{"id":29115,"date":"2024-02-08T08:44:04","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T13:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=29115"},"modified":"2024-02-08T08:44:05","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T13:44:05","slug":"on-stage-a-bit-of-romantic-music-for-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=29115","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: A bit of romantic music for Valentine’s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Corinne Mammana and Erich Cawalla<\/p><\/div>\n

Valentine\u2019s Day is just around the corner. That means love is in the air and, as expected, special Valentine\u2019s Day concerts are scheduled at a variety of venues around the area.<\/p>\n

One of these Valentine\u2019s Day concerts is scheduled for February 11 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

That could cause a problem \u2013 a serious conflict of interests — because February 11 is also the day of Super Bowl LVIII.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the concert at the Sellersville Theater featuring Corinne Mammana and Erich Cawalla is a matinee.<\/p>\n

Their show \u2013 \u201cA Sunday Kind of Love\u201d \u2013 is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

The romantic Valentine weekend jazz performance of \u201cA Sunday Kind of Love\u201d will feature two popular artists performing jazzy classic love songs, standards and duets backed by a world-class trio. The Sunday show will feature songs from Cawalla\u2019s national charting debut album, \u201cThe Great American Songbook\u201d (#1 RMR Top Crossover Jazz) and tunes from Mammana\u2019s three critically acclaimed albums.<\/p>\n

Mammana, who just finished her first Christmas U.S. tour, is a staple of Sirius XM’s Real Jazz Holiday, and is currently producing her next single and video, \u201cTickled Pink,\u201d which is scheduled to drop this spring.
\nCawalla\u2019s style is old Vegas meets new R&B, while Mammana is an old soul whose music features tradition fused with a modern style. Both have performed countless shows in top jazz clubs (City Winery, Birdland, Deer Head Inn), festivals (Northwest, Musikfest), and venues (Carnegie Hall, MGM Grand). Collectively, they have supported major acts (Cyrille Aim\u00e9e, Stacey Kent, Emmet Cohen, Marie Osmond, Jeff Dunham), and appeared on CBS, ABC, NBC, and WFMZ TV.<\/p>\n

\u201cErich and I have known each other for years but this is the first time we\u2019ve performed together,\u201d said Mammana, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from her home in the Lehigh Valley. \u201cOur styles are very similar, and a lot of our fans are the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mammana grew up in Plymouth Township and graduated from Plymouth-Whitemarsh High. Cawalla is from Berks County \u2013 the same Pennsylvania county that gave the world Taylor Swift \u2013 and is a graduate of Governor Mifflin High School.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been doing Valentine\u2019s Day shows for years,\u201d said Mammana. \u201cAnd we both know a lot of love songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe rehearsed a lot and we\u2019re getting together with the band this week. We have a great trio backing us — Patrick Kerssen on piano, Bennie Sims on bass, and Marko Marcinko on drums.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Sellersville, we\u2019ll be doing jazzy romantic love songs. We both already had a lot of love songs in our repertoires, so it was easy to put together a set of romantic songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the songs we\u2019ll be performing are \u2018My Funny Valentine,\u2019 \u2018L-O-V-E,\u2019 and \u2018Almost Like Being in Love.\u2019 I also do \u2018Love Son\u2019, which was recorded by The Cure.\u201d<\/p>\n

In August 2022, Mammana was invited to headline the Northwest Jazz Festival alongside jazz icons Stacey Kent and Emmet Cohen. In April 2022, she brought her popular \u201cDisney Songbook Concert\u201d to the Sellersville Theater. Mammana has performed at\u00a0Birdland Jazz Club, the Metropolitan Room and the Duplex Cabaret Theatre. She has also performed at Philadelphia\u02bcs Chris\u02bc Jazz Cafe, the legendary Deer Head Inn, JazzForum\u2019s Summer Concert Series (NY), Shanghai Jazz Club, Scranton Jazz Festival, and Jazz on Main.<\/p>\n

