MARY ELLEN WRIGHT | Staff Writer
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information about a sold-out show for Orpheus Theatre Company.
The musicals and plays opening in Lancaster County theaters in February will take audiences to such varied eras as the early days of Christendom, 15th-century Paris, and Regency and Renaissance England. And they’ll introduce audiences to a pie-baking waitress, Irish immigrants, endangered Tudor brides and 1960s cartoon characters.
Here are the shows opening, and continuing, on local stages during February.
Opening
‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’
• When: Previews at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 12-13; performances Feb. 14-March 9, at 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays.
• Where: Fulton Theatre, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster.
• Details: The last days of the life and work of Jesus Christ, seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, come to the stage in this Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice rock musical that started its life as a 1970 concept album.
• Admission: $34-$98.50.
• Tickets and info: thefulton.org or 717-397-7425.
‘THE IRISH ... AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY’
• When: Previews Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 5-6; performances Feb. 7-March 16 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Exceptions: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and Sunday, March 16.
• Where: The Tell Studio Theatre on the fourth floor of the Fulton, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster.
• Details: Part of the Ellen Arnold Groff Studio Series, the show offers a look at the experiences of the Irish in America through documents, photos, projections, spoken word and traditional and contemporary music. The piece was written by “Angela’s Ashes” author Frank McCourt,
• Admission: $59.
• Tickets and info: thefulton.org or 717-397-7425.
The cast of Ephrata Performing Arts Center's "Six: Teen Edition," portraying the six wives of King Henry VIII, are, from left, Reagan Connell as Catherine of Aragon, Tori Elliott as Anne Boleyn, Juno Guhl as Jane Seymour, Kori Elle McMillion as Anne of Cleves, Annika Locke as Catherine Howard and as Riley Fidler as Catherine Parr. The show opens Feb. 7.
‘SIX: TEEN EDITION’
• When: Feb. 7-16, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8, and Thursday and Friday, Feb. 13-14; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 9 and 16.
• Where: Ephrata Performing Arts Center, 320 Cocalico St., Ephrata.
• Details: This rock musical, performed by a teen cast, puts a contemporary spin on British history as the six wives of King Henry VIII tell their stories and compete, in song, to see who has had the hardest life among the bunch.
• Admission: $38-$57, including fees.
• Tickets and info: epactheatre.org or call 717-733-7966, ext. 1.
Cast of the musical "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown," opening soon at Prima Theatre in Lancaster. Front, Charlie Bensinger as Charlie Brown. Back row, from left, Sean Fleming as Snoopy, Kayellen Cox as Lucy, Matthew Carter as Schroeder, Carly Lafferty as Sally and Brad Myer as Linus.
‘YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN’
• When: Weekends Feb. 7-23, at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.
• Where: Prima Theatre, 941 Wheatland Ave., Lancaster.
• Details: Members of the “Peanuts” gang — characters from Charles Schulz’s beloved comic strip — experience fantasies of lives they could live, as well as insecurities, infatuation and striving to be good.
Prima’s production will use the 1999 revised version of the 1967 musical.
• Admission: $42-$81 plus fees.
• Tickets and info: primatheatre.org/events/charlie.
‘WAITRESS’
• When: A mix of matinee and evening performances Wednesdays through Sundays, Feb. 28-April 5.
• Where: Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster.
• Details: Jenna is a waitress stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. But she has a gift for baking pies; can she overcome the obstacles in her life to find happiness? This musical’s score is by Sara Bareilles.
• Admission: $30-$80 for the show with a meal; $22-$55 for show only. There’s a $3-per-ticket fee for all orders.
• Tickets and info: dutchapple.com or 717-898-1900.
‘FALSETTOS’
• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15 and 21-22; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 and 23.
• Where: The Eater Theater in the Marietta Center for the Arts, 133 W. Market St., Marietta.
• Details: Susquehanna Stage presents this sung-through musical about the dynamics of a family in which Marvin has left his wife and son to be with his male partner, Whizzer. Meanwhile, Marvin and his ex must plan their son’s bar mitzvah while his partner confronts an AIDS diagnosis. The show’s book was co-written by Franklin & Marshall College alumnus James Lapine.
• Admission: $20-$27.
• Info and tickets: susquehannastage.com.
