'Sunday in the Park' connects with audiences

Have you ever had a bright, bold new idea that no one else at the office understood or embraced? Have you ever had to make a difficult choice between two important things – or people – in your life?

Have you ever felt like your creative energy was at a low ebb, or that you can’t find a new voice or vision in your work? Have you ever felt like you don’t live up to the standards of your ancestors who went before you? 

If you’ve experienced at least one of these feelings – and who among us hasn’t? – you’ll find something to connect deeply with in EPAC’s production of “Sunday in the Park with George,” playing now through Saturday at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre.

The musical presents a version of what composer Stephen Sondheim and writer (and Franklin & Marshall College alumnus) James Lapine imagined artist Georges Seurat’s life might have been like – along with the lives of the characters in his paintings, and those of Seurat’s descendants, if he’d had any.

The show also explores how Seurat rebelled against the French art establishment by using pointillist techniques – replacing the Impressionists’ brush strokes with dots of pure color arranged in such a way that the human eye would “combine” the dots to see blended colors and shimmering light in his painting. The show is also about the heart-rending sacrifices an artist must sometimes make in his personal life.

And the musical is about Seurat’s (fictional) artist great-grandson in America, also named George, who has lost his unique vision amid his mad scramble to woo patrons and attract commissions. 

Sondheim’s music is glorious, and Lapine’s book is emotional and thought-provoking. Many audience members have regretted leaving their Kleenex at home!

And EPAC has pulled out all the stops to make this a memorable production of a wonderful musical. You’ll be delighted with the show’s creative vision, the acting, the singing, the musicianship, the set and the costumes. Kudos to the cast, crew, creative team and musicians who have been “Putting it Together” for weeks, to the delight of audiences and critics.

The show only runs through this Saturday, May 17^th. You do NOT want to miss your chance to see this show that EPAC audiences will be talking about for years.

Thanks to EPAC’s season sponsor, BlueRidge Communications, and “Sunday’s” show co-sponsors, Lily’s on Main and SugarArts at Donecker's. When you patronize these sponsors, or run into their employees, please give them a huge "THANK YOU!!" for supporting “theater that matters” at Ephrata Performing Arts Center.

Order your tickets to “Sunday in the Park …” online, or call the box office at (717) 733-7966.

-       -- Merv Wright 

THE PAWS THAT REFRESHES!

Katelyn Mullen as Grizabella and Matt Rush as Old Deuteronomy

in the Sharadin Bigler Theatre's production of "Cats"

Jellicle Cats are Talented Cats

I’ve seen productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Cats” before, usually in large theaters, on a proscenium stage. Sure, the dancing was heavenly, but I was always, somehow, held at a remove from the action. I couldn’t quite connect with the stories of this varied group of cats vying for a chance to be reborn.

But the delightful production now prowling the Sharadin Bigler Theatre stage made a “Cats” believer out of me. Because this intimate theater space allows the cat characters to have more direct interaction with the audience, I was immediately drawn into their feline world. They brought the poetry of T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" – the source material for the show – to life at Wednesday night's preview performance.

You’ll see some fantastic dancing in the show – by turns mesmerizing, energetic, eye-popping and sexy. But it the acting and singing talent of this cast that made me see this show as so much more than a dance-based entertainment.

I heard some terrific singing coming out of those feline faces during Wednesday night’s preview performance. And the cat characters were clearly connecting with each other, and with all the audience members with whom they were making up-close-and-personal cat’s-eye contact all evening long.

With everyone in a feline costume, under that kitty makeup, it takes a special troupe of tomcats to make that kind of individual connection with the audience. And this SBT production is blessed with just such a special group of performers.

Kudos to them; this is truly an ensemble show, in which many of the feline characters get their own moment to shine in the spotlight. Their characterizations will surely amuse you, thrill you and move you.

Kudos to director/choreographer Kristin Pontz for a beautifully staged and choreographed production. Kudos to acting coach Rich Repkoe and musical director Derek Martin for helping this talented cast add depth to the production. The pit orchestra sounded great, as well!

A salute, too, to the designers, technical professionals, costume, makeup and props teams, who’ve enhanced the action of this show with an interesting set and great effects. Future audience members: Keep your eyes peeled while you’re watching this show. You never know when a cat will be prowling on a platform right above your head, ready to cozy up to the side of your theater seat.

