Lehigh Valley theater was alive and well and kicking in 2023.

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in its wake, it was clear sailing to theaters from Allentown to Easton and to Bethlehem and locales in-between.

Well, it wasn’t exactly clear sailing. Canadian wildfires sent smoke southward to Midwest and northeast United States.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection June 28, 2023, issued a Code Red Alert for the state.

The smoky skies cancelled at least one outdoor theater performance, that of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again],” June 30 at The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. I returned the next night to review the show, with my protective face mask back on.

That said, it’s time for the 18th annual ABE Awards.

Reflecting on theater in the Lehigh Valley in 2023, the take-aways are: fun, excitement and thought-provoking. There are few entertainment media that bring all the senses to the fore for audiences as does theater.

The legacy of Lehigh Valley theater is long and storied, going back to the days when Allentown was a tryout town for the likes of the Marx Brothers’ “Coconuts” at The Lyric (now Miller Symphony Hall), to the founding from the 1920s through the 1940s and 1950s of MunOpCo Music Theatre, The Pennsylvania Playhouse, Civic Theatre or Allentown and the former Guthsville Playhouse, to that pied piper of the avant-garde, Touchstone Theatre, on Bethlehem’s gritty city southside, to the contemporary thespian powerhouse, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival on campus of DeSales University amidst the rolling Center Valley countryside, to the high school musicals Freddy Awards presented at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton.

In addition to theater reviews in the Lehigh Valley Press Focus section, that are the basis of the annual ABEs (as in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton) Awards, there’s the “Curtain Rises” column, “Lehigh Valley Stage” listing and “High School Musicals” previews for the Freddy Awards.

Looking back at 2023, I miss the seasons of theater in the Lehigh Valley that appear and vanish in the twinkling of stage lights recreating twilight. The shows, performances, dialogue, music and sounds remain in the hearts, minds and eyes of the beholders.

We remember with respect and reverence two Lehigh Valley stalwarts of the community theater stage: Atty. Donald M. Swan Jr. and Chip Rohrbach, each of whom died in 2023.

Here’s to looking forward to 2024 and more outstanding theater on the Lehigh Valley stage.

PROFESSIONAL

THEATER

Producer: Jason King Jones,

Artistic Director; Casey William Gallagher, Managing Director, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. In his inaugural season, Jones proved more than up to the task, stepping in to direct “The Tempest,” and taking Shakespeare to the streets with the “Play On!” tour in parks throughout the Lehigh Valley. Gallagher, long-time PSF executive, provided the steadying hand for the 32nd season that fulfilled its billing of “Brave New Worlds” in theater.

Musical: “In The Heights,”

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “The PSF production of the Tony Award-winning show, with music and lyrics and conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegria Hudes, is top-notch in every department,” stated the review, adding, “It’s Broadway in Center Valley.”

Director, Musical: Valeria Cossu,

with Musical Director Walter “Bobby” McCoy, conducting a 10-piece orchestra, “In The Heights,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “Cossu carefully modulates the story of Washington Heights, New York City, Latino-Americans, dreams sparkling like Champagne in their eyes, hope harbored in their hearts,” stated the review.

Original Musical: “Christmas City Follies XXIV,”

Touchstone Theatre. “‘Christmas City Follies’ has a tradition of being a haven of humor for the holidays. The 24th edition of the ‘Follies’ is heart-warming fun,” stated the review.

Actress, Musical: Daisy Marie Lopez

(Nina), “In The Heights,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “Lopez’s solo spotlight, ‘Everything I Know,’ is rendered with an aching yearning,” stated the review.

Actor, Musical: Solomon Parker III

(Benny), “In The Heights,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “Lopez and Parker are superb in duet,” stated the review.

Ensemble, Musical: “In The Heights,”

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “The 11-actor Ensemble flows in waves, a few at first, then filling the stage,” stated the review.

Choreography: Michael Anthony Sylvester,

with Latin Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain Hector Flores Jr. “In The Heights,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “Everything is brisk, precise and on point,” stated the review.

Original Play: “Games We Play,”

Touchstone Theatre. The two-person play was created, designed and performed by Emma Ackerman (Chrissy) and Chris Egging (Xan), with choreography by Ashley Tait Weller. “It’s a memory play that is very memorable,” stated the review.

Play: “The Last Play,”

Touchstone Theatre, created and performed by Bill George, Co-Founder-Ensemble Emeritus, Touchstone Theatre, and Anisa George, Theater Artist and daughter of Bill George and Bridget George, Touchstone Theatre Co-Founder. “‘The Last Play’ is a remarkable and astounding piece of theater in a theater where remarkable and astounding theater is the benchmark,” stated the review.

Director, Play: Jason King Jones,

“The Tempest,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Jones took on directing the play from Dennis Razze, PSF Associate Artistic Director, who was on medical leave. The cast included Robert Cuccioli (Prospero), Sarah Gliko (Ariel) and Christopher Patrick Mullen (Caliban) in a “monumental production” that is “bold, beautiful and powerful,” stated the review, adding, “Jones wows the theater-goer on every level.”

Actress, Play: Sarah Gliko

(Ariel), “The Tempest,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “Sarah Gliko is a total delight as Ariel,” stated the review.

Actor, Play: Gabe Moses,

“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “Rather than standing at a podium, Moses defied expectations (at least mine, anyway) and transformed the poetic words into a performance piece,” stated the review.

Ensemble, Play: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again],”

The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Director, Matt Pfeiffer; Actors Eli Lynn, Sean Close, Sabrina Lynne Sawyer. “The fast-paced ‘Complete Works’ will make your mind boggle,” stated the review.

Costume Design: Lisa Zinni,

“The Tempest,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. “The costumes by Lisa Zinni are spectacular,” stated the review.

