York College of PA Theatre to present two shows in repertory throughout last weekend in February, first weekend in March

“Topdog/Underdog” featuring, from left, Acell Spencer and Craig Babineaux

York College of Pennsylvania’s 2023 theatre season starts off with two shows performed in repertory (a different show is performed each day) throughout the last weekend in February and the first weekend in March. Performances are live in the Perko Black Box Theatre, Waldner Performing Arts Center, and are free to the public with general admission seating. Contact the Theatre box office at 717-600-3868 or boxoffice@ycp.edu for more information.

“Topdog/Underdog” by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Harrisburg-area playwright and actor Paul Hood, will be performed at 7 p.m. on Feb. 23 and 25, as well as at 7 p.m. on March 3 and at 3 p.m. on March 4. The play is a tale of two brothers, Lincoln (2018 Theatre graduate Craig Babineaux of Odenton, Md.) and Booth (junior Theatre major Acell Spencer of Catonsville, Md.). Abandoned by their parents, they’ve grown up with no family except each other. Lincoln used to be a proficient Three-Card Monte dealer, but gave it up for a job where he impersonates Abraham Lincoln. Booth, desiring success for himself, decides he will master the game of Three-Card Monte for himself. The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2002 and was named the greatest American play of the past 25 years by the New York Times in 2018.

“Red Bike” by Caridad Svich, directed by Washington, D.C.-area actor and York native Jenny Donovan, will be performed at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 and at 3 p.m. on Feb. 25, as well as at 7 p.m. on March 2 and 4. “Red Bike” is a coming-of-age play following the stream-of-consciousness of an 11-year-old­ ­­– played by both first-year Fine Art major Holly Wagner of Willow Street, Pa., and sophomore Theatre major Martina Smyth of Shirley, Mass. ­– as she travels through her small town on her bike. Playwright Svich was a writer-in-residence at York College during the fall 2020 semester and the keynote speaker for the JL Smith New Play Festival in May 2022.

Both “Topdog/Underdog” and “Red Bike” will be performed sharing a minimal set and space. Professional designers Inseung Park (sets) and Sarah Watson (costumes) join student designers on these shows.