{"id":56374,"date":"2026-01-30T09:54:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T14:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=56374"},"modified":"2026-01-30T09:55:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T14:55:44","slug":"on-stage-the-producers-returns-to-candlelight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=56374","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: ‘The Producers’ returns to Candlelight"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/div>\n
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\"\"The weather may be cold and snowy throughout the area but, at one location in Delaware, it\u2019s springtime \u2013 \u201cSpringtime for Hitler.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) is starting the new year off with an outrageous show \u2013 a musical which has \u00a0\u201cSpringtime for Hitler\u201d as one of its most memorable songs.<\/div>\n
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The venue\u2019s first production of 2026 is one of Broadway\u2019s most all-time best musical comedies — \u201cThe Producers.\u201d<\/div>\n
The show, which won 12 Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards, is running now through February 22.<\/div>\n
\u201cThe Producers\u201d\u00a0is a\u00a0musical comedy\u00a0with music and lyrics by\u00a0Mel Brooks\u00a0and a book by Brooks and\u00a0Thomas Meehan.<\/div>\n

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The Candlelight presented a highly acclaimed production of \u201cThe Producers\u201d in Spring 2013.<\/div>\n
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That show featured two of the company\u2019s talented mainstays \u2013 Anthony Connell as Leo Bloom and David Wills as Max\u00a0Bialystock.<\/div>\n
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Now, the 2026 production has both fan favorites reprising their roles from 13 years ago.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWhen we did this show the first time, I played Leo and the same guy (Wills) played Max,\u201d said Connell, during a phone interview Monday night from his home in Chichester.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt was directed by Bob Kelly. I\u2019ve done a lot of shows at Candlelight and that was my favorite. Under his direction, I really loved the show.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Connell and Wills were good then.<\/div>\n
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They are even better now.<\/div>\n
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Both bring their comedic styles — Connell with his subtle humor and Wills with his slapstick physical approach.<\/div>\n
\u201cThis is a great comedy show,\u201d said Connell. \u201cWith comedy, it has to be fast \u2013 to be quick. Every scene has to crackle.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe Producers\u201d\u00a0was adapted from Brooks\u2019 1967 film of the same name.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWhen I saw that Candlelight was doing \u2018The Producers\u2019 again, I wanted to do it,\u201d said Connell. \u201cI auditioned for the role of Leo. I really wanted the role.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The story concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by fraudulently overselling interests in a\u00a0Broadway\u00a0musical designed to fail. Complications arise when the show is a surprise hit.<\/div>\n
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The humor of\u00a0\u201cThe Producers\u201d\u00a0draws on exaggerated accents, caricatures of\u00a0Jews,\u00a0gay\u00a0people and\u00a0Nazis, and many\u00a0show business\u00a0in-jokes.<\/div>\n
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\u201cYears ago, the only thing I knew about the show was the song \u2018Springtime for Hitler\u2019 that my dad used to sing,\u201d said Connell. \u201cHe would sing it when he put my sister and me to bed \u2013 except he would sing \u2018Bedtime for Tina and Anthony.\u2019\u201d<\/div>\n
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The original\u00a0Broadway\u00a0production opened on April 19, 2001, starring\u00a0Nathan Lane\u00a0and\u00a0Matthew Broderick, and\u00a0ran for 2,502 performances, winning a record-breaking 12\u00a0Tony Awards.<\/div>\n
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It spawned a successful\u00a0West End\u00a0production running for just over two years, national tours in the U.S. and U.K., many productions worldwide and a\u00a02005 film version.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI like this role,\u201d said Connell. \u201cI like Leo. He was an accountant who wanted to be a Broadway producer. He had his little blue scarf as a security blanket.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI also liked that he was like a kid absorbing new things. What I really liked about Leo was when he came back at the end and returned the money.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The current Candlelight production has Jody Anderson as Director\/Choreographer, Betsy Jane Conner as Music Director, Scott Jacobs as Tap Choreographer, JJ Vavrik as Production Stage Manager and Anthony Connell as Props Master.<\/div>\n
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Connell, who has been performing at Candlelight for more than a dozen years, might hold the record for most shows. And lately he has added the role of Props Master when he hasn\u2019t been in the cast and even when he has a role in the show.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI enjoy being the Props Master,\u201d said Connell, a sculptor, miniaturist and painter whose painting \u201cOpening Night at the Candlelight\u201d hangs in the theater\u2019s lobby.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s always a challenge doing the props and acting in the show. This is a very prop heavy show \u2013 especially the scene with all the walkers. Fortunately, Clayton (Stacey) does the wigs and makeup, and Scott does the tap choreography.<\/div>\n
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\u201cPlaying Leo the first time was very challenging \u2013 and it was my first time trying out for the role. I like his honesty and integrity \u2013 and he achieves his dream.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s so much fun this time. I didn\u2019t play it like Matthew Broderick did \u2013 same with David and the way Nathan Lane played Max. Half of what I do comes from David \u2013 like fighting over the books.\u201d<\/div>\n
