Rebecca Shoemaker, left, Joe Ciresi, Allen Puy, and Paulina Wozniak

Eric Thompson, Deedee Mann and Jordan Shoemaker

By Cheryl Thornburg
  

  The best part about Tri-PAC’s latest production,  "Goldilocks and the Downho

The cast of  "Goldilocks and the Downhome Bears"

me Bears,” was the bear hugs at the end of the show. At the conclusion of this brand new musical, more than half the young audience flooded the stage to meet Baby Bear — and of course, Goldilocks. 
  That shows that writers, Karen and Neal Newman, hit their mark with the target audience — school-age children.
  The Newmans have created some very relatable characters— and one outrageous one.
Goldilocks, played to perfection by Paulina Wozniak in Sunday’s performance, is a restless young girl who is bored and decides to run away from home.  She ends up in a very different household, a rustic cabin in the woods owned by the Bear family.
  This sets up my favorite song from the show, “Don’t Go In There.” But of course, G

Jordan Shoemaker and Maddie Aicher

oldilocks does go in.
  Unlike the classic tale however, the bears befriend her and she stays with them for a while where she learns some life lessons. Goldilocks is also played by Maddie Aicher for other performances.
  Matching Goldilocks in her rebellion is Baby Bear, who has also reached the rebellious phase.  Jordan Shoemaker is delightful in this role and quickly becomes an audience favorite.
  Director Debbie Snow has assembled a talented cast of young and more seasoned actors to bring this one-act musical to life.
  Allen Puy as Deputy Dan ties the two settings, Goldie’s home and the Bears’ cabin together as he checks in at both places and chats with and sings to the audience throughout the show. His inviting demeanor quickly draws the audience into the story.
  Goldie’s parents, played by Rebecca Shoemaker and Joe Ciresi add lots of laughs with their playful interaction. Their nod to the painting “American Gothic” is one of my favorite scenes in the show.
  Rebecca Shoemaker also gets to play the aforementioned “outrageous” character, Betsy Bluebird. I dare anyone not to laugh as she flitters and twitters around the stage.
  Deedee Mann demonstrates some fine ‘downhome” singin’ skills and comedic talent as Mama Bear and  Eric Thompson matches her measure for measure as Papa Bear.
  Rounding out the cast are those talented young actors I mentioned, Rachel Julian, Lindsay Lohr, AJ Sermarini and Maddie Aicher as Goldilocks’ friends.

This two-day run at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High St. in  Pottstown is over, but the show is available for schools or organizations at the Tri-PAC or off-site from February through May.  Contact Education Director Steve Reazor at steve@villageproductions.org for more information on how take advantage of this show.

Coming attractions  at Tri-PAC include “Ain’t Misbehavin” (Feb. 10-19), “Toys In The Attic” (March 8-25), “Farragut North” (April 20-29), and  “Hairspray” (June 7-24).

To keep track of what’s happening at the Tri-County Performing Arts center, check the website at http://www.tripac.org

To keep track of what’s happening in the local theater scene, check back here at Curtain Call and follow me on Twitter @MercArtsCheryl

 'Miss Saigon' plays weekends at the New Candlelight Theatre in Wilmington, Del.  Dinner and a show for $56.  For details go to

http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2012/01/27/entertainment/doc4f21df5b065d9968282424.txt

