CapLive:
WXPN Welcomes
Keller Williams

Capitol Theatre
Sunday, September 15, 2023 | 7:30pm

The taking of photographs and videos during the performance is prohibited.

KELLER WILLIAMS released his first album in 1994, FREEK, and has since given each of his albums a single syllable title: BUZZ, SPUN, BREATHE, LOOP, LAUGH, HOME, DANCE, STAGE, GRASS, DREAM, TWELVE, LIVE, ODD, THIEF, KIDS, BASS, PICK, FUNK, VAPE, SYNC, RAW, SANS and Add, those who have followed his career will know this. Each title serves as a concise summation of the concept guiding each project. GRASS, for example, is a bluegrass recording cut with the husband-wife duo The Keels. STAGE is a live album, and DREAM is the realization of Keller’s wish to collaborate with some of his musical heroes. THIEF is a set of unexpected cover songs, KIDS offers Keller’s first children’s record, PICK presents Keller’s collaboration with royal bluegrass family The Travelin’ McCoury’s, and RAW is a solo acoustic album. Each album showcases Keller’s comprehensive and diverse musical endeavors and functions to provide another piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is Keller Williams. Keller’s collaborative and solo albums reflect his pursuit to create music that sounds like nothing else. Unbeholden to conventionalism, he seamlessly crosses genre boundaries. The end product is astounding and novel music that encompasses rock, jazz, funk and bluegrass, and always keeps the audience on their feet.

Since he first appeared on the scene in the early ’90s, Williams has defined the term independent artist. And his recordings tell only half the story. Keller built his reputation initially on his engaging live performances, no two of which are ever alike. For most of his career he has performed solo. His stage shows are rooted around Keller singing his compositions and choice cover songs, while accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. With the use of today’s technology, Keller creates samples on the fly in front of the audience, a technique called live phrase sampling or looping, with nothing pre-recorded. The end result often leans toward a hybrid of alternative folk and groovy electronica, a genre Keller jokingly calls “acoustic dance music” or ADM.”

That approach, Williams explains, was derived from “hours of playing solo with just a guitar and a microphone, and then wanting to go down different avenues musically. I couldn’t afford humans and didn’t want to step into the cheesy world of automated sequencers where you hit a button and the whole band starts to play, then you’ve got to solo along or sing on top of it. I wanted something more organic yet with a dance groove that I could create myself.” Williams’ solo live shows—and his ability to improvise to his determinedly quirky tunes despite the absence of an actual band—quickly became the stuff of legend, and his audience grew exponentially when word spread about this exciting, unpredictable performer. Once he began releasing recordings, starting with 1994’s FREEK, Williams was embraced by an even wider community of music fans, particularly the jam band crowd. While his live gigs have largely been solo affairs, Williams has nearly always used his albums as a forum for collaborations with fellow musicians. An alliance with The String Cheese Incident on 1999’s BREATHE marked Williams’ first release on the band’s label SCI Fidelity Records, DREAM, Keller’s 2007 release, found him in the company of such iconic musicians as the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, banjo master Béla Fleck, bass great Victor Wooten, American musician/poet Michael Franti and many others.

“That album took, from start to release time,” says Williams, “about three years. The object was to get people that I admire musically to play my stuff, so when I’m old I can crank this album in my pimped-out golf cart and have something that I’m really proud of. I was going for the historical effect for my own personal listening pleasure. 

“Each record,” he continues, “is a little snapshot of history. I like to think of it as a period piece for an artist. Each record is a little bit different but all of them have some kind of common thread, which is my musical ability as far as I can take it. I enjoy making records. In some people’s eyes, they’re a dying breed, but I’m very passionate about it. They document where my head is at that time in my career and where I am in my songwriting.”

