It\u2019s the 20th annual ABEs Awards.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s two decades.<\/p>\n
I am nearly breaking my arm to pat myself on the back.<\/p>\n
Or I am putting a brace on my hand from writing so many theater reviews. Just kidding.<\/p>\n
The ABEs, as in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, are a purely subjective way by yours truly to look back at a year of Lehigh Valley theater. I did not see all of the area theater stage shows presented in 2025.<\/p>\n
Of the two-dozen shows that I did see and review, the ABEs is my way of putting into context the tremendous creativity, talent, dedication and hard work of the Lehigh Valley theater community. Standing ovations to all.<\/p>\n
It was a year for Mel Brooks. You could see his \u201cYoung Frankenstein\u201d at The Pennsylvania Playhouse and his \u201cThe Producers\u201d at the PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
It was a year for movies as theater, a theme at The Pennsylvania Playhouse.<\/p>\n
The ABEs are intended to highlight and celebrate plays and musicals and those at Lehigh Valley theater nonprofits who produce them. We don\u2019t include national touring shows. We don\u2019t include college and university productions, although we probably should.<\/p>\n
And we don\u2019t include high school musicals. After all, that\u2019s what the Freddys are for.<\/p>\n
In recent years, Kathy Lauer-Williams selects her own \u201cbest-of\u201d theater shows in the Lehigh Valley. She sees just about every area theater production. And of those shows that she might not attend, she previews them in \u201cCurtain Rises\u201d and lists them in \u201cLehigh Valley Stage\u201d in the Focus section.<\/p>\n
Audience attendance at shows in 2025 seems to have bounced back to near normal from 2000 when the COVID-19 pandemic swept in with the Ides Of March and shut down most theaters, along with many other entertainment activities, workforces and other pursuits nationwide.<\/p>\n
One casualty of the pandemic might have been the use of orchestras and musicians to accompany shows. The ease of rehearsal and performance to recorded tracks is understandable. The thrill of actors singing and dancing to music being performed is undeniable. Use of a musicians\u2019 fund or underwriting might assist with budget costs.<\/p>\n
Lehigh Valley theater personages losses include actor Roseann \u201cRosie\u201d Damico Schatkowski, who died Oct. 22, 2025. She received a BA in theater from DeSales University, worked in the theater department marketing department there and at the former Rodale Theatre, and appeared in shows at Civic Theatre in Allentown. She was a professional presence and bright light to me personally.<\/p>\n
As advertised in area theater playbills: \u201cMusical Theatre is back on the Muhlenberg Stage.\u201d Announced for June 12-27, 2026, at Muhlenberg College is \u201cSeussical The Dr. Seuss Musical.\u201d Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre\u2019s last season was Summer 2019. The 40th season, announced for 2020, was canceled because of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
MunOpCo Music Theatre did not produce a fully-staged show in 2025, but presented a benefit concert, \u201cTree of Lights,\u201d Dec. 13, 2025, Lipkin Theatre, Northampton Community College.<\/p>\n
The region is blessed with great stage plays and musicals. You can read the theater reviews on the Lehigh Valley Press website. See the accompanying theater list for details.<\/p>\n
In the following, references are from Lehigh Valley Press theater reviews.<\/p>\n
Now, turn off your cell phones, sit back and enjoy the 20th annual ABEs:<\/p>\n
PROFESSIONAL THEATER<\/p>\n
Producer: Jason King Jones, Artistic Director; Casey William Gallagher, Managing Director, PA Shakespeare Festival (PSF) at DeSales University. PSF is the gold standard for Lehigh Valley theater, regional theater, and beyond. PSF takes Shakespeare to the people, on the stages at DeSales, in the \u201cPlay On\u201d Community Tour and newly-launched \u201cThe Muse of Fire Project.\u201d<\/p>\n
Musical: \u201cThe Producers,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. States the review: \u201cEvery aspect of \u2018The Producers\u2019 deserves superlatives\u201d and \u201cIt\u2019s one of the best productions ever to hit the Lehigh Valley stage\u201d with \u201cmeticulous direction by Director Jennifer Childs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Original Musical: \u201cPenelope,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival, co-production with Theatre Horizon, Philadelphia; music, lyrics, book by Alex Bechtel; co-written with Grace McLean; directed by Eva Steinmetz. \u201cThe 22 music numbers in \u2018Penelope\u2019 have a Kronos Quartet meets Carly Simon flavor,\u201d the review states.<\/p>\n
Director, Musical: Denis Jones, \u201cShe Loves Me,\u201d Bucks County Playhouse. States the review: \u201cunapologetic moments of believable romance interspersed with over-the-top humor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Actress, Musical: Rachel Camp (Penelope), \u201cPenelope,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. \u201cCamp has an amazing vocal range from a whisper to a scream, with every note imbued with a delicate intensity and confident power\u201d and \u201cCamp brings humorous asides to the role,\u201d the review states.<\/p>\n
Actor, Musical: Kennedy Kanagawa (Arpad Lazlo), \u201cShe Loves Me,\u201d Bucks County Playhouse. He\u2019s \u201ca scene-stealer, and not only because of the bicycle he rides in on\u201d and \u201che makes his case in the Act II opening number \u2018Try Me,\u2019\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