My advice: Get your tickets to the Sharadin Bigler Theatre production of “Cats” now. Once the word spreads about the quality of this production, you don’t want to be left out in the cold this holiday season!

The show opens tonight (Dec. 8), and runs till Dec. 23.

Visit www.ephrataperformingartscenter.com, or call 733-7966, for tickets. And check out the Blue Ridge Communications preview video for the show!

-- Mary Ellen "Merv" Wright

2012 brings variety, mirth, music and drama at EPAC

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT EPAC IN 2012!

Wow. Just … wow!

The Ephrata Performing Arts Center’s marvelous 2011 season is still in full swing, and yet there’s already a whole new slate of fabulous shows to look forward to at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre in 2012!

You’ll be hearing a lot more about all these shows soon. But, for now, here’s the varied and exciting rundown:

Feb. 3-12, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.”

The lovely and bookish Belle wants to escape her provincial life. The Beast wants to break a curse and return to his former self. Each has something to teach the other. All that … and the teapot and the candlesticks come to singing, dancing life for your entertainment. The whole family will love this heartwarming Family-Series musical at EPAC.

March 8-24, “Next to Normal”

I’ve heard wonderful things about this musical, which concerns how a family copes with a woman’s mental illness in the aftermath of tragedy. Friends who saw it on Broadway couldn’t stop talking about this show; they said it was amazing, intense, overwhelming … the effusive adjectives went on and on. I can’t wait to see what they’ve been talking about. This show won both the 2010 Pulitizer Prize for drama – only the eighth musical ever to get the honor – and Tony Awards including Best Score, so you know it’s firing on all cylinders!

April 25-May 12, “Xanadu”

You know you’re hearing Olivia Newton-John sing “Xanadu” in your mind right now, amid visions of leg warmers, roller skates and disco glory. This big, beautiful, campy show, about a Mount Olympus muse who inspires an artist to create a roller disco – with the muse’s jealous sisters causing trouble along the way – is filled with happy music and disco delights. And, bonus!: Its book is by Pennsylvania native Douglas Carter Beane, who wrote that EPAC on the Edge sensation, “The Little Dog Laughed.”

June 7-23, “Blithe Spirit”

I saw this classic comedy play by Noel Coward years ago in my hometown, and was completely captivated by the story of a married novelist; the eccentric medium he hires to perform a séance, and the vexing ghost of the novelist’s annoying late first wife, who suddenly begins appearing only to him. Marital mayhem and general zaniness ensue in this ghostly romp. Once you’ve met the medium, Madame Arcati (played in the recent Broadway revival by Angela Lansbury), you’ll never forget her!

July 19-August 4, “The Who’s Tommy”

Rock out with EPAC as The Who’s famed fable of the traumatized Tommy and his “Pinball Wizard” arcade superstardom comes to life on the Sharadin Bigler stage. You’ve seen how well EPAC handles such rock fare as “Rent,” so you won’t want to miss the chance to see what the troupe does with “Tommy.” This show will take Boomers like me back to their youth, and grab a whole new generation of theatergoers – taking us all on a thrilling, theatrical ride.

Sept. 6-22, “The Night of the Iguana”

Tennessee Williams wrote masterful plays that demonstrate, in no uncertain terms, his deep understanding of all aspects of human nature. In this work, set in a seedy Mexican hotel, an agitated defrocked minister tries to function as a tour guide while dealing with the attentions of three very different women. Ed Fernandez has been longing to sink his directorial teeth into this drama for a long time; we can’t wait to see the results.

Oct. 25-Nov. 10, To Be Announced: A Tony Award-winning, contemporary pop/rock musical

The folks at EPAC can’t yet tell you the title of this show yet. But you’ll be thrilled when they ARE able to announce it. More on this show later!!

Dec. 6-22, “Anything Goes”

Cole Porter’s classic musical about the shipboard antics of a wide variety of characters – from stowaway Billy Crocker to heiress Hope Harcourt to nightclub singer Reno Sweeney – is as popular today as it ever was. It’s no accident that this musical has had so many recent revivals; it’s a real crowd-pleaser, filled with Porter standards (and meaty roles for the actors!).

