Centre Stage announces summer season

With a summer season including shows such as You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Mousetrap; Misalliance and A Chorus Line, Pennsylvania Centre Stage is not just trying to create one, but four singular sensations.

"This year we have the longest running play in Broadway's history, the longest running play in London's history, a musical based on one of the best loved and most widely distributed comic strips of all time -- the Peanuts -- and the best comedy by one of the greatest playwrights in the English language, George Bernard Shaw," he added.

In the past, Centre Stage has opened with a children's show. This year, however, the concept has been broadened.

"We've changed our approach toward the first show this season, we are starting off this season with a musical for the entire family, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Carter said. "We've chosen this delightful romp through the funny pages to encourage parents and children to attend."

The change from a children's show to one that is geared toward the entire family is expected to appeal to a larger variety of people.

"Past shows have applied to children; this one will appeal to children and their parents and I think college students will enjoy it too," said Matthew Miller, publicity coordinator for Centre Stage. "Its basically for anyone who likes to have fun, enjoys having a few laughs and listening to some great tunes."

Expanding the concept of the season opener is not the only change being implemented by Centre Stage this year. This season, two acting companies have been formed -- one musical and one non-musical -- to perform the four productions. Each company consists of professionals as well as student actors.

"One of the ways (this season) will differ is that we have the two acting companies that will do two shows each. This way the audience will have the chance to see people and then see them again right away," Carter said.

"It gives the whole community a better sense that we have a company here rather than just a play and then another play and then another play . . . hopefully it will give us a better company atmosphere, and I think we might be able to get some actors who really want a summer's work to come here to do a couple plays," he added.

Centre Stage has a long history of combining professional and student actors in its productions. This allows students the opportunity to work alongside professional actors, directors and designers, while providing the young talent needed for certain shows.

"We want (the theater students) to have a lot of experience, especially the opportunity to work in the performance environment. If they can stand side by side with experienced professional actors it is one more facet to their education and training," said Cary Libkin, director of A Chorus Line and program director of the Bachelor of Fine Arts musical theater.

With the all the new changes, Centre Stage is looking to hit it big this season.

"It's always a gamble in the theater and the odds are usually against you . . . but this year deuces are wild, we have two companies doing two plays each, that's two pairs and we're looking for a full house," Carter said.