Volume 3 Issue 2 Spring 2010

Volume 3 Issue 2
Spring 2010
Bringing A Show
To Our Stage - 4
Come To The Cabaret - 5
Theatre Academy - 7
New Financial
Agreement - 11
From The
Chairman
Paul Thompson
Photo by Terry Farrell
Dear Supporters of
Hershey Area Playhouse,
Welcome to another exciting edition of
Bravo!, the magazine of a neighborhood
volunteer enterprise dedicated to filling an
important creative niche by offering every
imagination the opportunity to participate
in the American stage experience.
Our eleventh vibrant season got underway
in a very profound manner with the
January presentation of Full Moon Over
Montmartre, an intense story of coping
with Alzheimer’s disease by those who are
stricken as well as their caregivers. This
medical thematic topic is one which we
fully embrace, and are revisiting again with
the production of Wit. It is certainly a
fulfilling role for theatre to be able to
reenact such variations on the human
situation, and it certainly brings new
meaning to the word drama. Our gratitude
to board member Skip Becker for
producing Full Moon and now Directing
Wit. His aptly titled report is on page 4.
After the final production of Full Moon,
the audience immediately reconvened for a
panel discussion exploring the dimensions
of an afflation that affects over 5 million
residents in the US. For the next hour and
a half, a very attentive group participated in
a riveting discussion, moderated by board
member Dr. John Messmer.
treasurer Theresa Ridge have gone boldly
etc, etc. Please join them by filling out
the form on page 11 and sending in your
contribution for 2010 if you have not yet
done so. That honor roll is on page 10.
A major event in April is Cabaret Night,
with Beth Dunham coordinating a talented
field of performers. Dress is relaxed this
year from black tie, but the entertainment
is as haut culture as ever. If you have never
attended Cabaret, you really must come
and see it in person. See page 5 for details.
Also on page 5, Patrick Seeley reports
on the Apollo awards and our many
connections to them.
You will also notice that a special donation is
being sought to dedicate the Grand Lobby
to one of our most ardent supporters, the
late John Zerbe. Please consider joining
John’s many friends on the plaque which
will commemorate his great role in the
growth of our theater. Finally, in the spirit
that is reflective of John Zerbe and one
that far eclipses any sort of petty fiscal
philosophy, imagine the bravado it takes
for a non-profit to donate a considerable
sum from its operational proceeds to
another noble organization, even while
it faces a long term capital debt itself.
Last year that happened when we shared
significant production proceeds with the
American Cancer Society and the Ronald
McDonald House. That’s right. The
investment you made, while experiencing
critically acclaimed performances, directly
contributed to the welfare and mission
of other non-profits. Already this year,
thanks to collaboration with Hershey
Rotary, a major donation has been made
to the campaign to eradicate polio. The
ultimate socially conscientious director Jen
Feldser, with the unanimous support and
enthusiasm of the cast of I Love You agreed
to stage an additional performance as a
benefit. What more can we say to all that?
It is what it should be!
In our essential role of providing theatre
related educational opportunities to the
community, Cory Wilkerson has again
provided a wide range of opportunities. She
has big plans for a culminating production
to follow the summer school. Education
committee chair Randy Cline describes all
that in more detail on page 7.
Artistic liaison director Mark Cuddy
reports on the process of bringing a show on
stage. He and the committee are gathering
scripts and evaluating them to determine
what works for a new season. Thoughts,
and scripts, should be directed to Mark.
Operations director Tom Curry, when not
shoveling or raking, or producing a play, is
overseeing the installation of new signage
for the playhouse. Soon you will be able to
see us from outer space without using
Google earth.
Sincerely,
Michelle Robertson reports on the
remarkable role of our sound director Tim Banis.
On the financial front, director of
fundraising, financial strategist, and new
board member Alex Roca, never one
to leave a penny unattended, has been
instrumental in crafting a new capital
structure, in collaboration with Fulton
Bank and Derry Township. He and our
Hershey Area Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing residents of the community with an opportunity to participate in
the creation and production of a theatrical experience.
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Contents
WIT
4
Bringing A Show To Our Stage
4
Come To The Cabaret
5
Apollo Awards
5
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
6
Theatre Academy
7
Volunteer Spotlight
8
Kids Page
9
Our Donors
10
Four Party Financial Agreement
11
Calendar
12
Board of Directors
Paul Thompson, Chairman
Tony Pingitore, Vice Chairman
John Messmer, Secretary
Theresa Ridge, Treasurer
Skip Becker, Founder
Randy Cline
Mark Cuddy
Tom Curry
Jennifer Feldser
Jeffrey Miller
Michele Robertson
Alexander Roca
Patrick Seeley
Status Alert
Fiddler On The Roof
Schedule Change
We recently received notice from Music
Theatre International (MTI), the licensing
house for many musicals, that due to a
scheduling change by the national touring
company of Fiddler On The Roof, MTI
has ‘pulled’ the rights and restricted all
production in our area within the 2010
June/July time frame.
