazz Festival Party
Aug. 13: Don Johnson Project
Aug. 18: Shawan & The Wonton
Aug. 19: Switch Fu
Aug. 21: Singer’s Lounge
Aug. 25: Chris Auxt Band
Aug. 26: People’s Open Jam
Aug. 27: Steve Rudolph, Jonathan Ragonese, Peter Paulsen
Aug. 28: La Playa 4th Sunday Miami Fusion Dance Party

St. Thomas Roasters
5951 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
717-526-4171; stthomasroasters.com

Aug. 4: Brian Horton
Aug. 5: Mark Lubbers
Aug. 6: Gianna Palanzo
Aug. 11: Todd McCall, One Fat Cowboy
Aug. 12: Cotolo
Aug. 13: Matt Tenny
Aug. 18: Paul Zanngh
Aug. 19: Roger Hammer
Aug. 20: Craig Bonner
Aug. 25: Channalia
Aug. 26: Tim Zimmerman
Aug. 27: Orit

Stock’s on 2nd
211 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

Aug. 5, 26: Shea Quinn and Friends
Aug. 6: Visitors Duo
Aug. 12: Song Smith
Aug. 13: Houston Baker
Aug. 19: A Perfect Storm Duo
Aug. 20: Josh Krevsky
Aug. 24: A Perfect Storm
Aug. 25: TBA
Aug. 27: Music Thru Science Lite

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

Aug. 1: Sarah McLachlan

Suba Tapas Bar
272 North St., Harrisburg
717-233-7358; mangiaqui.com

Aug. 13: Nate Myers & the Aces
Aug. 20: Gary Brown

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

Aug. 19: Alash Ensemble
Aug. 24: Soundwaves: Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat Concert

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Aug. 13, 14: Allegro—American Fare

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Aug. 16: Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
Aug. 18: Juanito Pascual
Aug. 20: 3West, Summer Scouts, Citizen Cope
Aug. 30: The Robert Cray Band

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Aug. 5: Shawan and the Wonton
Aug. 7: Rivers (Burgers & Beer w/The Harrisburger)
Aug. 26: Flower Garden
Aug. 27: DJ Bazooka 8-11

The Stage Door

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Aug. 12: Terry Fator

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

Aug. 13: “The Frog Prince”

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Through Aug. 6: “Mary Poppins”
Aug. 11-Sept. 24: Yeston and Kopit’s “Phantom”

Gamut Theatre
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Through Aug. 20: “Cinderella” (Popcorn Hat Players)
Aug. 12-21: “As You Like It” (Stage Door Series)

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

Aug. 5: Class Show—Intro to Musical Improv
Aug. 5: Harold Hour
Aug. 20: Crank
Aug. 28: Magic Fairy Pirate Monkeys

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Aug. 19: Comedy Night

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Rd., Camp Hill
717-737-6768; oystermill.com

Aug. 12-28: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”

York Little Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-3894; ylt.org

Aug. 12-21: “Side Show”

Curtains, not Candy: “Sweetest Place on Earth” also offers theatrical treats.

November 30, 2015 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Hershey Theatre

For many, the name “Hershey” conjures up a world-class amusement park, a huge sports arena and America’s best-known chocolate.

But those looking for theater in the town named for magnate Milton S. Hershey won’t be disappointed.

The two best known are, in fact, a study in contrasts.

Hershey Area Playhouse is an intimate community space, born out of grass-roots efforts and housed in what was once a barn that was 136 years old when its conversion to a theater began in 2002.

Meanwhile, Hershey Theatre is a majestic professional venue with more than 1900 seats, envisioned by Milton Hershey as far back as 1915. Completed in 1933, it recalls the opulence of 20-century European theaters—with high ceilings and walls faced with four different types of marble.

Therefore, audience members have two spectacular choices depending on their interests and moods.

Everyone Welcome
Hershey Area Playhouse traces its roots to a meeting at the Hershey Public Library on Jan. 13, 1999, organized by founder Skip Becker.

The meeting was shut down prematurely by an ice storm, but not before a group of community supporters elected a board of directors and chose a name. “Hershey Area” referred to the fact that the founders wanted to encourage theater lovers from around the area, not just the town, to participate.

And that expansive vision continues today in how the theater operates, said Susan Cort, a member of the original board who currently serves on the marketing committee.

