'ANYTHING GOES' IS 'THE TOP' AT EPAC

In 1934, supremely talented composer Cole Porter opened another musical on Broadway, filled with gangsters and lovers, sailors and society folk. I wonder whether Mr. Porter had any idea how well his lively creation, “Anything Goes,” would stand the test of time. Seventy-eight years on, this show is still tapping its way into audience’s hearts.

Let it fill your holidays with singing, dancing and zany fun as the Ephrata Performing Arts Center opens “Anything Goes” tonight at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre. 

I saw a bit of a rehearsal for the show last weekend – I was fortunate enough to catch the cast completely filling the stage with exuberant singing and tap-dancing! I can’t wait to see the show in full flower on opening night!

“Anything Goes” has had two major revivals on Broadway, has been turned into feature films and has been performed in high schools and community theaters across the country for decades. It's clear why: The show is filled with fun characters, snappy dialogue, plenty of dancing and classic show tunes that beautifully display Porter’s gift for a turn of phrase.

Just look at the title tune: “In olden days a glimpse of stocking / was looked on as something shocking / but now, God knows / Anything goes …” and “Good authors, too, who once knew better words / Now only use four-letter words writing prose / Anything goes. …” Brilliant!

“Anything Goes” is the story of Billy Crocker, a stock broker who stows away on the S.S. American as it sails from New York to London. Crocker has fallen for Hope Harcourt, fiancée of Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. On the ship, Crocker will meet up with – and conspire with – such characters as evangelist-turned-singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy #13 Moonface Martin and his gal-pal Erma.

As audience members are taken on this journey of love, mistaken identity and other shenanigans, they’ll be treated to such classic songs as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “All Through the Night,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” and “You’re the Top.”

And the cast, crew, directing team, creative team and volunteers of EPAC are “The Top,” too. You’ll surely want to check out their handiwork, now through Dec. 22 at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre. Call (717) 733-7966 for tickets, or visit the EPAC website. 

If you see the show tonight (Thursday, Dec. 6), the opening night of the musical, your ticket has an added bonus; it’s also your ticket to the after-party at the Hilltop Inn, 415 E. Main St., Ephrata.

We’d like to thank the sponsors of that party, the law offices of Russell, Krafft and Gruber, LLP. We’d also like to extend our gratitude to the show’s main sponsor, RE/MAX Associates of Lancaster, and our other sponsor, The Douple Agency of Ephrata. Single-performance sponsors C.E. Pontz & Sons and an anonymous EPAC angel are also much appreciated!

And, as always, EPAC would be lost without its season sponsors, Green Mountain Cyclery and Blue Ridge Communications.

A huge thanks, too, to the Sharadin Bigler Foundation for its huge yearly gift toward paying off the theater's renovations and mortgage.

Thank you to all of these companies, organizations and individuals for their support; EPAC couldn’t continue to fulfill its mission of presenting “theater that matters” without you.

A HUGE, MASSIVE, GINORMOUS THANK YOU!!

Thank you, again, to all those wonderful angels -- both known and anonymous -- for making 128 donations, totaling a whopping $11,400 (!!), to EPAC through the countywide charity event, The Extraordinary Give, on Nov. 30. You have shown how much you love this theater, and how important you consider its work. The EPAC board and staff are grateful and humbled by your generosity.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES

Have you voted yet for your EPAC favorites in BroadwayWorld’s 2012 Central PA theater awards? If not, please go to the website and vote. There are EPAC nominees in nearly every category … let’s get those numbers up for all these talented members of EPAC's acting, directing and performing teams, who gave us the gift of such great theater throughout this season!

CALLING ALL PERFORMERS!

Reminder: Auditions for "Angels in America," parts 1 (“Millennium Approaches”) and 2 (“Perestroika”), will be held at 1 p.m. this coming Sunday (Dec. 9) at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre, home of EPAC. To register for that audition, sign up online here, or call Edward Fernandez at (717) 733-7966, extension 2.
Also, audition dates for casting the shows for the REST of the 2013 season have been announced. Ed Fernandez said you can start checking on the EPAC website NEXT WEEK for audition information and for an online signup form through which you can schedule an appointment (it's not online yet) for the January auditions.
Here are the dates:
Thursday, Jan. 17, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 18, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Shows to be cast in January are: “Avenue Q,” “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “Guys and Dolls,” “The Glass Menagerie,” “Assassins” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”


-- Merv Wright

'Anything Goes' at EPAC in December

The Ephrata Performing Arts Center's production of Cole Porter's high-seas musical "Anything Goes" opens Dec. 6.

