Tag Archives: Crimson Company

Crimson Company takes a trip to Whoville with spring musical

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seuss

Poster design by Meghan McClarey (Credit: Brian and Dawn McGurl)

By Emily Fedor

The spring musical production from the Dunmore High School Crimson Company Drama Club is Seussical, a magical, musical extravaganza. The show will run March 31, April 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9 at the Dunmore High School Auditorium. The curtain will rise at 7 p.m. each evening.

Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant (Mark Nealon), The Cat in the Hat (Nico Summa), Gertrude McFuzz (Cessna Pendon), lazy Mayzie (Marisa Moraski), and a little boy with a big imagination—Jojo (Will Meade). The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

After seeing productions of the show themselves, Crimson Company directors Brian and Dawn McGurl both realized Seussical offers a lot of opportunity for creative expression.

“You can really put your own mark on it. It’s so imaginative, and the music is great,” said Dawn McGurl. “We just felt we could really do something fantastic at Dunmore with it.”

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For this show, the Crimson Company has partnered up with two local groups. The first is the Dunmore Elementary Center group called Pack Them with Love. The organization was founded in 2013 to provide children in the school’s free lunch program with nutritious treat bags to take home with them over the weekend.

The DHS auditorium will be a Pack Them with Love donation site for the run of the show. Additionally, one dollar from every ticket purchase made on Saturday, April 2, will be gifted to the organization. Some Crimson Company members will also trek over to the DEC to help pack up the weekend treat bags.

The drama club has also entered their second year of collaboration with Marywood University’s CMYK Club. Graphic design students submitted show poster concepts for last year’s spring musical South Pacific after Brian McGurl connected with Marywood associate professor John Meza during the recent Scranton Cultural Center production of Happy Elf.

Marywood students showed off their talents again this year with their Dr. Seuss inspired designs. All of the poster sketches submitted for Seussical will be displayed in the auditorium lobby during the show’s run, but junior Meghan McClarey’s design will be featured on the show’s posters, program covers and t-shirts.

“It’s great for Marywood students. They have a real-world project that they have to do for an actual show.” said Dawn. “And we love it, too. We’re definitely going to continue to do it.”

The Crimson Company will also be hosting their “Circus McGurkus” fundraiser from 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 5 in the DHS Cafeteria. A $10 admission fee will provide fun activities and treats that the whole family can enjoy. Each attendee can also have their photo taken with the Seussical characters at the event compliments of Rich Banick Photography.

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Students ranging in years from freshmen to seniors make up this musical’s talented cast:

Kaitlin Ahern,  Allison Aronica, Alexandra Asman, Anthony Behler, Lauren Brown, Barrington Bucknor, Molly Butler, Ryan Carey, Madison Castellano, Lily Conboy, Arianna Costanzi, Tia Coyer, Gabrielle Crawford, Jack Culkin, Madison Eagen, Abby Errico, Joe Ferguson, Tabitha Getz, Luke Gratkowski, Tim Hopkins, Bobby Kersavage, Amanda Lucas, Annabella Massaro, Ariel Matticks, Lydia Meade, Will Meade, Aislinn McDonald, Tessa McDonald, Billy McDonough, Bobby McMynne, Riley McNally, Marisa Moraski, Mark Nealon, Sophia Norvilas, Cessna Pendon, Marchete Pendon, Cori Pietruszkiewicz, Mackenzie Senatore, Aleia Sileo, Emily Stedina, Nico Summa and Ian Wagner.

Dance captains are Alexandra Asman, Lauren Brown and Ashley Fischetti.  Caitlin McCafferty is the show’s production assistant in addition to co-stage manager with Melissa Schneider. Assistant stage managers are Molly Clouse and Molly Romeo.

Crew members include: Patrick Conway, Maeve King, Matt Kosak, Maddie Loftus, Nicole Marzzacco, Korral Mooney, Elizabeth Nolen, Grace Nolen and Michael Terry.

The Crimson Company directors joke that they regret picking the show because of how much work it entails to bring the world of Dr. Seuss to life, but they say the cast and crew are making the process well worth it.

“The kids, especially the leads, are just wonderful,” said Dawn. “Great voices. Great actors. It’s really going to be a great show.”