PHILADELPHIA -- Walnut Street Theatre PRESENTS an all-new production of Agatha Christie’s classic thriller "The Mousetrap." This timeless mystery is the world’s longest running play, celebrating its 60th anniversary.  The show opens on Jan. 25 and runs through March 4 on the WST Mainstage.
Written by Agatha Christie, the play is set in England during the winter of 1952. A group of strangers are trapped together at a manor house during a snowstorm. They soon discover one of them is a murderer and suspicion runs wild.
To celebrate its 60th year, Mousetrap Productions has licensed 60 productions of THE MOUSETRAP world-wide, including Walnut Street Theatre.  During 2012 the play will be seen on every continent, with professional productions scheduled for Australia, China, Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Scandinavia, Venezuela, and across the United States and Canada.  The show will also tour the UK for the first time ever, while simultaneously continuing performances at St. Martin’s Theatre in London.
"The Mousetrap" was inspired by the real-life case of Dennis O'Neill, a boy who died while in the foster care of a Shropshire farmer and his wife in 1945. It began as a 20 minute radio play called
Three Blind Mice," broadcast on May 30, 1947. The radio play evolved into the stage play.  It premiered in the West End of London in 1952 and has never stopped running. In 1974 the play moved to St. Martin’s Theatre, where it continues to entertain. With more than 24,500 performances, it is the longest continuously running play of all time.  Seeing the production live is the only way audiences can experience the mystery, as no film adaptation can be produced…yet.  In 1956, British producer John Woolf bought the movie rights on the condition that a film version would not be released until 6 months after the play closed.  Woolf passed away in 1999.
The suspicious cast of THE MOUSETRAP includes Walnut favorites Jennie Eisenhower and Dan Hodge as newlyweds and manor owners Mollie and Giles Ralston.  Eisenhower, a newlywed herself, joins the cast after directing the WST for Kids’ production of A Christmas Carol.  Audiences will remember her from Fiddler on the Roof, Fallen Angels and her Barrymore Award-winning performance in Forbidden Broadway.  Hodge was last seen wearing multiple hats in the Walnut’s The 39 Steps.  Paul L. Nolan (Major Metcalf), last seen in White Christmas and Laurent Giroux (Mr. Paravicini), last seen in Aspects of Love, return to the Walnut as possible murders.  New to the Walnut, Eric Bryant (Christopher Wren), Charlotte Northeast (Miss Casewell), Harry Smith (Detective Sergeant Trotter) and Judith Knight Young (Mrs. Boyle) complete the list of suspects.

"The Mousetrap" runs at the Walnut through March 4. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

Pottstown — Some bears hibernate for the winter, but not the bears at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown!  They’re singin’ and dancin’ in the foot-stomping musical "Goldilocks and the Downhome Bears." There are only three performances of this musical, Saturday Jan. 28 and Sunday Jan.29.
Meet Goldie (Goldilocks) who is just about to celebrate the birthday that will make her a teenager. And what does she do? She runs away from her home and her strict parents, only to find the country cottage of the most fun lovin’, partyin’ three bears you ever did see.  A down home musical for the entire family (especially for ages 5 - 12), the show celebrates family and friendships, and the joys and challenges of growing up for both kids AND parents.
This production is available for school groups and organizations at the Tri-PAC or off-site from February through May.  It is a great way to bring a fun, educational offering to your school or club.  Contact Education Director Steve Reazor at steve@villageproductions.org for more information on how take advantage of this show.
There will matinee performances on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and again on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. only.  Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $13 for children 12 and under.  Tickets may be purchased at  http://www.tripac.org" or at the door the night of the show if available.  As always, there are discounts for groups of 10 or more.  Check the website, or call the theater at 610-970-1199 for more information.

There's some interesting theater happening in Norristown this month. Three weeks of dramatic performances are slated for Norristown’s Centre Theater including classic plays, comedies and histories. The Centre Theater hosts its annual Independent Voices Festival, Montgomery County’s only performing arts festival, from Jan. 6 to Jan. 22 at its newly renovated 208 DeKalb Street location. 
For details, check out this article http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120106/NEWS01/120109718

Auditions for Fleetwood Community Theatre's spring show "Oscar & Felix" are Tuesday Jan. 3 at St. Paul's UCC, Fleetwood, at  7:30 PM. Roles to be cast: 6 men, 2 women. Performances are March 2,3,4, 9,10,11 - Rehearsals are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays starting Jan 16th. Need more info?? Call Tara Sands 610-763-9929.

