Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
BroadwayStage05
Chorus Member Joined: 8/9/04
#1Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/15/07 at 11:58pmHeyy Has anyone heard anything about Buck's County or Pocono Playhouse's seasons for this summer...I auditioned at the actual theaters on Febuary 24th. I havent heard anything yet and I was just wondering. If you know, please send me something !!!
Switz78
Featured Actor Joined: 12/9/04
#2re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 12:08amDo not work there. Is the only ting I can tell you. I know several people who have and been treated horribly.
Amneris
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/03
#2re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 12:13amthe people are so nasty that run that theater.
Poppy
Featured Actor Joined: 10/24/03
#3re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse - 2007 Season
Posted: 3/16/07 at 12:45am
Godspell
March 30 - April 8, 2007
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by John-Michael Tebelak
Seussical the Musical
April 13 - April 22, 2007
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss
Bye Bye Birdie
May 2 - May 20, 2007
Book by Michael Stewart
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Now Time Singers 32nd Anniversary Concert
May 26 - May 27, 2007
Join the Now Time Singers as they reunite for 3 special concerts.
West Side Story
May 23 - June 10, 2007
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents
Crazy for You
June 13 - July 1, 2007
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Book by Ken Ludwig
42nd Street
July 4 - July 22, 2007
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble
Throughly Modern Millie
July 25 - August 12, 2007
Book by Richard Henry Morris
Music by Jeanine Tesori
New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan
Pippin
August 15 - September 2, 2007
Book by Roger O. Hirson
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Forever Plaid
September 5 - September 16, 2007
Book by Stuart Ross
The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
September 19 - September 30, 2007
By William Shakespeare, Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Borgeson
Little Shop of Horrors
October 3 - October 14, 2007
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
The Rocky Horror Show
October 12 - October 27, 2007
Music, Book and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
October 17 - October 28, 2007
A Musical by Rupert Holmes
Sugar Babies starring Eddie Mekka
October 31 - November 11, 2007
Music by Jimmy McHugh and others
Written by Ralph G. Allen and others
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields and Al Dubin and others
Fiddler on the Roof starring Eddie Mekka
November 14 - December 2, 2007
Music by Jerry Bock
Written by Sheldon Harnick
Book by Joseph Stein
It's A Wonderful Life
December 5 - December 23, 2007
Music and Lyrics by Keith Ferguson
Music by Bruce Greer
For more information and to buy tickets go to their site: www.buckscountyplayhouse.com
#4re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 12:45amI have seen two performances there only cause I was doing the theatre competition there and they were not good at all. Totally not worth it.
<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.
-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
paphillyguy
Leading Actor Joined: 1/5/05
#5re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 8:55am
I am a subscriber(really no choice since my partner's mother loves to go, even with the poor quality)and have been for a few years.
The shows are mostly not very good and the cast seem to be the same most of the time. It seems to be very incestuous, it is very freaky when you have a brother and sister in real life in a love scene on stage (Rocky Horror).
I would NEVER recommend seeing a show there. The theater is a mess and needs new seats. The flooding has definately hurt this theater.
#6re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 12:57pmDreadful. Simply dreadful. I feel sorry for the miserable way the casts and staff are treated, but this may be the only place they would be hired outside of a Ground Round. Here's a ten foot pole, but don't touch this... place... with it.
fossemoves
Stand-by Joined: 4/19/05
#7re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 1:23pm
Just playing devil's advocate...
Sometimes working at a bad theatre is better then not working in theatre at all.
dramaqueen2
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/05
#8re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 2:33pm
they're doing seussical AGAIN?!
my friend was in it last season, and i had heard they had done it the season before. get something newwww!
i live within the general area and have never seen anything done there but have considered going, as a friend owns an art gallery in new hope, but now hearing all of these things, i will reconsider!
hear my song; it was made for the time when you don't know where to go, listen to the song that i sing, you'll be fine..
#9re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 7:33pm
I know a good dentist in the area, you might get lucky and schedule a root canal instead
stonewall2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/12/04
#10re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 11:14pmWhat a shame that you youngsters are too young to remember when anybody who was anyone did a stint at "The Playhouse" every summer. Julie Harris, George C. Scott, Liza (as a teenager along with Tyne Daly), James Daly, Howard Keel, Eileen Brennan, Colleen Dewhurst- the best of the best worked established shows along side of new pieces. Even an occasional musical was attempted! Thank God I am too far away to see what it's become. I can sit here and watch the snow with my memories of a little girl who spent the entire summer in New Hope, and knew every inch of that backstage, even down where you could hear the river next to the building......
"I'm mad, you're mad. we're all mad"...
The Cheshire Cat
#11re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/16/07 at 11:31pmI've seen MANY shows there - and after what they put me through with the theater competition last year (do a search for the story - I posted it on here around late May/early June last year) I am trying to avoid the place as much as possible...