For information about subscribing to the new season, visit the EPAC website. Current subscribers can renew here.

"Beauty and the Beast, Jr." auditions, for those ages 5-16, are Saturday, Nov. 12; see the website for details, and click here to register.

Auditions for the rest of the new season will be held Jan. 7-11. Check the website for details soon.

The annual party for subscribers will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.

And, don’t forget … it’s still 2011, and there’s plenty of entertainment yet in store on the Sharadin Bigler stage! “Evil Dead: The Musical” runs through Nov. 6. If you missed EPAC’s fantastic production of “The Vagina Monologues” last year, you won’t want to miss your chance again. Sharon Mellinger is again directing this funny, heartwarming play, with new monologues and a new cast. It runs Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12.

And you can celebrate the holidays in style with those singing, dancing felines of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats,” running Dec. 8-23.

And, P.S., don't forget to check the website for information on EPAC's online auction. There are some great prizes to bid on, including a stay at a resort in Rehoboth Beach and golf and fitness packages.

-- Mary Ellen ("Merv") Wright

BE A "DEAD"-HEAD, AT EPAC!

The cast of "Evil Dead: The Musical" provides an evening of gory-good fun at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre.

TRY TO DISMEMBER ...

The chainsaw, the blood and the laughs will be flying around the stage of the Sharadin Bigler Theatre beginning Thursday night, as the Ephrata Performing Arts Center presents “Evil Dead: The Musical” as its Halloween offering for the 2011 season.

The musical embraces – and winks at – the classic-horror tropes of those campy, gore-filled, Sam Raimi-directed “Evil Dead” movies of the 1980s.

Five teenagers travel to a cabin in the woods – if you’ve ever seen a slasher film in your life, you know THAT scenario isn’t going to end well – where most of them wind up being possessed by demons.

And, as everyone, no doubt, knows, the only way a housewares employee like Ash (played at EPAC by Brian Virea) can deal with flesh-possessing demons is to dismember his zombified friends.

If all that isn’t in-your-face enough, you might want to purchase special $30 tickets in the “Splatter Zone” – front-row, on-stage seating that's closest to the mock-macabre action! You’ll be given a plastic poncho – and you’ll need it, when the gore starts flying.

With songs like “I’m Not a Killer,” “It Won’t Let Us Leave” and “What the F@#% Was That?”, “Evil Dead” will fill your evening with crazy, over-the-top Halloween fun.

Edward R. Fernandez directs. Here’s the rest of the cast list for the show.

NOTE: THIS SHOW IS BEST ENJOYED BY THOSE AGES 17 AND UP; it contains ADULT language and situations.

The show runs through Saturday, Nov. 5., with a midnight show on Saturday, Oct. 29, and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 5. Other showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Prices for the midnight show only are $35 for regular seating and $40 for the “Splatter Zone.” Those tickets include light refreshments and adult beverages before the show.

Visit the EPAC website to order tickets online, or call 733-7966, Ext. 1, for the box office.

We’d like to salute Bob and Doreen Hershey and all the scaremasters at Jason’s Woods, that granddaddy of Lancaster County haunted attractions, for consulting on the special effects and for helping EPAC promote the show.

EPAC board vice president Jim Ruth and I recently braved the dark halls, trails and hayride of Jason’s Woods, and had a marvelous time having frightening creatures jump out at us in the dark. One of those creatures, it turned out, was Jim’s nephew!

After you check out “Evil Dead: The Musical,” go check out Jason’s Woods. It, too, is for grownups who like a good scare!

From Blood to Beer

Your ticket to opening night of “Evil Dead: The Musical” entitles you to attend the opening-night party at the Olde Lincoln House, 1398 W. Main St., Ephrata. The EPAC family would like to thank the proprietors there, along with party sponsor Green Mountain Cyclery, for giving the cast and patrons a place to chillax after a bloody-good evening at the theater.

Be our guest … and audition!

Calling all kids and teens, ages 5-16, who’d like to be involved in the theater!

Come out and audition for “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” from 1-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Click here to fill out an audition form.

