Colonial Playhouse is currently offering Colonial Quickies, It’s hard to believe that this is the 23rd year for this special offering. That is unless you’ve seen them. Colonial veterans as well as talented newcomers create a fun evening for all.
Everyone works together to pull this production off starting with Producer Ron Hill. All of the actors help each other out as the stage crew with lights and sound handled wonderfully by Nance Reeves.
Meet the children of Captain Kirk.
The short play selections include:
The Devil and The DMV is a clever piece written by Nora Louise Syran. ErinMarie Friel directs this undefined Circle of Hell that we all can relate to. Jim Hulme plays Satan who gets no respect from DMV Officer Peggy Oleynick who plays this role to perfection.
The Jar by Julie Zaffarano is also directed by ErinMarie Friel (what a busy talent she is!) Longtime lovers Bailey (Sam Dressler) and Trip (Jennifer Pilchman) decide to spice up the evening with role playing. Director Friel directs these very talented actors beautifully. My only suggestion is that I wish The Jar was not visible at the top of scene.
Planned Spontaneity by Hilary Bluestein-Lyons is about a woman looking to sublet an apartment and ending up with a new friend. Directed by Micki Sharpe this crazy piece has you laughing from start to finish with veteran Cathy Fallon as Shannon and Hannah Stockdale as Laura.
The Friendship Dynamic by Alex Dremann is about four friends navigating the pros and cons of romance changing their relationships. Sam Barrett directs a great cast which includes the very funny ErinMarie Friel who decides she is in love with nerdy Trace played by Rich Szymczak. Blunt (Vince Fox) and Page (Kate Shaw) wonderfully play getting outed as a twosome.
Fun with puppets, a pity mourner and the devil at the DMV.
The Pity Mourner by Paul Donnelly is a lovely piece which is very funny and touching at the same time. Ron Hill does a terrific job directing veteran actor Jim Copeland (Archie St. Claire) and Joan Bickel (Margaret Henslow).
C.O.C.K Therapy by Mike Byham is about a therapy support group for the children of Captain Kirk. As a big fan of Star Trek I love this one. How can anyone forget the many loves of Jim Kirk? Cue in that romantic music. Jim Copeland’s direction doesn’t miss one bit of humor. The group is lead by veteran actor John Lockyer who is hysterical in his blue star trek uniform (A blue uniform was a signal of who was to die in that week’s episode, I believe). He is joined by talented actors Emma Billingsley (Mariel), Kathryn Leech (Misha), Jean Marie Martin (Dani) and David Welsh (Saven). Fans of the ‘Trouble with Tribbles’ will not be disappointed.
Sicko by Rob Carroll anchors this fun evening. Rob Carroll has written and directed this excellent play about a man who is too attached to his hand puppet. Bill Kuhfuss is spot on as psychiatrist Dr. Seren who is trying to help Richard (Den Mahoney) process his relationship with Angela (Kate Scanlon). Mahoney and Scanlon are brilliant as these two misfits, brandishing puppets while making us laugh.
There are only six performances left: June 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22. Quick, grab your friends and get out to see this annual favorite.
Colonial Playhouse is at 522 West Magnolia Ave., Aldan, PA. Call 610-622-5773 or visit www.colonialplayhouse.net.