“Everyone is welcome, whether you have no theater experience or 40 years of experience,” she said.

At first, the community theater was without a permanent home, and it traveled “from venue to venue to perform,” said Cort.

HAP’s vagabond status ended in 2002 when Michael Leader, CEO of Country Meadows, offered the use of the barn on the edge of the retirement/nursing home campus for a new permanent community theater—at the cost of just $1 a year.

“It was extraordinarily generous,” said Mark Douglas Cuddy, a member of the artistic (play-selecting) committee at HAP.

To enhance the community experience, HAP was built as a ¾-round theater, which means that the stage extends into the audience on three sides. This set up, plus the fact that the theater itself is small, provides great intimacy and connectedness between audience and players.

The theater, in other words, is perfect for putting on community productions, said Cort.

Not Sitting Dark
In contrast to HAP, the Hershey Theatre is far more traditional and ornate, as Milton Hershey built the theater to “wow,” not to offer intimacy.

The magnificent structure is festooned with marble, intricate tile-work, bas-relief images and paintings with classical themes. The sides of the auditorium were built to resemble a Byzantine castle, while the stage itself has design elements of a Venetian canal.

In addition, the theater was built not as ¾-round, but as a proscenium, a classical design in which all the action takes place directly in front of the audience. It’s also quite sizeable, seating 1,904 people.

Until the recent past, Hershey Theatre was best known for touring shows from the Great White Way. In 1954, a Broadway tour of the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s hit musical “The King and I” came to Hershey with its original star, Yul Brynner.

Things have changed somewhat since 2007, when the M.S. Hershey Foundation began to partner with the theater.

“Programming is much more diversified,” said Melissa Stradnick, public relations manager for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.

Touring shows still arrive at Hershey Theatre, such as the upcoming revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” in January. And, despite its connection with Hershey, not all shows are family oriented; the theater also presents more adult fare like “Avenue Q” and “Spring Awakening.”

Then there is the occasional “PG-13”-type show, like “Matilda,” which played in November, said Dennis Norton, the theater’s entertainment programming manager.

“Our mission is to present the current state of what’s opened on Broadway,” he said.

“Ragtime,” based on E. L. Doctorow’s novel and scheduled for April, is part of the educational component that Hershey Theatre also embraces.

Aside from Broadway-type fare, you’ll find comedy shows, children’s shows and Hershey Symphony concerts.

“One thing we stay away from is heavy rock concerts,” said Stradnick.

Whatever is presented, Hershey Theatre is much more active than it used to be.

“It’s such a beautiful theater, that we don’t want it to sit dark,” said Stradnick. “We also try to make sure not to saturate the market with the same thing.”

All Imaginations
Although Hershey Area Playhouse has offered some controversial shows, such as “That Championship Season,” recent programming has focused on family-friendly material. These include musicals, comedies and dramas, like this past year’s “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Oliver!” noted Cuddy, who is also a board member.

This month features two holiday-related shows: “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“We made the made a decision early on to attract and integrate young actors and directors,” Cuddy said. “We want to be welcoming. We’re not just for audiences, but a community theater for actors, directors and those who want to work behind the scenes.”

Aside from five main stage shows, Hershey Area Playhouse also offers less-traditional fare.

A play called “Drifting,” about traumatic sports brain injuries in sports, was to be performed at the Hershey Medical Center, but was done instead at HAP. Then there was “Edges,” a rock opera about bullying, heartbreak and other subject matter geared to young people.

HAP also has “dark night offerings,” which have included appearances of Molasses Creek, a contemporary folk band from North Carolina that holds fundraisers for the theater; Sweet Sounds concerts featuring students from Hershey High School and Milton Hershey High; and staged readings by Playwrights Alliance of Pennsylvania.

“Our mantra is, ‘All imaginations welcomed,’” said Cuddy.

For more information, about Hershey Area Playhouse, visit www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com. For more information about the Hershey Theatre, visit www.hersheytheatre.com.

“Nutcracker” Christmas

One of the staples of Hershey Theatre is the annual production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” by Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

This year, performances will take place Dec. 19 and 20, with the participation of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Stuart Malina.

