Bonnie Hill, director of the upcoming production of Harvey at Church Hill Theatre, has assembled an outstanding cast for this iconic American play.  Harvey premiered on Broadway in late 1944, in the middle of World War II, bringing the nation a welcome dose of comedy and whimsy. Mary Chase’s play won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize and has been delighting audiences ever since.  Who knew that a six-foot-plus tall rabbit would become such a memorable presence in world culture?

Harvey is (mostly) visible only to Elwood P. Dowd, a carefree charmer who takes Harvey everywhere and introduces him to everyone.  This is so distressful to Dowd’s family and friends that they decide to institutionalize him. The sanitarium copes no better than the real world with an imaginary rabbit, but medical science does have methods to deal with Dowd.  Mary Chase’s solution of course allows Harvey to live on forever.

The ever-amiable Elwood P. Dowd is played by Frank St. Armour.  His frustrated sister Veta (Debra McGuire), niece Myrtle Mae (Karenna Foley) and Aunt Mrs. Chauvenet (Sheila Austrian) work with their lawyer, Judge Gaffney (John Kamp), to have him committed. The sanitarium staff then manage to botch things thoroughly by locking up Veta instead of Elwood. The psychiatrists Dr. Chumley (Brian McGunigle) and Dr. Sanderson (James Diggs), along with a clever nurse (Sharon Herz) and tough orderly (Michael Moore) do not bring order out of chaos.  Mrs. Chumley (Mary Ann McGunigle) and an irascible cab driver (Bob Chauncey) do help sort things out. And because Harvey is a pooka, he plays himself.

Harvey opens at Church Hill Theatre on Friday, September 8 and will run until September 24. Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and on Sundays at 2 pm.  Tickets are available on the CHT website: churchhilltheatre.org or through the box-office at 410-556-6003.

Cast of Harvey at a read through of the script and discussion of the set. In clockwise order: Brian McGunigle (Dr. Chumley), Frank St. Amour (Elwood P. Dowd), Debra McGuire (Veta Louise), Karenna Foley (Myrtle Mae), Sharon Herz (the Nurse), James Diggs (Dr. Sanderson), Michael Moore (Wilson), Sheila Austrian (Mrs. Chauvenet), Mary Ann McGunigle (Mrs. Chumley). Not pictured: Bob Chauncey (EJ Lofgren)

Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Musical, continues playing on weekends at Church Hill Theatre from June 9th until June 25th.  CHT’s annual spring musical is always a major production, with a large cast, live orchestra, and enthusiastic audiences. The cast and crew pull out all the stops to create on-stage magic and tickets are selling fast. CHT management suggests you purchase tickets now on the website churchhilltheatre.org or by calling the office at (410) 556-6003.

The world first met Matilda in 1988 through Roald Dahl’s young adult novel about a book-worm determined to surmount her problems at home and at school. Instantly memorable, Matilda (who has telekinetic powers) soon found herself in a hit movie, then a prize-winning West End and Broadway musical! CHT’s revival of the Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly original show is your chance to experience the heartbreak and joy of Matilda’s quest for justice and love.

While the cast includes 19 local young people as well as adult actors, Matilda, the Musical is far from a show just for children. Grownups will appreciate Roald Dahl’s sophisticated wit and teens will revel in Matilda’s subversive ability to deal with adults. Matilda’s parents are not just neglectful, they are supremely unfit to raise a child. The headmistress of Crunchem Hall School, Ms. Trunchbull, is not just strict; she is a proper Brothers Grimm villain. Nurturing adults of course exist, with a kind teacher and a wise librarian each supporting Matilda’s quest for a happier life. Matilda’s classmates bring exuberance and energy to the dystopian school setting, demonstrating the power of team spirit and cooperation.

Like all great musicals, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the Musical builds the fun and excitement on a framework of real substance as well as superb music. Growing up is hard.  Parenting is hard. Teaching can be really hard. How we cope and grow is a measure of our maturity and character.  Matilda, the Musical stresses the value of words and knowledge, of resilience, of personal responsibility and, most of all, of love.

Directed by Sylvia Maloney, with musical direction by Erin Bradley and choreography by Cavin Moore, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the Musical will play at Church Hill Theatre from June 9 – June 25, with performances at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are available on the website at churchhilltheaatre.org or through the CHT office at 410-556-6003.

Left to right:  Front row:  Schuyler Helmsley as Lavendar, Liam Kruhm as Eric,  Charlie Thomas as Nigel, Carly Mourlas as Matilda, Sydney Hill as Elsie, and Isla Clemens as Alice.

Back row:  Jocelyn Matera as Lucinda, Helen Willard as Clara, Addyson Crooks as Gemma and Maria Boone as Cecily.

The pose is from the end to the song “Revolting Children.”

Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Musical, will open at Church Hill Theatre on June 9th and run for three weekends until June 25th.  With a large cast (including 19 local young people), an orchestra, and some nifty special effects, the theatre’s signature musical show is sure to sell out quickly. CHT management suggests you reserve tickets now on the website churchhilltheatre.org or by calling the office at (410) 556-6003.

Matilda was introduced to the world in the 1988 Roald Dahl novel about Matilda Wormwood, a bookish and courageous young woman coping with a dysfunctional family and an abusive school. Using her wits (and telekinetic powers), Matilda overcomes injustice and helps others in the process. Bringing Matilda to a new generation, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda, the Musical won seven British Olivier Awards in 2012 and the Broadway version earned five Tony Awards in 2013. Since then, this musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly has delighted worldwide audiences.

Matilda, the Musical features the talents of eight young people of the area, Cece Bagshaw, Isla Clemens, Schuyler Helmsley, Camden Hubbert, Liam Kruhm, Russell Laing, Rooney Rosati and Charlie Thomas, playing the “Little Kids” who face their first day of school in Ms. Trunchbull’s (Kathy Jones) Crunchem Hall. They are greeted by the “Big Kids,” Maria Boone, Addyson Crooks, Olivia Coppage, Emme Dumont, Sam Holdgreve, Dalton Knotts, Joycelyn Matera, Helen Willard, and Travis Stotts who scare them with the threat of exhausting Phys Ed and punishment by “Chokey” if they fail to do as they are told.  Thus begins the journey of Matilda played on alternating performances by Sydney Hill and Carly Mourlas, to survive her dysfunctional family and evil school mistress.

L to R: Back row: Carly Mourlas, Olivia Coppage (Gwendolyn), Dalton Knotts (Alfie), Sam Holdgreve (Veronica); Middle row on floor: Charlie Thomas (Nigel), Schulyer Helmsley (Lavender), Camden Hubbert (Tommy); Front row: Kathy Jones (Ms. Trunchbull), Russell Laing (Bruce). They are rehearsing the song, ”Bruce.”

Featured in this musical are songs that range from “Miracle” in which proud kids sing about their laurels to the plea by Matilda to be just a little bit “Naughty” so that her parents would really listen to her. While parts of the story are humorous, some are sad, some are somewhat uncouth and crass, yet others lead to a child’s view of what being an adult means in “When I Grow Up”.  Appearing in adult roles are Matt Folker, Heather Joyce-Byers, Cavin Moore, Noah Thompson, Becca Van Aken, Hannah Yoder, and Herb Ziegler.

Direction is by Sylvia Maloney, assisted by Becca Van Aken, with  Erin Bradley as musical director and choreography by Cavin Moore.   It features a set design by Michael Whitehill and Tom Rhodes with some very special effects, costumes by Tina Johnson and her team while Doug Kaufmann heads the lighting and sound department. Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the Musical will play at Church Hill Theatre from June 9 through June 25, with performances at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are available on the website at churchhilltheaatre.org or through the box office at 410-556-6003.

Karen Somerville

Church Hill Theatre invites the community to honor our mothers at benefit concerts by local legend, Karen Somerville on May 13 and 14. The front doors to our fully renovated performance space will finally be open and we will serve champagne and nibbles during intermission.

Church Hill Theatre is again truly open to the public, after the long Covid interruption, offering a wide mix of dramas, musicals, comedies, workshops, and the popular Greenroom Gang summer camp for children. Although some shows play to full houses, ticket sales never cover operations and many of our important, but edgier, dramas attract smaller audiences. A popular musical can cost more than $20,000 to produce (including royalties, costumes, sets, musician fees and special effects). With our affordable tickets, even filling every seat at every show would only bring in about $15,000. Therefore, like almost all arts venues, CHT relies on grants and generous donors to stay in business. This special fundraising event, sponsored by ShoreToBeFun Photography, is offered to benefit the organization, our audiences—and all our mothers.

Karen Somerville &Sombarkin will present a specially curated Mothers’ Day show including jazz, gospel, blues and classic pop songs. Karen was a background vocalist on the Stevie Wonder “Songs in the Key of Life” tour in 2014 and her one-woman show, “Just Call Me Billlie,” is a moving tribute to the great Billie Holiday.  The ensemble will be performing at Church Hill Theatre at 7 pm on Saturday, May 13 and at 4 pm on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14.  Early bird tickets are available until April 30 for $40 on our website, churchhilltheatre.org or by phoning the box office at (410) 556-6003. After April 30, tickets, will be $50.

CHT will also welcome participants in the May 13 Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage to tour the Art Deco building and learn more about our programs. Ticket information for this event at  mhgp.org.

