2003

The 64th Season at the Bucks County Playhouse included several productions new to the Playhouse stage.

The season opened with and Easter tradition, Godspell. The cast included Playhouse regulars Eva DeVirgilis, Jarrod Yuskauskas, Ryan Cook, Tim Marquette, Tressa McCallister, Dann Dunn, Jill Palena, Louis Palena, Deven Miller and Susan Keeth.

Next up was the musical Footloose. In the leads were Tim Marquette as Ren and Jamie Lynn Udinson as Ariel. Audiences had seen Jamie in numerous roles through the years, virtually growing up before their eyes. It was Jamie's first leading "adult" role and it was performed to rave reviews.

Li'l Abner played in May for a three week run. Based on the characters of the Al Capp comic strip, the musical comedy played packed houses. Included in the zany cast of characters was Grey Fortuna as Pappy Yokum, Eva DeVirgilis as Mammy Yokum, Susan Keeth as Daisy Mae and newcomer Zachary James as Abner.

Old friend, Eddie Mekka returned to the Playhouse stage at the end of May for three weeks of Fiddler on the Roof. Eddie portrayed Tevye, a role he first played at Bucks 10 years prior. Eddie wowed the critics just as he did back in 1993. Along side him again for this run was Playhouse veteran, Penny Larsen as Golde, Tevye's wife. Penny is a familiar face to Playhouse audiences having acted on our stage since the 1950s.. Penny also served as Playhouse Press Representative in the 50s and 60s.

Titanic began a three week run in June and was one of the largest productions ever attempted by the Playhouse. Featuring a cast of 28 actors, Tom Walker played the role of J. Bruce Ismay, newcomers Donald Winsor and Matt Jones played Thomas Andrews and Harold Bride and Al Shilling played Captain E.J. Smith. The production was also the first in Playhouse history to feature projections that helped to enhance the set and add historical value to the show.

Next up was The Scarlet Pimpernel which played for two weeks in July. Headlining the cast was from left to right, Louis Palena as Percy, Amy Lynn Zanetto as Marguerite and Don Winsor as Chauvelin.

Smokey Joe's Cafe made its Bucks County debut in 2003. The cast featured several newcomers to the Playhouse stage including Maggie Anderson who would continue in our next production, Victor/Victoria. The show, featuring the songs of Leiber and Stoller filled houses and returned later in the season.

Victor/Victoria played in September to packed houses. Based on the movie of the same name, the story centered on a woman playing a man who impersonates a woman and featured songs by Henry Mancini and Frank Wildhorn. The cast also featured Jim Lynch as King Marchand and a host of other Playhouse regulars.