- Press Releases

Press Releases

Langhorne Players Benefit Stages Revue of Alumni Performers

Newtown, PA, August 21, 2011 – Langhorne Players is hosting a special event called “Showin’ Off — A Benefit for Langhorne Players” on September 23 and 24, 2011 at the Spring Garden Mill. Alumni of the Langhorne Players stage will come together for a hilarious, entertaining revue composed of more than 15 acts of comedy and song from plays staged at Langhorne Players and elsewhere.

Showin’ Off is directed by sisters Heather MacHenry of Levittown and Jessie Schol of Philadelphia, produced by Carole Mancini of Forest Grove, and written by John Weber of Fairless Hills and Elliot Simmons of Philadelphia. The reception, which will be held in a tent next to the Spring Garden Mill, is chaired by Kathy Junkins of Yardley, with Mill décor by Jo Anne Pinto of Yardley. David Rubinsohn of Newtown, former on-air WHYY fundraising personality, is emcee. Liza Fisher Norman of New Hope is chairing the event.

“Langhorne Players has a loyal following that supports the company each year, but we need a financial boost to bring our home, the Spring Garden Mill, back to its exterior glory,” says Norman. “Hurricane Irene just dealt us another unexpected blow, so now we need this fundraiser more than ever. And this production gives our actors a chance to spread their wings and to sing, something rare on our stage.”

Showin’ Off performers include: Abby Alexander of Jenkintown; Matt Bookler and Shelli Pentimall Bookler of North Wales; Bob Clothier of Richboro; Susan Fowler of Newtown; Ken Marblestone of Langhorne; Joe Mattern of Bensalem; Leslie Jacobsen of Freehold, NJ; Jen Newby of Warminster; Robert A. Norman of New Hope; Hans Peters of Southampton; John Pinto of Yardley; Elliot and Eileen Simmons of Philadelphia; Joe Szumlia of Langhorne; and Emily West of North Wales.

Tickets range from $40 for the revue alone to $250 for the revue, an hors d’oeuvres and dessert reception, and VIP seating on the stage (as nobles did at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater). Sponsorships are available from $1,000 that also include four season tickets for 2012 to $3,000 that include a private performance of a play of the sponsor’s choosing from the 2012 season. Showin’ Off curtain time is 8:00 PM on both nights with the reception for ticket holders of $100 or more at 6:30 PM.

To buy tickets, take an ad in the program, become a sponsor, or make a straight donation, call the Box Office at 215.860.0818 or visit www.langhorneplayers.org/benefit-for-lp

Founded in 1947, Langhorne Players is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), volunteer community theater company. Productions take place in the 200-year-old Spring Garden Mill located in Tyler State Park, Route 332, 1440 Newtown-Richboro Road, Newtown, PA.

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Photo caption: Organizers for Langhorne Players’ Showin’ Off benefit scheduled for September 23 and 24 gathered to help clean the Mill recently after hurricane Irene: (l. to r.) Heather MacHenry (director), Charles Gorman (president), Liza Fisher Norman (chair), Ken Junkins (art show), Carole Mancini (producer). Not pictured are Jessie Schol (director), Kathy Junkins (reception), and Jo Anne Pinto (décor).

Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire Opens August 19 at Langhorne Players

Newtown, PA, August 8, 2011 – Rabbit Hole is David Lindsay-Abaire’s bittersweet drama about finding hope in the lowest moments of our lives and the paths we take to return to the light of day. Mr. Lindsay-Abaire received the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Rabbit Hole and it was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. In it, he explores the deepest of losses with a surprising level of honesty, accuracy, and humor.

“Rabbit Hole is a beautifully written play about a very poignant subject,” says the play’s director Robert A. Norman. “But what makes it so remarkable is that it tells the story with so much humor and grace. The 2010 movie version starring Nicole Kidman lacked the humor and hopefulness of the stage script. Our production will have plenty of both of those things.”

Rabbit Hole is directed by Robert A. Norman of New Hope, PA; produced by Charles Gorman of Holland, PA; set design by Ken Junkins of Yardley, PA; lighting design by Jack Bathke of Robbinsville, NJ; stage managed by JoAnne Pinto of Yardley, PA.

The cast includes: Kyla Mostello Donnelly of Levittown, PA as Becca; Aaron Wexler of Philadelphia as Howie; Julia Wise of Huntingdon Valley, PA as Izzy; Linda Palmarozza of Ambler, PA as Nat; and Tim Schumann of Warrington, PA as Jason.

Performance dates are August 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31 and September 1, 2, 3.

Founded in 1947, Langhorne Players is a non-profit, volunteer community theater company that produces unusual, thought-provoking works meant to engender post-theater conversation. Open auditions are held for each show and the company enthusiastically welcomes new volunteers and talent. Productions take place in a 73-seat theater in the 200-year-old Spring Garden Mill located in Tyler State Park, Route 332, 1440 Newtown-Richboro Road, Newtown, PA. Curtain times are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $12-$14. To request a season brochure, purchase tickets, or more information, please call the box office at (215) 860-0818 or visit www.langhorneplayers.org.

Photo caption: (l. to r.) Howie (Aaron Wexler) and Becca (Kyla Mostello Donnelly) hold some of their son’s things, as Becca’s mother Jan (Linda Palmarozza) and sister Izzie (Julia Wise) keep close. Jason (Tim Schumann) looks on from a distance.

