COLLEGEVILLE PA – The latest “Dinner and A Show Promotion,” the product of collaboration between the Ursinus College Theater and Dance Department and the Collegeville Economic Development Corp. (CEDC), again pairs a stage production with dinner specials offered at a lengthy list of local restaurants.
The play is “Captain Darling,” a world premiere by Kate Isabel Foley that puts an unusual spin on the classic story of Peter Pan. It will be presented April 4, 5, and 6 (2024; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) at 7:30 p.m.; and also in a Sunday (April 7) 2 p.m. matinée supplemented by American Sign Language interpretation.
All performances will be held in the Kaleidoscope Performing Arts Center on the campus of Ursinus College, 601 E. Main St. General admission tickets for all shows cost $8, and $5 for seniors, students, and Ursinus faculty members and staff.
And the meal deals? Twenty-two different dining establishments across greater Collegeville and Trappe are serving up everything from discounts on their menus to free appetizers, sides or desserts. The specials vary by restaurant.
About the dinner
Appearing on the restaurant list for the current promotion are Aavya Fine Indian Cuisine, Bonjung Japanese Restaurant, China Jade, CHOW Bistro, Copperfield Inn, Collegeville Diner, El Gordo Bros Mexican Food, Forno Antico, Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, Italian Delite BYOB, Marzella’s Pizza, My Friends Tavern, Osteria, Rice House, Rocco’s Brick Oven Pizzeria, Siam Deluxe, Thai Basil Bistro, The Pizza Stop, Tortugas Mexican Eatery, The Trappe Tavern, Troubles End Brewing, and Wame Shawarma on the Bridge.
Each restaurant’s special offer is detailed on a CEDC webpage.
It’s “highly recommended” that restaurant reservations should be made at least two hours before a scheduled show, so diners can both enjoy a leisurely dinner and to have enough time to reach the theater. For the Sunday matinée, each restaurant’s special offers are available for either lunch or dinner.
By the way, the CEDC notes, “it is not necessary to participate in the dinner to attend the show.” But, hey, doesn’t something tasty enhance any evening?
About the show
“Captain Darling,” directed by Associate Professor of Theater Dr. Meghan Brodie, wonders “what if Peter Pan isn’t the hero, and Captain Hook isn’t the villain? What if something more sinister is happening in Neverland? What if the stories handed down over time tell only part of the story?,” the CEDC suggests.
“In this dark, feminist adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic, author Foley re-imagines characters we thought we knew, and takes us on a journey in which Mrs. Darling and Wendy must decide whom to trust and how far they would go to save those they love.” The production is not suitable for children, the CEDC advises.
Tickets must be reserved online in advance. General admission for all shows costs $8 per person, and $5 for seniors, students, and Ursinus faculty and staff. When individuals buy their show tickets, they receive a receipt to present at the participating restaurant of their choice, only on the day of the performance, to earn its special.
Individuals also need to present their receipt at the Ursinus College box office to pick up their tickets. Patrons should arrive at the box office at least 15 minutes before the show begins.
Captain Darling logo provided to Travels With The Post by the CEDC
Dinner photo by Vadim Vasenin on Deposit Photos, used under license
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