After months of anticipation, Church Hill Theatre proudly confirms that Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the Musical, the beloved story of triumph over adversity, will amuse and amaze Delmarva audiences from June 9 to 25. First a novel then a fan-favorite movie, and international stage success, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the Musical empowers both children and nurturing adults as obstacles are met—and overcome. With memorable music and astonishing special effects, this CHT show promises to be the highlight of the year.

Sylvia Maloney, directing her 18th CHT musical, has brought together an especially large and talented cast of newcomers and veteran performers. Kevin Thomas directs the live orchestra and Cavin Moore is responsible for choreography.  The set and telekinetic miracles are provided by Michael Whitehill and Tom Rhodes.

Matilda Wormwood, an exceptionally intelligent child, is played by Carly Mourlas and Sydney Hill. Kathy Jones, portrays her arch nemesis, CrunchemHall’s headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Matilda’s neglectful and abusive parents are portrayed by Matt Folker and Heather Joyce-Byers. The local librarian, Mrs. Phelps is played by Becca Van Aken and a compassionate teacher, Miss Honey, is being played by Hannah Yoder.  They do their best to support the children. Other adults include Noah Thompson as the Escapologist while Cavin Moore portrays the Acrobat.

Photo: From L to R First Row: Rooney Rosati, Charlie Thomas, Liam Kruhm, Schuyler Hemsley, Carly Mourlas, Sydney Hill, Camden Hubbert, Cecilia Bagshow, Isla Clemens, Russell Laing. Second Row: Olivia Coppage, Addyson Crooks, Helen Willard, Hannah Yoder, Becca Van Aken, Emme Dumont, Sam Haldgreve. Top Row: Dalton Knotts, Jocelyn Matero, Heather Joyce-Byers, Matt Folker, Cavin Moore, choreographer, Kathy Jones. Not pictured: Maria Boone, Travis Stotts, Noah Thompson, Herb Ziegler. Photo by Steven Atkinson.

Crunchem Hall young students, Little Kids, are played by Russell Laing, Schuyler Hemsley, Rooney Rosati, Charlie Thomas, Liam Kruhm, Isla Clemens, Cecelia Bagshaw, Camden Hubbert, while Maria Boone, Olivia Coppage, Addyson Crooks, Emmalyne Dumont, Sam Holgreve, Dalton Knotts, Jocelyn Matera, Travis Stotts and Helen Willard portray the older students, or Big Kids.

The Church Hill Theatre spring musical almost always fills the house, so advance reservations are strongly advised.  Roald Dahl’s Matilda, the Musical will run for three weekends starting June 9, with performances at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 pm on Sundays. Tickets are available on the website: www.churchhilltheare.org or by calling the Church Hill Theatre office at 410-556-6003.

Karen Somerville, iconic Eastern Shore vocalist, songwriter, recording artist and producer, will appear for the first time at Church Hill Theatre in two exceptional concerts on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14. This event dovetails with the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage in Queen Anne’s County on Saturday, offering a truly memorable Mother’s Day experience.

Karen Somerville is a Kent County native, proud of her rural heritage and close-knit family. Her musical education began at home with musician parents and was nurtured in church, where she learned the fine points of close group harmony. Karen is a graceful and expressive soloist, bringing new insights to jazz classics and familiar tunes from the American Songbook, but she also loves collaboration. Together with long-time friends Lester Barrett, Jr. and Jerome McKinney, her award-winning trio Sombarkin has been performing since 2002, singing a wide selection of gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and folk music. Sombarkin is supported by Gerry Werner on piano, Jeff Davis on bass, Anthony Warren on guitar, and Ray Anthony on drums. The Church Hill Theatre show will include both group and solo arrangements across their repertoire.

L to R: Ray Anthony on drums, Jeff Davis on bass, Gerry Werner on piano, vocalist Karen Somerville, and vocalist Lester Barrett, Jr.. Not pictured are Anthony Warren on guitar and vocalist Jerome McKinney.

Karen was a background vocalist on the Stevie Wonder “Songs in the Key of Life” tour in 2014. Her one-woman show, “Just Call Me Billlie,” is a moving tribute to the legendary Billie Holiday. Sombarkin’s most recent album, Up & Over, was released in 2022.

Karen Somerville & Sombarkin are in concert at Church Hill Theatre at 7 pm on Saturday, May 13 and at 4 pm on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14.  Early bird tickets are available until April 30 for $40 on our website, churchhilltheatre.org or by phoning the box office at 4410-556-6003. Later or at-the-door tickets will be $50. This special opportunity fundraising event is sponsored by ShoreToBeFun Photography.

The Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage is a decades-old tradition, with several cities or counties sharing gardens and historic homes at their springtime best on a rotating basis.  The event returns to Queen Anne’s County on Saturday, May 13, when eleven properties, including Church Hill Theatre, will welcome guests from 10 am to 5 pm.  Ticket information is available at mhgp.org.  If you are making this a weekend excursion, take in the concert after the Saturday tour or brunch on Sunday.