Fortunately, the Playhouse’s Artistic
Committee has recommended a most
suitable substitution. We will be producing
Hello, Dolly! as our summer musical!
Director Cory Wilkerson and producer
Tracey Ford are already at work on the
production.
If you have season tickets or have already
purchased tickets to Fiddler no need to
worry - your tickets will be honored and
transition smoothly into the Dolly shows.
The dates and times will remain the same
as will any seating selections you may have
made.
Our apologies for any disappointment this
change might cause. We can assure you that
all of our resources are being re-directed
toward making Hello, Dolly! one very
memorable theatre entertainment experience
for you. We do hope to bring Fiddler to
our stage in the future, perhaps as our 2011
summer musical. We’ll keep you posted on
that as we get closer to next summer.
Thank you for your support of
Hershey Area Playhouse!
Past Board Members
Jim Bush, Jeff Cartwright,
Susan Cerminara, Susan Cort,
Derek Dunham, Jack Hartman,
Christine Hepler, Ellen Kellner,
Michael Lazorcik, Jennifer Lear,
Joan May, Debbie Nifong,
George Nye, Bernie Resnick,
Nan Resnick, Jennifer Schlener,
Ken Skelly, Sunday Gallagher
Strange, Leona Tinkey
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Hershey Area Playhouse at Country Meadows is located on Sand Hill Road at Cherry
Drive. Visit us online at HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com. Contact us at 717.533.8525, P.O.
Box 703, Hershey, PA 17033 or info HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com. For more information
on volunteering, contact us at [email protected], or for marketing/
communications, contact us at [email protected].
The Magazine of Hershey Area Playhouse is published quarterly and is a benefit
of membership in Hershey Area Playhouse. Copy for the Summer issue is due by
6.15.10 and should be submitted to [email protected].
Special thanks to Michael Feldser for the photography and ChocolateCovers for
the design and printing.
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No Crystal Ball
WIT
By Skip Becker
There are those who have said a crystal ball
would be a kind of secular miracle in their lives.
They would gaze into that ball and learn the
future. They would see what the future holds.
They would become prophets and healers. They
would foretell disasters and warn of the need for
preparation. They would better their lives and
the lives of those they cared about. They would
hold answers to the unknown inside the clear
glass of that ball in their hands. They would
know what happens next, and next, and next...
WIT tells the story of a woman who has no
crystal ball. But she knows what will happen
next. She knows what the future holds for her.
She is not prepared nor can she heal herself.
She can only go forward along an unyielding
path of pain, reflection, frustration and love.
Caught by the ravages of stage‑four metastatic
Bringing a Show
to Our Stage –
Acquiring Rights
By Mark Douglas Cuddy
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re one
of our many patrons who have attended and
we hope, enjoyed, a Hershey Area Playhouse
production. Have you ever wondered what’s
involved in bringing a production to our stage?
There are three very basic steps to every show
we do: the planning, the practice, and the
production itself. In this article we’d like to
give you an inside look at a very important piece
of what it takes to bring a show to life at our
venue.
Every show begins as just one of many that the
Artistic Committee discusses and considers,
assessing many variables, such as entertainment
value, potential audience appreciation, venue
benefits or restrictions, and seasonality “fit,”
just to name a few. This is the beginning of the
planning process.
Once the Artistic Committee has recommended
a season and the shows have been approved by
the Playhouse Board, the next step involves
contacting the organization that holds the
rights to the shows to see if they will be available
for the time period our Playhouse wishes to run
the production. The “rights house” is a business
that has contracted with the playwright or their
representatives to manage their properties
(musicals or plays). Most rights houses are
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ovarian cancer, Vivian Bearing, PH.D. ushers us
through her “play” about her treatment, doctors,
nurses, family and mentors. Each character in
that play represents a human being trying to do
the best they can for her; sometimes succeeding
and sometimes failing.
Arriving on the Hershey Area Playhouse stage
for the first time, Debbie Smith-Voight brings
years of talented acting to her portrayal of Dr.
