UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — Murder, mayhem and plenty of mistake: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's season opener will begin with a bang.
"The Play That Goes Wrong" will run Wednesday, May 29, through June 16 on the Main Stage at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University.
Tickets, at $25 to $46 per person, are available at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival website. The performance is recommended for ages 9 and older.
"Audiences seeing this incarnation can look forward to some additional shenanigans. I am looking forward to hearing the audience's laughter as they experience 'The Play That Goes Wrong.' Right now, more than ever, the world needs more comedy."1812's Producing Artistic Director Jennifer Childs
Along with standard admission, attendees can mingle with the cast post-show by buying tickets to a director's dinner that will feature a cast champagne toast and talk-backs with the actors.
The performance is a partnership between Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, or PSF, and 1812 Productions, based in Philadelphia.
The play, which has been described as an Agatha Christi-style story with Monty Python wit, made its debut on London's West End in 2014 and Broadway in 2021 before its launch at Plays and Players Theatre in Philly in 2023.
The story, set in the 1920s, follows the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as it embarks on producing an ambitious 1920s murder mystery, PSF said.
'Suprise experiences, extra laughs'
“At PSF, the expanded space offers more room for improvisation, allowing for surprise appearances and extra action," 1812's Producing Artistic Director Jennifer Childs said in a release.
"Audiences seeing this incarnation can look forward to some additional shenanigans.
"I am looking forward to hearing the audience's laughter as they experience 'The Play That Goes Wrong.' Right now, more than ever, the world needs more comedy."
The PSF production features Sean Close as Dennis/Perkins, Melanie Cotton as Annie, Scott Greer as Robert/Thomas, Justin Jain as Max/Cecil/Arthur, Anthony Lawton as Chris/Inspector Carter, Eli Lynn as Trevor, Ian Merrill Peakes as Jonathan/Charles, and Karen Peakes as Sandra/Florence.
Additionally, behind the scenes will be 1812's scenic designer Colin McIlvaine, props designer Liz McDonald, costume designer Janus Stefanowicz, lighting designer Alyssandra Docherty, and sound designer Damien Figueras.
Tom Shotkin is the stage manager, and Julia Levis assistant stage manager.
Season highlights
The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, now in its 33rd season,runs May 29 through Aug. 4 at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley.
Other performances are:
“Play On!” Community Tour: The Comedy of Errors
When: May 31 to June 16
Where: Various locations in the Lehigh Valley
Directed by Jessica Bedford
The Merry Wives of Windsor, by William Shakespeare
When: June 26 to July 7
Where: Main Stage, 2755 Station Ave.
Directed by Matt Pfeiffer
The Color Purple
When: July 17 to Aug. 4
Where: Main Stage, 2755 Station Ave.
Based on the book by Marsha Norman. Music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray and directed by Amina Robinson.
The Last Five Years
When: June 12 to June 30
Where: Schubert Theatre, 2755 Station Ave.
Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown and directed by Jason King Jones.
Shakespeare's Cymbeline
When: July 24 to Aug. 4
Where: Schubert Theatre, 2755 Station Ave.
Winnie-the-Pooh & Friends
When: July 5 to Aug. 2
Where: Schubert Theatre, 2755 Station Ave.
Adapted by Jason King Jones and directed by Jenna Place
Shakespeare for Kids (S4K) presents "Twelfth Night"
When: July 24 to Aug. 3
Where: Main Stage, 2755 Station Ave.
By Erin Sheffield, directed by Matt Pfeiffer
Shakespeare for kids, S4K, mini tour
When and where: Allentown Public Library (1210 Hamilton St.) on July 26, Lower Macungie Library (3450 Brookside Road) on July 27, Bucks Country Library (150 S. Pine St., Doylestown) and Hellertown Area Library (409 Constitution Avenue, Hellertown) on Aug 1.
Go to pashakespeare.org for the most current schedule and information.