Callbacks are at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. Performances are Feb. 2-12, with a school-day performance on Feb. 9.

-- Mary Ellen "Merv" Wright

REV9 TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AT EPAC

TWO MORE CHANCES TO SEE REV9 DANCE CO!!

If you thrill to the sights and sounds of risk-taking modern dance that makes your heart thump in your chest; if you adore the varied music of the 1970s; if you’re crazy about The Beatles and Andy Warhol, disco, early rap or punk … then you CANNOT MISS one of the final two performances of the Rev9 Dance Company at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre.

Kristin Pontz and Heather Bare, the directors of Rev9, who also teach at the Susquehanna Dance Center, have created an exciting evening of dance – along with the other choreographers, Jameson Kilburn, Daniel McGee, Mike Nguyen, Kyle Schwandt and Cody Smith.

The year 1977 was a wild one in New York City. Disco was king, but punk and rap were also bubbling up in the streets and in the clubs. The .44-caliber killer (“Son of Sam”) was on the prowl and Studio 54 was the place to be seen. Those are the cultural guideposts for Rev9’s new production, “ ’77,” of which you’ll see a part during this show at EPAC.

Rev9 is also showcasing parts of two of its previous shows – the Warhol-themed “Factory” and the “White Album”-based “Revolution 9.”

You have two chances left to see the show – tonight and tomorrow night (Thursday and Friday, Aug. 11 and 12) at 8 p.m.

The soundtrack for the evening ranges from the Beatles’ “White Album,” to the music of David Bowie, Iggy Pop, the Talking Heads, Blondie and the Sex Pistols.

The dances in the two-act show are, by turns, seductive and joyous, aggressive and sly, athletic and graceful – and sometimes all of those things rolled into one. Gorgeous young men and women are climbing on chairs and platforms, hanging from silks, leaping, gyrating, break-dancing, clinging to one another and tossing each other around.

One moment, you’ll be watching a gorgeous pas de duex. Then, suddenly, the stage will be filled with undulating forms, capturing the spirit of the intense beats of the 1970s. The costumes, sets and video pieces are wonderful enhancements.

I saw the show on Sunday afternoon, and was, quite simply, blown away by the whole thing. I can’t count the number of times I said, “WOW!”

Tickets are $15. Do not miss this show!

For more information on the show, click here.

For more information on Rev9 and its future performances, click here.

-- Merv Wright

"13" IS A LUCKY NUMBER FOR EPAC

Robert Horn, writer of the book for the musical "13," will do a talk-back at EPAC after Friday night's performance.

The energetic cast of EPAC's "13."

TEEN ANGELS

If you want to see a group of really talented teenagers, performing in a smart, funny show with wonderful music, do yourself a favor and come see the musical “13” at EPAC (it opens tonight!) Or, if you’re a teenager who wants to see your story brought to musical life on the stage (or an adult who can look back on his/her teen years with humor, horror and nostalgia) … you’ll love “13”! It’s opening tonight at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre at EPAC, and runs through April 2. The show was written by Robert Horn (keep reading to find out how to see him in person on Friday at EPAC!) and Dan Elish, with music by Jason Robert Brown (whose music you may remember from EPAC’s “The Last Five Years.”)

I saw “13” at the preview performance last night, and loved every minute of it. The music is great, and the book of the musical is hilarious (I laughed a LOT!). Director/choreographer Cody Smith has done a fantastic job of bringing this musical to the stage (and the young people in the cast bring humor and heart to the script; lovely voices to the songs, and all that wonderful, youthful energy to Cody’s clever choreography).

The show centers around the character of nearly-13-year-old Evan Goldman, whose parents’ separation has caused his sudden move from New York City to a small town in Indiana. There, Evan feels compelled to make friends with the “cool kids” and get them to come to his upcoming Bar Mitzvah. In the course of a musical evening, you'll hear about raging hormones; bullies; living with illness (with dignity and humor); friendships broken and mended; who's hot; who's a geek, and how to navigate all of these choppy teenage waters.

Kudos to Cody, the cast (see them here) and the wonderful pit orchestra (under the direction of JP Meyer). If you want to experience a delightful night (or afternoon) at the theater (and enjoy watching talented kids express their creativity on stage), don’t miss this show!

