By Betty Lou Roselle
Colonial Playhouse is currently offering Colonial Quickies, one of the highlights of their season. This favorite is in its twenty second year which is a testament of how enjoyable these 10 minute plays are. Over the years it has been a pleasure to watch the work of playwrights and actors continue to grow.
Ron Hill not only pulls everything together as producer, but helps choose the scripts, build the sets, directs and handles light and sound.
Jennifer Wolfe, John Lockyer and ErinMarie Friel in A Really Bad Bedtime Story.
The shows are as follows:
The Forgiven is a very well written piece by Alex Wilkie. Jennifer Wolfe directs this story about two women working at a church bazaar. Annette Traci and Joan Bickel both excel at finding the sadness and humor of Helen and Lois who are in love with the same man.
Just Say Yes by Kyle Hilsey is a fun piece well directed by ErinMarie Friel about a woman getting cold feet in a Chapel. Jon Brunke is terrific as the lovelorn suitor Jake hopelessly in love with Michele (well-played by Nance Reeves). Jim Copeland plays Rob who creates a nice twist to this gem.
A Hotel Room in Cleveland by Alex Dremann is about a couple who actually keeps score of their lovemaking. I didn’t quite understand the ending of this piece, but I am from a time when we just made love without thinking about skill. Sam Barrett does a nice job directing Kate Scanlon (Jules) and Steve Lythgoe (Dyan). Both these actors were wonderful in this piece as well as Dremann’s other offering:
Driven by Alex Dremann and also directed by Sam Barrett tells the story of a couple that has decided to give up sex for a higher cause. Next year, maybe he’ll write a play about if they manage to stick to that goal. Great cast and director (see above) bring the audience quite a few laughs.
Jim Hulme, Benjamin Kerr and Jim Copeland star in Howard.
Howard by Mark Harvey Levine is a story about what could happen if you go back in time to change future events. Ron Hill directs Jim Hulme (Older Man), Benjamin Kerr (Howard) and Jim Copeland (Middle Aged Man). These three veteran actors are spot on in this offering.
Executive Decisions by Dan Jankauskas makes us question the decision makers by presenting two employees that are asked to make life and death decisions without considering the consequences. Luis Aguilar does a fine job directing the very talented Ivy Leigh Meyer and Jill Winkoff in an unusual tale. Excellent use of curtains to give the feel of the women being closed in!
The Roast by Julie Zaffarano has a Hitchcock feel to it. The story is about Frankie and her Mom (excellently played by ErinMarie Friel and Kate Sapsis). Mom is struggling to recover from the loss of her husband and son in a horrible accident. Ron Hill’s directing is flawless and this was one of my favorites.
A Really Bad Bedtime Story by Rob Carroll is a fun romp into the imagination of a Grandma trying to take care of her difficult granddaughter. Maybe it’s because he’s such a good comedian himself, but Jim Copeland’s direction is a laugh-out-loud crowd pleaser. Jennifer Wolfe as Grandma and Kathryn Leech as her granddaughter Emily are a force to be reckoned with. Snow White (ErinMarie Friel), Rumpelstiltskin (Jim Hulme), Jack/Announcer (David Welsh), Prince Charming (John Lockyer) and Sam Dressler (The Wolf) round out this wonderful cast.
ErinMarie Friel and Kate Sapsis in The Roast.
There are six performances left: June 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Don’t miss this really enjoyable show.
Colonial Playhouse is at 522 West Magnolia Ave., Aldan, PA. Call 610-622-5773 or visit www.colonialplayhouse.net.