America's most uncoordinated childhood ballet and tap student before discovering that her talents were music and writing, Marakay Rogers finally traded in her violin for law school when she realized that she might make more money in law than she did performing with the Potomac Symphony and in orchestra pits around the mid-Atlantic. Unfortunately, she forgot to factor in the student loan repayments! She has never recovered from being chewed out by Terrence Mann in public for hanging up her bow.
A graduate of Wilson College (PA), Marakay is also a writer, film reviewer and interviewer. Additionally, as of 2014, she serves as vice-chair of the Advisory Board of the Beaux Arts Society, Inc. and is a member of GALECA.
She's also taught college-level communications, writing, theatre criticism and English literature classes, has received multiple writing awards for several small-press novels, and is listed in Marquis' "Who's Who in America". She has done additional post-collegiate English and drama studies coursework with Open University (UK) in drama and literature.
Her junior high English teacher was Broadway star Katrina Yaukey's mother, Kay Yaukey. (Her high school math teacher was Ordean Yaukey, Katrina Yaukey's father, but between Marakay's mother, an editor, and Katrina's mother, English won out.) Marakay is senior theatre critic for Central Pennsylvania and a senior editor for BWWBooksWorld as well as a classical music reviewer. In her free time, Marakay practices law and often gets it right.
BWW Reviews: NIGHT OF THE IGUANA Heats Up EPAC Stage
September 8, 2012
September 8, 2012
The EPAC production successfully plumbs the depths of mental breakdown and being at the end of one's rope.
BWW Interviews: Josefina Scaglione on the Music of WEST SIDE STORY and More
September 8, 2012
September 8, 2012
Tony nominee Josefina Scaglione comes to Lancaster, PA to sing THE MUSIC OF WEST SIDE STORY on September 9 and 16, 2012. She pauses during rehearsals to talk about her career, her ambitions, and Lancaster County.
BWW Reviews: Dutch Apple FIDDLER Fiddles Happily With 'Tradition'
August 30, 2012
August 30, 2012
It's certainly not the norm to see a national tour kicked off at a dinner theatre, but Prather Entertainment Group owns both Dutch Apple and the production group running this national tour of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, so the move makes sense. So does this production.
BWW Reviews: CHICAGO Brings 'All That Jazz' to Allenberry Playhouse
August 27, 2012
August 27, 2012
CHICAGO is a musical that's burdened by the weight of its expectations. From the classic score by Kander and Ebb, to Bob Fosse's legendary choreography, to the original cast of Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, and Jerry Orbach, and to the modern casting of Ann Reinking, of Joel Grey, of John O'Hurley, and of Charlotte D'Amboise, everything about it is mythic. Even the award-winning movie version is considered a poor adaptation of the actual play - what about it isn't too much to handle?
BWW Reviews: UNNECESSARY FARCE Brings Necessary Laughs to Rainbow Dinner Theatre
August 25, 2012
August 25, 2012
It's not Moliere, and it's not intended to be; Smith wrote fluff, take it as such and laugh accordingly. The play (and a frankly delicious meal, much better than that of many dinner theatres I've visited) is well worth the price of your ticket.
UNNECESSARY FARCE Amuses at Rainbow Dinner Theatre thru 10/28
August 22, 2012
August 22, 2012
Rainbow Dinner Theatre announces the opening of their 2012 fall comedy "Unnecessary Farce."
Dutch Apple Hosts National Tour of FIDDLER, Now thru 9/22
August 21, 2012
August 21, 2012
The national tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF kicks off at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster.
Lemonade Stand Fundraiser Benefits DreamWrights
August 21, 2012
August 21, 2012
Ten-year-old Sophie Nicholson earned her donation to DreamWrights the old-fashioned way-with a lemonade stand.
Totem Pole Playhouse Cancels Oktoberfest
August 20, 2012
August 20, 2012
Sue McMurtray, Managing Director of Totem Pole Playhouse, has announced that the annual Oktoberfest fundraiser for the Totem Pole has been cancelled.
Fulton Theatre-Associated Artists Among Barrymore Award Nominees
August 19, 2012
August 19, 2012
On August 15, the nominations for the 2011/2012 Barrymore Awards-which highlight excellence in theatre in the Philadelphia region-were announced, with several nominations related to the Fulton Theatre and its associated artists.
BWW Reviews: COLE - A Delightful, Delicious End to a De-Lovely Season at Totem Pole Playhouse
August 18, 2012
August 18, 2012
The last show of the 2012 summer season at Totem Pole Playhouse keeps audiences humming songs everyone knows, even if they didn't know the author until now.
Robbie Limon Will Rock Totem Pole Playhouse Fundraiser, 9/16
August 17, 2012
August 17, 2012
Robbie Limon to perform at Totem Pole Playhouse fundraiser on September 16, 2012.
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