Keep in mind that the show has some PG-13 humor; while you won’t hear cursing, you’ll hear the teens discuss what teens talk about – finding someone “hot,” wanting to get a French kiss from someone, and so forth. But that’s what makes the show so real. The show is recommended for audiences ages 12 and up.

EPAC is very grateful to the sponsors for "13": Terry Bigler & Terry Kurtz; Zeller Travel; Blue Ridge Communications, the Ephrata Public Library, and the Ephrata Recreation Center.

“13” WRITER -- IN PERSON, AT EPAC!!

You’ll have an extra-special treat if you buy your tickets for this Friday night’s performance of “13” (March 25). The writer of the book for the musical, Robert Horn, will be at EPAC for a meet-and-greet reception and talk-back right after the show. Robert’s impressive resume’ also includes screenwriting (the upcoming Disney movies “Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure” (the next in the “High School Musical series) and “The Suite Life Movie” (as in Zack & Cody), and writing/producing for such TV series as “Designing Women” and “Living Single.”

Robert and EPAC’s own Ed Fernandez met in high school, when both were trying out for a production of “Peter Pan.” (Hey … maybe we can get Robert to tell us what Ed was like in high school!) Later, Ed and Robert lived in Greenwich Village, where they evolved as artists (and performed plays in friends’ apartments!). They’ve been friends for decades, but, before their reunion Wednesday night, Ed and Robert hadn’t seen each other in person in about 30 years.

I met Robert Wednesday night at EPAC as he and Ed were (hilariously) reminiscing about their halcyon days in New York. Robert is charming and funny; you’ll see for yourself if you come to Friday’s performance.

Thanks to Expressions Limousine of Lancaster, both for picking Robert Horn up at the airport and bringing him to Ephrata and for promoting EPAC so often (especially in its Facebook postings!).

OPENING NIGHT

If you come to tonight's opening-night performance of "13" (March 24), your ticket includes the opening-night reception following the show. The party will be at the Ephrata Main Theatre, 124 E. Main St., Ephrata, where there will be a cash bar for the adults, snacks for the teens and a free showing of the movie "Rango." Thanks to Green Mountain Cyclery (and an anonymous donor) for sponsoring the opening-night festivities. For tickets, call 733-7966 or visit EPAC's website.

“TEENIE” TICKETS

For theatergoers ages 13-19, EPAC is offering a special “TEENie” ticket price – just $13 -- for the Sunday, March 27, matinee of “13.” The show is at 2 p.m.; call the EPAC box office at 733-7966 for tickets (or visit the website).

# Mary Ellen ("Merv") Wright

ANOTHER OP’NIN’, ANOTHER SHOW!

(Above: It's time to buy tickets to EPAC's 2011 season! Below: EPAC Board President Terry Bigler accepts the recent Subscriber Party audience's thanks for his financial support of the theater (which now bears his name, along with that of the late Michael Sharadin).

Welcome to the Ephrata Performing Arts Center’s exciting and varied 2011 season, filled with new shows and old favorites, with edgy staged readings and family fare. And all of these marvelous productions will be presented under the banner of a brand-new name for this storied performing space.

WHAT’S IN A NAME? A PAIR OF THEATER ANGELS!

You'll notice something different about the Ephrata Performing Arts Center during this 2011 season: The nonprofit community theater's name has been changed to the Ephrata Performing Arts Center at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre. The theater’s new name is a tribute to EPAC's Ultra Angel, the The Michael Sharadin & Terry Bigler Foundation – a longtime season sponsor here at EPAC. The foundation, named for EPAC Board President Terry Bigler and the late Michael Sharadin, recently made a 10-year, $400,000 pledge of support toward helping EPAC pay off the mortgage debt from the extensive 2003-04 expansion and renovations to the theater. Sharadin and Bigler’s generosity will be celebrated each time a wonderful production is performed at the theater that now bears their names.

You, too, can help EPAC to retire its debt. The theater needs an additional $100,000 to guarantee the full repayment of the mortgage, and a renewed capital campaign is under way to achieve that goal. For more information on how to contribute to the capital campaign (or to sponsor a show or advertise in the program) call EPAC at 733-7966 or visit the website (under “Support EPAC”).