It’s a long-standing relationship. The Carlisle-based ballet school and company first performed “The Nutcracker” at the Hershey Theatre in December 1977, with choreography and staging by Marcia Dale Weary, CPYB’s founding artistic director.

Later, the school earned the license to dance the Balanchine version.

Since CPYB performs the beloved Christmas confection at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts as well, why Hershey Theatre?

Several reasons, said Weary, including Hershey Theatre’s orchestra pit.

“It’s also one of the most beautiful theaters in the whole world and very large,” she said. “Some of our performances get full houses, or nearly so.”

Plus, she added, the large stage gives room for the Christmas tree to “grow” and for “snow” to fall.

“Some people think if they don’t see ‘Nutcracker,’ it’s not Christmas to them,” Weary said. “Some people come to see it every year.”

“Twelfth Night” and Transformations: Shakespeare’s “beautiful promise” opens Gamut’s new theater.

October 30, 2015 | by Thomas Weaver

When you’re a classic theater company opening a new home, you must be mindful in choosing the play for your inaugural production.

It’s an important decision. After all, you only get one chance to open the first show. It sets the tone for what the new theater means not only to your company but to your community. The play must be a story imbued with positive elements. When I learned that Gamut Theatre Group’s first production in its new theater would be William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” I immediately thought: “Of course. ‘Twelfth Night’ is the sweet spot.”

“Twelfth Night” could very well be Shakespeare’s greatest gift to any theater. It inevitably brings out the best in everyone. Few plays offer so many chances for actors to shine and for audiences to relish in the hilarious and rich journey. The play is full of what the Bard does best: ploys, mistaken identity, music, revenge, redemption, an enigmatic clown and characters who become more and more self-aware with every line they speak. Whether you’re a theatergoer or a theater practitioner, “Twelfth Night” is likely on your bucket list.

One of the most attractive qualities of “Twelfth Night” is the tragic nature of its comedy. In fact, for a Shakespearean comedy, “Twelfth Night” is full of characters with decidedly unfunny back stories: The Duke Orsino, whose soul is decaying from unrequited love; the Countess Olivia, who is stagnant in a seven-year mourning over the death of her brother; the protagonist Viola, who disguises herself as a man as both a means of protection and mourning as she believes her twin brother Sebastian has died in the horrific shipwreck she survived (Shakespeare’s son Hamnett, the twin brother of his daughter Judith, died suddenly of the plague just a few years before he wrote “Twelfth Night”); the servant Malvolio, who is so repressed and void of joy that his name in Italian literally translates to “I dislike.” Not exactly characters you’d expect to find in one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated comedies.

The laughter and brilliance of “Twelfth Night” lie in its timeless theme of transformation. Each character will experience a transformation so significant, uplifting, and, yes, humorous, one can’t help but delight in the change. Whether it’s the Duke Orsino discovering love in the most unexpected of places, Olivia allowing grief to take a backseat to desire, Viola revealing her identity to experience one of the most moving of Shakespearean reunions, or Malvolio falling in love the moment he realizes he is capable of feeling it, “Twelfth Night” shows us not only who we are, but who we hope to become. This theme of transformation—of honoring the past while looking to the future—is Artistic Director J. Clark Nicholson’s concept for Gamut’s “Twelfth Night.”

Gamut’s production celebrates this theme of new growth from fertile beginnings in exciting ways and is perhaps best illustrated by the actors themselves. For more than two decades, Gamut has employed a full-time company of professional artists in Harrisburg. Through the years, many actors have come and gone, but a number have stayed, choosing to make Harrisburg their home. The cast of “Twelfth Night” consists of current and former company members, including several actors who have served in a similar capacity over the years. The role of the “fair behaviored” Sea Captain, a pivotal character who mysteriously disappears after one scene, will be played by a different former company member each night—some traveling from states away. The result is a cast demographic of new and familiar faces representing not only the theme of growth, but where the company has been and where it is going.

“Twelfth Night” is not so much the best choice to open Gamut’s new home, but really, the only choice. The final lines of the play perhaps illustrate this best. This is not a spoiler by any means—after all, you’ve had nearly 400 years to read “Twelfth Night.” The play ends with a song from Feste, the mysterious clown:

“A great while ago the world began,

With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,

But that’s all one, our play is done

And we’ll strive to please you every day.”