Scenic Design: “In the Heights,”

The Music and Theatre Company, with original set design by Anna Louizos, The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

Lighting Design: Max Doolittle,

“In the Heights,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

Sound Design: Hayat Dominguez,

“In the Heights,” The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

COMMUNITY

THEATER

Producer: William Sanders,

Managing Artistic Director, Civic Theatre of Allentown. Sanders took on the new role in his 28th season in 2023 to renew Civic Theatre with The Hub, 514 Below and other performances, ensured a wide swath of edgy and mainstream productions, and put the community back in community theater.

Musical: Tie:

“Sister Act,” Civic Theatre of Allentown. “This is stand-up-and-cheer theater,” stated the review. “Dreamgirls,” MunOpCo Music Theatre. “The MunOpCo production is one of the few area musicals presented by a regional theater in the post-Covid years whereby singers are not accompanied by prerecorded music tracks. A 14-piece orchestra is center stage, conducted by David Mascari. Music Director is Karl DeBoeser,” stated the review. The Dreams, the lead singers, were Taylor Hood (Lorrell), Krystle Tate (Effie), Arianna Rodriguez (Deena), Rebekah Gray (Michelle).

Director, Musical: Will Morris,

“Sister Act,” Civic Theatre of Allentown, with Music Director Veronica Cummings. “Directed with brio, class and inventiveness,” stated the review.

Original Musical:

No ABE Award given.

Actress, Musical: Deborah D’Haiti

(Deloris Van Cartier), “Sister Act,” Civic Theatre of Allentown. “This is one of the best musical theater performances by a female in years on the Lehigh Valley stage,” stated the review.

Actor, Musical: Justan Parker

(Eddie), “Sister Act,” Civic Theatre of Allentown. He “provides some smooth dance moves,” stated the review.

Ensemble, Musical: “Sister Act,”

Civic Theatre of Allentown. The cast of 28 (by the reviewer’s count), including Deborah D’Haiti (Deloris Van Cartier), Miki Fuentes (Michelle), Deja Frazer (Tina), Tracy Ceschin (Mother Superior), Nina Elias (Sister Mary Robert) and Trish Kane Steele (Sister Mary Lazarus) was “across the boards excellent, energetic and in the moment,” stated the review.

Choreography: Deena Linn,

“Sister Act,” Civic Theatre of Allentown. The nuns, by the reviewer’s count, were “a discipleship of 12 fired-up, all-dancing, all-singing, all in full habit,” stated the review.

Original Play: “Mothers Shall But Smile,”

Crowded Kitchen Players. Written and directed by Ara Barlieb, Co-Founder, Crowded Kitchen Players. “The play is not agitprop theater, but rather a dispassionate telling of the tragedy, writ small in the case of the Vietnamese youth, and writ large in the case of the soldiers, Vietnamese people and the United States,” stated the review.

Play: “The Laramie Project,”

Civic Theatre of Allentown. “Each actor in the Civic production is excellent,” stated the review.

Actress, Play: Veronica Cummings

(Wiletta Mayer), “Trouble in Mind,” Civic Theatre of Allentown. The Lehigh Valley premiere directed by Gabe Moses has a “stunning performance” by Cummings, “from her commanding entrance to her concluding triumphant turn,” stated the review.

Actor, Play: Pat Kelly,

“The Laramie Project,” Civic Theatre of Allentown. “Pat Kelly, in one of six roles, brings the play home and to heart,” stated the review.

Ensemble, Play: “Our Lady of the Tortilla,”

Pennsylvania Playhouse. Director Kathy Pacheco brought playwright Luis Santeiro’s heartfelt family comedy to the stage for laughter and insight with an ensemble that included Lana Brucker (Beverly Barnes), Dave Donado (Nelson Cruz), Sonia Strockyj (Dolores Cantu), Andrew Maldonado (Eddie Cruz) and Gloria Millheim (Dahlia Cruz). “The cast is a terrific ensemble ... They bring the spice to this ‘Tortilla,’” stated the review.

Director, Play: William Sanders, Rae Labadie,

“The Laramie Project,” Civic Theatre of Allentown. “The Civic Theatre production of ‘The Laramie Project’ is insightful and powerful,” stated the review.

Costume Design: “Sister Act,”

Civic Theatre of Allentown, Scaramouche Costumes, with Maggie Fajardo, Costume Coordinator, and Kim Danish, Hair and Makeup Designer.

Scenic Design: Luke Blomstrom,

“Sister Act,” Civic Theatre of Allentown, with Jan Joyce, Scenic Artist, and Rick Frendt, Projection Designer.

Lighting Design: Will Morris,

“Sister Act,” Civic Theatre of Allentown

Sound Design: Randall Utsch,

“A Little Night Music,” Civic Theatre of Allentown. “Sound Designer Randall Utsch gives a pristine quality to instruments and vocals,” stated the review. The five-piece ensemble on stage for the Stephen Sondheim classic was Bruce Gaston, violin; Ellen Hospador, cello; Aaron Patterson, flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe, bassoon; Andrea Wittchen, harp; Pamela Wilt, keyboard, conductor.

Tim Roche Memorial “Meanwhile” Award:

“The Drowsy Chaperone,” The Pennsylvania Playhouse. Director John Corl, Assistant Director Marcy Repp, Music Director Alex Garrido, Choreographer Jenn Lagenseipen, Brian Houp (Man in Chair) and the talented cast “pull out all the stops” in “a very smart play with a very smart cast in a very smart production,” stated the review. To which, I might add, which I did in the review, ”I was laughing from the opening moment to the curtain call. I left the theater thinking that this is just the entertainment tonic for the beleaguered times we live in.”

You might feel the same if you try some theater therapy. Go see a show in 2024.