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David Wills is another Candlelight veteran who has performed shows at the Delaware venue since 1989. Some of his roles have been Tevye in \u201cFiddler on the Roof,\u201d the Judge in \u201cSweeney and Todd\u201d and Einstein in \u201cArsenic and Old Lace.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Connell is a bonafide Candlelight veteran. He has performed in more than 50 shows at the comfortable dinner theater in Arden.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThis is my 14th year doing shows at Candlelight,\u201d said Connell, from his Chichester abode.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMy first show at Candlelight was \u2018Miss Saigon\u2019 in 2012. \u201cMy favorites are \u2018Young Frankenstein\u2019 and \u2018The Producers.\u2019 \u2018Into the Woods\u2019 is another big favorite of mine.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Connell has returned to live in his childhood neighborhood \u2013 partly because of its proximity to the Candlelight Theater (five miles) and partly because it\u2019s his home turf.<\/div>\n
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He attended grade school at Holy\u00a0Saviour\u00a0in Marcus Hook (which closed in 2015) and high school at Cardinal O\u2019Hara in Springfield.<\/div>\n
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Connell then attended DeSales University in the Allentown suburb of Center Valley, where he earned a BA in Acting, Directing and Musical Theatre.<\/div>\n
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Ironically, another cast member graduated from one of the same schools Connell did \u2013 Mary McAvoy, who plays the key role of Ulla.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMary and I were talking a few weeks ago and we discovered that we both went to elementary school at Holy\u00a0Saviour\u00a0in Marcus Hook \u2013 but not at the same time,\u201d said Connell. \u201cI graduated a while before she did.\u201d<\/div>\n
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When asked about why \u201cThe Producers\u201d is so popular, Connell replied, \u201cIt is a Mel Brooks show and anything Mel Brooks does is great.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s a really funny show and it makes you laugh. The news lately is really heavy, so you need to have time to laugh. It\u2019s like when the Emcee in \u2018Cabaret\u2019 says \u2013 \u2018Leave you troubles outside!\u2019\u201d<\/div>\n
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Mel Brooks\u2019 humor, constant laughter and another performance by Connell will be featured in the Candlelight\u2019s next production — \u201cThe Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The show, which has Connell reprising his role as Frederick Frankenstein, will run from March 14-April 19.<\/div>\n
Tickets for \u201cThe Producers,\u201d which include dinner and show, are $77.50 for adults and $35 for children (ages 4-12).<\/div>\n
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\u201cShow Only\u201d tickets, which have limited availability, cost $35.<\/div>\n
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Another popular, familiar\u2014and funny — show is being presented at People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern,\u00a0peopleslight.org<\/a>) \u2013 \u201cSteel Magnolias.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\"\"

Steel Magnolias<\/p><\/div>\n

The show was originally scheduled to run through February 15. However, with so many performances selling out, the run has been extended through February 22.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSteel Magnolias\u201d is a hilarious and heart-wrenching American classic.<\/div>\n
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The reigning ladies of a small Louisiana parish spend Saturday mornings at Truvy Jones\u2019 beauty parlor.<\/div>\n
With help from aspiring beautician Annelle, Truvy doles out gossip, wisecracks, and hairspray to \u201cgrande dame\u201d Miss Clairee, the lovable curmudgeon Ouiser, queen bee M\u2019Lynn, and M\u2019Lynn\u2019s vivacious daughter Shelby.<\/div>\n
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Six unforgettable women command the stage in this hilarious and heart-wrenching masterpiece, starring People\u2019s Light icons Janis Dardaris, Claire Inie-Richards, Teri Lamm, Susan McKey, and Marcia Saunders, under the direction of Abigail Adams.<\/div>\n
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Video link for People\u2019s Light — https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zICXuBNoPuY<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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\u201cSteel Magnolias\u201d will run now through February 22 on the Steinbright Stage at People\u2019s Light.<\/div>\n
Ticket prices start at $59.<\/div>\n
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The\u00a0African\u00a0elephant\u00a0has\u00a0the\u00a0longest\u00a0gestation\u00a0period\u00a0of\u00a0any\u00a0land\u00a0mammal,\u00a0lasting\u00a018\u00a0to\u00a022\u00a0months.\u00a0This\u00a0extended\u00a0period\u00a0allows\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0development\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0calf’s\u00a0large\u00a0brain\u00a0and\u00a0body.<\/div>\n
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The gestation period of the Naked Sun\u2019s new album, \u201cMirror in the Hallway,\u201d\u00a0was even longer \u2013 43 months. This\u00a0extended\u00a0period\u00a0allowed\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0development\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0songs\u2019 stories and melodies.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMirror in the Hallway\u201d will officially see the light of day on January 30 in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.<\/div>\n
The Naked Sun will release its second full-length on Friday evening with an \u201cAlbum Release Celebration\u201d at The Fallser Club (3721 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, thefallserclub.com<\/a>).<\/div>\n
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The Naked Sun\u00a0formed in Philadelphia around the songwriting of\u00a0Drew Harris, who blends lyrical Americana with the soaring guitar tones of longtime collaborator\u00a0Tim Campbell. The band also features Dylan Mulcahy\u00a0(drums), James Ashforth (electric guitar) and\u00a0Tom Tusler\u00a0(bass).<\/div>\n
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Known for their signature style of Americana with a cosmic twist, the band blends storytelling lyrics, jangly guitars, and cosmic textures into something equal parts dusty, psychedelic, and distinctly from Philadelphia.<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u201cMirror in the Hallway\u201d\u00a0is a collection of 10 original songs. The latest single, \u201cDreamin\u2019,\u201d follows singles \u201cMirror in The Hallway,\u201d \u201cMake Believe\u201d and \u201cWitches\u201d — all released in 2025.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt did take us a long time to make this album,\u201d said Harris, during a phone interview Tuesday night from his home in the Point Breeze section of South Philly.<\/div>\n
