ANTIGONE
By Sophocles
Directed by Taylor Rouillard
November 11 - 20, 2022
CAST: Quill Aguilar (Chorus), John Barker (Creon),
Susan Blair (Eurydice), Brittany Delaware (Ismene),
Britt Fauzer (Antigone), Samuel Fernandez (Teiresias), Sam Fineman (Chorus), Max Pettit (Haemon),
Saria Rosenhaj (Chorus), Kelci Schlierf (Chorus)
Jared Zimmerman (Koryphaios)
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CREW: Steve Travers (Producer and Technical Director), Nance Reeves (Light Board Operator), Joe Hough (SFX Makeup / Stage Manager), Aliyah Batot (Graphic Designer), Samuel Fernandez (Photographer)
“After a COVID-induced absence of two years, The Drama Group reopens its doors with a revival of Antigone by Sophocles. With new leadership under Steve Travers and Taylor Rouillard, the 40-year-old Germantown theater renews its format of presenting two plays a year, with an emphasis on the classics. And you cannot get more classic than Antigone…It’s not the well-known plot, but the ideas and suspenseful transformations of the characters that command your attention…In its focus on the classics, The Drama Group is off to a good start…Played for ninety minutes without intermission, the production of this seminal play holds your attention.” - Hugh Hunter, The Chestnut Hill Local.
THE SEAGULL
By Anton Chekhov
Directed by JL Hitchens & Ryan Walter
March 17 - April 1, 2023
CAST: Quinton J. Alexander (Trigorin), Brittany Delaware (Nina), Britt Fauzer (Masha), Sam Fineman (Constantine), Scott Galper (Dorn), Paula Kem (Petra), Jennifer Summerfield (Irina Arkadina), Janet Wasser (Paulina), Geremy Webne-Behrman (Simon)
CREW: Ryan Walter (Set Design), JL Hitchens (Sound Design), Steve Travers (Producer/Lighting Design), Taylor Rouillard (Producer/Box Office), Megan Edelman (Props), Browning Sterner (Stage Manager), Nance Reeves (Light Board Op), Emily Parker (Light Board Op), Aliyah Batot (Graphic Designer), Samuel Fernandez (Photographer)
“The revitalized Drama Group of Germantown is establishing itself as a master interpreter of classic theater...With only minor tweaks to contemporize the piece, this presentation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull currently running at Drama Group of Germantown is fresh and relatable…the acting is profound and compelling. Sitting that close to actors revealing that amount of raw feeling is oddly voyeuristic as we all experience gut wrenching drama at times, but do not expose it for the world to see. The passions and frustrations of people yearning for their heart’s desires drive The Seagull, but it is the individual performances that make this production so powerful. Yet there are unexpected comic moments as well…Drama Group of Germantown's deft handling of a weighty play is well worth the visit. Those in search of classic, serious material will want to catch this production. For those who may be hesitant to tackle a heavier show - don't be. You will not find a more accessible, beautifully presented version of this tale…See this outstanding production.”
- Annie Lannak, B Sharp’s Studio 6.
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“The production, set in the modern day in the northeastern United States, takes place for the most part in a single Summer at a country house. Masha (Britt Fauzer) – the estate manager’s daughter (in love with Irina’s son Constantine) enters, with Simon the teacher (Geremey Webne-Behrman) following like a puppy dog in love. Buckle up, this is just the first of many love triangles to come…What follows is a wonderful ache of unrealized desire…The deliberately intimate staging was an interesting experience as well. Hitchens and Walter have put the actors on the floor with the audience (only a few forays on to the stage occur). I was in the front row, and it was riveting to watch this skilled cast go through such intense emotions just a few feet away.”
- Gwen Armstrong-Barker, Delco Culture Vultures.
