PRODUCTIONS, Ltd.
(610) 395-7176 (800) 891-4898 fax (610) 395-8336
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Barlieb
· Wallace PRODUCTIONS, Ltd. |
| 1680 Minesite
Road Allentown, PA
18103 barwalprod@rcn.com
(610) 395-7176 (800) 891-4898 fax (610) 395-8336 |
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| Players' comedy 'Shore" thing March 2010 For its 10th anniversary and 40th production, Crowded Kitchen Players takes a vacation from rediscovering a treasure trove of classic American theater and points its "mettle" detector at "Shore Insanity." |
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| Paul Willistein The Bethlehem Press Bethlehem, PA |
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| ABEs salute LV stage January 2010 Best Play: "Driving Miss Daisy" Ara Barlieb, directing James Symmons, Sydney Davis and Tom Harrison, restores a classic. |
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| Paul Willistein Bethlehem Press et al Bethlehem, PA |
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| 'Inspecting Carol' spoofs Dickens' classic and funding for the arts December 2009 'Inspecting Carol' is the kind of broad slapstick comedy that the seasoned Crowded Kitchen Players thrive on. It offers many opportunities to demonstrate their physical and verbal agility and shamelessly make fun of themselves as they make up fun for their audience. |
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| Myra Outwater The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| 'Inspecting' fun for everyone December 2009 When a hardworking community theater troupe mixes money problems, talent issues, a changing script and a short-fused rehearsal schedule, they get mayhem, angst and hilarity. |
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| Douglas Graves Bethlehem Press et al Bethlehem, PA |
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| A Christmas Carol you could never imagine or ever forget! October/December 2009 A must see play, adventurous in all aspects presented by a very talented ensemble! |
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| Francis Licopoli The Press Quakertown, PA |
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| Crowded Kitchen Players presents a fresh look at familiar 'Daisy' October/November 2009 Even if you have seen the film, this show directed by Ara Barlieb will give you a new viewpoint that is fresh as a "Daisy." |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Quakertown, PA |
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| Here's what's 'Driving Miss Daisy' October/November 2009 Driving Miss Daisy is one of the best productions now on stage in the Lehigh Valley and possibly the year. |
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| Paul Willistein Bethlehem Press et al Bethlehem, PA |
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| Crowded Kitchen Players' 'Tovarich' is silly and delightful fun October 2009 The actors are lively throughout the five scenes and two acts, resulting in a great evening with a rarely seen play. |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Crowded Kitchen Players' 'To Be or Not to Be' is a fast-moving farce
June 2009 The entire cast of 10, under the direction of Ara Barlieb, combine pratfalls, suspense and great comic timing with the usual Crowded Kitchen talent. There is no question that "To Be Or Not To Be" works. |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| CKP's 'Manchurian Candidate' has guts, glory March 2009 Crowded Kitchen Players' "The Manchurian Candidate" packs the excitement of a 3-D action movie, from its damning opening monologue, delivered with the bedside manner of Josef Mengele, to its final crypic line. |
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| Diana Morse Bethlehem Press et al Bethlehem, PA |
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| 'Sherlock' is intriguing December 2008 This intriguing whodunit-- an amalgam of three classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories adapted by company director Ara Barlieb-- is full of suspense, eccentric characters and surprisingly good British accents. |
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| Steve Siegel The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Crowded Kitchens Players' 'Play Ball' a homerun June 2008 CKP slap shtick is tossed like spit balls, with onstage busines by the troup's stock players and has uncanny relevance for the scandal-obsessed media and politics. |
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| Paul Willistein Bethlehem Press et al Bethlehem, PA |
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| 'The Prisoner of Zenda' a swashbuckler worth a look June 2008 It's not often that you get to see a classic swashbuckler on stage, where honor and courage actually mean something. Fans of stories like "The Three Musketeers" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" should take this opportunity offered by director Ara Barlieb and his cast. |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Fast-paced "Witness" will keep you guessing March 2008 The Players keep the courtroom drama moving with sharply drawn characterizations and fast-paced dialog. |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| CKP "Witness" a masterpiece of theater March 2008 "Witness for the Prosecution" is an absorbing production for fans of courtroom drama and Agatha Christie. |
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| Paul Willistein Bethlehem Press et al Bethlehem, PA |
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| Table set with "Old Lace' at Crowded Kitchen December 2007 With 'Arsenic and Old Lace," the comedy conservators once again restore an antique to bygone luster, making the old new again as the CKP collective brings another collectible to life. |
