TheCourtyardTheater.com

BOEING, BOEING
(A Valley Players Production)
June 17th, 18th, 19th & 24th, 25th, 26th
Tickets: $15.00
 
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CHAROLETTE'S WEB


MOUSETRAP
(A Custom Taylored Production)
​August 19th, 20th, 21st & 26th, 27th, 28th
Tickets: $15.00


ODD COUPLE (Female Version)
(A Custom Taylored Production)
September 16th, 17th, 18th & 23rd, 24th, 25th
Tickets: $15.00

NIGHT WATCH
(A Valley Players Production)
October 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 28th, 29th, 30th
Tickets: $15.00


TBA
(A Custom Taylored Production)
November 4th, 5th, 6th & 11th, 12th, 13th
Tickets: $15.00

NUNCRACKER
(A Custom Taylored Production)
November 25th, 26th, 27th
December 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 9th, 10th, 11th
Tickets: $35.00

WELCOME BIGELOW'S REGULAR'S

Welcome to Bigelow's Bar & Grill. It's a big city kind of joint.
The kind of place where hard nosed private eyes, hard nosed crime reporters, and a lot of other people with hard noses hang out. Mr. Bigelow wants to make sure you have a good time so he's got his best waitress (actually his only waitress) Ginger on duty, and Charlie, the bartender is here to take care of your every need. But don't expect him to listen to you cry in your beer, cause Kleenex just ain't on the menu. You can usually find P.I. Jack Barlow sitting at the bar, waiting for his next big case, or just talking business with one of the crime reporters from the Gazette. Yep, Bigelow's is a big city kind of joint, and you never know what might happen...

DINNER MENU

Slow Roasted Pot Roast or Bruschetta Chicken (YOUR CHOICE)
Red Skinned Seasoned Potatoes
Salad
Vegetables
Italian Tomato Bisque Soup

DESSERT - Cheesecake with Strawberry Topping.

Beverages: Water, Lemonade & Tea Will be made available on all tables.

 

The place is New York City, the time is the 1990s.

Middle-aged, upper-middle class Greg finds Sylvia, a dog (played by a human), in the park and takes a liking to her. He brings her back to the empty nest he shares with Kate. When Kate gets home, she reacts very negatively to Sylvia and wants her gone. They eventually decide that Sylvia will stay for a few days before they decide whether she can stay longer, but Greg and Sylvia have already bonded. Over the next few days, Greg spends more and more time with Sylvia and less time at his job. Greg and Sylvia go on long walks; they discuss life and astronomy. Already dissatisfied with his job, Greg now has another reason to avoid work.

More Background On TheCourtyardTheater.com

For several years, TheCourtyardTheater.com served as the online home of one of central Pennsylvania's most ambitious community theater projects. Located inside the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, The Courtyard Theater combined the accessibility of a community playhouse with productions that often rivaled those of much larger regional theaters. Although the theater has since closed, its influence on the area's performing arts community remains significant.

Opened in October 2013, The Courtyard Theater was created with the goal of bringing quality theatrical entertainment to residents of Snyder, Union, Northumberland, and surrounding counties. The venue quickly became known for producing Broadway musicals, classic comedies, children's productions, dinner theater, and educational programs while providing opportunities for dozens of local actors, directors, musicians, technicians, and volunteers. It was an ambitious undertaking that transformed vacant retail space inside a shopping mall into a fully functioning performance venue.

A Community Theater with Professional Aspirations

Unlike many community theaters that rely on municipal buildings or school auditoriums, The Courtyard Theater occupied its own dedicated space inside the Susquehanna Valley Mall at:

1 Susquehanna Valley Mall Drive
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania 17870

The theater's unusual location made it highly accessible. Patrons could combine shopping, dining, and live entertainment during a single visit. Local restaurants frequently partnered with productions, while mall traffic exposed many visitors to live theater who otherwise might never have attended a stage performance.

The theater's founders envisioned more than simply producing occasional plays. Their goal was to establish a permanent performing arts venue capable of hosting musicals, dramas, concerts, corporate events, fashion shows, children's programs, and special events throughout the year. At the time of its opening, founders believed the region had an underserved audience for quality live theater and a large pool of untapped local talent waiting for opportunities to perform.

