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Arts & Entertainment

Bensalem Playmasters Raise the Curtain on Talent, Entertainment

Harry S. Truman was in office, the Today Show debuted on NBC and Playmasters were formed in Bensalem. What year was it? 1952.

Anyone who’s driven down State Road passed Neshaminy State Park cannot miss the sign. It stands at the side of the road bearing just two words “The Playmasters.” Residents who turn down the road and follow the sign to its end are in for a treat.   

Back to the Future

Emmett “Buck” Spieldock and his wife, Mildred, helped found Playmasters in 1952. Other founders for the company are Art and Vivian Bernstein and Pearl and Jim Johnson. The original Playmasters were located at the intersection of Tennis and State Roads in a barn-theatre. Today there’s a vacant lot where the old playhouse stood.

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Robert “Bob” Clothier has been with the troupe since the 1970s. However, it wasn’t until 1995 that he started serving as president of Playmasters. Believe it or not, like all the other members of the company, Bob volunteers his time and energy to the company. In his “spare” time, he teaches at Holy Family University.

Actors, actresses and crew members affiliated with Playmasters perform because they exercise the one thing that all successful people put into effect, passion. They perform and they thrive because they are passionate about their craft. A few of them have gone on to appear in commercials and other comedic and dramatic performances.

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The Play’s The Thing

On Feb. 13, Playmasters opened its doors to the public for a 2 p.m. viewing of the dress rehearsal for “The Play’s The Thing.” The play, written by P. G. Wodehouse, is a 1926 adaptation of Ferenc Molnar’s “The Play at the Castle.” It has been performed in New York City, England, France and Germany.

After the curtain goes up, two seasoned playwrights, Sandor Turai and Mansky, a young composer named Adam, are discussing the lot of stage scripts. Adam hangs on to Turai’s and Mansky’s words. He’s hopelessly in love with an actress, a prima donna named Ilona Szabo. What Adam doesn’t know is that Sandor and Mansky have come to the Italian castle to surprise their star performer, Ilona. However, it is Ilona who gives the three men a disastrous surprise.

The stage design is effective at pulling the audience back to the 1920s, the time the play is set in. For a dress rehearsal, the actors and actresses had their lines down well. Johann Dwornitschek, the butler, left an impression. His accent and his manner brought back memories of Paul Benedict, an actor who starred in the hit television series, The Jeffersons. Lapses in conversation between Sandor and he are well timed, funny.

Almady, a man who thinks quite highly of himself, and Miss Mell, a secretary who works at the castle, take center stage in Act 2. They deliver; they, Sandor and Dwornitschek roused chuckles and laughter from the audience. At the end of the February 13 performance, audience members rose from their seats and exited the theatre slowly, not wanting the play to end.

Supporting Local Theatre

Although Playmasters only performs adult comedic plays, people of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to come out and enjoy the performances. Wednesday and Thursday evenings are the best nights for groups of 25 or more people as large groups get tickets at half price on these evenings.

“The Play’s The Thing” stars Joe Mattern as Sandor Turai, Dave Pingitore as Mansky, Glen Calhoun as Albert Adam, Kathleen Gaynor as Ilona Szabo, Joe Adams as Almady, Hans Peters as Johann Dwornitschek and Heather MacHenry as Miss Mell. The play is directed by Kathy Garofano. Show times are 8 p.m. sharp on February 18-19, February 23-26 and March 3-5. Sunday shows on February 27 and March 6 start at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Artists who are interested in joining Playmasters are encouraged to contact the company via their website or by calling 215-245-7850. The only qualification to join the company is a love of the theatre!  Season tickets can also be purchased by calling 215-245-7850. Starting in May, Playmasters will perform “The Philadelphia Story.”

Visit Bensalem’s Playmasters online at www.playmasters.org. And come out on a weekday evening or Sunday afternoon to enjoy a comedic play performed by local talent.

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