Now living in Easton, Mammana holds a Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University where she was classically trained in voice. She performed in professional theaters for many years before discovering her passion for jazz music. Mammana studies privately with world-renowned voice teacher Dr. William Riley (Celine Dion and Whitney Houston\u2019s coach). Mammana is also an educator and teaches private voice and piano lessons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started doing plays and school concerts when I was in high school,\u201d said Mammana. \u201cAt P-W, I played the role of Sandy in \u2018Grease\u2019 and that\u2019s when I got the acting bug.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did several shows with great actors at the Media Theater, including Jennie Eisenhower. We both went to the same voice coach in Norristown \u2013 Bill Riley. At JMU, I was a music major with a concentration in musical theater. I also was in shows at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI moved to the Lehigh Valley 10 years ago. That\u2019s when I got introduced to jazz. I\u2019ve done three records so far \u2013 \u2018Under August Moon\u2019 in 2016, \u2018Yes, No, Next\u2019 in 2020 and \u2018In the Christmas City\u2019 in 2022. And I have a new single that I\u2019m recording now and will be released in the spring.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Corinne Mammana — https:\/\/youtu.be\/M10LrSEP-go<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Videl link for Erich Cawalla \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/SYHHr7Jq08Y<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show in Sellersville on February 11 will start at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices start at $25.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the Sellersville Theater are The Kody Norris Show on February 8, On A Winter’s Night featuring Patty Larkin, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky & Cliff Eberhardt on February 9 and John Westford on February 10.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Mary Fahl<\/p><\/div>\n

There is a voice that is the perfect fit for Valentine\u2019s Day musical odes to love \u2013 the voice of Mary Fahl.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve heard\u00a0Fahl\u00a0sing, you have her voice etched permanently into your memory bank. From that point on, if you hear a song by Fahl, you immediately know who is singing.<\/p>\n

On February 10, Fahl will be singing songs of love in a special holiday concert at the New Hope Winery (6123 Lower York Road New Hope,\u00a0newhopewinery.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be back at the New Hope Winery\u00a0for my annual Valentine\u2019s Day Show on Saturday February 10 at 8 p.m.,\u201d said Fahl.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t fall on a Saturday this year. But who cares… I get to sing some love songs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fahl has honored her favorites by making an album of special tunes — a collection of songs that she calls \u201cessential\u201d to her development as an artist.<\/p>\n

The album, which is titled, \u201cCan\u2019t Get It Out of My Head,\u201d was released on July 22, 2022, on her own label, Rimar Records.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made it in Syracuse with my band and my producer Mark Doyle,\u201d said Fahl, during a phone interview Tuesday. \u201cWe finished it in early 2022. We mixed and mastered it in March 2022 and then released it in July 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n

These are the album\u2019s 10 tracks and the artists who made the original versions — \u201cCan’t Get It Out Of My Head,\u201d ELO; \u201cRuby Tuesday,\u201d Rolling Stones; \u201cTuesday Afternoon,\u201d Moody Blues; \u201cRiver Man,\u201d Nick Drake; \u201cGot A Feeling,\u201d Mamas and Papas; \u201cDon’t Let It Bring You Down,\u201d Neil Young; \u201cComfortably Numb,\u201d Pink Floyd; \u201cSince You’ve Asked,\u201d Judy Collins; \u201cBeware Of Darkness,\u201d George Harrison; and \u201cThe Great Valerio,\u201d Richard and Linda Thompson.<\/p>\n

According to Fahl, \u201cOn top of all the madness that was happening in the world, I was grappling with the loss of my mother and sister this past year and was feeling completely rootless. In an effort to find an anchor, a link to the past, a sense of home, I began to immerse myself in the comfort of music from my youth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese were such essential songs for me\u2026 like old friends\u2026 my musical home in many ways. I fell in love with each of them at the quintessential coming-of-age moment when music goes straight into your heart with no filter and these songs became part of my musical DNA\u2026 I learned to play guitar with several of them \u2013 especially the early Neil Young songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of these covers come from the first albums I ever bought using one of those Columbia House \u2018get 12 free albums for a $1\u2019 mail order programs. I played these records endlessly\u2026 and the lyrics on many of these songs still have a powerful resonance for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fahl\u00a0knew exactly where she was going.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to make a record that was special to me,\u201d said Fahl. \u201cI wanted to live in a place with all the music I grew up with. I learned guitar with Neil Young albums. I learned songwriting with Richard and Linda Thompson songs. Each song on this record has a very special meaning to me.<\/p>\n