Bearing. Ms. Smith-Voight’s interpretation
of Dr. Bearing is electric. Another seasoned
and highly skilled actor appearing for his first
time at the Playhouse, Michael Severied, plays
her treating Physician. Stosh Snyder returns
to our stage as the young research physician,
once again showing us the remarkable talent
he brought to previous Playhouse productions
of Our Town and The Boys Next Door, Hershey
Library Director Barbara Ellis joins this
talented cast with her own unique combination
of skills and acting craft as she depicts Bearing’s
academic mentor in Bearing’s doctoral study of
John Donne. Rounding out this terrific cast
is Julie Strickland, American Cancer Society
employee and compassionate nurse to Bearing
and former WLBR talk show host, Don
Bowman, as Bearing’s father.
Following each of the two Saturday night
performances, Hershey Area Playhouse will
host a free talk back featuring the area’s leading
authorities on cancer as well as survivors and
caregivers. Dr. John Messmer will emcee both
sessions. A short reception will precede so as
to give the crew a chance to “remake” the stage.
Make plans to journey with Dr. Bearing as she
unfolds her future and visits her past in WIT!
WIT opens on April 22 and continues through
May 2 each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
evening at a new time, 7:30pm. Both Sunday
matinees begin at 2pm. Tickets and information
are available at www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com
WIT is sponsored by The Doctor’s Kienle
Center for Humanistic Medicine in the PSU
Hershey College of Medicine’s Humanities
Department.
based in NYC. They set, charge, and collect
fees from community or regional theater groups
that want to put on a production of a play or
musical they represent. The fee is based on the
number of shows your group plans to present,
the number of seats in your venue, your ticket
prices, and whether or not you plan to pay any
of your cast. In almost all cases, musicals are
considerably more expensive than plays.
someone with
a bigger budget acquires
exclusive rights and knocks your seasonal plans
askew. Even if you’ve paid in advance, your
money will be refunded with an apology and
a tentative schedule showing when the rights
may become available again. So it’s sometimes a
little challenging setting a season, and holding
to your seasonal schedule oft times involves a
little luck.
There are occasions where a show will be
restricted and the rights are not available for a
period of time. This happened a few years ago
with The Music Man. A TV movie was being
made and the exclusive rights were acquired by
a Hollywood Film company, which resulted
in the rights being restricted for well over a
year. You may remember that made-for-TV
movie with Mathew Broderick in the starring
role. On another occasion a few years ago, a
production of Harvey was pulled back from
a local community theater company because
plans were being made to resurrect the show on
Broadway. There are times when a theatrical
company obtains exclusive rights to tour the
country with a show and when that happens the
rights house restricts any group within a 100
mile radius from doing the same show. The
exclusive rights costs are negotiated by the two
organizations and involve excessive funding much more than any community or regional
theater might be able to afford.
As you can see, the planning process involves
quite a few hours of contemplation, almost
endless discussion, tons of second-guessing
ourselves, and a lot of people involved in a
piece of theater business that many people don’t
even realize occurs. By the way, if you have an
idea for a show you’d like to see our Playhouse
produce, please share it with one of our
Artistic Committee members. They are Skip
Becker, Don Bowman, Jeff Cartwright, Mark
Cuddy, Michael Endy, Rene Krizan, Celia
Lerner, Pam Whiteneck, Keith Wiley, and
Cory Wilkerson.
It can get even more complicated when a
theater group obtained the rights for a show,
but at what usually seems like the last minute,
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CabaretN ight
11th Annual
Let’s make them laugh! That’s exactly what
Hershey Area Playhouse is planning for its
11th annual Cabaret Night. This year’s
event, under the theme of “Make ‘Em
Laugh,” promises to be a fun and upbeat
night designed to raise much needed
dollars for the Playhouse. On April 17th,
at the Hershey Country Club, Hershey
Area Playhouse will host its annual funfilled event, which is being sponsored in
part by Fulton Bank.
Complete with a cocktail hour, dinner, and
a wide variety of entertainment, Cabaret
Night is sure to be the event of the year
for the Playhouse! Not only will there be
a magician to dazzle the guests, but guests
can participate in interactive games with
a chance to win some wonderful prizes.
In true Playhouse fashion, there will be
live musical entertainment by a whole
slew of performers. Performances by the
Playhouse’s talented actors and actresses
will feature Susan Cort; Mark Cuddy;
Sarah Curry; Beth Dunham; Christine
Hepler; Stacie Johnsen; Stuart Landon;
Jen Lear; Celia Lerner; Tara Martenis;
Tony Pingitore; Scott Schmittel; Martha
Traverse; and Jason Whetstone.