Bob Taylor's Vision

Much of The Courtyard Theater's identity reflected the work of director, producer, designer, educator, and actor Bob Taylor.

Taylor had accumulated decades of theatrical experience before opening the venue. He had directed productions throughout central Pennsylvania, taught high school drama, worked extensively with local theater companies, and developed a reputation for extracting strong performances from community actors.

Originally, Taylor partnered with producer Art Lieberman to establish the theater. Lieberman focused on business development while Taylor handled the artistic direction. Their combined experience enabled the project to move from concept to reality during 2013.

Shortly after opening, however, the business structure changed. Lieberman withdrew from day-to-day operations, leaving Taylor as the theater's sole operating manager and artistic director. Rather than abandoning the project, Taylor reorganized operations, secured additional sponsorships, renovated the theater, and continued producing an ambitious schedule despite mounting financial pressures.

Converting Mall Space into a Theater

Transforming retail space into a working theater required extensive renovations.

According to contemporary news reports, the Susquehanna Valley Mall actively supported the project by modifying the building to accommodate theatrical productions. The roof over the stage area was raised to approximately 23 feet, allowing scenery, lighting systems, and elevated stage platforms that would otherwise have been impossible.

Additional improvements included:

• Construction of a permanent stage
• Installation of theatrical lighting
• Dedicated dressing and backstage areas
• Lobby and concession facilities
• Box office
• Audience seating

During another major renovation completed in early 2015, Taylor redesigned much of the interior.

Among the improvements were:

• Reducing seating capacity from approximately 220 to 150 seats for a more intimate audience experience
• Extending the stage four feet closer to patrons
• Creating a larger lobby
• Relocating concessions
• Improving backstage storage
• Reconfiguring office space

These renovations reflected Taylor's philosophy that audience intimacy often produced stronger theatrical experiences than simply maximizing ticket sales.

A Diverse Performance Schedule

One of The Courtyard Theater's greatest strengths was the diversity of its programming. Rather than concentrating on a single theatrical style, the venue intentionally presented productions designed to appeal to audiences of every age and interest.

Broadway musicals became one of its defining attractions. Productions such as Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, White Christmas, 1776, and later Nuncracker demonstrated the company's willingness to tackle technically demanding shows requiring large casts, elaborate costumes, orchestras, and complex staging. These productions attracted musical theater enthusiasts from throughout central Pennsylvania.

At the same time, the theater regularly staged well-known comedies including:

• Rumors by Neil Simon
• Boeing, Boeing
• The Odd Couple (Female Version)
• Over the River and Through the Woods

Mysteries also became audience favorites. Productions such as The Mousetrap, Agatha Christie's legendary whodunit, and Night Watch appealed to theatergoers who enjoyed suspense and psychological drama.

The theater's annual schedule generally mixed musicals, comedies, mysteries, dramas, family productions, and holiday performances so that no single genre dominated the season. This variety encouraged repeat attendance because audiences could experience something entirely different every few months.

Partnership with Custom Taylored Productions and Valley Players

Rather than operating as a single producing company, The Courtyard Theater functioned as a performance venue shared by multiple organizations.

The primary resident company was Custom Taylored Productions, Bob Taylor's production organization responsible for many of the theater's largest musicals and original programming.

The venue also served as the home of The Valley Players, another respected community theater organization. By allowing multiple companies to perform within the same facility, the theater dramatically expanded both its production schedule and the number of local performers who could participate each year.

This collaborative model benefited everyone involved.

Actors gained more audition opportunities.

Directors had access to a permanent venue.

Audiences enjoyed a wider selection of productions.

The theater itself remained active throughout much of the year instead of operating only during limited seasons.

The 2016 season illustrates this partnership particularly well. Valley Players presented productions such as Boeing, Boeing and Night Watch, while Custom Taylored Productions produced Charlotte's Web, The Mousetrap, The Odd Couple (Female Version), and the holiday favorite Nuncracker. This cooperative scheduling created one of the busiest theatrical calendars in the Susquehanna Valley.