And be sure to check out subscription information for EPAC’s 2013 season here: Annie Jr. (Feb. 1-3 and 8-10); “Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches” (March 7-9 and 13-16); ““Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika” (March 38-30 and April 3-6);  “Avenue Q” (May 2-4,9-11 and 15-18); “Brighton Beach Memoirs” (June 13-15, 20-22 and 26-29);  “Guys and Dolls” (July 25-27 and Aug. 1-3 and 7-10); “The Glass Menagerie” (Sept. 5-7, 12-14 and 18-21); “Assassins” (Oct. 17-19, 24-26 and Oct. 30-Nov. 2), and “Fiddler on the Roof” (Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 18-21).

EPAC presents moving, energetic 'Spring Awakening'

EPAC's "Spring Awakening" cast peforms "The Bitch of Living."

Josh Kirwin and Kate-Lynn Scheib portray Melchior and Wendla in "Spring Awakening."

The cast of the moving, spirited musical "Spring Awakening" at EPAC 

I have seen the musical “Spring Awakening” off-Broadway, on Broadway and on tour.

But as I watched the final dress-rehearsal performance of the Ephrata Performing Arts Center’s “Spring Awakening” Wednesday night, I felt as if I were seeing the show for the first time. My heart soared to watch this show that I’m so crazy about – performed by an energetic, talented young cast – on the stage of a community theater I love so much.

The show is funny, frank and touching. I laughed and cried on Wednesday as if I’d never seen the show before – as if it were all the kind of wonderful surprise I felt the first time I saw the show off-Broadway.

Director Ed Fernandez, his talented and energetic cast (with many faces new to EPAC) and the creative team have brought a moving, funny, exuberant and beautiful piece of art to life on the stage of the Sharadin Bigler Theatre. Whether you’ve never seen “Spring Awakening,” or whether you’ve seen it numerous times, you’ll be transported by EPAC’s production.

The musical is based on an 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, which was controversial for its time, as it explored German teenagers’ struggles with their sexuality and the knowledge of it denied them by the adults in their lives. “Spring Awakening,” the musical, takes this serious subject matter and injects it with energy through its modern, rock score.

It’s fun to remember that you’ll be seeing the musical on a local stage on which Broadway’s original Melchior Gabor, Lancaster County native Jonathan Groff, performed in such shows as “Honk” and “Bat Boy: The Musical.” But this cast makes this show completely its own; even if you’ve seen the show on Broadway, you have NOT seen what EPAC can do with the show. And you want to see that – believe me!!

The music, by Duncan Sheik – remember his 1996 hit “Barely Breathing”? – with lyrics by (book-writer) Steven Sater, is marvelous. I own the soundtrack, and have listened to those songs countless times; it’s so great to hear them performed by a great pit orchestra and wonderful voices in this cast, and see them given new life with great choreography. The set, lighting, sound and costume design bring the show into full bloom.

The leads, Josh Kirwin as Melchior; Vince Fazzolari as Moritz, and Kate-Lynn Scheib as Wendla, are wonderful – but, frankly, you're going to love the whole cast!! Fantastic job by all! Special kudos to Susan Barber and Larry Gessler, who play all of the adult characters who influence the young people’s lives.

A caution: “Spring Awakening” is for mature audiences only. Many aspects of teen sexuality are explored in a frank and honest way in this show. There is a bit of partial nudity. And there’s one song filled with a pretty strong curse word.

But if you’re interested in seeing a show that makes you think; that explores issues from the year 1891 that we’re still arguing over during this political season of 2012; that makes you care about its characters, and helps you see these issues from a variety of points of view – this musical is for you. It will rock your world.

Thanks to Green Mountain Cyclery; Blue Ridge Communications; John Matusek, and Steve Sellers for sponsoring the show, and to The Olde Lincoln House for hosting – and Dave Dierwechter and Marcia Stoner for sponsoring – the opening-night party.

You only have until Nov. 10 to see this amazing show, on stage at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre; don’t miss your chance. Call 733-7966, or visit the EPAC Web site for information and tickets.

                   –  Merv Wright

Don't sleep through your chance to see "Spring Awakening" at EPAC!

The cast of “Spring Awakening” at EPAC is ready to make this show its own!

Josh Kirwin and Kate-Lynn Scheib star as Melchior and Wendla in EPAC's "Spring Awakening." 