Ensemble: Musical: \u201cLeader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical,\u201d Bucks County Playhouse. The review states: \u201cThe legendary Bucks County Playhouse is transformed into a Las Vegas Strip showroom. Call it \u2018Vegas on The Delaware.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Choreography: Choreographer Tara Jeanne Vallee, \u201cThe Producers,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. The review notes \u201cthe spectacular dancing by the 14-person Ensemble.\u201d<\/p>\n
Play: \u201cHamlet,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. Director Lindsay Smiling and Biko Eisen-Martin \u201cupend and deconstruct the play and put it back together again\u201d and \u201cit\u2019s nothing short of breathtaking\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
Original Play: \u201cChristmas City Follies XXVI,\u201d Touchstone Theatre. The Touchstone Ensemble found the right balance for its 26h production, one of mirth, frank in a sense and gold in creativity to provide a cozy treat in such times as these that can be the real follies.<\/p>\n
Director, Play: Jason King Jones, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. \u201cDirector Jason King Jones brings speed, dexterity, panache and charming fun\u201d to the play,\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
Actress, Play: Susan Riley Stevens (Apemantus), \u201cTimon of Athens,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. \u201cStevens provides a bitter, sardonic and acerbic antidote to Timon\u2019s pie-in-the-sky, high-flying ways,\u201d the review states.<\/p>\n
Actor, Play: Greg Wood (Timon), \u201cTimon of Athens,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. States the review: Wood \u201cenergetically and authoritatively leads a rollicking PSF ensemble\u201d and \u201cWood evokes great empathy, making us feel his pain, his suffering, his shaming, and, yes, his humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ensemble, Play: (Brandon E. Burton (Walter Lee Younger), Noelle Diane Johnson (Ruth Younger), Kian E. Cooper (Travis), Kimberly S. Fairbanks (Mama Lena Younger), Billie Wyatt (Beneatha Younger), Keith Livingston (Bobo), Jamir Fisher (George Murchison), Isaiah Caleb Stanley (Joseph Asagai) and Matt Pfeiffer (Karl Linder), \u201cA Raisin in the Sun,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. \u201cEach performer is extraordinary, expressing a full range of emotions at once compelling, sensitive and heart-rending,\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
Costume Design: Costumer Designer Gregory Gale, \u201cShe Loves Me,\u201d Bucks County Playhouse.<\/p>\n
Scenic Design: Scenic Designer Anna Louizos, \u201cShe Loves Me,\u201d Bucks County Playhouse.<\/p>\n
Lighting Design: Scenic and Lighting Designer Brian Sidney Bembridge, \u201cRosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
Sound Design: Sound Designer Elizabeth Atkinson, \u201cHamlet,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
Tim Roche Memorial \u201cMeanwhile\u201d Comedy Award: Scott Greer (Max Bialystock), Michael Doherty (Leo Bloom), Nicole Benoit (Ulla), Anthony Lawton (Franz Liebkind), \u201cThe Producers,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival. The review cites a \u201cmadcap maelstrom\u201d of humor.<\/p>\n
COMMUNITY<\/p>\n
THEATER<\/p>\n
Producer: Pennsylvania Playhouse. The board of The Pennsylvania Playhouse, with President Parker Ryan and Vice President Jim Vivian, embraced a clever theme for its 2025 season: to produce plays that were made into movies, or movies that became plays. These included \u201cSingin\u2019 In The Rain,\u201d \u201cIn The Heights\u201d and \u201cYoung Frankenstein.\u201d It was not only clever, it was creative and popular.<\/p>\n
Musical: \u201cShrek The Musical,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown. States the review: Civic Theatre of Allentown Artistic Director William Sanders \u201cdirects \u2018Shrek The Musical\u2019 with a knowing awareness of contemporary events without drawing too much attention to the story line\u2019s implications, rather letting the characters and their plight speak for themselves\u201d and \u201dIt will make you a believer in the quality of theater in the Lehigh Valley.\u201d<\/p>\n
Original Musical: No ABE Award given.<\/p>\n
Director, Musical: Jonathan T. Shehab, \u201cIn The Heights,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse. States the review: Shehab \u201cdirected with a strong and gentle hand\u201d and an \u201cexplosive, exciting and inspiring production.\u201d<\/p>\n
Actress, Musical, Tie: Brooke Harrsch (Princess Fiona), \u201cShrek The Musical,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown. Zoe Mulzet (Lina Lamont), \u201cSingin\u2019 In The Rain,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse. Harrsch (\u201cwonderfully comedic,\u201d states the review) is in fine voice throughout and has a stage presence that commands attention. Mulzet \u201cgets the show\u2019s biggest laughs whenever she\u2019s on stage\u201d and \u201cshe\u2019s sympathetic in her characterization\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
Actor, Musical: Jarrod Yuskauskas (Lord Farquaad, \u201cShrek The Musical,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown. Yuskauskas plays the role \u201cmagnificently malevolent\u201d states the review. He\u2019s on his knees and the effect, with inventive costume design, is hilarious.<\/p>\n
Ensemble, Musical: \u201cIn The Heights,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse. It\u2019s \u201can unabashed celebration of a community, its people, romantic and familial love, education, small business capitalism and the state lottery system,\u201d the review states.<\/p>\n