Alpha Omega Players will hold auditions for “Blood Brothers” Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m with call backs Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m.
Rehearsals begin Sunday, Jan. 15
Auditions are open to anyone age 14 & up
Roles to be cast are:
Mickey  - male baritone
Eddie  - male tenor
Mrs. Johnstone  - female mezzo
Mrs. Lyons - female mezzo
Sammy - male spoken
Linda - female mezzo
Mr. Lyons - male baritone
Ensemble
 The Role of the Narrator will NOT be auditioned
 For questions or more information, contact the players at 610-404-4849 or at
alpha1978@dejazzd.com

BIRDSBORO
 Alpha Omega Players, 301 E. First St., Birdsboro, presents  "Disney’s Aladdin” Jan.  6 at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 7 at 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. Adults $15., students (12 & under) $10. For reservations, call 610-404-4844.  More in formation at www.alphaomegaplayers.org

MALVERN
People’s Light & Theatre presents “Treasure Island: A Musical Panto,” through Jan. 8, on the Main Stage.  Single tickets range in price from $35 – $45. For tickets, call the box office at 610-644-3500. special discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

People’s Light & Theatre presents “Fallow” Jan. 11- Feb. 5.
 For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610-647-1900 x134 or email charles@peopleslight.org. People’s Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

NORRISTOWN
The Centre Theater presents “Brilliant Traces” a one-act play Jan. 12-13 as part of the Independent Voices Festival. The Centre Theater is located at 208 DeKalb St.,  Norristown. Phone: 610-279-1013 . For tickets https://centretheaterculturalcenter.ticketleap.com/


PHILADELPHIA

Academy of Music, 1420 Locust St., Philadelphia (215-893-1999)
“Hair” runs Jan. 3-8.
"Memphis" runs Jan. 17-22

Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. Second St., Philadelphia (215-922-1122)
"Charlotte's Web" runs through  Jan. 29

Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St., Philadelphia (215-923-1515)
"Jersey Boys" through Jan. 15

 Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony-nominated musical "The Scottsboro Boys" (Jan. 20-Feb. 19).

Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia (215-735-7356)
“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” Jan.19-Feb. 1. Tickets : $10-$20.

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia (215-413-1318)
Walnut Street Theatre’s Rodgers and Hammerstein’s  "The King and I"  runs through Jan.  8 on the WST Mainstage. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 presents David Auburn’s award-winning “Proof.” The show previews on Jan. 17, opens Jan. 19 and runs through Feb. 5 in the intimate Independence Studio on 3. The 2005 film starred Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow was based on the play.  For more information about Walnut Street Theatre national tours, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., Philadelphia (215-546-7824)
"Body Awareness" runs Jan. 4 through Feb. 5, Tickets $10 to $56.

POTTSTOWN 
Tri-County Performing Arts Center
TRi-PAC presents Philadelphia’s professional improv troupe, the N Crowd  Saturday Jan. 7  at 8 p.m. Tickets: $13-$17.  Currently they perform at the Actors Center at 257 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia.

“Goldilocks & The Downhome Bears,” a  foot-stompin’ musical (one-act family musical Saturday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. & Sunday, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. Appropriate for all ages (especially ages 5 – 12)
Tickets:  ADULT: $17; STUDENT/SENIOR (65+): $15; CHILD (12 & under): $13. Visit www.tripac.org for tickets.


READING
Berks Opera Theatre  presents Georges Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers," Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. at Miller Center for the Arts - Reading Area Community College, 4 North Second St., Reading.
Tickets: $36 Advance, $40 Door, $20 Student
Order tickets by calling 610-607-6270

Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 136 N. Sixth St. (1-800-745-3000)
Broadway on Sixth Street Series presents "Rock of Ages" Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Reading Area Community College, Miller Center for the Arts, 4 N. Second St., Reading (610-607-6205)
Family Sampler Series presents Enchantment Theatre Company's "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 14

YORK
York Little Theatre presents Neil Simon’s classic comedy, “The Odd Couple” Jan. 13 in the theatre’s Bert Smith Black Box Studio. The show runs Jan. 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 15 and 22 at 3 p.m. Adult tickets are $23, seniors are $21, students are $18, children are $10. Tickets can be purchased at www.ylt.org or 854-5715, from 11 - 5 weekdays. York Little Theatre is located at 27 South Belmont Street, York Pa., just south of Market Street at the intersection of I-83.