March Calendar of Events

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UNICO Pig Roast

The Keystone Chapter of UNICO National is sponsoring a Charity Pig Roast as a community fundraiser, with the Voluntary Action Center as the primary beneficiary, on Saturday, April 9, at Fiorelli’s Banquet Facilities, Peckville. Tickets are available for $50 each, and the event is open to the public. This year’s theme is “Denim and Diamonds”.  A suggested choice of attire can be Blue Jeans to Black Tie.  This event will run from 6-10:30 p.m. and will feature a two-hour open bar with hors d’oeuvres during the first hour, and a sumptuous Italian Pig Roast buffet during the second hour. also featured will be raffles, a photo booth; a dance presentation, and entertainment by “E.J. the D.J.” for the entire evening.  Tax deductible sponsorships are available at $100, $50 and $25.  Reservations must be made by April 1, by calling Jim Mack at 570- 342-7975.  For sponsorships, contact Mark McDade at 570-343-7009.

Crimson Company’s Circus McGurkus

Put on your hat, your socks and your shoes or come any-which-way that you choose and join the Dunmore High School Crimson Company for the Circus McGurkus Carnival.

You may come dressed up as your favorite Dr. Seuss or storybook character.

Dr. Seuss storybook characters will be there to greet you. A continental breakfast of assorted pastries, fruit, yogurt, granola, milk, and coffee is included in your admission along with lots of fun activites for boys and girls! There will be a story corner, coloring and sticker activity, face painting, goodie bags, crafts, games, basket raffles, and a “Green Eggs” hunt to name just a few of the fun activities we have planned. We will also have a “selfie station” and each attendee will have a FREE professional picture taken by Mr. Rich Banick with our “Seussical” characters!

We hope you can join us on Saturday March 5, 2016 from 10 a.m. until noon  at the Dunmore High School Cafeteria. Admission is $10.00 per person.  

Lenten Concerts

In a 67-year tradition of inspiring prayer and meditation through music, the Catholic Choral Society will present two Lenten concerts. The first concert on Sunday, March 6, will be held at SS.. Peter and Paul Parish Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains, at 3 p.m. Pastor is Rev. John C. Lambert. The second concert will be presented at St. Paul’s Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton, on Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m. Pastor is Msgr. Neil Van Loon.

Both concerts are open to the public free of charge. Dr. Thomas Rittenhouse and Brenda Grunza are co-presidents of  the Catholic Choral Society. Ann Manganiello is music director of this group while Jean Shields is accompanist. Information may be obtained by calling 570-575-1040 and also at www.catholicchoralsociety.org.

Knee Surgery Seminar

Orthopedic surgeon John Doherty, M.D., will present a free seminar on knee replacement surgery. on Wednesday, March 1, at 5 p.m. at the McGowan Large Conference Room at Regional Hospital, 746 Jefferson Ave., Scranton. Dr. Doherty, a member of the Regional Hospital medical staff, will discuss techniques to help prevent, diagnose and treat arthritis in the knees.

Free parking will be offered in the hospital parkade. Reservations may be made by calling 570-348-7370.

Meatless Meal for Lent

Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant, will host a “Meatless Meal for Lent” featuring a baked haddock fish dinner on Friday, March 18, at the Regal Room 216 Lackawanna Ave., Olyphant, from 5- 7 p.m. Sit down or take out is available. Call 580-383-9487 for reservations. Pre-sold dinners are $13 per ticket.  Web site is stcyrils.weconnect.com  Rev. Nestor Iwasiw is pastor.

Wind Band Concert

Marywood University’s department of music, theatre, and dance will present the Marywood University Senior Wind Band Celebration on Saturday, March 5, at 7 p.m., in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. This event is free and open to the public.

Selected high school musicians from throughout the region will meet at Marywood University for two days of instruction from internationally recognized band conductors and clinicians. David Kish, D.M.A., director of bands and associate professor of music at Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Michael Knight, D.M.A., assistant professor of music at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., will lead participants in the Grand Finale Concert.

For information, call F. David Romines, D.M.A., music, theatre, and dance department co-chair at Marywood, at (570) 348-6268, or visit www.marywood.edu/mtd/.

Marywood Painting Exhibition

Marywood University is presenting a painting exhibition, Narratives Seen,  in the Mahady Gallery, on the first floor of the Shields Center for Visual Arts through April 3, 2016. The exhibition, are free and open to the public.