The original Melchior and Wendla: Jonathan Groff (EPAC veteran!) and Lea Michele starred in "Spring Awakening" on Broadway

'Spring Awakening' will rock EPAC

Ephrata Performing Arts Center's production of the spirited, moving rock musical "Spring Awakening" -- opening Thursday at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre -- has such special significance for the theater. 

It wasn't so very long ago that Lancaster County native Jonathan Groff trod the boards at EPAC, in such shows as "Honk" and "Batboy." When Jonathan went to New York to practice his craft, "Spring Awakening" was the show that really launched his career -- and that of "Glee" star (and Jonathan's BFF) Lea Michele.

Jonathan has continued to perform in New York, in London's West End, on the TV shows "Glee" and "Boss," and in films such as "The Conspirator." 

On Thursday, a great young cast will make the show its own at EPAC!

You can learn more about the show by listening to the "Around the Wood Stove" podcast about it, courtesy of Wood Stove House in Lancaster. EPAC's Artistic Director (and "Spring Awakening" director) Edward R. Fernandez and Josh Kirwin (who plays Melchior in the musical) talk about this edgy show and its challenges.

You can also get a sneak preview of EPAC's production by listening to two songs from the show -- "Touch Me" and "The Song of Purple Summer" -- performed by the cast at Park City last week.

Of the upcoming EPAC production, Jonathan Groff said: "It means so much to me that a theater that gave me a chance to creatively spread my wings while I was growing up in Lancaster is producing the show that changed my life and started my career in New York."

There will be more about this show on the EPAC Blog later this week.

Do NOT sleep through your chance to see "Spring Awakening" right here in Ephrata. Visit the Web site or call (717) 733-7966 for tickets. The show runs Thursday through Nov. 10.

-- Merv Wright

A ‘THRILLER’ OF A FUNDRAISER!!

SUPPORTING THE ARTS IS A NO-BRAINER!

The Ephrata Performing Arts Center is playing host to the zombie apocalypse!

Well, actually, it’s the Zombie EPAC-alypse, and it’s going to be a “thriller” of a fundraiser.

The Zombie EPAC-alypse Dance-a-thon is a way to have a fantastic time during the Halloween season AND support the theater we all love! It’s being held at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in the ballroom at Lily’s on Main, 124 E. Main St., Ephrata.

There will be dancing, refreshments, a cash bar and prizes for the top fundraisers. Liz Frank, whom you’ve seen perform in such EPAC shows as “Chicago” and “Cats,” will teach everyone the steps to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dance.

Participants in the dance-a-thon will dance from 7 until 10 p.m., and then watch a fun zombie movie while the fundraising results are being tallied.

Like so many local arts organizations affected by the economic downturn over the past few years, EPAC is always in need of funds to continue presenting the edgy, interesting, provocative, entertaining and soul-shaking theater for which it’s famous. By shaking your zombie booty at the dance-a-thon, you can join fellow friends of EPAC in a fun evening of dancing, laughter, fellowship and fundraising.

To sign up for the Zombie EPAC-alypse Dance-a-Thon, visit the event’s Web site and create a fundraising page. Share it with your friends on social media, and get them to help you raise money for your evening of dancing.

You’ll need to raise a minimum of $75 in order to be admitted to the ballroom for the event; if you raise $100, you’ll get a zombie T-shirt. Gift certificates and other prizes will be awarded for those who raise $200 and $400. And the top fundraisers can choose from prizes including a two-night stay at the Landgrove Inn in Vermont.

Hurry up and register: The names of the first 25 people to register a fundraising page will be put in a special drawing for an additional prize.

Even if you’re unable to attend the event, you can still raise money for EPAC; you can still create a fundraising page and support the theater.

Note: Those under 21 must be accompanied at the event by a parent or guardian.

If you need more information, e-mail questions to: danceathon12@gmail.com. 

     Mary Ellen ("Merv") Wright

OPENING NIGHT OF THE IGUANA!

Top: Kristie Ohlinger and Tim Riggs as Hannah Jelkes and Lawrence Shannon.

Above, Kristie Ohlinger portrays Hannah Jelkes in EPAC's "Night of the Iguana." 

Below: Tricia Corcoran, as Maxine Faulk, pursues Rev. Lawrence Shannon, played by Tim Riggs.

I-GUANA SEE THIS SHOW, AND SO SHOULD YOU!!

Did you ever sit down to watch a play, and found yourself instantly transported into the world of that play?

That’s what happened to me earlier this week, as I watched one of the final rehearsals of Ephrata Performing Arts Center’s production of Tennessee Williams’ “Night of the Iguana.”

