Tag Archives: theater

DHS Crimson Company Prepares for Fall Play

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Mark Nealon, Alexandra Asman and the rest of the Crimson Company are in rehearsal for their upcoming production of "The Twelve Daughters of Hercules."

Mark Nealon, Alexandra Asman and the rest of the Crimson Company are in rehearsal for their upcoming production of “The Twelve Daughters of Hercules.”

The Dunmore High School Auditorium has been a bustling with activity over the past few weeks with the Crimson Company in rehearsal for its fall production “The Twelve Daughters of Hercules” by Ben Kingsland. The play, directed by Brian and Dawn McGurl, will be performed on Nov. 18, 19, 20, and 21 at 7 p.m. each evening.

The comedy tells the story of the once heroic and strong Hercules, who is now a family man trying to cope without a son to carry on his legacy.

Junior Mark Nealon, who will also take on the role of Horton the elephant in the spring musical, “Seussical,” will play Hercules, the mighty Greek God turned father of twelve daughters.

“Hercules is getting older but still doesn’t appreciate all that he has,” said Nealon. “His daughters teach him the meaning of heroism.”

When a treasure is stolen from under his nose, he kisses his family goodbye and sets off, eager to relive his glory days. But as soon as he leaves, the monsters of his past come after the daughters he has left behind. Now Hercules’ daughters are off on an unexpected adventure to protect their family and prove to their famous father that girls can be heroes, too.

Junior Cessna Pendon, who drew rave reviews as Bloody Mary in last spring’s production of South Pacific, will play one of Hercules’ daughters, the gentle Phoebe.

“The play is really funny and has a great message about families,” Pendon said.

In addition to Pendon and Nealon, the large cast includes:

Alexandra Asman, Marisa Moraski, Aleia Sileo, Kaitlin Ahern, Lily Conboy, Ashley Fischetti, Ally Solsman, Allison Aronica, Madison Castellano, Arianna Costanzi, Emily Stedina, Tessa McDonald, Nico Summa, Lauren Brown, Joe Ferguson, Marchete Pendon, Tim Hopkins, Jack Culkin, Will Meade, Luke Gratkowski, Christian Reese, Julia Pasko Madison Eagen, Abby Errico, Tabitha Getz, Julia Ingargiola, Kathleen Kennedy, Amanda Lucas, Ariel Matticks, Sophia Norvilas, Molly Romeo, Billy McDonough, Ian Wagner, Mackenzie Senatore, Tom Sinkevich, and Will Hessmiller.

Caitlin McCafferty, Riley McNally, Maeve King and Melissa Schneider are stage managers.

Emcee for 2015 Chamber Gala Announced

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Conor O’Brien will be the emcee for the 2015 Chamber Gala and SAGE Award presentation.

Conor O’Brien will be the emcee for the 2015 Chamber Gala and SAGE Award presentation.

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announced that Scranton Fringe Festival co-founder and past SAGE Award recipient Conor O’Brien will be the emcee for the 2015 Chamber Gala and SAGE Award presentation. The event will be held from 5:30-9 p.m.on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at The Theater at Lackawanna College.

O’Brien is known locally as an actor, playwright and arts professional. He received the 2011 SAGE Award for young entrepreneur of the year. He was recognized for his work with The Vintage, a performing arts space in downtown Scranton that operated from January 2009 through September 2014. O’Brien is also the co-founder and current executive director of the Scranton Fringe Festival, which celebrated its inaugural year in 2015.

“To be a part of this year’s SAGE Awards as host is a real pleasure,” O’Brien said. “I am incredibly proud of this region, and I am incredibly grateful to all the individuals and businesses that have afforded me so many opportunities. Any way I can be a part of a celebration of this community is really exciting.”

O’Brien also won the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival’s 2014 award for best actor for his role in “The Darling Core” — a play he also co-wrote. He will reprise that in 2016 when “The Darling Core” makes its debut in New York City. He has also performed in Philadelphia, Kansas City and other areas throughout the Northeast Pennsylvania..

Tickets for this year’s Chamber Gala are available through Monday, Nov. 9, at www.scrantonchamber.com. For more information on the event, call (570) 342-7711.

Marywood University’s to present Our Town

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Marywood University’s department of music, theatre, and dance will present “Our Town” by American playwright Thornton Wilder. The show will be guest-directed by Maura Malloy and performed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3 in Marywood’s Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts.

Admission is $10 per person. Special admissions prices include: $8 for seniors, $6 for students and free admission for IHM Sisters and those with a valid Marywood ID.

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Dana Jackson of Dunmore, Kenneth Doyle of Oceanside, New York and Jade Litaker of Andes, New York, will perform as Emily Webb, George Gibbs and Mrs. Soames, respectively, in Marywood University’s production of “Our Town.” Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on October 2 and 3 in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts.

Dana Jackson of Dunmore, Kenneth Doyle of Oceanside, New York and Jade Litaker of Andes, New York, will perform as Emily Webb, George Gibbs and Mrs. Soames, respectively, in Marywood University’s production of “Our Town.” Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on October 2 and 3 in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts.

Over the course of three acts, “Our Town” explores the lives of the citizens of a small fictional American town, called Grover’s Corners, at the turn of the last century. The play is divided into three aspects of the human experience: Daily Life, Love and Marriage, and Death and Dying. Wilder spoke of his play as, “the life of a village against the life of the stars.” He was awarded the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The cast includes: David Zarko as Stage Manager; Travis Murray as Dr. Gibbs; Phoenix Sixto as Joe Crowell, Jr.; Markis Blackwell as Howie Newsome; Ashley Bohn as Mrs. Gibbs; Sarah Wagner as Mrs. Webb; Kenneth Doyle as George Gibbs; Amanda Merrill as Rebecca Gibbs; Max Snyder as Wally Webb; Dana Jackson as Emily Webb; James Langan as Professor Willard; Nick Grevera as Mr. Webb; Tiffany Atkins; Alexa Creavy and Matthew Murphy as various town folks; Darren Cementina as Simon Stimson; Jade Litaker as Mrs. Soames; James Malloy as Constable Warren; Rebecca Darling as Samantha Craig, Chris Norton as Joe Stoddard, Taylor Patullo as Wedding Soloist, and Patrick Hein as the Fiddler.

The production team for the play includes: Maura Malloy, director; Chuck Gorden, theatre program director/producer; Robert Lozada, lighting design; Judy Snyder, production manager and scenic designer; Mary Ann Swords-Greene, costume design; Patrick Toomey, technical director and sound design; Amanda Hirschler, assistant director; Kristin Stewart, stage manager; Markis Blackwell, assistant stage manager; Jessica Lochie, wardrobe supervisor; Tiffany Atkins, wardrobe assistant; Amanda Hirschler, lighting technician; Kenneth Doyle, lighting assistant; Erin Wagner, sound technician; Samuel Mitschele-Dauenhauer, properties master; Jade Litaker, properties assistant; Delaney Malloy, wrangler; Katherine Bischak, and Tatiana Tell, house managers; Rebecca Darling and Dana Jackson, box office; Kristin Stewart, Darren Cementina, Markis Blackwell, Amanda Hirschler, Nick Grevera, and Kenneth Doyle, lighting crew.

Ticket purchases with a credit card, can be made by calling Marywood University’s Box Office at (570) 348-6211, extension 6097.  To purchase tickets at the performance, cash or check payments (made payable to Marywood University) will be accepted. Credit card payments will not be accepted at the door.