Sometimes, we travel to New York City to see a Broadway musical. Other times, we'll see a performance in cities we visit while we're on vacation. One thing we don't take enough advantage of is seeing local community theater.
The York area is lucky that it has several community troupes that put on high-quality shows. Remember, when you see one of these shows, you're supporting your neighbors. They're the people who cut the costumes, build the sets and spend countless hours rehearsing their lines.
It's rare that a weekend goes by without either the York Little Theatre, DreamWrights Youth and Family Theatre, Hanover Little Theater, Gettysburg Community Theatre or OrangeMite Studios putting on a show.
Just check the online and print versions of the FlipSide calendar if you want proof. Go ahead, it's just a couple pages away. I'll wait here. I'm fairly patient.
OK, now that you see what these groups are offering, let's talk about romance.
We'll go to the theater experts for that.
Heidi Hormel, a past president of Hanover Little Theatre, says a play can be the perfect start to a romantic evening for people who are just getting to know each other.
"As an early dater, it gives you something to talk about," she said. "Whether it's the performance, or the set or the plot or the costumes, you can talk about what you just saw."
Then again, Hormel was quick to add, heading to the theater is also a good date for people who've been together for a long time. "It gives you an excuse to sit really close to somebody in the dark," she said.
But what types of shows should you see?
Chad-Alan Carr and William Wolfgang have different approaches.
Carr, who works with the Gettysburg Community Theatre and is directing this week's York Little Theatre production of "Nunsense," says you should stick with comedies or classic musicals, like something from Rogers and Hammerstein.
"Comedy makes you laugh and that's good for the soul," Carr said.
Wolfgang, the founder of OrangeMite Studios, said it's always good to see something by The Bard. He admits he's biased, though. Many of OrangeMite's shows are Shakespeare classics.
"Some of the best love stories are classic love stories," he said, giving "Romeo and Juliete" as an example. "It's a story that has survived for 400 years."
Picking the right play or musical comes down to personal choice, Carr admitted.
"Make sure you know what you're going to see is something you're interested in," he said.
So now that you've seen what's being offered this week and you have expert advice on which shows can inspire romance, it's time to buy your tickets. After that, all you have
- PATRICK ABDALLA, FlipSide staff
Theater troupes
Shakespeare said it best when he wrote "All the world's a stage" in "As You Like It."
That's certainly true when it comes to the York area, with several places and troupes that provide theater performances.
Here are some of the places you can see quality, locally produced shows:
Gettysburg Community Theatre
Location: 49 York St., Gettysburg
Next show: See "The Victim," which was written by a Hanover teen about bullying, Aug. 10-11. It's for mature audiences.
Online: gettysburgcommunitytheatre.org
Fun Fact: Until June, the group was known as the Adams County School of Musical Theatre, but is no longer just a children's group.
DreamWrights Youth and Family Theatre
Location: 100 Carlisle Ave., York
Next show: You can see "The Gentleman from Indiana" Friday through Sunday and Aug. 10-12.
Online: www.dreamwrights.org
Fun Fact: DreamWrights, which was founded in 1997, offers a Theater Under the Trees program that brings performances to several outdoor locations in the area.
Hanover Community Players
Location: 360 Blooming Grove Road, Penn Township
Next show: "Nunsense" Sept. 13 to 15 and 20 to 22.
Online: www.hanoverlittletheatre.com
Fun Fact: The Hanover Little Theatre has produced shows in the same two-room schoolhouse on Blooming Grove Road for more than 50 years.
OrangeMite Studios Location: 2035 Tall Fir Drive, Dover Township
Next show: Check out the locally written and produced "Adventures of the Mysterious Tigerman" Friday through Sunday and Aug. 10-12 at Dover Area High School.
Online: www.orangemite.com
Fun Fact: The company is named after a bug William Wolfgang, OrangeMite's founder, discovered in his pool.
York Little Theatre
Location: 27 S. Belmont St., Spring Garden Township
Next show: The final weekend of "Nunsense" is this weekend, Friday through Sunday. "The Adventures of a Comic Book Artist" will run in September.
Online: www.ylt.org
Fun Fact: The YLT's first show was a production of "Lady Windermere's Fan." It is celebrating its 80th season this year.
Keep it going
Looking to extend your night out? Consider these:
An Irish treat in Gettysburg
THE SPOT: The Garryowen Irish Pub
WHAT IS IT: The restaurant and bar is a quick walk from the square in Gettysburg. You'll often find good local music while you're there.
WHERE: 126 Chambersburg Road, Gettysburg
WEBSITE: garryowenirishpub.net
PRICE: $10 to $20 per entrée.
INSIDER TIP: The fish and chips are fantastic, but you won't go wrong with the shepherd's pie either
A sea-lover's paradise in Hanover
THE SPOT: Bay City Restaurant
WHAT IS IT: A restaurant and bar that specializes in seafood and provides live entertainment
WHERE:110 Eisenhower Drive., Hanover
WEBSITE: baycityrestaurant.com
PRICE: $10 to $25 per entrée
INSIDER TIP: The crab and lobster meals are great, but the fresh north Atlantic fish is fantastic broiled if you're not into shellfish.
Thai fare in York
THE SPOT: Esaan Thai Restaurant
WHAT IS IT: A Thai restaurant in downtown York.
WHERE: 30 N. Beaver St., York
WEBSITE: esaanofpa.com
PRICE: $10 to $20 per entrée
INSIDER TIP: After your meal, get the homemade gelato. If you don't know what gelato is, it's like ice cream but more dense and creamy. The sweet dessert at Esaan is a great way to end a meal.
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