I have never considered myself a “theatre person.” In fact, I just had to google whether or not there is a difference between theater and theatre (in case you’re curious, according to Google there isn’t much of a difference other than “theater” is the more popular spelling in American English, and “theatre” is internationally utilized).
So, this past winter when I had the opportunity to attend a theatrical performance, my expectations and excitement levels were less than riveting. You’d be much more likely to find me sipping a cocktail and binge shopping online on a Saturday night, than enriching my life through the arts (feel free to judge). So, when I arrived to my first PRiMA Theatre performance and I ran right into the bar, I thought maybe I didn’t know much about the performing arts at all. And then, something even more surprising happened. Before I had a single sip of wine, I was having fun! “Theatre doesn't have to be stuffy and boring. I grew up with rock musicals and pop music. The best art lives at the intersection of cultural accessibility and artistic quality,” says PRiMA's executive producer Mitch Nugent.
PRiMA is a non-profit production organization that was created in 2010 by a group of passionate theatre professionals. “Our aim is to invigorate people's lives and be a part of the enriching Lancaster's cultural vitality through fresh theatrics. We offer a twist on the expected experience. There are great outlets for entertainment in Lancaster. If you're looking for something fresh, PRiMA is worth a try,” says Nugent.
I loved my first PRiMA experience so much that I could not wait to attend their next performance. Both experiences were totally different but equally entertaining. Simply stated, I’m hooked. “If you didn't like what you saw at a show six months ago, it's worth giving us another try. Each experience can be so unique,” says Nugent. (Though we highly doubt you’d see anything you didn’t like from this group.)
One of the things that struck me about PRiMA’s performances that I have seen is the amazing talent! Seriously, these people are awesome! So awesome that I needed to know where they came from. “It’s a mix of who is here naturally, but also who are consistently moving here,” explains Nugent. “Lancaster is in a good spot for easy travel to the bigger cities. Lancaster's plethora of theaters keeps the flock of creative people growing here. It also helps the talent who grow up here get professional experience and solid training. Creative people land here in the Susquehanna Valley for a plethora of reasons, but often I see great talent sticking around because it's a beautiful place to live with enough artistic opportunities to thrive. We're glad to be an exciting flavor on the ‘things to do’ menu!”
So, whether you think some of us are crazy for not yet indulging Lancaster’s awesome theatre scene, or you’re a newbie like me, here are the remaining must-see PRiMA performances in 2016:
Defying Gravity with Stephen Schwartz / May 22 / Willow Valley Communities Cultural Center Theater
Join Lancaster’s finest talent to explore Stephen Schwartz’s beloved music and the composer himself, onstage presenting stories and songs.
“Stephen Schwartz is the composer behind Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Working, Rags, and Children of Eden. He collaborated on the songs for Disney’s Enchanted, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as well as the writer of songs for DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt, currently being adapted for the Broadway stage. He is the current president of the Dramatists Guild and has been inducted into the Theatre, Hollywood and Songwriters Halls of Fame. Mr. Schwartz holds three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards and four Drama Desk Awards.”
(For non-theater folk, in other words, he’s a pretty big deal. I mean, we all know what a Grammy is, even T Swift and Queen B battle for them! Pretty. Big. Deal.)
More info & tickets available here.
Big Fish / September 25 & 25, October 2 / Willow Valley Communities Cultural Center Theater
Big Fish is a heartwarming family musical based on the major motion picture directed by Tim Burton. This production is tells a story all about fatherhood, heroism, and life lived in full bloom, through the character Edward Bloom, “a traveling salesman who lives life to the fullest…and then some!” Overflowing with heart, humor and stagecraft, one reviewer called it “the first show in years everyone will love.”
(No excuses for this show because you don’t even need a baby sitter, you can bring the kids! Maybe if you take the kids to see Big Fish you can skip going to the movie theater to see The Angry Birds Movie. Need I remind you that they don’t serve wine at the movies? You’re welcome.)
More info & tickets to be sold here.
Presidential Playlist / November 3-6 / 26|East
Get ready for an over-the-top, hilarious, cabaret-style experience featuring the most entertaining and theatrical business…politics. Campaign songs, interactive political characters and headline ridiculousness.
(Because TV will be full of awful campaign commercials and this will be so much funnier and entertaining to see. No brainer here.)
More info & tickets to be sold here.
Adam Pascal / December 3 & 4 / Ephrata Main Theatre
Broadway’s most famous rock tenor comes to Lancaster! Adam Pascal is the unforgettable talent behind leading roles in Rent, Aida, Memphis, Cabaret, Chicago and Chess. In addition to Pascal’s theatre credits including a Drama League and Obie award, we has also toured internationally and has numerous solo albums. Join PRiMA for this exciting solo concert and public master class!
(So once again, he’s a pretty big deal! Those are huge Broadway performances! Even I could throw in a theater pun here if I wanted, or five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred of them. Okay, I’m done now.)
More info & tickets to be sold here.