Throughout the evening, there will be an
ongoing silent auction where guests will
be invited to bid on a plethora of items,
from the latest technological devices to
one-of-a-kind art pieces, as well as hand
made items. Each of these pieces has been
donated by local and regional businesses
and attractions.
This event only comes around once per
year, so don’t miss this opportunity to come
out to laugh and have fun while helping the
Playhouse! This is a great way to contribute
to your local community theatre.
For more information, visit the Hershey
Area Playhouse website at
www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com/
happening/specialevents.html
or contact Beth Dunham at
[email protected].
Founders, current Board members, Former Board members and many of the volunteers
you have seen in or who have worked behind the scenes at Hershey Area Playhouse
productions over the years have found another way to support live theatre in Central
Pennsylvania. They also are supporting and volunteering for the Hershey Theatre Apollo
Awards as committee members, show producers, evaluators and muses (volunteers).
Now in its second year, the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards recognize outstanding
achievement by local high school students participating in musical and play productions.
Modeled after The Tony Awards® on Broadway, the ceremony will be held at Hershey
Theatre on Sunday, May 23rd at 7 p.m.
Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards will be presented for outstanding performances including: Outstanding Play and Musical, Outstanding
Actors/Actresses in Play and Musical, Outstanding Supporting Actors/Actresses in Play and Musical, Outstanding Dance Number,
Outstanding Student Orchestra and Outstanding Featured Performer in Ensemble.
A program like the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards provides monetary awards to further students’ education and encourage students’
continued involvement in the performing arts public and area schools to provide those opportunities for students.. The program is open
to all public and private schools in Cumberland, Dauphin and Lebanon counties, in addition to Elizabethtown Area Senior High School.
The association between the Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards and Hershey Area Playhouse is a natural fit and continuing that association
will make both of us stronger, and all of Central PA a stronger home of the arts.
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known to us, had plenty for us to
showcase. There were wild-eyed
first daters, studs and duds,
babes, overzealous movie goers,
teddy bear terrorists, and a set
of swivel chairs that became an
out of control family car. There
was a character for everyone to
identify with and songs for all to
laugh at and enjoy. And I’m not just
saying that because I’m the director.
I’m saying it because you, the audience
said it to us. Many attendees
loved sharing their responses to all
involved in the production. One fellow
board member stated that he had never
heard so much laughter in the Playhouse
before! Add in several standing ovations
friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent,
in other words- a real boy scout. The
musical directors Nick Curry and Dan
Fisher, complimented each other’s abilities
and expectations of what our cast could
achieve and really challenged them to hit
their best notes always. Kristin Einsel,
our illustrious stage manager who kept
us, well mostly me, on track, and ran the
show from the booth with a cool head.
Mary Szeltner who came out of costume
retirement to outfit the cast in the best and
the worst wardrobes – depending on what
the scene required. Maxine Oliver, prop
mistress extraordinaire, who went out and
stocked up on everything from popcorn,
to liquids, to half a platoon of teddy bears
and we can tell that you liked us, you really
liked us!
just so we could tear them to pieces. Susie
Gruber, and Michael and Louise Feldser
were a true renaissance ensemble that did
everything from marketing to catering.
I Love You,
You’re Perfect,
Don’t Change
By Jennifer Feldser
And the lord God said, let there be a
show about men and women that reveals
the lovely and lighthearted moments in
relationships. Let there be a phenomenal
cast of six people- Cara Giambrone, Corey
Greene, Eric Mansilla, Jessica Mohney,
Randy Stamm, and Sarah Zahn – who run
around for two hours portraying characters
ranging in ages from child to childish and
neuroses that would send Freud into a
tizzy. Yeah, tizzy.
I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change was
one of the best theatre experiences I have
ever had – from the quality of the actors
to the dedication of the crew. The big
payoff came when the audiences finally
showed up and we could show off our
efforts. Love, Perfect, Change as it became
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We had a blast putting the show together
and performing it. You couldn’t see us
when we were offstage, but the dancing
and madcap silliness persisted. Speaking
of people you can’t see, allow me this part
of the article to go into a kind of award
acceptance speech where I would like to
thank all of the behind the scenes people
who aided in making this production a
success. My producer- Tom Curry, who
was efficient, trustworthy, loyal, helpful,
So it’s over. Nine performances with
over 1,000 tickets sold, more than any
other February show at the Playhouse.