Four hundred years ago, this was Shakespeare’s beautiful promise to his audience. Now, as Gamut opens its new home in November, this is their promise to you.

Gamut Theatre is located at 15 N. 4^th St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 238-4111 or visit www.gamuttheatre.org.

NOVEMBER THEATRE EVENTS
at Harrisburg’s Professional Downtown Theatres

Nov. 6
GAMUT THEATRE GRAND OPENING
11 am to 2 pm
Ribbon cutting with Mayor Eric Papenfuse
Cake & refreshments will be served
Open to the community to tour Gamut’s new facility

Nov. 7 to Nov. 29
TWELFTH NIGHT
The inaugural performance at the newGamut Theatre
Select Medical Mainstage
Tickets at GamutTheatre.org

Saturday, Nov. 7: Opening Night with “Meet the Cast & Crew” reception
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Fridays: Tickets BOGO (buy one, get one free)
Sundays: Tickets BYOP (bring your own price)—any size donation buys a ticket

Nov. 27 to Dec. 13
PETER, HOOK, & THE DARLINGS
The classic story as you’ve never seen it before,Thursdays to Sundays, at Open Stage of Harrisburg, with these special events:

Friday Nov. 27: Opening Night with reception
Dec. 3 & Dec. 10: Thrifty Thursdays with a limited number of $15 tickets sponsored by PSEA
Sunday Dec. 6: 2 pm matinee includes post-show discussion

The Last Stitch: After more than 2 decades, renowned costume designer Gwen Alsedek retires from Open Stage.

June 30, 2015 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

There’s an advantage to retiring from theater when you love to watch theater.

Since 1993, when Gwen Alsedek became resident costume designer at Open Stage of Harrisburg—the professional downtown theater established 10 years earlier by her older brother, Donald, his wife, Anne, and Marianne Fischer—she’s been too occupied behind the scenes to be in the audience very often.

Now that Alsedek is retiring, she expects to spend more hours on the other side of the lights.

“I love to go to the theater, and I love being part of an audience,” she said.

Her professional affiliation with Open Stage actually began in 1991, when she costume-designed “Nora,” Ingmar Bergman’s take on Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” as a freelancer.

Early on in her tenure, she costumed such diverse plays as “Harvey,” about an imaginary rabbit, and “The Lioness of Berry,” about writer George Sand. Sometimes, she both stage-managed and designed costumes.

Fittingly, she wrapped up her career at Open Stage last month with “Stories from Home: People Who Care,” a celebration of those who have worked hard to make Harrisburg a better place.

“When I look back, I’m amazed how many shows I’ve done and how many the theater has done,” she said. “I wanted to be here because of the plays.”

Coming Home

If not for a family crisis, Alsedek might not have returned to her native Harrisburg. She was a visiting artist at Hofstra University in Long Island when her mother became ill.

“I knew she needed help, so I came home,” she said.

Meanwhile, Open Stage was growing and changing. It had moved from a tiny location in Elizabethtown to its present venue on Walnut Street in Harrisburg, and Alsedek found herself more and more “entrenched.”

“It’s pretty amazing to do in your hometown and make a living doing what you studied,” she said. “As a graduate student, I wrote in my final paper how much I was looking forward to a theater family. Literally, I found it.”

Alsedek studied costume design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, which is affiliated with the Missouri Repertory Theatre (now Kansas City Rep).

Over the years, she accumulated wonderful experiences and memories. She rattles off the names of many shows, always with awareness that she might be leaving something major out. She mentions “’Master Harold’ . . . and the Boys,” “A Trip to Bountiful,” “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “The Laramie Project,” among others.

“The Big Bang Theory” was particularly memorable, because, as Alsedek described it, “all things had to turn into other things.” There was “The Immigrant,” in which she also performed and “got to wear these cute little outfits.”

The costume designer also had a cameo in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”—it took longer for her to get dressed for the part than the time she was onstage.

Alsedek did both the sets and costumes for “The Threepenny Opera,” which remains one of her favorites.

“I love the work of composer Kurt Weill and librettist Berthold Brecht,” she said.

Dynamo

Alsedek’s career at Open Stage has been nothing if not diverse.