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The band recorded the album at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia. The record was co-produced by Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe started sessions in June 2022 with \u2018Witches\u2019 as the first track,\u201d said Harris. \u201cThat song was the first single and it\u2019s the first song on the album. The album version is a lot different than what was released as a single a few years ago.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The Naked Sun stayed in perfectionist mode the entire time.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe were in and out of the studio \u2013 a weekend here and a weekend there,\u201d said Harris. \u201cThis one took a while \u2013 for a lot of reasons.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The band released the album on its own label — Reluctant Nudist Records \u2013 so there were no time restrictions, no deadlines.<\/div>\n
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According to Harris, \u201cRecording this record took about three years — part scheduling, part writing, and part a promise we made to each other not to settle on anything.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIf something didn\u2019t sound the way we wanted it to, we had to find a way to make it sound right. Some songs were born years ago and reshaped as we grew \u2014 as people, as a band, and as writers.\u201d<\/div>\n
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As time went on, the songs developed clarity and then unity.<\/div>\n
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\u201cSome of the themes were identity and relationships \u2013 symbolized by looking in mirrors,\u201d said Harris. \u201cIt\u2019s not a concept record \u2013 but it sort of is.\u201d<\/div>\n
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According to Harris, \u201cWe didn\u2019t set out to make a concept album, but somewhere along the way the songs started talking to each other.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThey became reflections of the same mirror, each one capturing a different version of who we are and what we\u2019ve learned along the way.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Hence the title \u2013 \u201cMirror in the Hallway.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cI think that\u2019s why we called it\u00a0\u2018Mirror in the Hallway\u2019,\u201d\u00a0said Harris. \u201cEach song feels like passing another reflection — sometimes distorted, sometimes honest, sometimes hopeful.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe record is about self-examination, about seeing who you were and who you\u2019re becoming at the same time.\u201d<\/div>\n
The album shows the evolution of a band which traces its origin back to an ad on Craig\u2019s List that Harris posted in 2010 when he moved back to Philly from Baltimore in 2010.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI grew up in South Jersey \u2013 in Gloucester City,\u201d said Harris. \u201cI got an undergrad degree in English from Mount St. Mary\u2019s (Emmittsburg, Maryland) and then my master\u2019s degree from Arcadia University (Cheltenham).<\/div>\n
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\u201cAfter college, I was teaching in Falls Point in Baltimore. I moved back to Philly because I got a teaching gig at Audenried High School and I\u2019ve been living in South Philly since 2010.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The band\u2019s fans will get to hear all of the album\u2019s tracks at this weekend\u2019s show.<\/div>\n
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\u201cA lot of these songs haven\u2019t been performed in front of an audience,\u201d said Harris. \u201cA lot of songs were put together in the studio \u2013 and they\u2019ve evolved a lot.\u201d<\/div>\n
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On the Facebook page of The Naked Sun, the band posted the following message \u2013 \u201cHelping us mark the occasion are our very special guests Bitter Bitter Weeks \u2014 featuring Brian McTear and Amy Morrissey, who also co-produced the album.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Video link for The Naked Sun \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/bzjO4WCLXoQ.The<\/a> show at the Fallser Club on January 30 will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door.<\/div>\n
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Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) will present Glen Tickle on January 30, Dan Tyminski on January 31, Rachel Harris on February 6 and 8 and Nellie McKay on February 7.<\/div>\n
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Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is hosting Here Again, New Damage and Lowball on January 31.<\/div>\n
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Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) will host Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen on January 30, the Alicia Maxwell Project\u00a0on January 31 and The Philly Blues Kings with Clarence Spady on February 1.<\/div>\n
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Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com<\/a>) will present Rust on January 30 and Bostyx on January 31.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The weather may be cold and snowy throughout the area but, at one location in Delaware, it\u2019s springtime \u2013 \u201cSpringtime for Hitler.\u201d The Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) is starting the new year off with an outrageous show \u2013 a musical which has \u00a0\u201cSpringtime for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56372,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[287],"tags":[7426,16241,12320],"class_list":["post-56374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts","tag-featured","tag-steel-magnolias","tag-the-producers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=56374"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56376,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56374\/revisions\/56376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/56372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=56374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=56374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=56374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}