‘MEASURE FOR MEASURE’
• When: Feb. 21-27, with performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21-22, and Sunday through Thursday, Feb. 24-27; and 2 and 7 p.m Sunday, Feb. 23.
• Where: West Art, 800 Buchanan Ave., Lancaster.
• Details: The Lancaster Shakespeare Theatre presents this play that’s classified as a comedy but has elements of tragedy. With the Duke away from Vienna, puritanical despot Angelo cracks down on vice and restricts freedoms among the populace. But he also seeks to seduce a nun who pleads for her brother’s life.
• Admission: $30 plus fees.
• Info and tickets: lancastershakespeare.org.
READ: Literature, hope and swing music inspire Servant Stage shows for 2025 season in Lancaster
‘JANE AUSTEN’S PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’
• When: Feb. 14-23; all performances are now sold out.
• Where: The barn at Historic Rock Ford, 881 Rockford Road, Lancaster.
• Details: Orpheus Theatre Company presents a new play, adapted by Orpheus co-founder Katherine Campbell Rossi. It’s a version of Jane Austen’s Regency-era story about the Bennet sisters and their parents’ quest to see them marry well.
• Admission: $25.
• Info and tickets: orpheusmoves.com.
‘THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME’
• When: Feb. 28-March 8. Dinner theater opening-night performance starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28; other performances at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, March 1 and 8, and 7 p.m. Friday, March 7.
• Where: Cavod Theatre, 641 W. Main St., New Holland.
• Details: Victor Hugo’s classic tale of a deformed bell-ringer in a Paris cathedral features songs from the Disney animated film. Quasimodo strives to save the Romani woman, Esmeralda, who was kind to him. Because of mature themes, the show is recommended for ages 13 and above.
• Admission: Opening-night dinner-theater ticket, which includes a four-course dinner, is $100. The rest of the performances are $18 to $28.
• Info and tickets: cavod.org/theatre.
READ: Dutch Apple's 2025 theater season: Mystery, tradition, Oz and music of Queen, Buddy Holly
Theatrical concert/cabaret
‘CELEBRATION OF THE EVOLUTION OF BLACK MUSIC’
• When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21-22.
• Where: Ephrata Performing Arts Center, 320 Cocalico St., Ephrata.
• Details: Again this year, THEM the Collective is collaborating with EPAC to present a show that’s a celebration of local artists and Black music and culture, from the African homeland to the present day.
• Admission: $25.
• Tickets and info: epactheatre.org/events.
‘LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE’ CABARET
• When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14.
• Where: West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave., Lancaster.
• Details: On Valentine’s Day, Creative Pursuits Academy presents an evening of songs celebrating love, connection and joy, performed by high school students and adults.
• Admission: $12-$20.
• Info and tickets: lanc.news/CPALoveCabaret.
Opening, for families
‘ALADDIN’
• When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, and 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturdays, March 1 and 8.
• Where: Fulton Theatre, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster.
• Details: Aladdin, a poor street urchin, hopes to become a prince and marry Princess Zenovia. He’s helped by a very funny genie and his pet monkey, and hindered by an evil wizard. The one-hour musical is written by Fulton executive artistic producer Marc Robin and his husband, Maine State Music Theatre artistic director Curt Dale Clark.
• Admission: $21-$31.
• Info and tickets: Tickets and info: thefulton.org or 717-397-7425.
‘SOMETHING ROTTEN! JR.’
• When: Feb. 8-16, with shows at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 8 and 15, and 3 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 9 and 16.
• Where: Smoketown Elementary School, 500 Mount Sidney Road, Lancaster.
• Details: Two Elizabethan brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, are resentful of the success of William Shakespeare and seek to write the world’s first musical. This musical comedy is presented by a youth cast, ages 13-18, and it’s filled with clever theater references.
• Admission: Pay what you will. Reservations are requested.
• Tickets and info: servantstage.org.
Continuing
— “Murder for Two” continues at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster, through Feb. 22. Tickets and info: dutchapple.com or 717-898-1900.
— “Once Upon a Mattress,” remaining performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8 at the Good Shepherd Chapel, Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster. Tickets and info: lbc.edu/events.
— “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.,” presented by Servant Stage Company’s youth program, with actors ages 10-16, at Smoketown Elementary School, 500 Mount Sidney Road, Lancaster. Final show is at 3 p.m. today. Tickets and info: servantstage.org.