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| Paul Willistein Bethlehem Press et al Bethlehem, PA |
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| Drink in the Comfy Delight of 'Arsenic' December 2007 What could be more Christmas-like than a few genteel murders? ''Arsenic and Old Lace'' is a finely roasted chestnut, with a comfortable stage set, including a Christmas tree, at McCoole's Arts & Events Place in Quakertown. |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Call 'Room Service" for tasty vintage farce October 2007 The Crowded Kitchen Players and director Ara Barlieb seem to have cornered the Lehigh Valley market on this type of vintage farce, and they do not disappoint with their quick repartee and timing. |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| With "Noises," the real laughs are in Quakertown July 2007 As nimbly and briskly directed by Ara Barlieb, the production pulls few punches, and, true to CKP form, adds a few to what is arguably the ultimate backstage comedy. |
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| Paul Willistein Bethlehem Press et al Bethlehem, PA |
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| "Noises Off' a perfectly timed slapstick treat July 2007 Director Ara Barlieb and The Crowded Kitchen Players do it right in this two-hour show, with measured British accents and perfectly timed slapstick. |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Hamming it up works in farcical 'Hamlet' February 2007 The best part of this production is the interaction, both verbal and with swords, between Barrymore, played to the hilt by David Oswald, in tight black tights and a highly distracting red codpiece, and J.D. Lepeta as Andrew. The transformation of Andrew into a full blown Shakespearean actor is great fun to watch. |
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| Myra Yellin Outwater The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Physical, bawdy 'Sly Fox' romps at Silkwerks October 2006 Larry Gelbart's update of Ben Jonson's cynical satire about greed, avarice and lust is the perfect vehicle for the Crowded Kitchen Players' physical comedy and slapstick shenanigans. And director Ara Barlieb has pushed his cast to the limit. |
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| Myra Yellin Outwater The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Undying charm makes 'Heaven' a winner May 2006 If you are a fan of old comedy movies, here is your chance to see one come to life. The Crowded Kitchen Players have a special knack for this type of classic, with drawing rooms of the rich, sinister plotting, exasperated detectives and help from a guardian angel. |
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| David Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| A funny and entertaining evening May 2006 Director Ara Barlieb has kept this show moving, and deep philosophical questions take a back seat to the laughs. The characterizations are big and so are the physical aspects of the show. |
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| Bill Thobaben Hearthstone Town and Country Montgomery County, PA |
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| Inherit the Wind is still relevant today January 2006 This version by the Crowded Kitchen Players has inherited very little wind, with its fast pace and strong characterizations. Director Ara Barlieb, who usually produces farces, proves that he and his troupe of players can evolve easily from comedy to drama. |
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| David Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Inherit the Wind triumphant in Quakertown January 2006 For their first production in Quakertown, Crowded Kitchen Players are providing an impressive performance that local theater enthusiasts will not want to miss. The entire cast, from the science teacher to the judge, interpret the script with strength, conviction and polish. |
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| Linda Quinby Hearthstone Town and Country Montgomery County, PA |
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| None should miss Agatha Christie's 'None' October 2005 "And Then There Were None" is vintage Christie and is filled with enough tension and suspense to keep the theater company's growing following of enthusiasts happy. I don't know what is more fun--- watching the plot being set up or being amazed and confounded as the mystery is resolved. | ||
| Myra Yellin Outwater The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Crowded Kitchen Players' 'Needlemeyer' a hoot May 2005 The Crowded Kitchen Players do their usual fine acting work. Many expertly balance multiple roles. The Resurrection of Seymour P. Needlemeyer might recall the Marx Borthers' Duck Soup' with sharp political satire hidden beneath slapstick and physical humor. |
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| David Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| So much good theater, so little time to savor it all! December 2004 I also got my first look at the work of The Crowded Kitchen Players. Their effervescent rendtition of A Thurber Carnival was so much fun that I returned to see their equally well done Christmas production, Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Christmas Goose. This is a group that manages miracles in small spaces, and does it with flair, farce and fun. |
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| Myra Yellin Outwater The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| 'Sherlock and the Christmas Goose' puts a satisfying spin on an original December 2004 Writer/Director Ara Barlieb has adapted three of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous Holmes mysteries to create an original and very satisfying story. Add in a capable and adaptable professional cast and a Christmas theme, and the result is a fast-moving and very entertaining production. |
