The Pennsylvania Centre Stage announced its 1990 summer season in a melodramatic fashion Thursday outside the Arts Building.

Voices were echoing and birds were chirping when someone dressed as Benjamin Franklin suddenly appeared and called the news conference to order.

Carole Brandt, artistic director and executive producer of Pennsylvania Centre Stage, announced the summer productions: A Shayna Maidel, by Barbara Lebow, 1776, from the book by Peter Stone, and Sleuth, by Anthony Shaffer.

A Shayna Maidel, Yiddish for "a pretty girl," is an off-Broadway play that tells the story of a family separated by the Holocaust, and two sisters who are finally reunited after almost 20 years.

1776 is a winner of the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award and the 1969 Tony Award for best musical. The play recounts the history of America's forefathers, such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

Brandt said that Pennsylvania Centre Stage is being very secretive about the last production. A suspense thriller that was a hit in London and Broadway, Sleuth, Brandt said, "tricks you, sucks you in, you figure it out, and then tricks you again." This is why the cast is sworn to secrecy.

Pennsylvania Centre Stage is the regional professional theater based in University Park.

"There is a mission for Pennsylvania Centre Stage, and it's to entertain, as well as enlighten and educate, and these three selections have been chosen to do just that," said Pam Saulnier, publicity coordinator for the Center for the Performing Arts.

Saulnier, publicity coordinator for the Center for the Performing Arts.

Saulnier said this particular season is "a very popular season with audiences because it has something for everyone."

Brandt said this year Centre Stage wants to share more with the community and attract more involvement. She said the theater may try to bring the writer of A Shayna Maidel to one of the productions. Centre Stage is also trying to encourage the Creamery to serve red, white and blue ice cream on Independence Day, when 1776 opens.

Brandt said the theater wants to involve school children with the plays. Centre Stage is working on having several members dressed as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin represent the theater in the Arts Festival Parade, and talk to the children as those characters. "We want young people to come to the theater," she said.

The cast of A Shayna Maidel will also be working with the local churches and Jewish Community Center for several evenings. Brandt said there are Holocaust classes this summer, and class members will come to rehearsals and talk to the cast.

Brandt said Centre Stage hopes to "bring the energy and spirit of the artists to come in contact with the people of central Pennsylvania."

Brandt said Centre Stage has already auditioned 749 actors and actresses in Nashville, Tenn., but might have cast only two people. Local auditions are starting this week at The Playhouse Theater in the Arts Building.