CAMP FOR CREATIVITY, PREVIEW FOR PARKER

EPAC veteran Eliseo Roman (front row, on the right) figured prominently in the "Leap of Faith" production number at the recent Tony Awards.

Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man! 

Did you see Lancaster native and EPAC veteran ("The Fantasticks," "Jesus Christ Superstar") Eliseo Roman in the "Leap of Faith" production number on the recent Tony Awards telecast? 

From his turn as Judas in EPAC's 1994 production of "Superstar," we knew Eliseo could play a mean tambourine as one of his many marvelous talents. This time, he showed that skill to the whole NATION during his appearance in the number from the Tony-nominated Broadway musical, "Leap of Faith."

Yay, Eliseo!

Calling all Campers!!

If you'd like your kids to experience all the arts this summer, in one FUN camp experience, check out EPAC's Center Stage Summer Theater Camp at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre.

Children completing grades K through 6 can experience music, dance, theater and the visual arts through a camp experience designed to inspire creativity, imagination, risk-taking and storytelling skills.

The camp runs July 9 to Aug. 3. Children can attend from one, two, three or all four weeks, culminating in performances of "Disney's Jungle Book Kids" at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5.

NEW THIS SUMMER: Artistic Director Edward R. Fernandez is offering an Intensive Acting Workshop for students completing grades 7-12. 

The workshop, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6-17, ends with a 2 p.m. showcase performance on Saturday, Aug. 18.

Click here to register online for the camp.

Visit the EPAC Website, and click on the summer camp logo on the right side of the home page, for camp prices.

Heed the ghost of Noel Coward!

You still have one more chance to see Coward's witty play of beyond-the-grave zaniness, "Blithe Spirit," Saturday, June 23 (today!), at 8 p.m. Kudos to the cast, director, design team and crew for a wonderful run!

Preview for Parker

You may remember a personable young man who helped operate the theater's concession stand during some of EPAC's past special events and preview nights. That's Parker Harley, son of EPAC's former managing director Stephanie Harley.

Parker has been battling some serious health issues over the past few months, and is in need of a liver transplant. So, EPAC is turning the Wednesday, July 18, preview night of "The Who's Tommy" into a benefit performance for Parker.

Your $30 ticket includes a performance of "Tommy" and a summer picnic-themed reception before the show, with food provided by Lily's on Main, The Hill Top Inn and others. Your whole ticket price goes to the Harley family for Parker's future medical needs.

Call (717) 733-7966, or visit the EPAC Website for tickets.

Proud of Pride Performance

The cast and musicians of EPAC's "The Who's Tommy" did a fantastic job performing at Lancaster PA Pride June 16! Visit the EPAC Facebook page for pictures and videos of the performance.

"The Who's Tommy" runs July 19 to Aug. 4 at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre.

                  -- Mary Ellen ("Merv") Wright

LET THIS 'BLITHE SPIRIT' MOVE YOU!

Kristie Ohlinger is Elvira in EPAC's "Blithe Spirit."

An urbane British writer and his wife. Friends with whom they can spend a witty evening around the séance table. A kooky-but-committed psychic medium. A wacky maid who could crack the four-minute mile in heels. A glamorous, determined ghost of a long-dead wife, conjured from The Great Beyond against her will.

Put these interesting characters in the hands of British playwright Noel Coward, and a great Ephrata Performing Arts Center cast in the hands of director Rich Repkoe, and you’ve got “Blithe Spirit.”

The cast is about halfway through its run of this breezy, paranormal farce, being performed on the stage of the Sharadin Bigler Theatre in Ephrata. The show will transport you to that wonderful, funny, entertaining place in which we all engage our minds and spirits when we’re watching really satisfying summer theater.

I’ve seen the show, and can assure you that you’ll have a great time listening to the witty banter among these players. And you’ll LOVE the special effects once the ghostly gang has its poltergeist-ly way with the props (by Fran Hill and Monica Daniels). 

I cackled aloud listening to Lynne Demers-Hunt and Tim Spiese as Ruth and Charles Condomine toss around a whole lot of bon mots, sometimes along with Dr. and Mrs. Bradman, played by Rob Adams and Tricia Corcoran. Elizabeth Pattey will crack you up as the delightful Madame Arcati, a bicycle-riding medium whose dramatic trances engender unintended consequences.

Emily Martin’s Edith the Maid will delightfully exhaust you with her desperate-to-please-her-employer antics – her fleet feet and her balancing act with trays of drinks.

And wait until Kristie Ohlinger glides onto the stage as the divine Elvira, the ghost of Charles’ first wife! This blithe spirit has got some unfinished business with the corporeal world, and mischief on her mind regarding Charles and Ruth.

And let’s give it up for the design team!  Victor Capecce’s drawing-room set, Josh Starr’s lighting, Andy Babin’s sound and Janell Berte’s stunning costumes work together well to recreate the time period (Coward wrote the play in 1941), and evoke all the ghostly goings-on. Technical Director Beth Lewis and Stage Manager Rachel Snavely have helped Rich Repkoe put together a wonderful night of theater for the EPAC audience.

You have six more chances to see it … so call 733-7966 for tickets (or visit the Web site). The show runs through June 23.

-- Mary Ellen (“Merv”) Wright