\u201cI lost my mother and my older sister in the same year \u2013 lost a link to the past. I chose these songs because I still sing them and love them. They are part of my musical family. They got me out of a funk.\u201d<\/p>\n

The songs provide a comfort level for Fahl\u00a0and her fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best compliment that I\u2019ve been getting is that it brought people a lot of joy,\u201d said Fahl.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople really like my cover of \u2018Tuesday Afternoon.\u2019 That song gets the best audience response of anything I\u2019ve done.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still like singing these songs — and the band loves playing them. It\u2019s more rock and roll. It gives the boys in the band an opportunity to rock.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2011, Fahl\u00a0recorded her own version of one of rock\u2019s all-time classics \u2014 Pink Floyd\u2019s \u201cDark Side of the Moon.\u201d Fahl\u00a0re-interpreted the songs on an album she titled \u201cFrom the Dark Side of the Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of Fahl\u2019s fans have been with her ever since her time with October Project which lasted from 1993-1996.<\/p>\n

For many artists, the task of re-inventing songs from an album as iconic as \u201cDark Side of the Moon\u201d could have been too much of a challenge. Not so for Fahl\u00a0who crafted a disc that honored its roots but established an identity all its own.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter making the Sony classical album (\u201cClassics for a New Century\u201d), I wanted to do something that was fun,\u201d said Fahl. \u201cAn independent filmmaker I knew wanted to use me in a performance piece. I wanted to do something that I didn\u2019t have the ability to write.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s when I decided to do the \u2018Dark Side\u2019 recording. It\u2019s like a classical piece of music. I did not intend to make a cover record. It\u2019s my version and it doesn\u2019t sound at all like Pink Floyd\u2019s version. But a lot of die-hard Pink Floyd fans have responded well. They like the album \u2014 and my live versions of the songs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fahl\u00a0has written and performed songs for several major motion pictures, including the lead song (\u201cGoing Home\u201d) for the Civil War epic \u201cGods and Generals.\u201d Her music can also be found on the original soundtrack of the 2003 movie \u201cThe Guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fahl\u00a0is a singer, a guitarist and a songwriter. More than anything,\u00a0she\u00a0is a performer.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerforming is my primary form of self-expression,\u201d said Fahl. \u201cWhen I do a show, I want to take you on a complete journey. I want to transform you.<\/p>\n

Video link for Mary Fahl\u00a0\u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/8AOaV5Af2ZM?list=OLAK5uy_lhTOW8-IiA3wOw4iwXFbd5OVj46vjfNEw<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the New Hope Winery on February 10 will start at<\/p>\n

Ticket prices range from $45-$60.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) has a pair of attractive main stage shows on tap for this weekend.<\/p>\n

On February 9, the Delaware County venue will host Khadijah Renee.<\/p>\n

Renee is a jazz songstress in the vein of the Great Ladies of Jazz.\u00a0Her resonant tones remind you of the ladies who paved their way through the male dominated syncopated instrumental ingenious sounds of Be-Bop and Classical Jazz from as early as the 1950\u2032s. If you close your eyes while listening to her, you may hear reminiscent echoes of Sarah, Ella, Billie, Nancy, Dinah and Gloria.<\/p>\n

Renee is a contralto whose range is deep and sweet at the same time. She has been performing jazz since the late 80\u2019s in and around the Tri-State area.\u00a0Khadijah\u00a0is always accompanied by the best musicians the area has to offer. She has been recorded live at the East Coast Jazz Festival now called the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival in Maryland and heard on WRTI 90.1 Jazz Radio.
\nBorn and raised in Chester, Renee currently lives and works in Philadelphia, where the jazz audiences there accepted and adopted her as their own.<\/p>\n

A former member of the Delaware Council of Jazz Advocates, she recently graced the stage of their tribute to Clifford Brown at the Delaware School of Music with a rendition of Sassy\u2019s \u201cSeptember Song.\u201d<\/p>\n

Renee is also a Reiki Master Teacher.<\/p>\n

Video link for\u00a0Khadijah\u00a0Renee — https:\/\/youtu.be\/c74l3jLvyNQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Showtime is 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.<\/p>\n

The show on February 9 is billed as \u201cOld, New, Borrowed & Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n

