On Golden Pond

Jeanne Lehman & Keith Baker

Bristol Riverside Theatre, located at 120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pa., is presenting the classic On Golden Pond, through February 10, 2019. Veteran BRT actor Keith Baker appears on the stage as curmudgeon Norman Thayer Jr, about to celebrate his 80^th birthday.  Broadway’s Jeanne Lehman portrays his younger and much more tolerant wife, Ethel. Michael Satow nails his performance of Charlie Martin, the somewhat dim-witted local mailman with a turets-like recurring laugh and past boyfriend of Chelsea Thayer. Chelsea is portrayed by Eleanor Handley and Danny Vaccaro portrays Bill Ray, Chelsea’s boyfriend. Billy Ray, Bill’s son, is remarkably played by Henry Parker, in his debut performance on a theatre stage. Although Chelsea comes back to her family’s summer home bitter and angry about events in her past, there are farcical elements in the play. There are several entrances and exits to the main living area of the cabin, thus setting up the perfect stage for family members to “lose” one another, much to the audiences’ amusement. Perhaps the most noteworthy part of the entire production, however, is its magnificent lighting effects. For more information or tickets, call 215-785-0100 or visit online at brtstage.org.

Comedy of Tenors

Ben Dibble, Frank Ferrante &
Jacob Tischler

The Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is presenting perhaps one of the wittiest shows to arrive on a Philadelphia stage, Ken Ludwig’s Comedy of Tenors. Appearing on the main stage through March 3, Comedy of Tenors provides over-the-top non-stop laughter with its finely tuned farcical elements. In addition to directing this piece, Frank Ferrante portrays two tenors, the world famous Italian Tito Merelli and Beppo, the bellhop who just happens to be a “dead ringer” for him. The speed with which one disappears off stage and the other reappears is a bit mind-boggling but adds to the fun. Preparing for their big concert, Max (Ben Dibble), Carlo (Jacob Tischler) and Tito (Frank Ferrante) rehearse a delightful rendition of "La Traviata". Such harmony is not long-lived. In whirlwind cases of mistaken identity, Tito thinks Carlo is having an affair with his wife, Maria (Karen Peakes); Mimi (Alanna J. Smith) thinks her boyfriend Carlo is having an affair with her mother Maria; Maria thinks her husband is having an affair with old girlfriend Racón (Dreya Weber) and bellboy Beppo can’t believe his luck in having two hot women who want him to come into their bedroom. The perfectly orchestrated slaps that Mimi smacks upon an unsuspecting Carlo’s face just add to the hilarity. Add to the mix funnyman Scott Greer portraying a flummoxed Sunders, the producer of the three tenors’ big concert. For more information or tickets to this purely delightful experience, call 215-574-3550, 800-982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster.

Betrayal

Gregory Isaac & Jered McLenigan

The Lantern Theater Company, located in the theatre of St. Stephen’s Church at 10^th and Ludlow Streets, is presenting Harold Pinter’s unique, muli-layered, and astounding Betrayal through February 17, 2019. Told in reverse chronological order, the saga begins in 1977 and ends in 1968. In the beginning of all  four scenes of each act, super titles are displayed on the wall, denoting date and location. At first glance, the betrayal appears to be that of a wife betraying her husband.  Upon closer look, so cleverly has Pinter written this play, it appears that a case can be made for each of the characters betraying one another.  Pinteresque plays have been noted for their understatement in character’s speech. With this in mind, the audience shouldn’t be too surprised at the lack of emotion displayed in what might otherwise seem to be characters’ indifference. Despite this, the acting is first-rate. Genviève Perrier, (Emma) plays the innocent with her husband, but lathers up a face full of tears as she confesses her betrayal. Gregory Isaac (Robert) is stoic throughout, speaking only in clipped tones to express his displeasure both with his wife and his best friend Jerry. Jered McLenigan (Jerry) is concerned with himself foremost, professing his love for Emma but never taking the relationship out of their rented flat. For more information or tickets for this distinctive presentation, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org.