Past Shows

Spinning Into Butter

by Rebecca Gilman
Directed by Catherine Pappas

Feb 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 2019

“ The story unfolds at Belmont, a tranquil liberal arts college in Vermont, where Sarah Daniels, Dean of Students, suddenly finds herself faced with a super-explosive situation after one of the handful of African-American students at the school has reported receiving hate mail. As threats and abrasive confrontations among faculty and students multiply, the narrative, with insight and wry humor, tracks Sarah’s attempts to navigate a maze of posturing, accusations, and soul-searching on political correctness. ” as many twists as a farce,and that’s what it is—a post-comic, post tragic farce” The New York Times. ” … a brave, intelligent,and important play…” New York Magazine ” a complex, unnerving look at the way real people navigate between…racism and the perils of political correctness” Time

Outside Mullingar

by John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Jane Toczek

Sept 13, 14, 15, 16(2pm), 20, 21, 22(2pm&8pm), 27, 28, 29 2018

A hilarious and tender-hearted play which tells a love story the likes of which you’ve never heard before. We meet Anthony Reilly and Rosemary Muldoon, lovelorn farmers in the Midlands of Ireland, neither of them in the prime of youth, who are true babes in the woods when it comes to romance. On top of their cluelessness in love, they are beset by both their inner demons and familial rivalries as they struggle to gain traction in a relationship stymied by petty grievances and misunderstandings.” “… [the play] sparkles with Shanley’s witty dialogue, both funny and poignant.” – (Variety); “… a valentine to the wonder and weirdness of love.” – (New York Daily News); “… a soft-hearted comedy freckled with dark reflections on … life and the thorns of love.” – (The New York Times). “… It’s impossible to see this play and not feel buoyed by it, touched by […]

The Nance

by Douglas Carter Beane
Directed by Barbara D. Mills

Nov 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, Dec 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 2018

PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE The show features original songs, dances and hilarious burlesque routines. In the naughty and rowdy 1930s world of burlesque, Chauncey Miles is one of its shining stars. At a time when it was easy to play gay and hazardous to be gay, Chauncey’s laughter-creating clownery on stage stands in sharp contrast to his secret life away from the stage. Wryly comic, poignant. Review from Ginger Agnew…The Nance is a must see which is compelling and timely, daring and fearless.” Review from Ellen Dilks…”strong performances across the board..the ‘ladies of the ensemble sing,dance and shimmy…Lenny Grossman brings boundless energy to the role of Efram…Joe Fanelli touches the heart as a scared young man…Rusty Flounders, as Chauncey, is quite adept at morphing between the fey persona of the onstage character to the private Chauncey…and his struggle between pride in who he is and coping with society’s judgement of him”

White Guy on the Bus

by Bruce Graham
directed by Jane Toczek
Feb 7,8,@ 8pm,Feb 9 @ 2pm
Feb 13,14,15 @ 8pm,Feb 16@ 2pm
Feb 20,21,22 @ 8pm,Feb 23 @ 2pm

Read the review for White Guy on the Bus This just in: Chestnut Hill Local review White Guy on the Bus ,renowned author Bruce Graham’s play set in contemporary Philadelphia, unfolds as we see two strangers, Shatique and Ray … she an African-American single mother, he a white, middle-aged, wealthy financier who regularly ride a bus together, strike up a friendship. The play, as it weaves a twisted web of moral ambiguity, is an out-and-out thriller, as well as a deeply perceptive commentary on racial and class inequality in America. ” A scathing take on race.” The New York Times Author Bruce Graham will participate in the Question & Answer session on February 14th following the performance.

Witness for the Prosecution

by Agatha Christie
Directed by Yaga Brady

Nov 22, 23 ( 8pm) Nov 24 @ 2pm
Nov 29 @ 8pm, Nov 30 @ 2pm, 8pm,Dec 1 @ 2pm
Dec 5,6,7,@ 8pm,Dec 8 @ 2pm

A young man, Leonard Vole, stands accused of the brutal murder of a wealthy older woman, a casual acquaintance who, over time became most fond of him and changed her will in his favor. The stakes are sky-high as renowned London barrister Wilfrid Robarts summons all his legal talents in order to prove the man innocent. Agatha Christie at her best, treating us to a taut murder mystery, has crafted a thriller suspenseful to its very end, deftly combined with astute psychological insights and … well, lots of tingly fun throughout! Agatha Christie (1890- 1976), considered the grande dame of the whodunit, wrote sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections. Based on a 1925 story Witness for the Prosecution is one of Christie’s most ingenious narratives acclaimed by critics and audiences as an incomparable courtroom procedural. Running Time: 2 hours and 40 mins with two 12 minute intermissions.