It features Craig Bickhardt with Tommy Geddes and Larry Ahearn.<\/p>\n

Bickhardt is one of the most widely respected songwriters between Philly and Nashville with his songs recorded by nearly everyone who is anyone in the upper spheres of country music, a jam-packed career, and a beautiful and loving family at home.\u00a0Bickhardt has made his annual Valentine\u2019s concert at Jamey’s a tradition for lovers young and old, transfixing them with his gorgeous voice and flawless guitar work while embarking on a musical journey, special to this day, celebrating the beauty of love and life.<\/p>\n

Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.<\/p>\n

Every Sunday, Jamey\u2019s presents \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM\u201d featuring the Philly Blues Kings or the Girke-Davis Project. Another weekly event at the venue is the \u201cTHURSDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM\u201d\u00a0featuring the Dave Reiter Trio.<\/p>\n

This weekend, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) will continue its pattern of presenting concerts by tributes acts.<\/p>\n

On February 10, Uptown! Knauer will present \u201cFirst Ladies of Rock and Soul\u201d and Bill Haley Jr. and the Comets.\u201d<\/p>\n

The\u00a0\u201cFirst Ladies of Rock and Soul\u201d show will appeal to the audience with timeless songs by the Supremes, the Ronettes, the Shirelles, the Chiffons, the Crystals, the Vandellas, Mary Wells, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, and others.<\/p>\n

Bill Haley Jr. and The Comets\u00a0is a high-energy five-piece combo performing a rousing, crowd-pleasing set of songs first recorded in the early and mid- 1950s by the legendary Bill Haley and The Comets.<\/p>\n

It seems that everybody is familiar with \u201cMrs. Doubtfire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d\u00a0is an American comedy-drama film<\/a>\u00a0that was one of the most popular films in the 1990s \u2013 especially because of the comedic brilliance of Robin Williams.<\/p>\n

The movie won the\u00a0Academy Award\u00a0for Best Makeup<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture \u2013 Musical or Comedy.\u00a0Williams was awarded the\u00a0Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture \u2013 Musical or Comedy.<\/p>\n

The film grossed $441.3\u00a0million on a $25\u00a0million budget, making it the\u00a0second highest-grossing film of 1993.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d has remained a fan favorite for more than three decades \u2013 because it is a really funny story and because of the comedic acting by Williams.<\/p>\n

In 2021, \u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d had its Broadway premiere. The show closed on Broadway in May 2022 and then embarked on a National Tour in September 2023 \u2013 a tour that is the middle of a two-week run in Philly.<\/p>\n

Ensemble Arts Philly and The Shubert Organization\u00a0are hosting the First National Tour of\u00a0\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, ensembleartsphilly.org<\/a>) now through February 18 as part of its 2023-24 Broadway Series.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d\u00a0is a\u00a0musical\u00a0based on the 1993 film\u00a0Mrs. Doubtfire, which in turn is based on the 1987 novel\u00a0Alias Madame Doubtfire\u00a0by\u00a0Anne Fine.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d follows a recently divorced actor who disguises as an elderly female housekeeper to be able to interact with his children. The film addresses themes of divorce, separation, and the effect they have on a family.<\/p>\n

Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives.<\/p>\n

As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. This is a hysterical and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia local, Rob McClure, is reprising his Tony Award\u00ae nominated dual roles of Daniel Hillard and Euphegenia Doubtfire alongside his co-star and real-life wife, Maggie Lakis, who plays Miranda Hillard in the U.S. National Tour.<\/p>\n

Another member of the cast with local connections is ensemble member Alex Ringerwho was a student at the University of the Arts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a great family show,\u201d said ringer, during a recent phone interview. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t go blue and there is not a lot of harsh language.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt speaks to families \u2013 especially the ending speech. It shows that families can still be families after divorce.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/jco5i0plzRo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire will run now through February 18 at the Academy of Music. Ticket prices start at $20.<\/p>\n

The name of the current production at People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org<\/a>) is the same as the availability of tickets remaining \u2013 small.<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL,\u201d which closes on February 11 at People\u2019s Light, is a one-man show that look at this man\u2019s life from playground to paddock, from playhouse to publishing\u2026to People\u2019s Light.<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL\u201d is written and performed by stage, film, and television star Robert Montano (\u201cCats\u201d\u00a0on Broadway,\u00a0\u201cBarcelona\u201d\u00a0at People\u2019s Light).<\/p>\n