I’ll leave you with pictures of a few of our
favorite moments. We are all proud of this
production and we were delighted that
those you who came out got to see it and
shared in this experience. We love you, we
were perfect, and so were you!
Broadway Comes To Youth Theatre Camp This Summer
Hershey Area Playhouse Theatre Academy is
pleased to announce its educational programs
for the summer of 2010, including the Hershey’s
area’s first full length musical theatre production
camp. In addition, the Theatre Academy
will conduct its traditional performance Day
Camp programs during a two-week period on
weekdays in June. Details follow.
Musical Theatre Camp and
Performances
During a three week period beginning August 2,
2010, students will attend classes and rehearsals
from 9 AM until 4:30 PM weekdays, which will
culminate in performance of a full scale musical
production at the conclusion of the camp on
August 20, 21 and 22, 2010.
Students in grades 4-12 will be invited to enroll.
Age appropriate roles will be assigned through
an audition process once a student is registered
for the camp. Class meets daily from 9 AM
until 4:30 PM with intensive study of dance,
acting and vocal music production culminating
in a weekend of performances of a full scale
musical. Each week of the camp registered
students will experience a master class with a
working artist in the field of dance or musical
theatre.
Final planning for this exciting new opportunity
for students is ongoing as of press-time. Details
and registration fees are not yet completely
finalized, but will be posted soon at: www.
hersheyareaplayhouse.com.
Summer Day Camps
in June 2010
Three performance Day Camps and a Theatre
Camp for Techies will be offered during a twoweek period in June, from Monday June 14th
through Friday, June 25th. Sessions include:
• Kid’s Camp Jr. - Tell Me a Story
for students in Grades 1 – 3
• Kid’s Camp - Murder, Mystery and Mayhem for students in grades 4 – 6
• T
heatre School Studio – Zounds! Gadzooks! And Huzzah! for students in
grades 6 – 12
• Theatre Camp for Techies
The Day Camp will be held on weekdays at
Hershey Area Playhouse at Country Meadows,
Sand Hill Road at Cherry Drive, Hershey, PA.
The schedule and length of classes vary, based
on the camp and the age/grade of students.
See the write-ups that follow on each camp for
more information.
Experienced teachers
return for another summer
Camp veterans Cory Wilkerson and Jennifer
Feldser are returning to give leadership to
our camp once again. Cory Wilkerson is a
director and performer specializing in theatre
for youth, and former artistic director of
WOW! Theatre. Ms. Wilkerson has taught
acting both here and in Atlanta, Georgia public
schools. Ms. Wilkerson is a 2004 recipient of
a Pennsylvania State Legislature Certificate of
Achievement for her work with children and
youth. Ms. Wilkerson directed Oliver!, Annie,
The Sound of Music and The King and I for the
Playhouse. When not directing or performing,
Ms. Wilkerson is an arts education consultant
for the PA Department of Education.
Jennifer Feldser has been with the Playhouse
since the beginning, working behind the scenes
as stage manager for many of the productions.
Jennifer directed the premier of her original
production The Other Woman in 2009 and I
Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change! for the
Playhouse earlier this year. The Other Woman
was awarded Best New Play of the Region
by the Kennedy Center during the American
College Theatre Festival. When Jen is not
doing theatre she is busy keeping track of
dramatic elementary students as a teacher.
Summer Performance Day Camp Offerings 2010
Kids Camp Jr. – Tell Me a Story Performance Camp Grades 1- 3...9 AM – 10:30 AM
Campers will learn acting skills using classic tales from many different times and cultures. A fast-paced class for elementary children with an emphasis
on developing imaginations and learning to create a character. $130.00 early bird - $145.00 after 6/1. - Limit 16
Kids Camp – Murder Mystery and Mayhem Camp Grades 4- 6...10:30 AM – Noon
Good fun in the guise of the classic murder mystery. Children explore the “whodunit” style of theatre by performing plays that are a spoof on some of the
greatest detectives of fiction. Students act as both actor and author creating their own original piece. $130.00 early bird - $145.00 after 6/1 - Limit 18
Theatre School Studio – Zounds! Gadzooks! Huzzah! Grades 7 -12...1:00 PM – 4:00 daily
High school aged students explore the art of spectacle utilizing scenes from Shakespeare and other classics to learn acting and stagecraft. Sword fighting,
stage combat, music, costume and farce all will add to the mix to make an unforgettable experience. The resulting scenes and monologues will be staged as a
free form play at the end of the session. Emphasis on skills to help you get the part! $170.00 early bird. $185.00 after 6/1 - Limit 20
Theatre Camp for Techies Grades 6 - 12...Meets June 21st thru 24th...4:30-6:30 PM & 9-4 PM June 25th
Tech camp students explore the other half of the world of theatre - learning what goes on behind the scenes. Students will receive training in lighting,
sound, and design with guest artists teaching the roles of a production team. Tech Camp students will put their skills into action supporting the final
performance. $100.00 early bird - $115.00 after 6/1 - Limit 6
Class sizes are limited. Early registration is encouaged to ensure enrollment.Early registrants for the day camps may qualify for a discount in
the registration fee. In addition, a discount is offered when multiple students from the same household enroll. More information and an enrollment form is available at www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com or by contacting Playhouse board member
Randy Cline at [email protected] or 717.497.2315
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Volunteer
Spotlight
Tim Banis
When did you begin doing
theatre work?
