Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival has staged a deliciously comedic take on Jane Austins "Sense and Sensibility" through Aug. 5 on the Main Stage at Labuda As Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley.Austens story of sisters who are put out of their house and left penniless after their father dies, feels fresh and assured as directed by Jessica Bedford.

Sarah Gliko plays the sensible oldest sister Elinor with a quiet self-assurednes. Glikos Elinor is strong but hides her emotions behind her oh-so-practical demeanor. Meanwhile, Arianna Daniels middle sister Marianne is tempestuous and impulsive, with a giddy lack of decorum, contrasting her older sister.

Read more: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival stages fresh, comedic “Sense and Sensibility”

Pennsylvania Playhouses "Kinky Boots" is delightfully extravagant in its area premiere at the Bethlehem theater through Aug. 6.

The high energy production is buoyed by outstanding performances by its leads.

As drag queen Lola, Andrew Stewart is fabulous. Stewarts Lola has it all, attitude, sass, hot dance moves (even a cartwheel), a good voice and looks amazing in a sequin dress and stilettos. Not only that but Stewart makes this diva heartbreakingly human, demonstrating true method acting when tears fell during the moving ""Im Not My Fathers Son," sung in duet with Joemichael Lucianos extremely likable Charlie Price.

Read more: Pennsylvania Playhouse’s “Kinky Boots” delightfully extravagant

Ebony Pullum brings legendary jazz songstress Billie Holiday to vibrant life in Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festivals heartbreaking "Lady Day at Emersons Bar & Grill" through Aug. 6 in the Schubert Theater, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, Desales University, Center Valley.The show brilliantly recreates one of Holidays final performances before she died in 1959 at a Philadelphia bar in a tour-de-force turn by Pullum.

Read more: At Pa Shakespeare Festival, Ebony Pullum brilliantly recreates Billy Holiday in “Lady Day at...

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival presents a humorous and joyfully magical interpretation of William Shakespeares "The Tempest" which runs through Aug. 6, on the Main Stage of Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales Univeristy, Center Valley.

The story of magician Prospero, usurped as Duke of Milan by his brother and cast adrift with his infant daughter Miranda, is satisfying and effective even as Prospero decides to exchange vengeance for forgiveness late in the game.

Read more: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's "The Tempest" joyfully magical

Travel back to the 1980s with Pines Dinner Theatres playfully hilarious production of the musical "The Wedding Singer."The show based on the 1998 film "The Wedding Singer" is a crazy nostalgic ride and is at the Allentown theater through Aug. 20.

The 80s vibe is everywhere, and it even extends to the wait staff some of who wear head bands and MTV t-shirts.

The show is chock-full of campy pop culture references from the unapologetically "Thriller" style dance moves to an all-out "Flashdance"-esque final for a song. Its all a lot of fun.

Read more: Pines' "The Wedding Singer" crazy nostalgic ride

More Articles …

  1. "Allies" debates cultural identity, at Between the Lines Studio Theatre
  2. Pa Shakespeare Festival's "The Complete Works" inspired lunacy
  3. Thrilling "“Tick, Tick … Boom!” at Bucks County Playhouse
  4. Strong leads anchor a tuneful and engaging “South Pacific” at NCC
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