Bullied for his size, a boy from Long Island finds purpose and respect atop a racehorse in this wild autobiographical ride,<\/p>\n

As the young jockey starts to literally outgrow his childhood dream, he resorts to more and more extreme measures to remain \u201csmall\u201d before ultimately finding freedom in a new path. From Belmont Park to Broadway stages, Montano\u2019s vivid and highly entertaining coming-of-age story explores the complex realities of pursuing a dream at all costs.<\/p>\n

Montano\u00a0tells his coming-of-age story about Bobby, a teen from Long Island who enjoys musical theatre but becomes fascinated by the world of horse racing and aspires to be a jockey.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a one-man play \u2013 and a very physical play,\u201d said Montano, during a phone interview from the theater in Malvern.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a jockey, there is movement with me riding — along with an amazing sound design that Brian Ronan and I brought together.<\/p>\n

Ronan, the show\u2019s sound engineer, supplies the nearby racehorse whinnying. I\u2019m portraying 24 different characters \u2013 all with different voices.\u201d<\/p>\n

The story starts with a young Montano.<\/p>\n

When only entering his teenage years, Montano, known to his family as Bobby, fell in love with \u201cWest Side Story\u201d\u00a0and, in particular, with the character of Bernardo. He was stopped in his youthful ambition by his size. Just over five feet, he had retreated into timidity as a response to being regularly picked on at school.<\/p>\n

Behind his father\u2019s back, his mother took him to Belmont Park. Montano started regularly going to Belmont Raceway with his neighbors who worked there.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a newspaper delivery route with the L.I. Press,\u201d said Montano. \u201cAt one of the houses, I talked to the people about the mulch they were using. They said it wasn\u2019t mulch \u2013 that I was probably smelling the horse manure from the car\u2019s tires.\u201d<\/p>\n

His newspaper customers were Bob and Sue Duncan, who were major figures at Belmont Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cI begged them to take me with them to the track,\u201d said Montano.<\/p>\n

At Belmont Park, Montano was confronted by jockeys, especially by Robert A. Pineda. Impressed at the powerful Pineda presence, Montano switched from wanting to grow to wanting to remain small so he could pursue a career as a jockey.<\/p>\n

Montano became determined to become a jockey. Eventually, Pineda became his mentor.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, his dreams of remaining a jockey blew up. Montano continued to grow physically \u2013 from 5-foot, 4-inches to 5-8 and 110 pounds.<\/p>\n

The day before riding Sow & Reap in a major race, Montano weighed in at 116 pounds. He had to shed 12 pounds overnight. What he had to do to accomplish is a main part of the plot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did all kinds of things to keep my weight down \u2013 black beauties, coke, flipping food on daily basis,\u201d said Montano.<\/p>\n

By the time he was 18, Montano had outgrown his silks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I couldn\u2019t make it as a jockey, it was \u2018small\u2019 because I\u2019m not,\u201d said Montano. \u201cWhen I couldn\u2019t ride anymore, I didn\u2019t have anything to do with my life.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to transfer disciples from jockey to dance. I knew I had to work \u2013 and I had to work hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Montano had dancing skills he developed when he was young, so he decided to delve further into dance. He applied to Adelphi University’s dance department at age 20 without any prior training. He was accepted and offered a full scholarship.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne week before graduating, I got a role in \u2018Cats\u2019 on Broadway,\u201d said Montano. \u201cI had the role of Pouncival and was the understudy for Mr. Mistofelees. I did that for four-and-one-half years.\u201d<\/p>\n

His career was successful from the start, and he worked with great directors and choreographers such as Hal Prince, Rob Marshall, and Jerome Robbins. He has also worked with Chita Rivera in \u201cKiss of The Spiderwoman, sang and danced with Peter Allen in \u201cLegs Diamond,\u201d and starred as Ozzie in \u201cOn the Town\u201d (directed by the legendary George C. Wolfe).<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL,\u201d which is directed by Jessi D. Hill, is celebrating its area debut with the run at People\u2019s Light\u2019s Steinbright Stage \u2013 and the first date of its 2024 national tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be my third show at People\u2019s Light,\u201d said Montano. \u201cThe first was \u2018Fallow\u2019 in 2012 followed by \u2018Barcelona\u2019 in 2012. I really enjoy working here at People\u2019s Light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cSMALL\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/DlzN88yAn8o<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSMALL\u2019 will run now through February 4. Tickets are $47.<\/p>\n