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| Myra Yellin Outwater The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| 'Slight Case of Murder' makes an enjoyable period piece October 2004 Runyon's characters make A Slight Case of Murder an enjoyable period piece, particularly when their dialogue is delivered with the crispness and panache of this production. Each of the 18 players captures the spirit of their characters, with many of the actors carrying two or three roles. |
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| David Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Every act is well worthing catching at 'A Thurber Carnival' March 2004 As staged in a cocktail-party setting by Ara Barlieb and his accomplished group of players, A Thurber Carnival is an old-fashioned verbal romp with puns, slapstick, one-liners, hilariously improbable events that all collide on stage in well-directed and cleverly staged chaos. |
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| Myra Yellin Outwater The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Pratfalls and solid acting succeed in entertaining 'Sherlock Holmes' November 2003 The Barlieb Wallace Production of Sherlock Holmes has taken liberties while retaining the familiar characters. The campy melodrama of the original work has been changed to out-and-out farce. The pratfalls and broad vaudeville gags take second place to solid acting and a fast-moving plot. |
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| David Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Irreverent attitude threads through 'Needlemeyer' June 2003 Barlieb's old-timey entertainment is a hoot and a holler. By the final scene of Here Lies Seymour P. Needlemeyer, Barlieb's wickedly cynical script has taken on the press, capitalism and the justice system with lines such as, "You may be walking, talking and breathing, but in the infallible eyes of the law, you are deceased," and "Not doing anything and getting paid are nearly synonymous in the legal trade." . |
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| Tony Sienzant The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Snappy 'Twentieth Century' arrives in Bethlehem October 2002 As staged by the Crowded Kitchen Players at the Ice House in Bethlehem, Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur'sTwentieth Century is a farce that captures the spirit and hilarity of vintage movie comedies, with a few added modern touches that make it even more hilarious. |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| 'Inspecting Carol' a funny poke at Dickens classic December 2001 Inspecting Carol, presented by Barlieb Wallace Productions and the Crowded Kitchen Players in Allentown, satirizes local theater productions of the Dickens play without ever being mean-spirited. The play-within-a-play version of A Christmas Carol is likely to be the worst version that you will ever see--- and the funniest! |
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| Dave Howell The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| For fast-paced mystery, don't miss 'Front Page' January 2001 The veteran players of Barlieb Wallace Productions really have their act together at the Theatre Outlet's TO2 Second Stage. In a roller-coaster ride of action and fast-paced dialogue, they exhume The Front Page, Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur's classic play originally presented in 1928. |
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| Tony Sienzant The Morning Call Allentown, PA |
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| Plot twist turns 'Sly Fox' into a spectacle of greed run amok July 2000 What a great, riotous and very funny evening awaits you when you go see the current production of Theatre Outlet's TO2 Second Stage, the Barlieb Wallace Productions performance of Larry Gelbart's Sly Fox. This show is raucous, loud and worth every penny. |
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| Bill Thobaben Hearthstone Town & Country Montgomery County, PA |
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| The best production company that I have worked with. They are excellent in capturing the essence of human service work and exploring the important issues in our field. I use their videotapes in all my community education and staff training lectures. | ||
| Kevin E. Dolan Administrator-Northampton County Children, Youth and Families Easton, PA |
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| Fever is a short, but powerful film designed to educate sexually active people about HIV infection and the consequences of risky behavior. It's 13-minutes that can save your life and the lives of those you love. Don't miss it! | ||
| Vicky Kistler, Manager Communicable Disease Program Allentown Health Bureau |
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| The Black Rag has had the pleasure of reviewing the 20-minute DV Pints, Pounds & Pilgrims from Barlieb Wallace Productions, which helped to put us in fine fettle for the upcoming round of summer festivals. It's a well-edited and insightful slice of cross-cultural entertainment. | ||
| The Black Rag Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
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| If you happen to be invited to
participate in an Irish Arts Festival off the west coast
of Co. Galway, accept the offer, and don't forget to
bring two gifted documentary producers to record the
event. Their brilliant picture and sound techniques allow
the viewer to delight in the breathtaking scenery found
on the practically barren island of Inishbofin. A
well-crafted epic! |
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| Maureen Neville Irish Abroad Philadelphia, PA |
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Last modified on March 12, 2010