Central Pennsylvania Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 2

Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Keystone Theatrics At The Playhouse At Allenberry
by Andrea Stephenson - October 20, 2024

Little Shop of Horrors is a show that continues to capture the audience’s imagination, and with stunning choreography and stellar acting, this production at Keystone Theatrics does not disappoint....

Review: THE LARAMIE PROJECT at TAFE: Theatre Arts For Everyone
by Sandra Harberger - October 19, 2024

The 12 cast members for “Laramie Project” used simple costume changes and props to portray more than 60 different characters in a series of interviews between Moisé Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project Company. Using 4 different entrances to the stage, the cast wove the emotional story of Matthe...

Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER at Little Theatre Of Mechanicsburg
by Andrea Stephenson - October 13, 2024

Every element of this production is crafted to heighten the suspense of this intense murder mystery. If you enjoy psychological mysteries with the kind of twists that will have you questioning what you think you know, get your tickets for Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg’s Dial M for Murder....

Review: THE MOUSETRAP at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - October 13, 2024

Each of these actors has clearly thought carefully about their character’s personality and history, crafting their posture, gait, gestures, and expressions to bring out their character’s quirks. The Mousetrap is a delightfully twisty mystery that will keep audiences guessing right up to the very end...

Review: GYPSY at EPAC
by Rich Mehrenberg - October 13, 2024

To be totally honest with you, I would have been satisfied with EPAC’s recent production of Gypsy if it was simply the orchestra banging out the soundtrack.  The nine piece band led by conductor, Cheryl Markle was every bit as bold and brass and full of life as Mamma Rose, herself!  ...

Review: HAIRSPRAY at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - October 06, 2024

Dutch Apple pulls out all the stops for their best show of the season!  Hairspray is a toe-tapping, feel-good show celebrating acceptance and inclusion.  It is warm and funny and has a lot of heart....

Review: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Carlisle Theatre Players On High
by Andrea Stephenson - October 06, 2024

Carlisle Theatre stages To Kill a Mockingbird with an emphasis on understanding the past, to inform the present and, more importantly, to work to create a more just and equitable future....

Review: DEATH TRAP at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - October 06, 2024

'Deathtrap' is a thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Just when you think you have it figured out, a new complication arises. Danger lurks around every corner, and nothing is as it seems....

Review: NEWSIES- THE MUSICAL at DreamWrights Playhouse
by Sandra Harberger - October 05, 2024

DreamWrights Playhouse is bringing “Newsies- The Musical” to the stage from October 4th through 13th under the direction of Gregory DeCandia. With a large and energetic cast for their production of “Newsies- The Musical,” you could feel their enthusiasm and vocal strength in each group number perfor...

Review: BEETLEJUICE at Hershey Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - September 26, 2024

This show might be up your alley if you are a Beetlejuice superfan, enjoy crude humor or like to have your senses assaulted. In any case, you probably should leave your kids and your epileptic friends at home....

Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING MUSICAL at Fulton Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - September 22, 2024

Beautiful is just that, a beautiful show.  It is a great way to start the new season, and highlights Lancaster’s strong, continuing dedication to the fine arts....

Review: BIG THE MUSICAL at The Belmont Theatre
by Jason Davis - September 16, 2024

The Belmont Theatre’s latest production, Big the Musical, delivers an entertaining blend of nostalgia and whimsy that captures the essence of the beloved 1988 film. Under the direction of Dylan Staub and Rene Staub, this community theater show becomes a vibrant celebration of youthful exuberance and...

Review: BOEING BOEING at Oyster Mill Playhouse
by Andrea Stephenson - September 15, 2024

Boeing Boeing is a play that requires immense energy, precise comedic timing, well-choreographed physical comedy, and just the right chemistry between the characters. This cast does not disappoint. In this six-person cast there is not a single weak link. This reviewer has not laughed so hard during ...

Review: DEAD TO THE LAST DROP at Hanover Little Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - September 14, 2024

Dead to the Last Drop is a unique and entertaining play, and the team at Hanover Little Theatre pulls it off wonderfully, giving the audience something to talk about long after the play ends. With four different possible endings, audiences are encouraged to see the show more than once!...

Review: GO YOUR OWN WAY: A CELEBRATION OF FLEETWOOD MAC at Open Stage
by Andrea Stephenson - September 10, 2024

Their energy is contagious, their individual voices are unique and beautiful, and together they create rock magic. The harmonies, in particular, are a treat for the ears. If you are looking for a performance that is full of joy, catch “Go Your Own Way: A Celebration of Fleetwood Mac.'...

Review: CABARET at Theatre Harrisburg
by Andrea Stephenson - September 08, 2024

This production of Cabaret combines creative and thoughtful direction and design with incredible talent on stage and off. It is a difficult show that hits hard in many ways, and the team at Theatre Harrisburg meets the challenge of Cabaret head on....

Review: CHICKEN & BISCUITS at EPAC
by Rich Mehrenberg - September 07, 2024

What did our critic think of CHICKEN & BISCUITS at EPAC?...

Review: ANYTHING GOES at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - September 07, 2024

Anything Goes is high energy, and the intimacy of the small theatre setting lends itself well to this show, making the audience feel like they’re on the boat with the characters. This is the best production of Anything Goes that this reviewer has seen. Grab your passports and get your tickets for th...

Review: BROADWAY BOUND at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
by Andrea Stephenson - August 24, 2024

Broadway Bound is touching and humorous, and the right cast and director can create a beautiful tapestry that will have audiences laughing one moment and bringing them to silent reflection the next. Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg has just the right cast, crew, and director to bring this play to lif...

Review: THE INFLUENCER'S NEW CLOTHES at TAFE: Theatre Arts For Everyone
by Sandra Harberger - August 24, 2024

TAFE is proud to present the premier production of “The Influencer’s New Clothes” from August 23rd to 25th. This original play was written by York native, Paige Hoke. According to Ms. Hoke, her play is a modern adaptation of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” that focuses on “self-confidence, being a stron...

Review: AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER-IN CONCERT at Hershey Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - August 22, 2024

Avatar the Last Airbender-In Concert “blew” into the Hershey Theatre on Thursday, August 8th and was met with “thunderous” applause. Audience members were treated to a giant movie screen playing scenes from the “fiery” series, accompanied by a very talented, yet “grounded” live orchestra.  As you mi...

Review: JERSEY BOYS at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
by Rich Mehrenberg - August 19, 2024

Oh, what a night!  Dutch Apple brings the crowd-pleaser Jersey Boys to the Lancaster stage.  Based on the life and times of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, this toe-tapping blast from the past serves up all their hits like Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You. ...

Review: JULIUS CAESAR at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - August 03, 2024

Overall, Gettysburg Community Theatre’s production of Julius Caesar is intense and emotionally charged, with well-choreographed fight and death scenes....

Review: ANYTHING GOES at Susquehanna Stage
by Jason Davis - July 29, 2024

Producing a high-energy musical like Anything Goes is no small feat, requiring meticulous attention to both music and choreography. Yet, Susquehanna Stage has once again demonstrated its reputation for exceptional community theater with a production that, despite a few minor hiccups, ultimately deli...

Review: CABARET at EPAC
by Rich Mehrenberg - July 28, 2024

I am a big fan of Rachael Opdenaker’s portrayal of Sally Bowles.  Opdenaker brings vitality and beauty to her role.  All of her numbers are fantastic, but her cover of the title song is a true powerhouse performance that needs to be seen and heard....