Cresson Lake Playhouse

Cresson Lake Playhouse's Blog

The official blog of Cresson Lake Playhouse!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

2012 Hall of Fame Ceremony September 6


Athe      A ceremony will be held to Honor the Second Annual Hall of Fame Inductees into the
            Cresson Lake Playhouse Hall of Fame:
            Date: Thursday, September 6, 2012
            Time: prior to the performance of "Come Blow Your Horn"
            Location: Cresson Lake Playhouse
                279 Shapiro Road
                Loretto, PA 15931

            The 2012 Inductees:
Mr. Kenneth Resinski – Artistic Director
Mrs. Bonnie Resinski – Costume Designer
Mrs. Molly Riva – Director, Choreographer, Actress

The Cresson Lake Playhouse Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements and dedication to theatre arts exemplified by individuals who worked unselfishly to foster the growth, availability, and appreciation of theater arts.  The individuals have also made outstanding contributions to the success of Cresson Lake Playhouse through exemplification of the Cresson Lake Playhouse mission:  honor, preserve, and promote the arts.

 The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding individuals whose commitment, contribution, and accomplishments continue to honor the historical development of the theatre and positively impact the artistic culture of the Central Pennsylvania Region.

The Cresson Lake Playhouse Hall of Fame award and recognition bears witness that those inducted in the Hall of Fame shall be forever honored.  Mr. Kenneth Resinski, Artistic Director and Co-founder of Playhouse in 1974 brought the vision to bring live theatre to the patrons of the Central Pennsylvania Region to life.  The first show “I Remember Mama” was produced in July 1974.  Mr. Resinski served as the Artistic Director at Cresson Lake Playhouse for 11 years.  His artistic vision provided a showcase for non-professional talent to share the joy and excitement of live theatre and quality entertainment to Central Pennsylvania.   Mr. Resinski is currently the Director of S.T.A. R. Production Theatre at St. Francis University, Loretto and holds a Master of Arts in Theatre from Villanova University. 

Mrs. Bonnie Resinski was the Costume Designer for Cresson Lake Playhouse for over 10 years.  She was a volunteer who spent endless hours designing and sewing costumes for the theatre because she has a passion for the arts.  Her designs were works of art.  Bonnie’s designs have always been historically accurate, dazzling, and the visual cornerstone of Cresson Lake Playhouse productions.  Currently, Mrs. Resinski teaches English at Northern Cambria High School.

Eleanor Lantzy, founder of Cresson Lake Playhouse, spoke highly of Mr. and Mrs. Resinski and expressed her regard for the Resinski’s vision and dedication to the arts.  She believed the Resinski’s passion for perfection set a high standard for quality productions at the theatre.  Their unselfish efforts contributed to the continued success of the Playhouse.

Mrs. Molly Riva has contributed her time, talent, and effort to Cresson Lake Playhouse.  She has been integral to many successful theatre productions.  A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Molly moved to the area in 2001 with her husband Paul.  Molly was active in Pittsburgh Musical Theatre throughout her young life. When she married Paul and relocated to the Central PA region, she feared there would not be an outlet or opportunity for her passion in the world of theater.  She was cast and first appeared on the Cresson Lake Playhouse stage in 2002.  Molly premiered as a lead in her first two 2004 productions: Marty, in GREASE and Janet, in Richard O’Brien’s, Rocky Horror Show.  Since her initial performance, Molly has gone on to appear in two more production and direct six productions.  Molly served as director for the productions of Annie, My Favorite Year, The Secret Garden, Godspell, Avenue Q, and most recently this summer, director, actor, and choreographer for Legally Blonde.  Molly’s vision and dedication to Cresson Lake Playhouse continues to provide cultural enrichment to actors, staff, and patrons of Central Pennsylvania.

