MARY ELLEN WRIGHT | Staff WriterThe funny side of parenthood. The poignant side of a marriage in crisis. The dark side of the early years of the AIDS pandemic. These are some of the themes that will be explored this month on theater stages around Lancaster County.
Audiences will also meet stripping steelworkers, 1950s teenagers in love, a tribute to Whitney Houston and a tradition-driven milkman in early 20th-century Russia.
Theatergoers will have their choice of musicals, plays and cabarets for all ages.
Here’s what’s opening, and continuing, on Lancaster County stages this month.
Opening
‘RATED P FOR PARENTHOOD’
• Where: Prima Theatre, 941 Wheatland Ave., Suite A, Lancaster.
• When: Today at 3 p.m., plus evening performances Thursday, May 9, to Saturday, May 11, with a Saturday matinee.
• Details: Just in time for Mother’s Day, Prima closes its main-stage season with four performers delivering a funny, heartwarming, PG-13-rated musical take on the highs and lows parents experience at all stages of their parental journey. This sketch-comedy musical revue, which ran off-Broadway in 2012, is “Saturday Night Live” mixed with “Modern Family.”
• Admission: $42-$68.
• Tickets and info: primatheatre.org.
Alex Gossard copes with parenthood in the musical sketch-comedy revue, "Rated P. for Parenthood" at Prima Theatre in Lancaster, now through May 11.
‘THE FULL MONTY’
• Where: Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster.
• When: A mix of afternoon and evening performances Wednesdays through Sundays, May 17-June 22.
• Details: Six unemployed steelworkers learn to become strippers in order to earn some quick cash. They’ll face challenges to their friendship, and issues with their self-esteem, on the way to the big show; will they triumph over their nerves ... and their clothes? Note that the musical, based on a 1997 British film, is rated PG-13, for its mature themes and language.
• Admission: Meal and show, $30-$82; show only, $22-$55.
• Tickets and info: dutchapple.com or 717-898-1900.
‘GREASE: YOUTH AND TEEN PRODUCTION’
• Where: Susquehanna Stage at the Marietta Center for the Arts, 133 W. Market St., Marietta.
• When: A mix of matinee and evening performances Friday, May 10, through Sunday, May 12, and Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19.
• Details: Will the “summer lovin’” of teens Danny and Sandy survive the school year at Rydell High, with the Pink Ladies and “greasers” offering them advice? Settle in for high school hijinks and some beloved rock ’n’ roll show tunes like “Summer Nights” and “We Go Together,” delivered by a cast of young performers.
• Admission: $20-$27.
• Tickets and info: susquehannastage.com.
The Pink Ladies of "Grease," a Susquehanna Stage youth and teen production, will take the stage May 10-19 in Marietta.
‘ANGELS IN AMERICA: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES’
• Where: Ephrata Performing Arts Center, 320 Cocalico St., in Grater Memorial Park, Ephrata.
• When: Thursday, May 30, through Saturday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 5, through Saturday, June 8.
• Details: The first part of Tony Kushner’s two-part Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play, set amid the AIDS crisis in 1980s America, weaves together the lives of diverse fictional characters and historical figures — ghostly and otherwise — facing love, loss and political upheaval. The play deals with themes of identity, faith and the search for connection. (EPAC will present the second half of “Angels” in late June; both parts are being produced in recognition of Pride month.) The play is recommended for ages 18 and older.
• Admission: $35-$54. See both “Angels” plays for $65-$85.
• Tickets and info: epactheatre.org or 717-733-7966, ext. 1.
‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS’
• Where: The Tell Studio Theatre, upstairs at the Fulton Theatre, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster.
• When: A mix of evening and matinee performances, Wednesdays through Sundays, May 10-26 (with an evening performance Tuesday, May 21).
• Details: The rise and fall of a five-year relationship are examined on two chronological paths — running forward in time, from Jamie’s perspective, and told in reverse from Cathy’s side. These two narratives offer an intimate portrait of their love and loss. The couple’s timelines meet in the middle, at their wedding.
• Admission: $58-$68.
• Tickets and info: thefulton.org or 717-397-7425.
‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’
• Where: Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster.
• When: Evening shows and matinees Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2; Wednesday, June 5, through Sunday, June 9; and Thursday, June 13, through Sunday, June 16.
• Details: Servant Stage Company presents this classic musical about Tevye the milkman, a man for whom Jewish faith and cultural traditions are a way of life. The musical tells the stories of his marriage-age daughters and their suitors, Tevye’s relationship with his wife, and the lives of the people of his little village — all set against the antisemitism and political upheaval of 1905 Imperial Russia.
• Admission: Pay what you will; reserving tickets in advance is recommended.
• Tickets and info: servantstage.org.
‘THE GREATEST LOVE FOR WHITNEY’
• Where: Mount Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna,
• When: Matinee and evening performances Thursday, May 30, through Sunday, June 2, and Thursday, June 6, through Saturday, June 8.
• Details: Gretna Theatre opens its summer season with this tribute to Whitney Houston and her music. Two performers will tell stories about the impact of Houston’s music, and perform hits from throughout Houston’s iconic career. Those include “I Will Always Love You,” “Saving All My Love For You” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”
• Admission: $39-$44.
