…to see a wonderful production of a play you’ve probably never seen before. GOD’S FAVORITE has received rave reviews from virtually everyone who’s seen it, and that includes last Saturday night’s full house. It is funny, well written (by America’s favorite playwright, Neil Simon), and well acted. It is the modern version of the Book of Job from the Bible. Seems like it’d be a sin to miss it. Come on down this Friday or Saturday night. But, it’d be a good idea to call first and reserve.

The opening weekend houses told us they loved our production of Neil Simon’s modernization of The Book of Job. The acting is outstanding, the set is beautiful, and the story is as funny as it is compelling. Jason Hoffman plays Joe Benjamin, a wealthy manufacturer from Long Island, who is visited by a messenger from God, hilariously protrayed by Zane L. Oberholzer, Jr. Joe’s “air-head” wife is skillfully captured by Loretta Czerbinski, and the troubled son is beautifully fashioned by Jeffrey Perry Czerbinski. The 24-year old twins are a hoot, played by Beck Walter & Adam Blackstock. Morris and Mady, the two “in-help,” are a pleasure to watch as portrayed by Shaleeta Whiteside & Dwight Fulton. This is a very funny show, and so well-acted that it would be a shame if you didn’t carve out an evening for a really good meal and enjoyable story. Friday and Saturday evenings through the 28th, and Sunday afternoon on the 15th. Call now for reservations.

The “Lorrie Awards” for 2010 – 2011 season were presented at The Playhouse annual holiday party on Sunday, December 17. Of the eleven awards, four were from the best selling show of the season, GREASE. Interestingly, the poorest attended show of the season, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, by Neil Simon, also garnered four awards. Following are details.

Best Costumes – Sue Eckel & Loretta Czerbinski for DAMN YANKEES.

Best Set – Sue & Jim Eckel for DAMN YANKEES

Best Ensemble Cast – GREASE, directed by Bruce Levin

Best Choreography – Katie Moore for GREASE

Best Actress in a Featured Role – Shannen Banzhoff for GREASE

Best Actor in a Featured Role – Matthew Cosgrave for BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS

Best Music Direction – Zane Oberholzer for GREASE

Best Actress in a Leading Role – Suanne Eckel for DAMN YANKEES

Best Actor in a Leading Role – Mat Levine for BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS

Best Direction – Jeff Czerbinski for BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS

Best Overall Production – BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS

Thank you to everyone who voted.

Lots going on, so let me summarize:

Three shows this weekend. (Friday & Saturday evening at 6:00 PM, and Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM.)

Awards Presentation after Sunday’s matinee. Sorry, but this is exclusively for casts and crews of the 2010-2011 season (and the current season) at our annual holiday party.

New Year’s Eve Party featuring Roast Tenderloin of Beef with Bearnaise Sauce, Poached Lobster Tails and drawn butter, followed by J. Paul Clifford’s WAITING, followed by LIQUORED-UP LUCILLE’S HOLIDAY BONANAZ, a midnight champagne toast (for which you may substitute sparkling cider), continental breakfast, and dancing.

Opening January 6, 2012, GOD’S FAVORITE by Neil Simon.

The two dreaded words in today’s economy. Of course, it’s been “today’s economy” for about three years. And even though food prices, rent, royalties, and licensing all have gone up, our rates haven’t…at least, not until January 2012. We wish we didn’t have to do it, but there is just no avoiding it at this point. So, effective with January business, adult admission will be $42.00 for dinner and show. Seniors (age 62 & older), as well as students will be $38.00. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 will be $30.00. By the way, that still leaves us with the lowest rates for dinner theater in Maryland, which, in our opinion, still makes us the best value. (I realize that’s boastful, but…)

We opened this past weekend to two nearly sold-out houses and both performances were superb. Come and see the show. You’ll exit in wonderful spirits. There are three shows this coming weekend, (9th, 10th & 11th) so call and reserve now. Lots of beautiful holiday music and lots of Lucille’s unique philosophy. Join us.

For those of you who come here often and are not inclined to peruse the menu which appears over there to the left, take a look. We’ve just added a series of pages called “Viewing Galleries,” where you may peruse pictures of the shows produced at The Playhouse over the last couple of years. We’ll continue to add to the collection. They are candid shots taken during dress rehearsals. Some are good, some are great, some ain’t so hot, but still fun to see. Come back often to see what’s been added.

We had our first production meeting last night. The “we” was Zane Oberholzer, the director; Terry Moore, the music director; Emily DeTroye, the accompanist; and Liquored-Up Lucille (herself), the star. The show is going to be the best “Lucille production” to date.

The cast of 8 (Nicole Silver, Kelly Kozlowski, Addie Bavari, Ashley Myers, Andy Kopec, Xavier Lyles, Zane Oberholzer, and Terry Moore) will begin rehearsals soon. The show will have traditional holiday music and more current songs, all beautiful. There will be a unifying thread to the show, which is a tale of Lucille’s holiday past, present & future. (Sound familiar?) And, as always, there will be a healthy dose of Lucille’s unique philosophy. The show is already selling, so it would be a good idea to make your reservation now. LIQUOREd-UP LUCILLE’S HOLIDAY BONANZA BONANAZ. (or, Lucille’s Holiday Feeling.)

That’s the title of the interactive murder mystery that we will be producing at The Playhouse in March. It was written by Jason Hoffman, who was the director of  ALL SHOOK UP.

Here’s what it’s all about. The cast of  a hit sitcom is scheduled to do a live remote from Washington, DC. But, on their way, they get lost and their bus breaks down in Hagerstown. So, the cast is forced to do a live remote from The Washington County Playhouse. And that’s when things start going seriously wrong. Cast members begin dying, and the only witnesses are in the studio audience.

Join us for an evening of fully interactive mystery. It will leave you guessing, and possibly even “guesting.” Lots of fun. Join us.

What are you doing on New Year’s Eve? We have a ball at The Playhouse. In addition to the buffet, we also do tenderloin and lobster tails. Chef Jeff is already thinking about how he can make it even more special than last year’s Beef Wellington. (And the Bernaise was extraordinary!)

After dinner we’ll perform a one-act comedy/fantasy entitled WAITING, by J. Paul Clifford. It’s about a “soul” who is stuck at the way station between death and the final destination, and what he does to move on.

Then, after a brief intermission, we’ll do LIQUORED-UP LUCILLE’S HOLIDAY BONANZA BONANAZ. Lots of singing, dancing, and general fun and foolishness. Lucille will give her thoughts on 2011 and predictions for 2012.

At midnight, we’ll have a champagne (or sparkling cider) toast to commemorate the new year’s arrival. Then a continental breakfast and dancing ’til you drop. (Drop or leave…that’s up to you. And, as usual, we won’t be in any hurry to get you out the door. We love having you stay and enjoy yourself.)

We’ve still got room for you at this point, but call soon. We fill up quickly. It’s still only $75.00/person. And if you didn’t use your season ticket in December (if you’ve got one), you can use it as a discount coupon and get in for only $50! Woo-Hoo! We’re going to have a ball, as we always do. Come on down and join us.