Choreography: Ali Santos, Khylah Eure, \u201cIn The Heights,\u201d Pennsylvania Playhouse. \u201cHigh-energy\u201d and \u201camazing dancing,\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
Play: \u201cLittle Women: The Play,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse. Charming and charmed. The cast portrays the characters so convincingly that you think you are in Concord, Mass., circa the 1860s.<\/p>\n
Original Play: Ara Barlieb, writer-director, \u201cThe Watcher,\u201d Crowded Kitchen Players (CKP). The topics of censorship of the arts and ICE-like raids sent a chill through the audience in the Charles A. Brown Ice House during CKP\u2019s 25h season. \u201c\u2018The Watcher\u2019 metaphorically lays siege to the Ice House\u201d and \u201dIt lays bare the axiom, \u2018The road to hell is paved with good intentions\u2019\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
George B. Miller Memorial Director Award, Play: Melissa Miller, \u201cLittle Women: The Play,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse. Miller expertly navigates the sentimentality, the tragedy (what becomes of the March sisters) and the humor of young ladies as individualistic as their dreams.<\/p>\n
Actress, Play: Mia Zappacosta (Jo March), \u201cLittle Women: The Play,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse. There\u2019s always an area actor who appears in the firmament of the Lehigh Valley stage like a comet. Such is Zappacosta, in her Playhouse debut. She made the character, by turns audacious, humorous, serious, and pleased to receive $30 for her first newspaper article as the American Civil War swirls around the March family.<\/p>\n
Actor, Play: Willie Wo (Troy Maxson), \u201cFences,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse. \u201cWo embodies this complex character: An everyman grappling with systemic and racial prejudice.\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
Ensemble, Play: \u201cLittle Women: The Play,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse. The March family of young ladies was portrayed with chamber ensemble clarity by Mia Zappacosta (Jo March), Emma Funderburk (Beth March), Angella Brown (Amy March), Bryanna Pye (Meg March), Krista Metter (Aunt March) and Nana Nyanor (Hannah).<\/p>\n
Costume Design: \u201cShrek The Musical,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown. Costume Designer Rigby Maiatico and Scaramouche with Hair and Wigs by Kim Danish. \u201cThis is Broadway-quality work,\u201d states the review.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scenic Design: Set Designer Josephine Genuardi, \u201cShrek The Musical,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown. \u201cThe stagecraft is bold, with a nearly bare stage,\u201d the review states.<\/p>\n
Lighting Design: Will Morris, Lighting Designer, \u201cA Christmas Carol,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown. The lighting is mysterious, haunting and startling.<\/p>\n
Sound Design: Mike Martens, Sound Designer, \u201cShrek The Musical,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown. \u201cKudos to Civic and Music Director Nick Conti for going with an orchestra … The musicians are superb\u201d states the review.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY KRISTY MCKEEVERGreg Wood (Timon), \u201cTimon of Athens,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY KRISTY MCKEEVERLeft to right: Noelle Diane Johnson (Ruth Younger), Kimberly S. Fairbanks (\u201cMama\u201d Lena Younger), Billie Wyatt (Beneatha Younger), \u201cA Raisin in the Sun,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY KRISTY MCKEEVERLeft to right: Pepin (Ophelia), Biko Eisen-Martin (Hamlet), \u201cHamlet,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY KRISTY MCKEEVERLeft to right: Scott Greer (Max Bialystock), Michael Doherty (Leo Bloom), Nicole Benoit (Ulla), \u201cThe Producers,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
Jason King Jones<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY KRISTY MCKEEVERRachel Camp (Penelope), \u201cPenelope,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY KIM CARSONLeft to right: Sean Close (Rosencrantz), Maboud Ebrahimzadeh (Guildenstern), \u201cRosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,\u201d PA Shakespeare Festival.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY OLIVIA HOWE\u201cLittle Women: The Play,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY OLIVIA HOWEMia Zappacosta (Joe March), \u201cLittle Women: The Play,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY BILL BASTALeft to right: Jarrod Yuskauskas (Lord Farquaad), Brooke Harrsch (Princess Fiona), \u201cShrek The Musical,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUSKyra Kennedy (Ellie Greenwich), foreground, \u201cLeader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical,\u201d Bucks County Playhouse.<\/p>\n
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOZoe Mulzet (Lina Lamont), \u201cSingin\u2019 In The Rain,\u201d The Pennsylvania Playhouse.<\/p>\n
PRESS PHOTO BY PAUL WILLISTEIN\u201cA Christmas Carol,\u201d Civic Theatre of Allentown.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s the 20th annual ABEs Awards. That\u2019s two decades. I am nearly breaking my arm to pat myself…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":83178,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[119,121,120],"class_list":{"0":"post-83177","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-allentown","8":"tag-allentown","9":"tag-allentown-headlines","10":"tag-allentown-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=83177"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83177\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/83178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}