• Tickets and info: gretnatheatre.org/2024season
‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON: A MURDER MYSTERY PERFORMANCE’
• Where: Strasburg Rail Road, 301 Gap Road, Ronks.
• When: A mix of matinee and evening performances Fridays through Sundays, now through Nov. 2.
• Details: In this murder mystery on rails, a body is discovered aboard the train as guests are told they’re traveling to see a Broadway show and to have a reception with its star. Is the killer the high-powered press agent, the famous actor, her jealous manager or the barman? Detective Cecil B. Holden from Scotland Yard will help passengers figure out the mystery. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served as part of the experience, which is recommended for those 10 and older.
• Admission: $75.
• Tickets and info: strasburgrailroad.com.
One night only
‘THE SECRET GARDEN: CONCERT’
• Where: Fulton Theatre, Lancaster.
• When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23.
• Details: This concert version of the Tony Award-winning musical “The Secret Garden,” features a cast of 30 (including Broadway veterans) and a 17-piece orchestra. It’s a fundraiser for the Fulton. “The Secret Garden” tells the story of orphaned Mary Lennox, who goes to live with her widower uncle in the English moors. She forges a relationship with her disabled cousin and seeks to revive a hidden garden. The show will be followed by a ticketed garden party.
• Admission: $50-$125 for the show only and $300-$375 for the show and garden party.
• Tickets and info: thefulton.org.
‘FOR THE LOVE OF BROADWAY’
• Where: Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater, 3065 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise.
• When: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 19.
• Details: Actor, singer, director and teaching artist Sierra Naomi, who has performed on stages across the country, presents songs that are her “love letter” to musical theater. This is part of Servant Stage Company’s Sunday night cabaret series.
• Admission: Pay what you will; reserving tickets is recommended.
• Tickets and info: servantstage.org.
‘MYSTERY ON MAIN’
• Where: Shady Maple Smorgasbord, 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl.
• When: 5:15 p.m. Thursday, May 9.
• Details: Third Space Theatre brings back its 1920s murder mystery dinner theater, set in a small town and involving a seemingly sweet Dairy Princess and some other questionable characters. Audience members can be involved in the show, help solve the mystery by questioning the actors, or sit back and watch. A buffet meal is included with this PG-rated show recommended for those 8 and older.
• Admission: For buffet and show, $80.
• Tickets and info: thirdspacetheatre.com.
For young audiences
‘TWEET! A MUSICAL FOR THE BIRDS’
• Where: The Uptown Theatre at Lancaster Alliance Church, 210 Pitney Road, Lancaster.
• When: Noon Saturday, May 18.
• Details: The young performers of Creative Pursuits Academy, ages 6-10, present this musical about four little birds considering life beyond the nest, with advice from Squirrel Scouts, a wise old owl and a high-flying eagle.
• Admission: $5-$10.
• Tickets and info: creativepursuitsacademy.org.
Todd Lawson as Luther Billis, back row, performs with other cast members from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “South Pacific,” running through May 19 at the Fulton Theatre.
Continuing
— Creative Works of Lancaster’s site-specific theater, “Cemetery Plots,” has its final two performances of three short plays today in Lancaster Cemetery, as part of the second day of Lancaster ArtWalk. Info: lanc.news/CemeteryPlots.
— Fulton Theatre’s production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic “South Pacific” tells the story of two relationships — tested by war and prejudice — set on a military base in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It continues through May 19. Info: thefulton.org.
— Three cultures — Eastern European immigrants, African Americans and upper-class suburbanites — collide in early 20th-century New York in the musical “Ragtime,” continuing at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre through May 12. Info: dutchapple.com.
— “Magic & Wonder: Imaginarium,” a magic and variety show that takes audiences from circus to steampunk, continues at Magic & Wonder Dinner Theatre, 3065 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, through Oct. 26. Info: magicandwondershow.com or 717-323-3077.
— “Daniel,” the biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s den comes to life at Sight & Sound Theatres, through Dec. 31. Info and tickets: sight-sound.com or 800-377-1277.
— “The Confession,” Bird-in-Hand Stage’s musical about an Amish woman who seeks her identity after finding out she was adopted, runs through Aug. 3. The theater is temporarily performing at Revere Tavern, 3063 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise. Show only, or with a meal. Info: bird-in-hand.com/stage.
— “Ryan & Friends: All-Star Comedy,” featuring family-friendly comedy, music and ventriloquism by Ryan Bomgrdner hosted by Bird-in-Hand Stage, continues through Oct. 19 (temporarily at Revere Tavern). Info: bird-in-hand.com/stage.
Carolyn Anne Miller, left, as Nellie Forbush, sings with other cast members in a scene from the Fulton Theatre's "South Pacific." With Miller are Gabriela Green, Esther Lee, Camila V. Romero, Mary Beth Donahoe.
Continuing, for families
— “Junie B. Jones,” based on the popular children’s books about Junie’s adventures in first grade, continues until May 18 as part of the Fulton Theatre’s Family Series. Info: thefulton.org.
— “The Rainbow Fish Musical,” about a fish who learns lessons from his ocean community, continues through May 10 at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. Info: dutchapple.com.