I began with plays at the jr. high school level. It
seems like I was always involved in some kind
of production from simple plays to playing in
school bands. I found I had a knack at fixing
mics and amps and building sound and light
systems out of anything we could find at Radio
Shack or hardware stores. I also found that
working behind the scenes, making those with
real talent sound and look better, was where I
could best use my talent.
During the 90’s, I worked for several production
companies. I also had the opportunity to work
with several “Sesame Street” and “Muppet
Baby” shows during this period in both sound
and the costume department. At the time I
didn’t realize I was building experiences that
would lead me to community theatre.
What’s your area of
expertise within the theatre
and outside the theatre?
I am an electrician by trade with training and
experience in industrial power, the big stuff,
generating equipment, motors, transformers,
control systems, etc. But my interests have
always been with sound systems. Sound can
trigger predictable responses from crowds
and can really bring a performance to life. At
the theater level, the type of sound effect, the
level and direction of the sound are all very
important and critical in creating a mood or a
setting that can be difficult in our small theater.
For example, in Our Town, a horse-drawn milk
wagon was needed, ya right, but with sound it
was possible. After many hours of recording
and mixing this 8 second cue, the audience
heard a large old horse approaching, with the
clop-clop of heavy hoofs on an old gravel road,
the wheels of an old wagon squeaking, milk
bottles tinkling, leather tack groaning, a snort,
a neigh, moving to center stage and stopping
as the milkman says “whoa Bessie.” You could
almost see the horse, smell the horse.
On Golden Pond, The Odd Couple, Little Women,
A Mid Summer Nights Dream at Country
Meadows, we did shows like Oliver!, Anne, The
Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, large shows
that needed the large stages of Lower Dauphin
and Hershey high schools. We transformed
a dance studio at One Broadway to do
Nuncrackers, turned an empty Hershey Outlet
store into a theater for A Christmas Story, and
somehow, used an empty Hershey Volunteer
Firehouse bay for a New York city apartment
for the hauntingly, emotional 911 play, The
Guys.
How did you become
involved with Hershey
Area Playhouse?
Tough question! Probably On Golden Pond was
my favorite. It’s like your first born, or your first
girlfriend or your first taste of chocolate. The
magic was all there for that play.
At the turn of this century, Ellen Kellner and I
owned and operated Addeys Inn, a small B’n’B
and motel in Hershey. Around Christmas 2001,
Paul Thompson stopped by to look at and book
a nice room for his mom and dad visiting from
my home state of Maine. Esther Thompson
and I instantly became very good friends and
spent many hours trading memories and
stories. Her warmth and spirit were so familiar
to me that I felt like family. Around this time,
I heard that a local theater group was looking
for a soundman for their upcoming play,
On Golden Pond, so I went to their first meeting
and got the job. I didn’t, at the time, put 2 and
2 together. I was excited to be able to bring the
sounds of the woods and lakes of Maine to the
intimate surroundings of Country Meadows,
where many of our earlier shows were held.
Director Jeff Marsh gave me the freedom to
express myself in a way that would bring justice
to this wonderful play. With several speakers
hidden on stage and around the room, the
audience was able to hear birds sing in the
trees, crickets all around them, Charlie’s mail
boat approaching and the waves from its wake
lap on the shore. And of course, Ethel’s loons
calling to her from around the lake. For me,
and I hope for many others, it was a magical
time. The cast was brilliant. For me, the reality
of Ken Skelly’s cabin set, Theresa Ridges’s
lighting, and my sound effects hit me when,
after the show, Esther Thompson, the real
Ethel Thayer, turned to me with a tear in her
eye and said “ it was so beautiful, I thought I
was back at the lake.” I was hooked, and I’ve
been with the Playhouse ever since.