Calendar of Events: February 2016

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Pizza Fritta Sale

An Ash Wednesday Pizza Fritta sale will be held on Feb. 10 by SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish in the parish hall at St. Rocco’s Church, 122 Kurtz St. Cost is $1.25 each for five for $5. Pre-orders will be taken until Feb. 8 by calling Nancy Magnotta at 570-343-4978. Pre-order pick-up times are noon to 3:30 p.m. Pre-orders are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, but quantities are limited.

UNICO Valentine Social

Keystone UNICO will sponsor a Valentine Social on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. at La Buona Vita. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. Dinner will be Cathy Gavin’s popular dinner buffet and entertainment will be provided by Skip Monday. A cash bar will be available. Deadline for reservations is Monday, Feb. 8. Pre-paid reservations are required by sending a check made payable to  Keystone UNICO and mailed to Mark McDade, 102 Ridgeview Drive, Scranton, PA, , 18504.

Inaugural lecture at Marywood

Marywood University’s department of campus ministry, the science department, and the theology department will sponsor a lecture series on Pope Francis’s Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si (Praised Be You): A Conversation on the Care of “Our Common Home.”  The Inaugural lecture will be given by Rabbi Daniel Swartz of Temple Hesed on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m., at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life, Room A. This event is free and open to the public.

Marywood’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center presents art exhibit

EREZIN and KURDISTAN – A Journey will be on exhibit in the Suraci Gallery through Feb. 28, as the inaugural presentation of Marywood University’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center. Designed as virtual construct, the Center will serve as an educational force, primarily reaching high school and college age audiences. A gallery talk, given by Dr. Michael Mirabito, will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Suraci Gallery. This event is free and open to the public.

DHS Crimson Company’s “Circus McGurkus” Carnival

Put on your hat, your socks and your shoes or come any-which -way that you choose and join us on March 5, 2012 from 10:00am – NOON for the Circus McGurkus Carnival!! Admission is $10.00 per person.

You may come dressed up as your favorite Dr. Seuss or storybook character.All of the Dr. Seuss storybook characters will be there to greet you. We have many fun activities planned for boys and girls! There will be a story corner, plant your own Truffle Tree, coloring and sticker activity, face painting, goodie bags, crafts, games, basket raffles, and a “Green Eggs” hunt to name just a few of the fun activities we have planned. Delicious refreshments will be served. Rich Banick will also be there to take professional photos with our “Seussical” characters!

We hope you can join us on Saturday March 5th, 2016 – from 10:00am – NOON  at the Dunmore High School Cafeteria – Admission $10.00 per person

Beth Haas Lecture at Marywood

Marywood University’s science department will host guest lecturer, Beth Haas, Ph.D., who will present “Random walks in virtual places: Modeling molecular diffusion on bacterial membranes,” at the local meeting of the American Chemical Society, which is sponsored by Marywood University. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., in the Center for Natural and Health Sciences, Room 203.

Pocono Mt. Bible Conference Youth Retreat

Pocono Mountain Bible Conference will be hosting its annual winter youth retreat, Make or Break: American Idols during the of Feb. 5-7. Registration begins at 4:30 pm on Friday, Feb. 5. This event is open to all teenagers, 13-18 years of age. The cost is $50 per camper. The weekend offers speakers, music, games, contests and more. With music provided by the Cross Creek Community Church, Shavertown, on Friday evening, the mood will be set for fun and worship. Saturday entertainment will be Cristabelle Braden and Illijam, with their Reanimate Tour.

Speakers for the weekend will be Dave Weiss, Jimmy Lee and Matt Macking.

Registration, information on the camp and directions to the camp can be found by logging on to www.camppmbc.com or at www.facebook.com/camppmbc. Phone calls can be directed to Camp Director Matt Macking (570) 328-1648.

Cancer Institute raises awareness for colon cancer

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s 13th Annual C.A.S.U.A.L. (Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day is set for Thursday, March 31. C.A.S.U.A.L. Day is a dress down day to raise awareness for colorectal cancer in Northeast Pennsylvania.  Participants dress “casual” while wearing a specially designed pin and/or t-shirt.  All proceeds from the event stay in NEPA and go towards the Cancer Institute efforts to raise awareness and support colorectal cancer screenings for low income, un/underinsured individuals through their Patient Navigation Program.For more information about C.A.S.U.A.L. Day, and how you can participate, please call the Cancer Institute at 1-800-424-6724 or visit www.cancernepa.org.