A SEASON OF CAT AND MOUSE

You might say the 2011 season starts with mice and ends with cats; it opens later this month with the play “Of Mice and Men,” and ends with a holiday-season production of the musical “Cats” in December. The season’s first production, “Of Mice and Men” -- the stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s tragic novel of two migrant farm workers with a dream -- runs from Feb. 24 to March 5.

Opening night is just around the corner. Tickets are now available for individual productions, all of which are listed under the “Shows” menu on the website. Please consider buying one of the various season subscription packages, listed under the “Tickets” menu on the website. Subscribers enjoy discounts on ticket prices; priority seating in the theater; discounts on extra tickets; an invitation to the free, annual subscriber’s party/performance, and much more.

A LITERARY EVENING

EPAC appreciates the Lancaster Literary Guild’s sponsorship of “Of Mice and Men.” You can join the Guild for its Sponsor Night Preview of the show, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23. The event is a fundraiser for the Guild, and also helps support EPAC. Tickets are $30 each, which includes the show and a dessert buffet during intermission. Checks should be sent to: The Lancaster Literary Guild, 113 N. Lime St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Please make checks payable to the Lancaster Literary Guild, and write "Of Mice and Men" in the memo line. Those who are friends of the Literary Guild’s Facebook page can find more information on this event at: http://tiny.cc/vpnp4

WHO’S WHO?

EPAC is known for its talented roster of regular performers, and for the yearly addition of new players upon the stage. On the EPAC website, you can find the cast lists for the first three productions of the season:

§ "Of Mice and Men" (Feb. 24-March 5): http://www.ephrataplayhouseinthepark.org/mice_cast.html

§ The Family Series musical "13" (March 24 - April 2): http://www.ephrataplayhouseinthepark.org/13_cast.html

§ The Stephen Sondheim musical "Into the Woods" (April 28-May 14): http://www.ephrataplayhouseinthepark.org/woods_cast.html

You can find audition information for the second half of the season on EPAC’s website (under "Auditions"); there will be a separate blog post within the next couple of days about those auditions, so stay tuned!

WE NEED YOUR TALENT!

Being a non-profit community theater, EPAC survives and thrives on its enthusiastic volunteers – from the actors to the ushers, from the board members to the scene painters, from the stage crew to the folks who put up flyers and publicize the shows. But a lot more help is always needed from those who love this performing arts center and want to help it run more smoothly. Do you have mad computer skills? Are you fabulous at fundraising? Are you event-planning skills beyond compare? Then please consider being a volunteer; EPAC can use all the talents you have to offer. You’ll love being a part of the EPAC family, and knowing you’ve done your part to help this community theater produce the great art you’ve always admired. You can start the process by visiting the link below and filling out a volunteer form. Thank you, in advance!

http://www.formstack.com/forms/ephrataperformingartscenter-epac_participation_form

# -- Merv Wright

Benefit Bash, Willy Wonka and more: December at EPAC!

Remember when the Ephrata Performing Arts Center was just a summer theater? Wow, have times ever changed! It's a very busy December at EPAC, and we hope you'll enjoy all the theater has to offer during this holiday season.

### RESERVATIONS DUE FOR BENEFIT BASH

To quote the late, great Frank Loesser, "... Here comes the jackpot question in advance: What are you doing New Year's ... New Year's Eve?" EPAC has a great answer to that question! If you want to ring in the new year with the EPAC family (and support the theater at the same time), don't forget to order your tickets to the New Year's Benefit Bash Friday, Dec. 31, at Lily's on Main. Reservations close on Thursday, Dec. 15, so don’t delay. A ticket for the evening costs $100 (which includes hors d'oeuvres at 7 p.m.; a gourmet dinner at 8; live music and dancing from 9:30- 12:30; a midnight ball drop and champagne toast, and a $25 tax-deductible donation to EPAC.) Party-only tickets (for the music and dancing part of the evening) are $25 each.