Lobby Hero

by Kenneth Lonergan
Directed by Patrick Martin

Sept 13, 14, @ 8pm, Sept 15 @ 2pm
Sept 19, 20 @ 8pm, Sept 21 @ 2pm & 8pm, Sept 22 @ 2pm
Sept 26, 27, 28 @ 8pm

  Jeff, a young, hapless, and good natured security guard, having recently landed the job in a Manhattan apartment building, hopes to bring some stability into his life. His involvement with his captain and two neighborhood cops in a murder investigation  puts his plans to a serious test.  Funny and deeply reflective. “Lobby Hero is a smoothly plotted crowd pleaser. As in all of Lonergan’s plays, he paints a vivid slice of contemporary life.” Curtain Up  Running time: two and a half hours including 15 minute intermission.

God of Carnage

by Yasmina Reza
trans. Christopher Hampton
Feb 9,10 @8pm,11 @2pm
Feb 15,16,17 @ 8pm, 18 @2pm
Feb 22,23,24 @8pm, 25 @2pm
Directed by Jane Toczek

Two couples meet to talk through the playground brawl between their adolescent sons. What begins as a civilized discussion spirals hilariously downward with loss of all pretense and plenty of alcohol. Online Version of ProgramPrintable PDF of Program Running time: 90 minutes. No Intermission. Rave Reviews for God of Carnage “God of Carnage” by Yasmina Reza amuses you for ninety minutes, then you finally succumb to full-body laughter.” Hugh Hunter, Chestnut Hill Local ” Director Jane Toczek brings a clear vision to the storytelling and elicits professional performances from the actors.” Ginger Agnew, B Sharp Productions

Silent Sky

by Lauren Gunderson
Nov 24,25 @8pm, 26 @ 2pm
Nov 30,Dec 1,2 @8pm, 3 @ 2pm
Dec 7,8,9 @8pm, 10 @ 2pm
Directed by Yaga Brady and Patrick Martin

Silent Sky is the story of Henrietta Leavitt (1868-1922), an American astronomer who worked at Harvard College Observatory as a “computer” reviewing data about the skies. In a male dominated field and not allowed access to a telescope, she nevertheless made ground-breaking discoveries about the universe which resonate to this day in the field of astronomy. Runtime: 2 hours including intermissionOnline Program I saw this wonderful play last week and love the true story and the very talented cast. Bravo! Jo Ann S, audience member

Doubt: A Parable

By John Patrick Shanley Sept 15,16 8pm, Sep 17 2pm Sept 21,22 8pm, Sep 23 2&8pm Sept 28,29 8pm, Sept 3o 8pm, Oct 1, 2pm Directed by Dave Ebersole

John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitizer Prize and Tony Award winning drama is set in a Catholic school in the Bronx. The school’s Principal Sister Aloysius, a rigid traditionalist,  suspects a young, charismatic, progressive priest, Father Flynn, of inappropriate conduct with a young male student. Lies, truths and doubts percolate through the play, raising many questions but answering none. Running time approximately 90 minutes with NO INTERMISSION ”The Stagecrafters show is a strong,imaginative production that suceeds on multiple levels. Hugh Hunter, The Chestnut Hill Local Full Review Ginger Agnew review on B Sharp “Powerful performances unquestionably dominate doubt”  Ellen Dilks review “Stagecrafters production is exceedingly well done…:   Our printed program is now available to Download or View Online.Also please consider patronizing our 2023-24 Sponsors whose generosity has helped make this season possible.

Rumors

by Neil Simon June 9,10 @8pm, 11 @2pm June 15,16,17 @ 8pm, 18 @2pm June 22,23,24 @8pm, 25 @2pm Directed by: Patrick Martin

Suburban New Yorkers Charley and Myra Brock are celebrating their wedding anniversary with a dinner party.  As each pair of guests arrives, and the Brocks are conspicuously absent, the suppositions, assumptions and fabrications become increasingly complex and hilarious. Rumors: Online ProgramPrintable PDF Version of Program (4 pages)Our 2022-23 Online Advertisers Review by Ginger Agnew Director Patrick Martin gives the ensemble the tools to elicit audience delight. Leading the ensemble to breathe life into this door slamming, free-wheeling story of a ludicrous evening at home, Martin makes the most of the material. A lightheaded romp to end the season is a fun way to spend a sultry summer evening. Lisa Panzer, Delco Culture VulturesNever a dull moment on stage as a strong cast, directed [by] Patrick Martin, keeps the comedy coming with one-liners, well executed exits and entrances and increasingly frenetic action.”