Hi, Shirley Temple Pudding.
jimnysf
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/10/05
#12re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/17/07 at 1:03amEddie Mekka in "Fiddler" again? Does he do it every year?
"I've lost everything! Luis, Marty, my baby with Chris, Chris himself, James. All I ever wanted was love." --Sheridan Crane "Passions"
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"Housework is like bad sex. Every time I do it, I swear I'll never do it again til the next time company comes."--"Lulu"
from "Can't Stop The Music"
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"When the right doors didn't open for him, he went through the wrong ones" - "Sweet Bird of Youth"
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"Passions" is uncancelled! See NBC.com for more info.
playhousefavorite
Swing Joined: 7/30/05
#13re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 6:52pm
Once again not a single topic can be posted about Bucks County without a bunch of bashing. First of all, how many of you have actually worked there? I have and it is a wonderful place. I have never been treated poorly and was always very well taken care of. And it wasn't because I could only get hired at the ground round. I have done many regional, summer stock, and national tours, but my fondest memories are at that playhouse. Second, every actor complains about not working. How many non-equity theatres give actors work 9 months out of the year? Not many. The playhouse has been running for a very long time and still can put people in the seats so obciously people come and see things and still come back. That is the reason Eddie Mekka is doing Fiddler again (he did not do it last year) it ALWAYS sells out. As for Seussical, this is the 2nd year it is being done and it's back because it SOLD WELL. Like it or not playhouse haters the people who work there do their job well and put on damn good shows, with damn talented people (Audra McDonald worked there out of college, the late Jason Raize did also, currently 2 of the stars of Les Miz have been on the playhouse stage less than 8 years ago Alexander Geminani and Adam Jacobs both did seasons there. Lesly Donald who was Horse just last season in Full Monty is doing the first national tour of Color Purple. GOOD PEOPLE WORK AT BUCKS). Basically you all can say what you want but the people there are making better money than 95% of non-union actors. The auditions are always packed and so are a lot of the houses. People do like the playhouse and love working for the playhouse. I know I do. So if you aren't a total diva who can't watch a show without high tech state of the art equiptment come see a show there. It is a wonderful experience with great talented performers who work their butts off doing what they love.
Updated On: 3/21/07 at 06:52 PM
fossemoves
Stand-by Joined: 4/19/05
#14re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 7:09pm
Having never worked there or seen a show there for that matter, only affiliated with it's history and it's often impressive alumni I will say this...
It is stock, rep, and regional companies like this that are keeping Theatre alive in modern America. It is not Broadway and Chicago. These small companies are the backbone of American theatre and breed our audiences that then plan trips to NYC & Chicago.
Regardless of the work - their effort is crucial to the future of theatre in this country and should be lauded and applauded.
playhousefavorite
Swing Joined: 7/30/05
#15re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 7:26pmThank you so much fossemoves. I did appreciate your previous post also. I know my last post made little sense, as many of my angry ramblings do, but it is frustrating to me. But place like bucks do keep theatre alive giving people the opportunity to see up to 20 different musicals in one season. We should be supporting these places not discuraging people to attend. No, it is not Broadway but it still is one of the last great summer stock theatres.
stonewall2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/12/04
#16re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 7:30pmI haven't been back in years, but it is good to finally hear something nice about The Playhouse. I realize that things change over the years and it is no longer the magnet for top talent that it was when owned by Michael Ellis, but Broadway was not a "year 'round" event then either (who wanted to be in the hot, dirty city when they could steal a few moments to walk on the canal towpath or wander through all of the funky little shops in New Hope?). Shows started out there- in the "rough" and I mean VERY rough sometimes, long before they hit Philly or New Haven on the way to Broadway. Many were born and died during the two weeks of reheasal and two weeks on the stage, but actors were working and sharing and enjoying their craft.The rehearsal hall wasn't air conditioned and it was way down the street from the theatre itself, the dressing rooms were up several flights of narrow, twisting stairs with the costume room at the top and the dressing rooms lining the hall. Heaven help you if you caught your heel in your hem as you ran down the stairs to the call of "five minutes" or the mike in the green room died and you literally ran onstage trying to catch your breath, but the house was full and they loved each and every show- not really caring how bad some of them were, but because they belonged to "them", the people who made up the audience every two weeks, waited 'til the sets were struck and a new show came up again. It will never be like that again, but many young actors got their start at "The Playhouse" and have fond memories of it.
"I'm mad, you're mad. we're all mad"...
The Cheshire Cat
#17re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 7:43pm
I am 20 years old, acted in high school and looking to be in the technical aspect of theatre when I leave college. I was at the Bucks country playhouse twice for competitions and then saw shows there after the competitions. One was Lil' Abner, the other, Once Upon a Mattress. Now, I have worked in community theatre since I was in middle school and i know the budget that small playhouses have to deal with. it's not at all like broadway.