Family Entertainment and Children's Theater

One reason The Courtyard Theater developed such a loyal following was its commitment to family programming.

Children's productions were not treated as secondary events but as major theatrical offerings.

Among the most memorable productions was Charlotte's Web, adapted from E. B. White's beloved novel. Rather than presenting the story with elaborate Broadway-scale spectacle, Bob Taylor emphasized heartfelt performances and imaginative staging. Reviewers praised the production's warmth, accessibility, and emotional appeal, noting that its relatively simple staging allowed audiences to focus on the timeless story of friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte.

Earlier productions included other family-oriented favorites and seasonal shows that encouraged parents and grandparents to introduce younger generations to live theater.

Unlike commercial entertainment, these performances gave children the opportunity to experience actors performing only a few feet away rather than watching stories unfold on a television or movie screen. That intimacy helped cultivate an appreciation for the performing arts among many local families.

The Children's Theater Camp

Perhaps no program better reflected Bob Taylor's long-term vision than the theater's annual Children's Camp.

Beginning during the summer of 2014, the camp welcomed young participants from communities throughout the Susquehanna Valley. Rather than functioning as a simple acting class, the program introduced students to virtually every aspect of theatrical production.

Camp participants learned:

• Acting techniques
• Stage movement
• Voice projection
• Character development
• Stage etiquette
• Teamwork
• Rehearsal discipline
• Basic production skills

The experience culminated in a fully staged public performance.

One early production featured Aladdin, allowing students to apply the skills they had developed throughout the camp while performing before live audiences. Parents frequently described the program as a confidence-building experience that extended well beyond theater, helping children improve communication, teamwork, creativity, and public speaking.

The camp also helped cultivate the next generation of performers. Several young actors who first appeared in camp productions later joined larger community theater productions at The Courtyard Theater, creating a natural pathway into local performing arts.

PAST PRODUCTIONS

Reviews, Critical Reception, and Audience Response

Although The Courtyard Theater was a community theater rather than a professional regional company, its productions consistently attracted coverage from newspapers serving central Pennsylvania. Theater critics regularly reviewed opening weekends, providing valuable insight into both the strengths of the productions and the theater's growing reputation.

The Williamsport Sun-Gazette, one of the region's leading newspapers, reviewed numerous Courtyard productions between 2015 and 2016. Unlike promotional announcements, these reviews offered balanced critiques that praised strong performances while also identifying areas where community theater naturally differed from larger professional companies.

For example, the newspaper's review of Charlotte's Web commended Bob Taylor's direction, creative costuming, and effective pacing. The reviewer noted that replacing the originally planned production of Oliver! with Charlotte's Web proved to be a practical decision because it required fewer technical resources while still delivering an engaging experience for families. Particular praise was given to performances by Elaina Barnhart, Shannon Eaton, Natasha Smirnoff, and veteran actor Eric Kerchoff. The review concluded that the production deserved stronger attendance because of its quality and family appeal.

Similarly, Rumors, Neil Simon's fast-paced comedy, received recognition for its ambitious two-level set design. The review highlighted Bob Taylor's scenic design and the attractive, fully furnished stage while acknowledging the challenges community actors face in maintaining the precise comic timing demanded by Simon's writing. Rather than dismissing the production, the review emphasized its strengths and reflected the newspaper's respect for the theater's willingness to tackle difficult material.

Holiday productions also generated enthusiastic responses. Miracle on 34th Street was described as "fine, family fare" capable of putting audiences into the Christmas spirit. Reviewers praised Chris Reis as Kris Kringle, Isabel Lysiak as Susan Walker, the detailed period costumes, and Bob Taylor's ambitious multi-level set. While noting that scene changes occasionally slowed the pacing, the review ultimately concluded that the production successfully delivered the warmth and optimism audiences expected from the beloved holiday classic.

These reviews illustrate that The Courtyard Theater had become a respected participant in the region's performing arts community, receiving the same thoughtful critical attention afforded to much larger organizations.

