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Players of the Stage to perform ‘Quality Street’

Published April 27. 2023 08:45AM

BY SUSAN BRYANT

sbryant@tnonline.com

Players of the Stage, a nonprofit youth theater group, will present “Quality Street” on April 27, 28 and 29.

This four-act play is a romantic comedy written by James M. Barrie, best known for “Peter Pan.”

“Quality Street” tells the story of Miss Susan Throssel and her sister, Miss Phoebe Throssel, who is in love with Valentine Brown, a local physician, who enlists in the military.

When Brown returns 10 years later, he finds the sisters have set up a school for children and that has taken its toll on Phoebe, who has developed an alter ego.

Raegan Schroder, who portrays Miss Phoebe, and Molly Williams, who plays Miss Susan, commented on their roles.

“Miss Phoebe is the younger sister to Miss Susan,” Schroder said.

“She is dashing and bold, but she strives to be ladylike.

“I feel she tries to please so many people, that she forgets to allow herself room to have her own feelings.

“Miss Phoebe truly has a kind heart, however, and she is firm, but loving.”

Schroder said since almost all her friends auditioned and got in, she gets to hang out with them at each rehearsal and she also loves how professionally this play is being handled, right down to the time given to memorize lines.

“She (Miss Susan) really wants to see Phoebe get married, so she does not end up an old spinster like her,” Williams said. “She is not the smartest person but has some clever moments.

“Even though she is the older sister, she follows Phoebe’s lead.”

Evan Diem, who plays Valentine Brown, discussed his character.

“Valentine is a local physician on Quality Street,” Diem said. “He is concerned about being brave and gallant, and because of this, he goes off to war.

“He is infatuated with Miss Phoebe but did not marry her before he left.”

Diem said Valentine is a very different person from him.

The show is directed by Barbara Vogelgesang, with costumes by Sharon Noel.

Noel, artistic director, commented on why they chose to perform “Quality Street.”

“We have a number of high school junior and senior girls whom we wanted to give a chance to deal with more difficult material,” Noel said. “‘Quality Street’ is a comedy that can be challenging to perform and has a lot of emotional depth.”

Vogelgesang stated as with most of James Barrie’s plays, “Quality Street” is about transformation and acceptance.

“Phoebe Throssel lives on Quality Street with her sister Susan,” Vogelgesang said. “She has been courted by Valentine Brown, a handsome gentleman who decides to enlist in the Napoleonic Wars.

“Ten years pass when Valentine returns to Quality Street as a celebrated captain, and he is greeted by a more mature, less glamorous Phoebe.

“When Phoebe sees the disappointment in Valentine’s face, she is emboldened to create a younger alter-ego named Miss Livvy.

“Phoebe, disguised as Miss Livvy, begins to attend balls, and relive her youthful glory days.

“As she rekindles her romance with Valentine, can she juggle both personas or will her deception ruin her reputation forever?”

“Eventually, Phoebe learns that being whom God designed her to be is best.”

In lieu of an admission fee, a freewill offering will be taken to benefit Love Ran Red Foundation, a Christian-based, nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping adults with autism spectrum disorder.

“Eighty-one percent of adults with autism live with their aging parents,” Vogelgesang said. “When their parents are no longer living or can no longer take care of them, Love Ran Red Foundation is dedicated to providing employment through Duke’s Delites and essential living assistance to families of adults with autism and developmental disabilities.

“We wanted to partner with different ministries in the area. Elisabeth Barshinger and Sharon Noel’s family cared for two intellectually disabled individuals for 23 years in their home.

“So, a ministry that helps in this way is a blessing to this community.”

“Quality Street” will be presented 7 p.m. April 27, 28 and 29 and at 2 p.m. April 29 at Living Hope Presbyterian Church, 330 Schantz Road, Lower Macungie.

Reservations are required for all performances.

To reserve tickets, go to playersofthestage.org or email potstickets@gmail.com.

For more information about Players of the Stage, visit playersofthestage.com.

PRESS PHOTOS BY SUSAN BRYANT Susan, played by Molly Williams, Miss Fanny, portrayed by Eliana Falconero of Upper Perkiomen, Miss Willoughby, played by Grace Buddenhagen of Upper Macungie and Miss Henrietta, portrayed by Lauren Cella of Emmaus, rehearse a scene from the play “Quality Street.”
Lower Macungie resident Luke Buonanno as Sergeant and Raegan Schroder as Phoebe practice their lines during rehearsal.
Susan, played by Molly Williams, Miss Henrietta, portrayed by Lauren Cella of Emmaus, Miss Fanny, played by Eliana Falconero of Upper Perkiomen, Miss Willoughby, portrayed by Grace Buddenhagen of Upper Macungie, and Phoebe, played Raegan Schroder, rehearse April 21 for the play.
Molly Williams as Susan Throssel, Raegan Schroder as Phoebe Throssel and North Whitehall resident Evan Diem as Valentine Brown rehearse the scene where he announces he has enlisted in the military.
Susan, played by Molly Williams, of North Whitehall, Blades portrayed by Sal Boccadoro, of Whitehall, Phoebe played by Raegan Schroder, of Slatington, and Charlotte portrayed by Shayla Martinez, of Whitehall rehearse a scene from “Quality Street” to be performed April 27-29 at Living Hope Presbyterian Church, Lower Macungie. Press photo by Susan Bryant
Raegan Schroder as Phoebe, Whitehall resident Libi Martinez as Patty, and Molly Williams as Susan, practice their lines April 21 from the play “Quality Street.”
Susan, portrayed by Molly Williams, of North Whitehall, Arthur, played by Victor Ramos, of Lehighton, watch as Isabella, portrayed by Geneva Orth, of Lowhill Township, curtsy to Valentine Brown, played by Evan Diem, of North Whitehall in “Quality Street” to be performed April 27-29 at Living Hope Presbyterian Church, Lower Macungie Township.
Susan, played by Molly Williams, Phoebe, portrayed by Raegan Schroder, Blades played by Sal Boccadoro, Valentine Brown, portrayed by Evan Diem, and ball attendees rehearse “Quality Street.”
Upper Saucon resident Nathanial Neumann as the Old Soldier, Walnutport resident Ben Woodring as Spicer, and Lowhill Township resident Chase Orth, as Gallant, play cards as (standing) Macungie resident Josiah Daniel as Sergeant, Lehighton resident Victor Ramos and Lower Macungie resident Grace Vaughn, both extras at the ball, watch them playing cards from the play “Quality Street.”
Susan, played by Molly Williams, of North Whitehall, Valentine Brown, portrayed by Evan Diem, of North Whitehall, Phoebe, played by Raegan Schroder, of Slatington, Miss Henrietta, portrayed by Lauren Cella, of Emmaus, and Miss Fanny, played by Eliana Falconero, of Upper Perkiomen practice their lines from the play “Quality Street” to be performed April 27-29 at Living Hope Presbyterian Church, Lower Macungie Township.