Williams’ story begins in Fredericksburg, Virginia, just south of Washington, D.C. There he was exposed to a wide variety of music at an early age, starting with country and bluegrass and working his way up through hip-hop and go-go, a brand of funk particular to that part of the country. Once he began playing guitar, Williams’ sphere expanded to what he calls “the postpseudo-skateboarder punk-rock rebellious type of thing, Black Flag and Sex Pistols and Ramones, Dead Kennedys, things like that. That slid into the more melodic college rock, like the Cure and the Cult, the Smiths, R.E.M.’s first five or six records.” 

Then came the Grateful Dead, a seminal influence on Williams’ own music. “I studied and learned their music and went to the shows,” he says, adding that the impact of Jerry Garcia on his attitude toward music remains incalculable. Another major influence was Michael Hedges, the late virtuoso acoustic guitarist. “He was really excelling in a whole different world from what I knew,” says Williams.

After relocating to Colorado, further exposure to bluegrass music and progressive acoustic artists such as Béla Fleck and the Flecktones also had a major impression on Williams. As he began to develop his own distinctive compositional and performing style, Williams incorporated all of the lessons he’d learned from the long list of artists who’d found their way into his world, then filtered their music through his own experiences until something wholly unique emerged. The list of artists whose music he has covered either in concert or on his recordings constitutes a mind-blowing spread: songs originally performed by everyone from Pink Floyd and Ozzy Osbourne to Ani DiFranco and old-school rappers the Sugar Hill Gang! 

When he first started out, Williams played in regional bands but also performed as a solo artist, “me sitting on a stool playing covers, like a happy hour situation,” he says. “I’d get dinner and maybe tips. There were bands in high school and in college. But it turned out I could get the same money playing solo that I was getting with the band. Around that time I was also doing temporary jobs and I was making the same amount playing music as I was scraping mortar out of the cracks of cinder block walls for eight hours in the summertime at minimum wage. So it seemed like the obvious choice was to play music. I started to work and over the years I incorporated more technology. The looping thing started to happen and tickets were sold and people came to shows, so there wasn’t any reason to fix something that wasn’t broken.”

What Williams calls “the looping thing” is actually a big part of what has made him such a compelling live performer. “Basically, I have these machines that are essentially delay units,” he explains. “What I do is step on a button and sing or play something. Then I step on the same button in time and it repeats what I just played or sang. Once that initial loop is created, I can layer on a bass line or a drum line and then have this layer that I just created in front of an audience that I could sing over and solo over. Nothing is pre-recorded. Everything is created onstage in front of the audience.”

If it sounds complicated, it is: but the basic thrust is that the technology has allowed Williams to go out on tour week after week, year after year, and play music by himself—without limiting his sound to what we most often associate with the solo singer-songwriter: a guy strumming a guitar and singing. With his arsenal of tech toys, Williams can expand his reach onstage by, in essence, jamming with himself.

As years have gone by and Keller has continued to evolve he has created more and more unique projects and collaborations with fellow musicians. In 2007 Keller formed a band of his own, Keller Williams with Moseley, Droll and Sipe which featured Keller on rhythm guitar and vocals, Jeff Sipe on drums, Keith Moseley on bass and Gibb Droll on lead guitar. After touring throughout 2007 - 2008, they subsequently released a double live record with a companion DVD. In true Keller Williams fashion, it’s called LIVE.

The summer of 2010 found Keller sharing a bus with two of his biggest heroes, former Grateful Dead drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, as a member of their powerhouse assemblage the Rhythm Devils. “That was a very surreal experience,” Williams says. “We rehearsed for a few days and then we were on a bus with 12 people, two of them being the original drummers from the Grateful Dead.” On that tour, Williams was put in the enviable position of singing many songs from the Grateful Dead catalog for audiences that loved every minute of it. Inspired by this experience and his admiration for the Grateful Dead, Keller added two Grateful Dead projects to his repertoire: Grateful Grass and Grateful Gospel. With an ever-revolving cast of jam, bluegrass, and gospel musicians, Grateful Grass and Grateful Gospel have become fan favorites and festival staples. Keller’s Grateful Grass tunes can be heard on two live digital releases, REX and DOS. Keller’s guests on these recordings include: Jeff Austin (Jeff Austin Band), Keith Moseley (String Cheese Incident), Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident), Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green), The Keels and many more. Following the Grateful Dead theme, Keller also released KEYS, a digital only release on which Keller is at the piano singing a collection of Dead tunes. All three of these releases donate proceeds to the Grateful Dead’s Rex Foundation.