Which productions have you
worked on?
Which was your favorite?
Which was more challenging?
All the shows are challenging. Tech wise,
I think the toughest was The Wizard of Oz at
Lower Dauphin HS. The sound system, at the
time, had some issues. If that wasn’t enough,
hours before The Wizard of Oz opened, a real
tornado had chewed its way thru parts of
Campbelltown destroying many homes and
causing power outages and fires. Talk about
an eerie opening show. The magic of theater,
somehow it all worked and at the time it was
our biggest show ever.
What do you like about
volunteering for
Hershey Area Playhouse?
That’s an easy one. The people. The many
volunteers who put in their time and talents
to work together for a show. It’s all about the
show and the “whatever you need” attitude is
the common thread that links us to the show.
I’ve never known anything as open and inclusive
as community theater. We come from all walks
of life, all backgrounds and talent levels, rich or
poor, we’re all in it together. Some are better at
acting, others are better at showing others how
to act, some know how to raise money or sell
tickets, or paint a set. We’re all the same, no
better, no worse. When it all works we laugh
and shake hands and pat each other on the
back. When things so wrong, lines forgotten,
cues missed, props break, bulbs burn out, we
still laugh and shake hands and pat each other
on the back. After a long grueling rehearsal
schedule and shows that never seem to end, end
they do. What do we do with ourselves then?
We pick up the phone and say “what’s next, give
me a call.” I’ll be there.
For the first several years, I ran sound for every
show we did. Not only did we do shows like
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Kids Corner
Maria Goldman
Fourth Grade
1. How did you get interested in theatre?
Well, my sister Sara was always in plays and it looked like fun and I wanted to do it too.
Once I got my first role, I fell in love with theatre.
2. What other ‘skills’ do you have and that you have maybe taken classes on to help you?
I take dance, voice lessons and acting camps at the Playhouse to help me with theatre.
3.
What shows have you participated in?
I have been in The Homecoming as a Town Person (Winter 07) The King and I as a Royal Child (Summer 09) Wait Until Dark as Gloria (Fall 09) The Best Christmas Pageant
Ever (Winter 09) and I have been in the acting camp plays for last 5 years.
4. What’s your favorite thing about doing theatre?
My favorite thing about theater is acting and developing the character and understanding
who they are.
5. What do you find the hardest/most challenging thing about theatre?
The hardest thing for me is waiting to find out if you get into the play or not, and memorizing all the lines, and trying not to make a mistake on stage.
Maria Goldman has been involved in various
Playhouse shows for the past five years. A
fourth grader, Maria lives in Hershey with her
family- her mom, who Maureen claims to just
be the driver, but we know theatre moms do
more than that; her sister Sara who has been
involved with many shows at the Playhouse as
well; her dad, her brother John, and dog, Oscar.
This past year Maria was in triple back to
back main stage performances. As one of the
many kids that have walked the boards of the
Playhouse stage, I wanted to get her point of
view about the world of theatre.
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6. What has been your favorite role/character so far?
My favorite role has been Gloria in Wait Until Dark because that was my first speaking role ever.
7. What other areas of theatre are you interested in trying or doing?
An area I would like to try would be directing and seeing how different it is from being in the show.
8. Do you have a dream role or show you would like to do, what is it?
A dream role for me would be to play Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz because I love that movie and the show.
9. If you were going to encourage other kids to do theatre, what would you say?
I would tell kids to try it because you can never know how good something is until you do it.
John Zerbe
Lobby
Donors
Steve Dailey 128 1/2 A Hair Salon
Mac & Shirley Aichele
Joan & Jack Bishop
Susan Cort Black
Jack & Mary Bogrette
Judith Bond & Gaylen Bradley
Rosalie & Ken Bowers
Clarence & Helen Brockman
Miles & Louise Daub
Jethro J. & H. June Davis
Kathy Denton
Bruce & Eleanor Dieffenbach
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Fasnacht
Neil & Barbara Fasnacht
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fogarty
Mr. and Mrs. S. Walter Foulkrod III
Herb & Susan Fowler
L. Suzanne George
Richard & Elise Hann
Elizabeth Harry
Karen & Michael Leader
Urs & Paula Leuenberger
Ed & Rose Maloy
Bruce & Sally McKinney
Marc & Susan Moyer
Scott & Susan Newkam
Todd & Linda Pagliarulo
George & Lou Porter
Wanda Reid
Neal & Linda Rhoads
Betsy & Ed Richards
Pete & Theresa Ridge
Alexander & Claudette Roca
Vincent Rudisill
Barbara Zerbe Runyan
Doris Shearer
Franklin, Louise, Michael & Diane Shearer
Trudy Spangler
Richard & Gwendolyn Wright
Mary Jane Zerbe
Nancy & Dick Zimmerman
10
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2010 Contributors
Sustainers
Mr. and Mrs. John Aichele
Gene & Jan Cary
MaryAnne & Randy Cline
Nelson & Ethel Damschroder
Maxine Haynes
Ted & Jane Janeczek
Nancy & Jay Krevsky
Pete & Theresa Ridge
Carmine & Tamara Sarracino
Shirley & Don Stratton
Supporters
William & Bonnie Chambers
John N. & Margaret B. Goldman
Christine Hepler
Mitzi & John Hines
Drs. Michael Katzman & Margery Wasko
Judith L. Pfeiffer
Melvin Shenk
2009 Donors Missed
in the year end list.
