The October Bard Bulletin

   So much exciting going on this year—because Scranton Shakes is now more than just summer, and more than just Shakespeare! Join us throughout the entire year for professional theatre in Scranton - there’s something for everyone! Our non-summer season includes the following shows at the Shakes Space at the Marketplace at Steamtown:

   CINDERELLA PANTOMINE: First, join us December 6-14 for our annual Scranton Pantomime with the beloved story of “Cinderella” written by Billy Aken-Tyers and directed by Joe McGurl.  It’s the dress, glass slipper, and pumpkin you know and love with music, dancing, and hilarity. This British theatrical genre promises to reinvent the classic fairytales with jokes for adults and children alike. Join us for a tradition that is becoming a Scranton holiday staple!

   SPRING AWAKENING: Next up, we ask you to support a new educational initiative January 10-12 as we gather and reunite our graduated alumni of the Youth Ensemble to perform the transformative rock musical “Spring Awakening” directed by Lizzie Newcomb Gumula; music directed by Stephen Murphy, and choreographed by Kelly Jean Graham. With its hauntingly beautiful score and deeply resonant themes of identity, sexuality, and the struggles of youth, this Tony Award-winning show invites audiences to reflect on society’s unspoken truths.

   THE SHADOW OF A GUNMAN: We’re excited this year to be celebrating Scranton’s deep connection to Irish heritage February 28-March 2 to introduce our audiences to the plays that have helped define both Irish and international stages. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Dublin during the Irish War of Independence, “The Shadow of a Gunman” by Seán O’Casey and directed by Brian McGurl weaves a powerful tale of mistaken identity, political unrest, and the harsh realities of life in a conflicted city. A play that resonates now as much as it did nearly a century ago, O’Casey masterfully explores themes of heroism, fear, and the fine line between courage and cowardice.

   All happening at The Shakes Space at the Marketplace at Steamtown Ticket pre-sales begin October 7th!

   In the meantime, stop by and check out the amazing “Alterations” paper montage art exhibit of the artwork of Paul Plumadore at the The Shakes Space. The artwork was on view during the entire Scranton Fringe Festival and is continuing for the entire month of October!

   What our SSF people are doing now:  Ariana Valdes, who appeared with the Scranton Shakespeare Festival as Gertrude in “Hamlet,” will be featured vocalist for a Gifts of Music Concert on Saturday, October 19, at West Hartford (CT) Town Hall Auditorium…Karla Joan Rivera Caballero, who received raves last summer for her role as Mama Rose in “Gypsy” is now appearing Off-Broadway in “The Schmidt Sisters”… Darin F. Earl II, who played Ferdinand in “Love’s Labor Lost” with SSF was recently named winner of the Michael and Jan Finlayson Acting Award at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

    If you are looking for music this month, catch QBall’s classic rock and roll which features SSF stalwart Brian McGurl on keyboards On. October 5 at Jim Thorpe Underground; October 11, Palermo’s Pizza, Lake Ariel; October 12, AJ’s, Carbondale; October 18, Hammered Steel, Tafton, or October 25 at Slingshots, Moscow….Get into the holiday spirit with Black Tie Stereo and SSF’s music director Stephen Murphy at the annual holiday party at The Regal Room, Olyphant, on Saturday, December 14, from 6 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $345 for meal, entertainment and cash bar, or $65 for meal, entertainment and open bar.

Belated birthday wishes to the following SSF faves: Jonathan Steiger, September 18; Gianna Porfano, September 20; Burke Hutchinson, September 23; Jonathan Stephens (Managing Director), September 29, and Luke Antony Neville, September 30

    Sam Morales Mercado, who directed “The Winter’s Tale” last season recently directed the University of Scranton Players in “What the Constitution Means to Me”…Happy third wedding anniversary to Billie Aken-Tyers and Josiah Ruhland…

Summer 2024 gigs for some of our favorites included Ren Cementina in “Godspell” at the Millbrook Playhouse: Lorenzo Pugliese in “Grease” at Bucks County Playhouse; Henry Howland in “Beauty and the Beast” at Courtland Repertory Theatre; Burke Hutchinson in “The Music Man” at The Round Barn Theatre and “Ragtime at “Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, and Gianna Porfano in “Always…Patsy Cline “ at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. Some of our players who were just busy with Scranton Fringe Festival offerings including Maddy Casey, Kelly Jean Graham, and Simone Daniel who directed “Mimosas.”

Ren Cementina in Godspell