Williams has also toured as part of a string trio with fellow Virginians, singer/guitarist Larry Keel and his wife, singer/bassist Jenny Keel, dubbed Keller and the Keels. You can find them hitting key stops on the bluegrass festival circuit playing songs from their two previous releases GRASS and THIEF, and soon from their upcoming album, SPEED.

If it seems as if this is a man who never stops, that would be about right. Keller released the amusingly titled THIEF—his all-covers project with the Keels—early in 2010, and KIDS, his sixteenth album, in the fall of that same year. A father of two himself, Williams was, of course, inspired by his own offspring but, he says, some of the songs were written before his children were born. “When Not For Kids Only by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman came out, I knew that there was hope for me with kids music,” he says. “I was really attached to that record.” The songwriting for KIDS, Keller says, “was not necessarily singing to the kids. A lot of it was me singing from the perspective of the kids. That was my plan, to get on their wavelength, on their level, and be one of them, so it’s kind of like one of their friends singing to them.”

In 2011, BASS found the multi-instrumentalist only playing bass guitar. BASS was also the first album to be recorded with Keller’s live reggae-funk band Kdubalicious, which in addition to Keller on bass and vocals, features Jay Starling on keyboards and Mark D on drums. On the other end of the spectrum – but just as tasty – is Keller’s 2012 release PICK. This collaboration featuring Keller Williams with The Travelin’ McCourys is a classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts—although the parts are rather massive on their own, to be sure. “Performing with The Travelin’ McCourys is one of my favorite things to do in the world,” Keller explains. “This project has struck a special chord with me [pun intended]. It is very addictive.”

Indeed, Keller always enjoys working with a band. For 2013 he stepped out with a new muse, a 6-piece funk band dubbed More Than A Little. Williams drew from the Richmond, VA R&B/gospel scene including a pair of show stealing female singers. FUNK – a sexy live recording that pays deep homage to the genre’s roots, Keller style – hit the streets in November 2013 and More Than A Little made its way around the country becoming a festival staple all their own. Early 2015 found Keller back in the studio working on his 20th release, VAPE. While mainly a solo endeavor, it does feature a few special guests such as Sampson Grisman, John Kadlecik and a track with the Travelin’ McCourys. In Keller’s own words “Imagine taking these songs and blowing high pressured life through them in a low pressured atmosphere. Out comes highly concentrated music that can be heated up and inhaled through your ears...Vape”.

In 2016, Keller assembled yet another band, Keller Williams’ KWahtro. KWahtro, featuring Gibb Droll, Danton Boller and Rodney Holmes, toured the country throughout the winter and fall of 2016. The first KWahtro album, SYNC was released in 2017. According to Keller, SYNC began as acoustic dance music but with the help of Droll, Boller and Holmes and special guests Mike Dillon and The Accidentals, the album “morphed into a type of acoustic acid jazz that draws on imagery in both the lyrics and the music.”

As if one album release wasn’t enough, Keller’s first all solo acoustic album, RAW, also released simultaneously with SYNC in 2017. Keller started working on RAW in 2011 but got sidetracked by a number of other projects that began to take form. It was when Keller’s 2017 winter tour, Shut the Folk Up and Listen with Leo Kottke started to take form, that he jumped back into it and completed the album. For Keller the album and tour represented his roots; all solo acoustic guitar and vocals, no looping, pedals or bands.