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End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer Opens July 15 at Langhorne Players

Newtown, PA, July 5, 2011 – End Days, an often-poignant comedy by Deborah Zoe Laufer, explores the struggles of the Stein family, New Yorkers who fled the city for the safety of the suburbs after 9/11. Aided by a zany collection of social supports including a young Elvis impersonator, an imaginary Jesus and physicist Stephen Hawking, the Steins slowly find their way back to solid ground and one another.

Performance dates are July 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30.

End Days is directed by Kathy Junkins of Yardley, PA; produced by Ken Junkins of Yardley, PA; and stage managed by Kate Fishman of Newtown, PA. Set design by Ken Junkins. Lighting design by Jack Bathke of Robbinsville, NJ.

“End Days on surface seems like a bunch of mismatched, misfit characters with isolated problems, having trouble getting through their days,” says director Kathy Junkins. “But by the end you will laugh, cry and relate to each one as they work their way through their struggles to find meaning in their lives.”

The cast includes: John Pinto of Yardley, PA as Arthur; Laurie Hardy of Hamilton, NJ as Silvia; Dana Maginity of Doylestown, PA as Rachel; Jon Zucker of Hatboro, PA as Jesus/Stephen Hawking; and Kevin Durkin of Hatboro, PA as Nelson.

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Photo caption: (left to right) The cast of End Days show off their characters: Laurie Hardy (Silvia); Jon Zucker (as Jesus; also plays Stephen Hawking); Dana Maginity (Rachel); Kevin Durkin (Nelson); and John Pinto (Arthur).

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Seascape by Edward Albee Open at Langhorne Players June 3

Newtown, PA, May 23, 2011 – Seascape represents a significant chapter in Edward Albee’s study guide on the workings of human relationships with a unique look at “empty nesters.” For it, Mr. Albee received the second of his three Pulitzer Prizes. Equal parts comedy, drama and fantasy are served up via Albee’s exquisitely witty dialogue and sly humor.

Seascape is directed by Bernard DiCasimirro of Morrisville, PA and produced by Heather MacHenry of Levittown, PA.

Performance dates are June 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18

The cast includes Carole Mancini of Forest Grove, PA as Nancy; Joe Mattern of Bensalem, PA as Charlie; Nigel Rogers of Horsham, PA as Leslie and Jen Newby of Warminster, PA as Sarah. Michael Weinstein of Newtown, PA is stage manager; Ken Junkins of Morrisville, PA is set designer; Jack Bathke of Robbinsville, NJ is lighting designer; Barbara Simpson of Lumberton, NJ is costume designer; Timothy Kirk of Delran, NJ is light and sound operator.

Founded in 1947, Langhorne Players is a non-profit, volunteer community theater company that produces unusual, thought-provoking works meant to engender post-theater conversation. Open auditions are held for each show and the company enthusiastically welcomes new volunteers and talent. Productions take place in a 73-seat theater in the 200-year-old Spring Garden Mill located in Tyler State Park, Route 332, Newtown-Richboro Road, Newtown, PA. Curtain times are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $12-$14. To request a season brochure, purchase tickets, or more information, please call the box office at (215) 860-0818 or visit www.langhorneplayers.org.

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Photo caption: Carole Mancini of Forest Grove, PA in the role of Nancy discusses life as empty-nesters with her husband, Charlie, played by Joe Mattern of Bensalem, PA in Edward Albee’s Seascape opening at Langhorne Players on June 3.

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Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck Opens Langhorne Players’ 2011 Season

Newtown, PA, March 22, 2011 – Mauritius, Langhorne Players’ season opener, by Theresa Rebeck looks at the seedy underbelly of ...stamp collecting. That’s right, philately. Two half-sisters in the wake of mourning their mother must decide what to do with a spectacularly precious stamp collection. A troupe of unique tough guys eager to help — or help themselves — take the sisters and us on an exciting, sometimes scary, and above all entertaining ride during which it is never clear who is at the wheel.

"The five characters in Mauritius pair up and face off in shifting configurations, the emotionally fraught edges of their twisty encounters made all the more intriguing by the fact that items as apparently innocuous as postage stamps fuel the friction." –Variety

Performance dates are April 15, 16, 17, 28, 29, 30, and May 1, 4, 5, 6, 7.

The cast includes Emily West (Jackie) of Morrisville; John Skanken-Kaye (Sterling) of Huntingdon Valley; Brian Kelly (Dennis) of Doylestown; Aaron Wexler (Philip) of Northeast Philadelphia; and Heather MacHenry (Mary) of Levittown. Mauritius is directed by Marie Maginity of Doylestown, and produced as well as stage managed by Tyler Winthrop of Holland.

Founded in 1947, Langhorne Players is a non-profit, volunteer community theater company that produces unusual, thought-provoking works meant to engender post-theater conversation. Open auditions are held for each show and the company enthusiastically welcomes new volunteers and talent. Productions take place in a 73-seat theater in the 200-year-old Spring Garden Mill located in Tyler State Park, Route 332, Newtown-Richboro Road, Newtown, PA. Curtain times are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $12-$14. To request a season brochure, purchase tickets, or more information, please call the box office at (215) 860-0818 or visit www.langhorneplayers.org.

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