We are grateful for your continued support.
Supporters
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Buckingham
Jim & Susan George
Joseph & Debra Heisler
Thomas & Nancy Kitzmiller Friend
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Lavine, Jr.
Vernon & Mildred Miller
Dave & Gerry Myers
Patrons
Friends of Neal Rhoads
Ms. Marilyn Downing
Hershey Rotary Club
Sustainers
Gene & Janice Cary
William & Bonnie Chambers
Susan & Richard Foxx
Ms. June Gibbs
Tom & Susan McGarrity
PNC Foundation
Alf Rix & Nellie Huber
Sallyann & Clinton Talley
10
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Four Party Agreement Ensures the Show will go on forever at
Hershey Area Playhouse March 24th
We have completed an arrangement to
refinance our remaining construction debt of
just over $550,000. This new loan will allow
us to make regular monthly payments as part
of our regular operating budget. Since we have
been able to generate a strong revenue stream
through profits from productions, fund-raising
events, and community donations, we expect to
be able to pay off our debt within the next 5 to
7 years.
Please remember that we are having the signing
ceremony for our new loan this Wednesday at 6
pm in the theatre.
We have completed an arrangement to refinance
our remaining construction debt of just over
$550,000. This new loan will allow us to make
regular monthly payments as part of our regular
operating budget. Since we have been able to
generate a strong revenue stream through profits
from productions, fund-raising events, and
community donations, we expect to be able to pay
off our debt within the next 5 to 7 years.
11
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The financial arrangement is especially
noteworthy in that it involves Fulton Bank,
and the Industrial Commercial Development
Authority of Derry Township.
The financial arrangement is especially
noteworthy in that it involves Fulton Bank,
and the Industrial Commercial Development
Authority of Derry Township.
You are cordially invited to attend a very brief
document signing ceremony at 6:00 on March
24th on center stage in the Playhouse.
You are cordially invited to attend a very brief
document signing ceremony at 6:00 on March
24th on center stage in the Playhouse.
Champagne to follow! Please remember that
we are having the signing ceremony for our new
loan this Wednesday at 6 pm in the theatre.
Champagne to follow!
12
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Look for the links on our homepage (see
above) to our Facebook page, Twitter feed,
YouTube channel, Flickr photostream,
LinkedIn group and The Imagination
No doubt you’ve heard about “social media”
and “social networking.” Well, Hershey
Area Playhouse is tapping into all these
resources to keep our community theatre
community connected.
Let’s
Get
Social
December 2 – 5, 2010
December 9 – 12, 2010
April 17, 2010
April 22 – 25, 2010
April 28 – May 2, 2010
May 7 – 8, 2010
July 15 – 18, 2010
July 22 – 25, 2010
August 15 – 16, 2010
October 21 – 24, 2010
October 28 – 31, 2010
September 26 – 27, 2010
February 11 – 14, 2010
February 18 – 21, 2010
Feb. 28 – March 1, 2010
March 20, 2010
If you ever have any general comments,
suggestions, random thoughts or any point
you want to get across, send us an e-mail
at [email protected].
And don’t forget, at Hershey Area Playhouse,
all imaginations are welcome.
Blog. Get involved with Hershey Area
Playhouse, and spread the word to your
friends!
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
performances
Wit auditions
Theatre Academy Final
Winter Session
Cabaret Night
Wit Performances
Fiddler on the Roof Auditions
Fiddler on the Roof Performances
Harvey Auditions
Harvey Performances
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Auditions
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Performances
Calendar
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT #776
P.O. Box 703
Hershey, PA 17033
Visit HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com for the most up-to-date calendar listings.