Over the years, she has designed for “I Am My Own Wife,” about a transgendered German who survived Nazi and Communist rule, all the way to “Crowns,” a soul-stirring Gospel musical, which meant a lot of hats for the church ladies.

Two annual productions, “A Christmas Carol” and “The Diary of Anne Frank,” gave Alsedek the opportunity to dress (and wig) many different casts over the years.

She recalls actors and staffers, including the late Jim Woland, set designer for the theater, whose talents she admired and whose company she enjoyed. “It’s special if everyone is committed to a project 100 percent,” Alsedek said.

Though she seems like a quiet, one-woman dynamo, Alsedek didn’t work totally alone. She had volunteer helpers “along the way” who came in and sewed with her, especially mothers from the “Christmas Carol” casts.

Then I asked her the obvious question: Is it easier or more stressful to work with family?

She responded that the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. She and brother Don had previously been co-workers in their family restaurant. And, she said, they share the “same work ethic and the same tastes” and get along well.

“I sort of knew what he wanted, and we were always on the same page,” Alsedek explained. “It was very collaborative, but Don gave me full artistic license. We agreed on the message we’re putting out and how to get it out.”

The two siblings also have a younger brother, who is not in theater but whom Alsedek calls “very artistic.”

Other than seeing more theater, Alsedek prefers to remain a little vague about her future plans, including where she may end up living. She does say, “there’ll be some trips and visiting people—both were difficult to pull off,” while working full-time-plus—and there will be “no deadlines.”

Alsedek acknowledges she’ll “truly miss” tech week, when all the elements, all the artists, come together and the play gels.

“There is always a certain wonder in that magical week before the show opens,” she said.

She’ll also think with nostalgia about the “dark, quiet theater with only the sounds of the artists at work. It can be very spiritual.”

Speaking of “spiritual,” she expects to devote more time to her hobby of a decade—studying and creating the sacred art of Byzantine iconography. While today the term is most closely associated with wooden panel painting, in Byzantium, icons could be crafted in many media, including ivory.

Alsedek also hopes to spend more time outdoors—she loves the seashore and mountains and once was an active kayaker.

Unequivocally, though, Alsedek says she’s “really happy” the time for retirement has come.

What message does she have for other costume designers? Ironically, she said, the greatest satisfaction often comes when their work isn’t noticed.

“If clothes don’t get in the way, if people don’t think about it, but about the acting and what a great show it was, I’ve done my job,” she said. “I’m there to support the actors.”

To learn more about Open Stage of Harrisburg, visit www.openstagehbg.com.

Theater in Bloom: Once, June was a sleepy month on the local stage. No more.

May 30, 2014 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Do know the song “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over?”

It could refer to theater in central Pennsylvania, where seasons are longer and busier than ever.

This month proves the rule. Among the highlights: a historical drama (with romance), a romantic comedy, and an original production paying homage to the capital region—on stage at Reservoir Park (Gamut Theatre Group’s Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival), Theatre Harrisburg and Open Stage of Harrisburg, respectively.

Love and Duty

Ancient Rome and Egypt form the backdrop for the annual Shakespeare in the Park production, which this year is “Antony and Cleopatra.” The play, directed by Karen Ruch, continues through June 14.

It’s debatable whether Cleopatra—who had been romantically involved with her mentor, Julius Caesar, and might still be grieving for him—was in love with Mark Antony or merely “playing” him. Ruch essentially leaves that for the actors to decipher.

“Clearly, Cleopatra knew how to navigate the powers of Rome,” she said. “After Antony’s death, she tries to make a play for the next emperor, Octavius, but doesn’t succeed.”

Shakespeare’s play touches more generally on what makes a relationship work—or not. The lovers die by their own hands in the end—two mature adults, not the young, impulsive Romeo and Juliet.

Ultimately, for the director, “Antony and Cleopatra” concerns the conflict between love and duty and contrasting Roman and Egyptian values.

“Their relationship was not legitimate according to Roman law,” Ruch explained. “The Romans were notorious for promiscuity, but then moved on. Antony disappeared into the relationship and, thus, became less Roman.”

Philip Weaver and Francesca Amendolia portray the star-crossed lovers. Jeff Luttermoser is Octavius, and Thomas Weaver is Enobarbus.

Red Hot

Theatre Harrisburg’s final production of the season is “The Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” running from June 13 to 22 and staged by Robert Campbell in his directorial debut with the community theater.

