Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s production of “The Color Purple” is an exuberant, buoyant show filled with passionate singing, exciting dancing and powerful performances.

The show runs through Aug. 4 at Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley.

Jessica Johnson gives a transformative performance as Celie, a young woman whose life is marked by isolation and abuse. Johnson’s astute portrayal of Celie makes her heart breaking journey to self-awareness overwhelmingly empowering

The musical is based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker and its 1985 film adaptation. The first act is painful to watch as Celie is horribly mistreated by the men in her life. Johnson embraces the physicality of Celie’s abuse, as she portrays the character as slumped and drawn inward. Her only joy is her relationship with her sister Nettie (a joyous Jessica Money) and even that that is taken away by her cruel husband Mister.

“Mamma Mia!” is a wonderful play showcasing terrific talent worth seeing and hearing.  The musical, based on the book by Catherine Johnson and originally conceived by Judy Craymer, is beautifully directed by Clair M. Freeman.  The outstanding music scores are directed by Chad Miller.

The Summer Theatre production runs at Northampton Community College Theatre though July 28.

Beth Linzer (Donna Sheridan) really rocks her role with her dynamic voice and charm. Her “Mamma Mia!” number with the Ensemble is spectacular.

Rebecca Pieper (Tanya Cresham-Leigh) with her hot mamma looks and great voice steal a fair share of the show as her role as Donna’s side-kick girlfriend that channels some young man’s dreams. She and flirty waiter Mateo Villarreal (Pepper) heat up a fun scene. “Last night never happened.”

The hilarious production of Shakespeare’s comedy "Merry Wives of Windsor" is through July 7 on the Main Stage Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley.

Director Matt Pfeiffer has given the show a contemporary spin with a fusion of various influences creating a jolly pastiche that is extremely funny and very accessible.

The setting of the Garter Inn is given the modern pub treatment and Scott Greer’s Falstaff is an Elvis-style singer and Bardolph (Devin Romero), Pistol (Dan Hodge), and Nym (Eli Lynn) are his scruffy back-up band.

Northampton Community College Bill Mutimer Memorial Summer Theatre has staged a thoroughly heart warming and well-rounded production of the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof” through July 7 at Lipkin Theater, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township.
This production has it all - top-notch dancing, great musicianship, memorable acting and effective costumes and set.
In the pre-show curtain talk, artistic director Clair Freeman and technical director Brett Oliveira remembered Bill Mutimer, the founder of the program and who died March 6.