Though the air conditioning made the theater cool and comfortable, I instantly felt the heat, the humidity and the sea air as the actors conjured up a summer, 1940, day in the life of some troubled tourists meeting in the seedy Costa Verde resort in Mexico.

Wearing a rumpled white suit, Tim Riggs will make you feel the mental and physical exhaustion of ex-minister Lawrence Shannon, who has led a bus-tour group of griping Baptist biddies (and one sweet young thing) to the hotel.

Shannon, who has already been “locked out” of his former pastorate in Virginia and has been institutionalized for a breakdown, needs a sea breeze on his face and a long rest in a hammock. He’s dragging enough emotional and spiritual baggage to fill that tour-bus 10 times over.

But there’s no rest for the … wicked? … in this play. No one will let Shannon be.

Maxine Faulk (Tricia Corcoran), the pushy, earthy widow of Shannon’s old friend, is trying to get him into her bed in a most un-subtle fashion. Underage Charlotte Goodall (Hannah Smith) is also pursuing him relentlessly, while her guardian, Judith Fellowes (Elizabeth Pattey) browbeats him and tries to get him fired from his low-rent tour gig.

You’ll instantly feel how completely ex-minster Shannon is – like the titular, captive iguana in this play – at the end of his rope

When a destitute, unmarried artist – they called such ladies “spinsters” back then – named Hannah Jelkes (Kristie Ohlinger) and her elderly-poet grandfather, Jonathan “Nonno” Coffin (John Kleimo) check in, the wind shifts.

Characters connect and help each other examine their lives. Shannon is forced to confront his past, his future and his understanding of God.

This is among director Ed Fernandez’s favorite plays, and he’s wanted to direct it for a very long time. He’s clearly happy with how his cast is bringing his vision to life on the stage of the Sharadin Bigler Theatre.

The play is heated and intense, all right, but it’s also funny. Tennessee Williams really understood people – their joys, troubles and wounded psyches. The dude knew how to develop characters, and write dialogue that both wounds and tickles! And this great cast of EPAC veterans knows just what to do with Williams’ great gifts.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen “Night of the Iguana,” and I have only a vague recollection of how it ends. I still want to be surprised. So, I watched part of the rehearsal – the play is in three acts with two intermissions – and then went home early.

I want to experience “Iguana’s” ending when I can see the full production on its feet later this week.

This show will get under your skin. If you want to experience the world of “Iguana” – learn the characters’ secrets, woes, hopes and motivations as only Tennessee Williams could conjure them up – call the EPAC box office for tickets at (717) 733-7966. You can also order online on the EPAC Web site.

The show opens Thursday, Sept. 6 – hey, that’s tonight! – and runs through Saturday, Sept. 22.

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS!

All those who work for, perform for, volunteer for or enjoy the theater created by the Ephrata Performing Arts Center want to thank John and Mary Hayes from the bottom of our hearts. They’re sponsors for “Night of the Iguana.”


We also thank EPAC’s season sponsors, GreenMountain Cyclery and the Farrington family, and and BlueRidge Communications.

Without support of sponsors like these, EPAC would, quite simply, not be able to boast of such an extraordinary history of well-made, thought-provoking and entertaining theater.

Thanks, also, to Lily’s on Main, 124 E. Main St., Ephrata, which is sponsoring the opening-night after-party tonight. If you’re attending opening night tonight (Sept. 6), your ticket stub will get you into the party after the show. Meet the cast, and enjoy light refreshments, a cash bar and a light-fare menu.

EPAC also loves its loyal subscribers, who also help keep the place humming along.

The theater is always looking for new subscribers and new sponsors, but also for that extra, small donation from new and long-time friends.

Theatergoers’ budgets are tight, and, therefore, times are really, REALLY tough in the arts right now. EPAC can always use whatever support you can give, and will always be extremely grateful for it. Thanks!

THE ROCKIN’ UNDEAD

Speaking of support: EPAC is holding a really fun peer-to-peer fundraiser, called the Zombie EPAC-alypse Dance-a-Thon, from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Lily’s on Main, 124 E. Main St., Ephrata.

Visit this page to learn all about how you can become a dancing fundraiser at this event, which benefits the theater.

There will be prizes for the top fundraisers, and a drawing for a prize among the first 20 people who register their fundraising pages.

You’ll learn the “Thriller” dance, enjoy an evening with people who love EPAC as much as you do, and help raise money to help EPAC continue its important work.