But what I felt leaving the theatre after seeing Lil' Abner was a little bit of disgust. The actress playing the mother was, in one scene, looking down the underwear of some actors and giggling and it felt like that was not what the director wanted. It didn't seem professional. The singing wasn't bad, nor the sets (for the small amount of stage that they had). One other thing that bugged me though was that they didn't have stage left or stage right leg curtains. I could see all the actors on the sides getting ready to come on. And I wasn't even all the way next to the wall.
Once Upon a Mattress was a lot better. I might have judged that too quickly since my high school did it my freshman year. i actually don;t remember anything bad about that show.
I think what really bugged me were the judges for the competitions. i have no idea if they were involved with the theatre at all, but during one of the scenes in the competition (not the one I was in), I saw one of the judges fast asleep in her chair. I realize it must have been a long day watching high schoolers perform scenes, but to fall asleep for the whole scene and then critic it later? The first year I was there, the judges focused more on our inability to make the "3 times" joke work, or how they hated our set. They did not mention one thing about how they liked (or even disliked) our acting style. I think that is the main reason why I don't particularly have fond memories of that theatre.
Sorry to have harped on about stuff. I just felt I needed to say why I didn't have a good experience there.
Playhousefavorite ~ good for you, finding a theatre that you love and having good memories about it. Maybe it was the shows that people saw that made them hate the theatre without giving it a second (or third) chance. i don;t know.
<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.
-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
playhousefavorite
Swing Joined: 7/30/05
#18re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 8:35pm
Stonewall. It's pretty much the same, well its no longer unair-conditioned and the dressing rooms are redone, but the same feelings. We are not at the New Amsterdam...but it is our place and we love what we do.
Dre: I did not see Lil' Abner so, I can't explain. As for the legs, the way the stage is constructed, the sight lines are awful. There would be no playing space if the legs came in any further. As for the judges at the drama fest, yes they are awful but they are usually the reviews that come and review the playhouses performances too. So we have to deal with them every show we do...and trust me we like them no more than you do. I agree that people that actually care should do the judging of the competition.
#19re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 8:43pm
ok, glad it wasn;t just us that couldn;t deal with them.
hope this season is good! I might go down and see Crazy For You (my favorite musical). Will you be able to see it?
<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.
-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
playhousefavorite
Swing Joined: 7/30/05
#20re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 8:51pmNot sure what I will be able to see this season, I will be traveling most of the summer, but I will get over there any chance I get.
perfectliar
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/04
#21re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/21/07 at 9:30pm
I've only ever seen Rocky Horror and Miss Saigon (the first time it ran last season) at BCP, and both were pretty awful.
I realize that Rocky is an interactive experience, but seriously... you are performing a show, not leading a circus.
Miss Saigon was decent. Nothing to write home about. The woman playing Kim was great, but the rest of the cast was rather disappointing.
Having never worked at the theatre, I myself can't fairly comment on the treatment of the cast/crew. But I do have friends who have worked both on stage and behind the scenes in past seasons, and none of them will ever return... not even to SEE a show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#22re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/22/07 at 12:10am
I have worked there. Lived in their horrible housing. Danced on their horrible stage.
I would take waiting tables over it anyday.
They get talented people, but only the desparate ones go back.
#23re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/22/07 at 9:38am
BROADWAYSTAGE05,
Don't sweat with not hearing from them. As others who have posted before me, working/living conditions there are less than stellar. And,YES, PLAYHOUSEFAVORITE, I have worked there, so I can speak from experience. While it is true, they often attract young, quality talent with little experience who are afforded a wonderful opportunity to hone their craft and build up their resume. They do little to improve the quality of life for their actors. The roof leaks, there is a constant scent of mildew from not adequately repairing flood damage, and they provide poor housing for the cast.
Playhousefavorite is probably one of those people who return season after season because it is nice to be out of the city in the summer. And if you're a "playhousefavorite" of the owner, you often get to perform roles you might not get to play elsewhere. ALSO, they pay better than most non-union houses, which is a big draw to want to work there. It is cold comfort, though, when you are in the midst of squalor.
Mr. Tuttle
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#24re: Bucks County/ Pocono Playhouse
Posted: 3/22/07 at 8:36pm
Places like this are keeping theater in modern America alive?
Did someone really say that? With a straight face?
Places like this that put crap on are going to be THE END of American theater. People see crap here. Do you think they're going to want to go to another local theater after a crappy experience?
Having seen the crap this "theater" puts on, one can only say that "theater" itself must be insulted by the association.
Ignorance is temporary. Stupidity last forever.
Watch out BWW...
HE'S BACK.
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