Dinner Theater and Interactive Entertainment

One distinctive feature that separated The Courtyard Theater from many nearby community theaters was its willingness to experiment with dinner theater and interactive productions.

In early 2016 the theater opened its season with Here's Killing You, Kid, a murder mystery performed as an immersive dinner experience. Audience members were not merely spectators; they became participants, receiving clues between dinner courses and attempting to solve the mystery before the final reveal.

Dinner included entrees such as slow-roasted pot roast or bruschetta chicken, accompanied by soup, vegetables, potatoes, dessert, and beverages. Reservations were required because meals had to be prepared in advance, adding another layer of logistical complexity to the production.

This format demonstrated Bob Taylor's willingness to expand beyond traditional stage productions. Interactive theater experiences helped attract patrons who might not ordinarily attend a conventional play while creating an evening that blended dining, mystery, and live performance.

Financial Challenges Behind the Curtain

Like many nonprofit and community theaters, The Courtyard Theater constantly balanced artistic ambition with financial reality.

Producing even a modest theatrical season required significant investment.

Expenses included:

• Licensing and royalty fees for Broadway shows
• Scenic construction materials
• Costumes and props
• Lighting and sound equipment
• Insurance
• Utilities
• Marketing
• Building maintenance
• Administrative expenses

Musicals presented especially difficult financial challenges because licensing fees alone could amount to several thousand dollars before a single rehearsal began.

To offset these costs, the theater relied on multiple revenue sources, including:

• Ticket sales
• Local business sponsorships
• Advertising
• Donations
• Community fundraising
• Volunteers

The theater openly acknowledged these financial pressures. Fundraising campaigns explained that obtaining rights to popular productions represented one of the organization's largest expenses and encouraged donors to help bring nationally recognized titles to Selinsgrove. Rather than asking supporters simply to "save the theater," organizers emphasized the broader importance of maintaining live performing arts within the community and giving local residents continued access to quality entertainment.

The Final Season and Closure

Despite announcing an ambitious 2016 season featuring eleven productions, financial pressures ultimately proved insurmountable.

Late in 2016, reports emerged that The Courtyard Theater would cease operations after its holiday production. Local news outlet Orange Street News reported that owner Bob Taylor had confirmed the theater's final performance would take place following Miracle on 34th Street, bringing an end to just over three years of continuous operation.

The closure reflected challenges extending beyond the theater itself.

During the same period, the Susquehanna Valley Mall experienced increasing vacancies as national retailers departed. Anchor stores closed, customer traffic declined, and maintaining specialty attractions became increasingly difficult. The Courtyard Theater, which had once represented an innovative use of vacant mall space, found itself operating within a retail environment undergoing significant economic change.

Although the theater closed before reaching its long-term aspirations, it accomplished something noteworthy during its relatively brief existence. In just over three years, it established a permanent stage, produced dozens of performances, trained young actors, collaborated with multiple theater companies, and created a loyal audience that continues to remember the venue fondly years after its final curtain call.

The Courtyard Theater's Lasting Legacy

Although The Courtyard Theater operated for only a few years, its impact on the performing arts landscape of central Pennsylvania extended well beyond its lifespan. Community theaters are often measured not by the length of time they remain open but by the opportunities they create, the people they inspire, and the memories they leave behind. By those standards, The Courtyard Theater made a meaningful contribution to the region.

Hundreds of local residents became involved with the theater in one capacity or another. Actors gained valuable stage experience, directors experimented with challenging material, musicians performed in live productions, technicians learned lighting and sound design, and volunteers helped construct scenery, manage costumes, sell tickets, and welcome audiences. Many participants had never worked in a dedicated theater before, making The Courtyard an important training ground for aspiring performers and backstage personnel.

The theater also demonstrated that quality live entertainment could thrive outside major metropolitan areas. Residents of Snyder, Union, Northumberland, Lycoming, and surrounding counties no longer needed to travel to Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, State College, or larger cities to experience productions of well-known Broadway plays and musicals. Instead, they could enjoy performances close to home while supporting local talent.