LYSISTRATA
By Aristophanes
Directed by Taylor Rouillard
November 10 - 19, 2023
CAST: Jeffrey Barg (Leader of Men's Chorus), Caity Brown (Calonice), Jael Brown (Lampito), Britt Fauzer (Lysistrata), Sam Fineman (Athenian Delegate), Adam Landon (Spartan Delegate). Francine Odri (Myrrhine), Taylor Rouillard (Ismenia), Kelci Schlierf (Leader of Women’s Chorus), Steve Travers (Magistrate), Geremy Webne-Behrman (Cinesias)
CREW: Taylor Rouillard (Co-Set Design/Graphic Designer), Britt Fauzer (Co-Set Design), Gracie Hudson (Intimacy Coordinator), Steve Travers (Lighting Design), Emily Parker (Costume Design), Becca Begnaud (Board Operator), Samuel Fernandez (Photographer)
“Many know the story of Lysistrata; few have seen a production…To see it played out on stage in 90 minutes with no intermission is a fun-loving delight. The revived Drama Group of Germantown under Steve Travers and Taylor Rouillard focuses on the classics of western drama. Their production of Lysistrata gives us much frolicsome enthusiasm.”
- Hugh Hunter, The Chestnut Hill Local.
“The Drama Group of Germantown continues their tradition of tackling classical pieces in Lysistrata. Bringing these important stories to an audience that’s relatively young compared to typical theatergoers is noble work indeed. Modernizing the setting to the sexual revolution of the 1970’s further drives the timelessness (though it saddens me that the subject of war and conflict between the sexes is so timeless). The setting also creates the opportunity for some dynamite costumes…Director Taylor Roulliard does well with this tricky material and leads the cast to a playful, fun performance…In short, this is a good production of a piece that is historically significant, thought-provoking, and fun. It’s also not done very often, so I’d recommend catching it while you can.”
- Gwen Armstrong-Barker, Delco Culture Vultures.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Steve Travers
April 12 - 21, 2024
CAST: Gwen Armstrong Barker (Miss Prism), John Barker (Dr. Chasuble), Connor Graham (Lane), JL Hitchens (Lady Bracknell), Doc Horvath (Jack Worthing), Maria Lourdes Riillo (Gwendolen Fairfax), Sicily Stump (Merriman), Kaiya Sutton (Cecily Cardew), Ryan Walter (Algernon Moncrieff)
CREW: Taylor Rouillard (Producer/Graphic Design), Brandon Bacorn (Stage Manager/Assistant Director), Becca Begnaud (Lighting Design), JL Hitchens (Dramaturgy & Sound Design), Doc Horvath, Sicily Stump, Kaiya Sutton (Costume/Hair Design), Samuel Fernandez (Photographer)
“As Philadelphia Theater Week 2024 wraps up this weekend, don't miss your chance to enjoy The Drama Group of Germantown's winning production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Though the Oscar Wilde classic may be a show you have seen before, you are encouraged to see it again as re-imagined in the hands of this capable troupe. Since coming under new management a few years ago, The Drama Group of Germantown has excelled at taking established plays and finding ways to make them embraceable and relevant for a modern audience…Wilde's absurdity remains at the forefront, thanks to actors who pinpoint personal, human moments interspersed throughout a silly and satisfying plot…Relationships are a key element of this tale, with friends and rivals Jack Worthing (Doc Horvath) and Algernon Moncrieff (Ryan Walter) at the center of the action…Lady Bracknell is a force with no filter. Josh Hitchens leans hard into Lady Bracknell's joyous grandiosity, allowing her to take command of any room she enters. Like Wilde himself, Aunt Augusta is not shy about sharing her observations and commenting on the foibles of others. Hitchens does so with glee…The scenes featuring Riillo and Sutton highlight the power of girl power, and the scenes with both Barkers are a compelling reminder that love is not just for the young. There is a lot going on here, both in Wilde’s wordplay and in more nuanced interactions. The Drama Group of Germantown makes the most of this material, finding new ways to bring new shine to a classic play.” - Annie Lannak, B Sharp’s Studio 6.