Cresson Lake Playhouse to honor inductees into the HALL OF FAME.  The ceremony begin 7:00pm with light refreshments served on the porch with the ceremony prior to the 8:00 p.m. curtain time of Come Blow Your Horn. For Information please call 814-472-4333.

all of Fame 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

NEXT TO NORMAL Opens OCTOBER 4


next to normal   
Stage Director: Stephen Santa
Music Director: Patty Jimenez
Location: Cresson Lake Playhouse
                279 Shapiro Road
                Loretto, PA 15940
Performance Dates:  October 4,5, 6, 11, 12, and13 2012
Curtain: Thursday – Saturday @ 7:30 p.m.      
Tickets: $15.00     
Information or Tickets: 814-472-4333
Contact:   Elaine Mastalski, Executive Director

Next to Normal is a rock musical and the story concerns a mother played by Susan Brandt of Altoona  who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. Susan recently appeared as Elle Wood’s mother in Legally Blonde appeared in The Good Doctor, and music director for High School Musical 1 and 2. . Kevin Bean of Johnstown is Diana’s husband Dan – a constant in her life.  He previously appeared in Cresson Lake’s 2010 production of RENT and 2011 Avenue Q.  Natalie is played by Stevie Woodring of Tyrone. She is cast as Diana’s restless and overachieving daughter.  Stevie recently was seen in CLP’s recent production of Legally Blonde as Elle Woods and in Why Do Fools Fall in Love as Sally. Diane’s seventeen year old son Gabe is played by Devin Hayostek of Patton who was recently seen in Legally Blonde and directed earlier this summer Why Do Fools Fall in Love at Cresson Lake Playhouse.  Ty Quillon of Johnstown cast in the role of Henry is making his second appearance at Cresson Lake Playhouse. He was previously cast as Emmet in Legally Blonde. Rounding out the talented cast of six actors is Josh Devett as Dr. Madden, who appears to Diana as rock star.  Josh most recently appeared in CLP’s Legally Blonde as the suave and sexy Carlos, in 2011 Avenue Q, High School Musical 1 and 2.  Josh resides in Johnstown.
The production is under the direction of Stephen Santa of Pittsburgh, who is making his directorial debut at Cresson Lake Playhouse.  Stephen is well known for his directing within the Pittsburgh area having directed at City Theatre, Little Lake Theatre, Canonsburg, The Theatre Factory, Trafford, and numerous other venues in the region and Patty Jimenez of Hollidaysburg return to Cresson Lake Playhouse as the music director. She previously served as music director for CLP’s 2011 production of Wizard of OZ.
Next to Normal is a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Its story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.
Next to Normal received several workshop performances before it debuted off-Broadway in 2008, winning the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Score and receiving nominations for Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actress (Alice Ripley) and Outstanding Score. After an Off-Broadway run, the show then played at the Arena Stage in its temporary venue in Arlington, Virginia from November 2008 to January 2009.
The musical opened on Broadway in April 2009. It was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and won three, Best Original Score, Best Orchestration and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Alice Ripley. It also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming just the eighth musical in history to receive the honor. The previous musical to win the Pulitzer was Rent, in 1996, which was also directed by Michael Greif. In awarding the prize to Kitt and Yorkey, the Pulitzer Board called the show "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals."
  
 About the Director Stephen Santa
His critic proclaim his productions are directed with imagination and flair, is extraordinarily attuned sense of theatricality,  flexibility with compromising his vision, and understanding of the parameters of what you have to work with is a great strength of Mr. Santa. One of his greatest assets knows the abilities and limitations of the cast and crew and what he assembles on stage is solid, professional and hugely entertaining.

Mr. Santa recently completed an assistant direction position on a wonderful new musical entitled POP! at the City Theatre a musical about Andy Warhol in which Broadway star Anthony Rapp played the role of Andy.  Stephen is employed by the Pittsburgh CLO in the education and outreach department and a member of the Actors’ Equity as a performer. In August he will be directing a concert of new musicals at ARS Nova Theatre “Unchartered” in New York City.

 For more information or to place your order for tickets please call the CLP offices at 814-472-4333.  For information on group rates please contact Elaine Mastalski, Executive Director at Cressonlakeplayhouse@verizon.net .
Tickets will also be available at the door. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Box Office Manager at 814-472-4333 or email at CressonLakePlayhouse@verizon.net.