There are just three weeks left to catch a performance of the Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) production of \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d<\/p>\n

The musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder\u2019s play,\u00a0\u201cThe Matchmaker,\u201d which is a comic and romantic story of the exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, a matchmaker and \u201cwoman who arranges things,\u201d will run now through February 25.<\/p>\n

It seems that everybody is familiar with \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d in one form or another \u2013 especially the Academy Award-winning film and the hit Broadway musical.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard not to be familiar with the song, \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d\u2013 at least with the tune\u2019s opening lines\u2026\u00a0\u201cI said hello, Dolly; Well, hello, Dolly; It\u2019s so nice to have you back where you belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cast at Candlelight features Rebecca Schall as Dolly\u00a0Gallagher\u00a0Levi, Johnny Fernandez as Horace Vandergelder, Jared Calhoun\u00a0as Cornelius Hackl,\u00a0Neena Boyle as Irene Molloy\u00a0and Shawn Weaver as Barnaby Tucker.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d tells the story of widow Dolly\u00a0Gallagher\u00a0Levi, a strongminded matchmaker who arrives in New York to \u201chelp\u201d Horace Vandergelder, a curmudgeonly and very wealthy widowed shop owner, find a new wife — while secretly plotting to marry him herself.
\nMeanwhile, two of Vandergelder\u2019s comedically enriched employees leave the shop abandoned and head out to the city in an effort to find adventure. Often referred to as \u201cBroadway\u2019s Greatest Musical\u201d, \u201cHello, Dolly!\u201d features sweeping dance numbers, hilarious missteps, endearing chaos and, of course, love.<\/p>\n

Schall gives a spellbinding performance in the title role \u2013 exhibiting the vocal chops and acting skills to capture the spirit of Dolly. Weaver, a Lincoln University graduate, and Calhoun sparkle in their roles as Vandergelder\u2019s store employees from Yonkers who experience the Big Apple for the first time.
\n\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d became one of the most iconic Broadway shows of the latter half of the 1960s, running for 2,844 performances, and was the longest-running musical in Broadway history for a time.<\/p>\n

Over the years, \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d has featured many of Broadway\u2019s top leading ladies, including Carol Channing, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand, Pearl Bailey, Tovah Feldshuh, Bette Midler and Betty Buckley.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anything, we\u2019re still focused on the stage version rather than the film version,\u201d said Schall, whose television credits include \u201cBoardwalk Empire,\u201d \u201cMarvelous Mrs. Maisel,\u201d \u201cIn Case of Emergency,\u201d \u201cJulie and Julia,\u201d and \u201cPetuna.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere definitely is a difference between stage and film.\u201d<\/p>\n

Audiences love the character Dolly, and Schall offers her take on why.<\/p>\n

\u201cDolly is happy, exuberant and effusive,\u201d said Schall. \u201cShe knows what she wants, and she goes for it. She\u2019s a bundle of energy \u2013 and a good person.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bring a sense of quirkiness to the role. I agree one thousand per cent with her passion for helping others \u2013 for helping other people get better.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne reason audiences love the show is the music. They know all the songs. The music is unbelievable \u2013 and the script is very well-written. This show is fun. It\u2019s just a beautiful show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d is running now through February 25 at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre.<\/p>\n

Tickets, which include dinner, beverage and free parking, are $70.50 for adults and $35 for children (ages 4-12).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Valentine\u2019s Day is just around the corner. That means love is in the air and, as expected, special Valentine\u2019s Day concerts are scheduled at a variety of venues around the area. One of these Valentine\u2019s Day concerts is scheduled for February 11 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29113,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4357],"tags":[11453,3162,2397],"class_list":["post-29115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-corinne-mammana-and-erich-cawalla","tag-featured","tag-mary-fahl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29115","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29115"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29115\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29116,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29115\/revisions\/29116"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29115"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}