An Important Cultural Resource for Selinsgrove

Selinsgrove is best known as the home of Susquehanna University, a respected liberal arts institution with a strong music and theater tradition. The presence of The Courtyard Theater complemented the university's cultural offerings by providing an additional venue for live entertainment that served both students and the broader community.

Located along the Susquehanna River in Snyder County, Selinsgrove has long functioned as a regional commercial and educational center. The addition of a permanent community theater inside the Susquehanna Valley Mall broadened the town's cultural identity, helping transform what might otherwise have been viewed solely as a retail destination into a place where shopping, dining, and the performing arts intersected.

Visitors attending productions frequently combined theater outings with meals at nearby restaurants or shopping before performances, creating additional economic activity for surrounding businesses. While difficult to quantify, this type of cultural tourism is often cited by community planners as an important contributor to local vitality.

Preserving the Memory Through the Website

Although the physical theater has closed, TheCourtyardTheater.com remains an important historical record of the organization's activities. Archived versions of the website preserve production schedules, cast information, photographs, promotional materials, and descriptions of many performances that might otherwise have been lost.

The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine captures multiple versions of the site, documenting its evolution from announcing upcoming productions to promoting educational programs and fundraising efforts. These archived pages provide researchers, former cast members, and theater enthusiasts with valuable insight into how the organization presented itself and interacted with its audience over time.

Today, the website serves as a digital reminder of an ambitious community arts project that sought to make professional-quality theater accessible to residents throughout central Pennsylvania.

Why Community Theaters Like The Courtyard Matter

The story of The Courtyard Theater reflects the broader challenges and rewards associated with community theater across the United States.

Unlike commercial entertainment venues driven primarily by profit, community theaters exist to enrich their local communities. They provide artistic outlets, encourage volunteerism, educate young performers, and strengthen social connections among participants and audiences alike.

Producing live theater is inherently collaborative. Every successful production depends on actors, directors, stage managers, costume designers, lighting technicians, musicians, carpenters, ushers, ticket sellers, sponsors, and countless volunteers working together toward a common goal. The Courtyard Theater exemplified this collaborative spirit, relying heavily on local involvement to bring each production to life.

Its children's camp further underscored this mission by introducing young people to the discipline, creativity, and teamwork required in theatrical production. Even for participants who never pursued acting professionally, the confidence and communication skills developed through these experiences often carried into school, careers, and everyday life.

Remembering a Unique Venue

Looking back, The Courtyard Theater represented an innovative response to changing retail landscapes. As shopping malls across America searched for new ways to attract visitors beyond traditional retail, converting vacant commercial space into a performing arts venue was a creative solution that brought new energy to the Susquehanna Valley Mall.

While the experiment ultimately proved difficult to sustain financially, it demonstrated the potential for arts organizations to repurpose underutilized commercial spaces in ways that benefit both cultural institutions and surrounding businesses.

Former patrons often remember the theater for its intimate atmosphere. With approximately 150 seats following its renovation, audiences sat close enough to performers to appreciate facial expressions, vocal performances, and stagecraft in a way rarely possible in larger auditoriums. This intimacy became one of the venue's defining characteristics and contributed significantly to its charm.

TheCourtyardTheater.com documented the life of a theater that, although relatively short-lived, played an important role in the cultural fabric of central Pennsylvania. Under the leadership of Bob Taylor and with the support of organizations such as Custom Taylored Productions and The Valley Players, the theater brought Broadway musicals, classic comedies, mysteries, children's productions, dinner theater, and educational programming to audiences who might otherwise have had limited access to live performance.

Its productions earned favorable reviews from regional media, its educational programs inspired young performers, and its community-centered approach created opportunities for countless volunteers and local artists. Financial realities and broader economic changes ultimately led to the theater's closure, but its legacy continues through the memories of audiences, participants, and the archived website that preserves its history.

The Courtyard Theater stands as a reminder of the enduring value of community theater. Even after the final curtain fell, the friendships formed, the performances shared, and the creative opportunities it fostered remain part of Selinsgrove's cultural history.

TheCourtyardTheater.com