The evening also includes the drawing for two fantastic raffle prizes. You don't have to attend the Benefit Bash to order tickets for the raffles; tickets are $10 each or $40 for five, and can be bought through the EPAC box office or by visiting the EPAC website: www.ephrataperformingartscenter.com

Raffle prizes are:

*** Dinner for two (at Lily’s on Main) with Broadway, film and television star (and EPAC veteran) Jonathan Groff (of "Spring Awakening," “Glee,” "Deathtrap" and "Taking Woodstock" fame). The prize also includes an overnight stay at the Historic Smithson Inn.

*** Airline Tickets for two to anywhere in the continental United States (courtesy of Zeller Travel).

The Benefit Bash evening also features a silent auction, for which you can bid in advance (once again, you don't have to attend the Bash in order to bid). You can fill out a bidding form here: http://tiny.cc/jrqb1

Items up for auction include a two-night getaway at the historic Landgrove Inn in Vermont; a one-week stay at a guest house in Italy's Tuscany region; a framed, autographed "Wicked" poster; an EPAC redware plate, created and signed by artist (and EPAC veteran) Andrew Loercher, and a handmade brass, gold and white topaz "Grey Gardens" brooch. Visit EPAC's website for more information on these items.

You can order Benefit Bash or raffle tickets online at: http://tiny.cc/7h0j5

### "WILLY WONKA" IS A SWEET TREAT!

I was delighted to take in the opening night of "Willy Wonka: The Musical" Thursday, and I can guarantee a very entertaining evening for kids of all ages! From the adult and child actors to the singing-and-dancing ensemble of young people to the little squirrels and the singing, marching Oompa-Loompas, the cast delivers a lively and enjoyable show. Let Willy Wonka -- author Roald Dahl's creation of "pure imagination" -- take you and your family on a rollicking, musical tour of the craziest chocolate factory you're likely to see. This tasty holiday treat runs through Dec. 19. Call 733-7966 or visit the EPAC website for tickets.

### SANTALAND, REDUX!

If you missed last year's hilarious staged reading of "The Santaland Diaries," don't get your jingle bells in a twist. You have another chance to see this witty piece of dark holiday comedy from the pen of humorist David Sedaris. The play is based on Sedaris' experiences working as a holiday elf at Macy's department store’s Santaland. This performance, part of the EPAC on the Edge series, is set for 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20 (preceded by a wine-and-cheese reception at 7 p.m.). Adults only, please! Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Call the box office for tickets.

### 2011 AUDITIONS

A reminder: Auditions for the first half of the 2011 EPAC season ("Of Mice and Men," "13," "Into the Woods," and a staged reading of "The Little Dog Laughed") will be held Thursday, Dec. 16, through Sunday, Dec. 19. Click on the "Auditions" menu on the EPAC website for more information.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone in the EPAC family!

-- Merv Wright

EPAC on the Edge; Sondheim birthday DVD, concert

### Don't miss "The Marriage of Bette and Boo," the Monday night (Nov. 15) play that's part of the "EPAC on the Edge" series of staged readings. Directed by Alan Gomberg, the performance features a cast of some of your favorite EPAC actors. You can find out a bit more about the play itself by clicking on the "EPAC on the Edge" icon on the EPAC web page, or on this page of playwright Christopher Durang's website: http://tiny.cc/nm56q.

"The Marriage of Bette and Boo," a dark comedy that's meant for adults only(!!), is based on the marriage of Durang's own parents. In the play, a character named Matt narrates the story of his parents' marriage -- described on Durang's Website as " three decades of divorce, alcoholism, madness and fatal illness" -- and tries to make sense of it all. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door; call 733-7966 for tickets. A wine-and-cheese reception begins at 7 p.m.; the play begins at 8. See you there!

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### If you're an EPAC fan, you're probably also a Stephen Sondheim fan; EPAC has presented many marvelous performances from the Sondheim oeuvre.

And if you love Sondheim, you won't want to miss "Sondheim! The Birthday Concert" on PBS "Great Performances" at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24. The show captures the best moments of the March 15-16 gala concerts, performed at New York's Lincoln Center as part of a year-long celebration of Sondheim's 80th birthday. The concerts, hosted by David Hyde-Pierce and featuring the New York Philaharmonic, include performances of many well-known (and not-so-well-known) Sondheim songs by famed Broadway actors including Mandy Patinkin, Patti Lupone, Bernadette Peters, Michael Cerveris and Audra McDonald. For a description and a preview of the show, check the event's PBS Web page: http://tiny.cc/tlh9q. In addition, a DVD of the show comes out this Tuesday, Nov. 16.