There will be more details in the next blog post.




--- Mary Ellen “Merv” Wright

‘TOMMY': SEE IT, FEEL IT AT EPAC

The cast of EPAC's production of "The Who's Tommy" will dazzle you!

Liz Frank portrays Mrs. Walker in EPAC's production of "The Who's Tommy."

‘TOMMY’: A ‘WIZARD’ 

OF A SHOW AT EPAC

First it was a late-1960s concept album and Los Angeles stage show. Picking up Elton John, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and Jack Nicholson along the way, it became a trippy 1975 film. It moved to Broadway in 1993, with such Broadway notables as Norm Lewis, Alice Ripley, Sherie Rene Scott and Michael Cerveris in the ensemble.

And now, “The Who’s Tommy” hits the Sharadin Bigler Theatre stage running, as talented director-choreographer Kristin Pontz directs her young, energetic Ephrata Performing Arts Center cast in this venerable rock musical. You know Kristin’s fabulous work from such EPAC shows as “Chicago,” “Rent” and “Cats,” and from concerts by local dance troupes for which she teaches and choreographs: Rev9, Cobalt, e-dance, to name a few.

“The Who’s Tommy” will appeal to the Baby Boomers who fell in love with Pete Townshend and The Who’s music back in the Sixties, and to young adults who love seeing fabulous singing and dancing wrapped around an interesting story. And everyone else in between!!

You know the story: Young Tommy accidentally sees his father kill his mother’s lover at the end of World War II, which leaves the boy catatonic – unable to see, hear or speak. Pain awaits Tommy as his parents seek a cure. Despite – or because of – his senses being stilled, Tommy becomes a “pinball wizard,” and must deal with the consequences and the questions that arise from his fame.

This is a “PG” show; some bad things happen to Tommy that could be disturbing to children. But for everyone else, do yourself a favor and spend the evening rocking out with Tommy and a cast of talented EPAC actors, singers and dancers!

The show opens tonight (Thursday, July 19). You do not want to miss this show; you’ve got until Aug. 4 to see it, but some of the performances are filling up fast. So visit the EPAC Website or call (717) 733-7966 for your tickets!

Don’t forget that, if you’re attending opening night of “Tommy,” your ticket entitles you to enjoy a light-fare menu, light refreshments and a cash bar at the after-party at The Hilltop Inn.

EPAC would like to thank The Hilltop Inn for sponsoring the party. And a huge, HUGE thank you, as always (we can’t thank them enough!!) to Green Mountain Cyclery and the Farrington family, and to Blue Ridge Communications, for being season and show sponsors.

Thanks, also, to everyone who participated in the Pound it Park fundraiser for Parker Harley, on Wednesday’s preview night of “Tommy.” We know the Harley family appreciates your generosity.

BREAK A LEG, JANELL BERTE’!

“Central Avenue Breakdown,” a musical opening tonight at the the New York Theatre Festival, is costumed by local designer Janell Berté. Janell has costumed many shows at EPAC -- making the lovely dresses, for example, seen in this season's "Blithe Spirit." Janell was featured in a spot on WGAL today; she's headed for New York to see her costumes come to life tonight on the stage of the Pershing Square Signature Center on 42nd Street. Read about the show here.

FOUR SHOWS DOWN, FOUR TO GO!

Can you believe EPAC is halfway through its 2012 season? It's been an amazing season so far, and there's a lot more fantastic theater to be made and seen between now and the end of the year. We appreciate our sponsors, patrons and subscribers so very much; without you, there would, literally, be no EPAC. No lights, no sound, no actors, no singing, no dancing ... no shows.

There are a few paid staff members and creative and technical professionals for individual shows. But EPAC runs on thousands of volunteer hours -- from the board, the cast and crew members and lots of miscellaneous volunteers. Those of us who watch all this fabulous theater all year long are indebted to all of them.

That said: EPAC could use more show sponsors and individual donations to keep the theater running, and to keep the wonderful productions of these plays and musicals affordable to our audiences. This theater runs on a shoestring budget; any extra expense that crops up unexpectedly can be devastating to the bottom line of a nonprofit community theater.

So, if you find a few extra dollars in your wallet that you can spare, please put them in the envelope next time you're seeing a show at EPAC, and hand that envelope to Terry Kreider, EPAC's house manager and business manager. You can also use the envelope to write a check to the theater. The folks at EPAC appreciate even the smallest donation, more than you can ever know. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity.

-- Mary Ellen "Merv" Wright, a proud EPAC volunteer.