2005

The 2005 Season began in typical fashion with Godspell playing at Easter. Following Godspell, an event that was becoming all too familiar in the region occurred. A flood hit the region with resulting damage far greater than that of the flood of just seven months prior. Water rose several feet higher than in 2004 with many of the New Hope residents forced out of their homes for many weeks. Thankfully, the Playhouse sustained minimal damage compared to many of the buildings around it however the season was forced to begin one week later than planned.
After opening the 2005 Season with Godspell during the Easter holiday, the regular season began in April with the musical Starmites. Heading the cast was Amy Lynn Zanetto in the dual roles of the Mother and the Diva. Included in the cast were Playhouse veterans Peter Martino, Jessica Bradish, Jill Palena and Tressa McCallister.
Next up was the musical Once Upon A Mattress with Peter Martino as Prince Dauntless the Drab and Amy Lynn Zanetto as Princess Winnifred.
The next production of 2005 signified a return of the "stars" to the Bucks County Playhouse stage. Daytime television legend Linda Dano took on the role of 'Mame Dennis' in Mame. It was Linda's theatrical debut. Opposite her was good friend and co-star from the daytime drama "Another World", Anna Stuart. Anna portrayed 'Vera Charles'. The musical comedy broke box office records for the month of June, a typically quiet time before the start of the summer season.
Linda and the cast of Mame.
Anna taking her curtain call.
Linda and Anna take their bows.
The above photos of Mame are courtesy of Sue Coflin/Max Photos
Linda and Johnny DiFerdinando who played Young Patrick.
Following a production of Love Letters starring Loretta Swit and John Phillip Law, the comedy Same Time, Next Year starring Joel Higgins and Erin Gray played for one week. Higgins and Gray co-starred in the 1980s situation comedy "Silver Spoons" and reunited for this production.
Joel Higgins as George and Erin Gray as Doris in Same Time, Next Year.
Old friend, Eddie Mekka, stopped by for a week in July to star in The Pirates of Penzance. Following that, Adrian Zmed starred My Way: A Musical Tribute To Frank Sinatra. Billed as a loving look at the mystique, myth and legend of Frank Sinatra, the musical revue also starred Klint J. Rudolph, Jaimie Standish and Julie Zimmer.
From left to right: Klint J. Rudolph, Jaimie Standish, Adrian Zmed and Julie Zimmer
Daytime television star Colleen Zenk Pinter, 'Barbara Ryan' from CBS-TV's "As The World Turns" took on the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi at the Pocono Playhouse. The musical was only to have played at Pocono but due to a tremendously successful run, the musical was added to the Bucks County Playhouse fall season. The production also featured Playhouse regulars Tressa McCallister as Irene Malloy, Erik H. Reid as Horace Vandergelder, Jill Palena as Minnie Fay and Peter Martino as Ambrose Kemper.
From left to right: Jessica Bradish as Ermengarde, Colleen Zenk Pinter as Dolly and Peter Martino as Ambrose.
Colleen Zenk Pinter and Edward Egan.
Colleen Zenk Pinter as Dolly and Erik H. Reid as Horace.
Eddie Rabon as Barnaby Tucker and Jill Palena as Minnie Fay
Tressa McCallister as Irene Malloy.
The above photos of Hello, Dolly! are courtesy of Sue Coflin/Max Photos
During the Bucks run of Hello, Dolly!, Colleen was joined by her husband Mark Pinter who took on the role of Horace Vandergelder.
While in New Hope, Mark and Colleen were presented with "The Key to New Hope" by New Hope Mayor Larry Keller.
November brought a Playhouse premiere. The musical Swing opened to glowing revues for the all singing, all dancing tribute to 1940s music.