“One thing I like about the play is that it’s a Neil Simon brand of comedy, uniquely funny but grounded in real people behaving like real people,” he said. “There are surprises, because the people don’t fit any formula.”

Campbell also admires “Red Hot Lovers” as one of those works in which the director can “get out of the way.” “In a Simon play, it’s all there,” he said. “No need to conceptualize.”

“Red Hot Lovers” is like a collection of one acts, unified by the attempt of the nice-but-nerdy Barney (played by Richard Johnson) “to do a not-nice thing”—commit adultery, said Campbell. “He wants to do something sexy, hot and exciting. Looking for excitement is something most people can identify with.”

Each of the three acts focuses on a different (and distinctive) woman Barney considers—portrayed by Lydia Graeff, Chelsea Day and Lisa Weitzman. “Deep down, he thinks he should, but really doesn’t want to,” Campbell said. “So, there’s self-sabotaging”—especially if you consider where he takes the women.

Set in the late-‘60s, “Red Hot Lovers” ends on a “sweet note,” as Barney reaches to call—well, we won’t give that away either.

Home Story

Though the “official” season of Open Stage of Harrisburg ends in May, June has, for several years, been devoted to a standalone original production. For the third year in a row, the theater is presenting “Stories from Home,” a tribute to the region.

Running from June 19 to 29, this year’s edition focuses on the 8th Ward of Harrisburg, as well as Steelton and Paxtang—the latter celebrating its 250th anniversary.

“The 8th Ward was like the Lower East Side of Harrisburg,” said Anne Alsedek, who directs “Stories from Home” and writes the scripts with an assist from her casts. “It drew a mixed population of African Americans, Jews and Irish, who then moved on. Beth El AME and other churches and synagogues were born there. The tenements were torn down to make way for an expanding Capitol complex.”

There’s other rich history. People may not know that, when Lincoln was making his whistle stop in Harrisburg, the Pinkerton Agency received a tip that there would be an assassination attempt on his life. “Thanks to the coachman of Simon Cameron, an African-American former slave who was a member of Bethel AME, the president was spirited out of the city by night, in disguise,” said Alsedek, Open Stage’s education director.

“Stories from Home” recalls less palatable aspects of history as well, including the tale of the Paxton Boys, frontiersmen along the Susquehanna who formed a vigilante group. They retaliated in 1763 against local Native Americans in the aftermath of the French and Indian War and are known for murdering 20 Susquehannock Indians in events collectively called the Conestoga Massacre. “This is alluded to in the novel ‘A Light in the Forest’ and the film version,” Alsedek noted.

The ensemble cast includes John Bailey, Nina Beesley and Ferris Evans in their Open Stage debuts, as well as Aaron Bomar, Jeremy Patterson, J. C. Payne and Cassandra Potter. Yoleidy Rosario is the stage manager.

“’Stories from Home’ is fortunate to have developed a partnership this year with the three Dauphin County commissioners—Jeff Haste, George Hartwick III and Mike Pries—who are lending financial support and co-presenting,” Alsedek added. “We had always hoped the productions would move beyond Harrisburg.”

More Great Theater

There are many other productions this month—too many to detail here. But the highlights include:

Allenberry Playhouse, “Ladies Night in a Turkish Bath,” a farce, through June 15, followed by the musical “42nd Street,” June 18 to July 20.
Dreamwrights Youth and Family Theatre, “My Favorite Year,” a comedy based on the movie, June 26 to 29.
Ephrata Performing Arts Center, “Agnes of God,” psychological thriller, June 12 to 28.
The Fulton Theatre’s evergreen musical “Les Miserables,” June 3 to 29.
Gretna Theatre’s “Tribute to the Four Seasons,” June 12 to 15, followed by Lerner and Loewe’s “Camelot,” June 19 to 29.
Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, “Reefer Madness,” a musical, June 6 to 21.
Oyster Mill Playhouse, “Jeeves in Bloom,” a comedy, June 6 to 22.
York Little Theatre, mega-hit musical “Gypsy,” June 20 to 29.

Peeking into next month, be sure to check out the Carlisle Theatre Company’s take on the musical comedy, “Once Upon a Mattress,” July 3 to 6.

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