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### Don't forget: Tickets are still available for "The Full Monty," running through Nov. 20. Do not miss this high-energy musical filled with talent and heart!

-- Merv Wright

Welcome to the EPAC blog, and "The Full Monty"

Hello, and welcome to the new Ephrata Performing Arts Center blog, through which we’ll keep you informed about everything that’s going on at EPAC. You’ll learn more about what goes on behind the scenes at the theater, and about some of the unsung heroes of EPAC. We’ll also share information and fun tidbits from the wider world of the arts and theater that we think will interest the EPAC family. We welcome – and encourage – your comments and questions.

This first blog post is being written by Mary Ellen “Merv” Wright, a volunteer for EPAC. Other people will also be writing this blog; we’ll put our initials at the end of our posts, so that, if you have a question or comment about a given post, you’ll know to whom to address it.

“The Full Monty” opens tonight (Thursday, Nov. 4), and I guarantee it’s going to be a wonderful and entertaining show, filled with heart and humor – and served up with a side of beefcake. I was lucky enough to sit in on Sunday’s rehearsal at EPAC, and I can’t say enough good things about the cast, the pit orchestra and the show itself. You will love this rollicking piece of theater. The songs are catchy and the script is filled with both tender moments and hilarious one-liners, all beautifully delivered by an energetic and talented cast. The orchestra also sounded fantastic on Sunday night.

A theater reviewer, writing about a recent Texas community-theater production of “The Full Monty,” commented that the show is mainly about a bunch of men dancing around naked, and that, therefore, the plot is basically irrelevant. Based on what I saw Sunday, I cannot disagree more with that reviewer. Men stripping to music may be the thing that makes audiences hoot and holler at this show, but it is only a small part of what this funny-yet-emotional play is about.

“The Full Monty” is, in fact, “about” so many different things that it is bound to appeal to a very wide audience. It’s about a bunch of backslapping Buffalo, N.Y., buddies – steelworkers (and one of their bosses) who find themselves out of work and feeling lost. It’s about men in danger of becoming alienated from the people in their lives who love them most – wives, mothers, sons – because their loss of employment has meant a loss of identity and dignity. They’re struggling to keep both their furniture AND their pride from being repossessed. Ironically, the six guys in this show – men of varying ages and body types – find a way to regain their dignity by shedding their clothes. They realize they can score a one-night financial jackpot by performing as male strippers and by baring all for an audience of family and friends.

The show is about body image; about learning what it means to be a “real man”; about the importance of finding someone to love, and about what really matters in life. It’s about men realizing that, just as they so often objectify women, they, themselves, can be objectified BY women (with disheartening results).

And, yes, the show is also about a bunch of men taking off their clothes and dancing around till they’ve achieved “the full monty” – complete nakedness. You will love watching this group of “regular guys” practicing pelvic thrusts and other humorously suggestive moves in anticipation of the big performance.

Kudos to the whole cast; this is a great ensemble with a lot of energy and talent. But particular praise must go to the men of Hot Metal, who are having their performance mettle tested by this show: Sean Young, Matthew Rush, Kevin Ditzler, Bob Breen, Tim Spiese and Matthew Metro. These guys have not only worked incredibly hard to inhabit their characters and learn their sexy-steelworker choreography, but have also shown themselves willing to expose themselves, literally and figuratively, to help tell the heartwarming and joyous “Full Monty” story. Please be mindful that these gentlemen – the whole cast, in fact – are volunteering their time to let the audience experience this great music and this great story. This is the essence of community theater, and all of the actors, musicians and members of the directing/choreography staff and crew deserve our gratitude for their long hours of effort.

EPAC’s “Full Monty” will appeal to everyone who wants to come join the fun. But it would also make a great ladies’ night out; I predict there will be quite a few soprano screams, “woo-hoos” and whistles coming from the audience. But you may also find a lump in your throat and a big smile on your lips as you kick back and enjoy this fine production. It runs through November 20. Get your tickets now, either online or by calling the box office at 733-7966. – M.W.