Keller’s 2018 release, and first ever entirely-instrumental album, SANS (as in without), found him breathing new life into some of his favorite songs that were once presented as solo acoustic guitar pieces, enhancing them with bold acoustic bass and live and sampled drums, looped through futuristic soundscapes. The follow up, ADD (2019), saw Williams simply adding vocals back into both new and previously unrecorded songs, as well as his own versions of “Brave Captain” by Firehose and Joni Mitchell’s “All I Want.”

Williams is set to release his 25th studio album, SPEED, in the Fall of 2019, which sees him reunited with his Bluegrass outfit, Keller & The Keels, as they reinterpret popular songs by celebrated artists including The Doors, Kacey Musgraves, Fiona Apple, Weezer and more. SPEED is the trio’s third collaboration together and features a combination of originals and covers, performed in their trademark psychedelic Appalachian bluegrass style. Once again showcasing Williams’ masterful penchant for collaboration and innovation, SPEED proves he’s not planning to slow down any time soon.

WXPN: The Home of Music Discovery.

WXPN is a nationally recognized leader in Triple A programming and the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots, and folk. As the non-commercial, member-supported radio service of the University of Pennsylvania offers handcrafted curation of broadcast and digital programming, events, and local music journalism. WXPN’s mission is to connect artists and audiences, and build, serve, and engage community.

Welcome back for another exhilarating season in our historic theatres, filled with the sounds, sights and excitement of the live performing arts. We have so much planned so far this season, and we are continuing to add even more stellar events – rock, pop, folk/Americana, Broadway, jazz, comedy, films, variety shows, family programs and more! I hope you will spend some time in our digital playbill and discover all we have going on at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts.

Exciting Improvements

At the start of 2022, we launched our Centennial Campaign to help fund much needed improvements to our facility, which will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2025. The summer of 2023 saw the completion of many of those improvements, and we are proud to welcome you through our new ADA compliant doors and into the Strand Theatre lobby where we have new and improved concessions areas that will allow for more efficient service during performances. In addition, we have replaced the HVAC system throughout the facility roof-top units, interior air management devices and system controls, which improves the efficiency and comfort of the building, reduces energy costs and provides cleaner and healthier air. Thank you to all those who have supported these projects, whether financially or with their expertise and assistance.

Something for Everyone

On October 2nd we will be announcing a dozen or so additional events to our season roster... mark your calendar! As always, the best way to get the best available seats for these new shows is to become a Member!

We will continue to announce new amazing performers coming to our stages in the coming months. Simply tap into our Season At A Glance in the menu for the full calendar of shows in our 2023-24 season.

Community Focus

In addition to the shows on our stages, the Appell Center is committed to recognizing and celebrating the talent and knowledge found in our community. Our team is involving our community partners and residents to broaden our focus and ensure that everyone has access and is welcome to experience the arts and create art as well. Tap into the menu and read all about it in our Learning & Engagement story. Then think about how you can become involved or have an impact on this work.

Thank You

A very big THANK YOU to our Appell Center Members, a crucial component of our sustainability. It is Membership support that makes it possible for us to foster and inspire the artists of tomorrow, unite friends and loved ones in shared experiences, and cultivate a bustling downtown, as well as attract the hottest concerts and theatrical productions for your enjoyment, expand our education programs and community outreach, boost York city tourism and nightlife and preserve our historic facilities. If you are not currently a Member, please consider how you can help keep the Appell Center the vibrant cultural hub it is today.

Again, welcome to the Appell Center and enjoy the show!

Todd Fogdall
President & CEO

The Strand and Capitol Theatres at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts continue to feature the very best artists and stories from around the region and across the country. We are excited to welcome you to experience the joy and inspiration that can only come from the live performing arts! And this Spring we have something for everyone!

Here are some highlights… with more being added!

Tickets and Appell Center Memberships can be purchased online at appellcenter.org, in person at 50 N. George Street, York, or by calling the Box Office at 717-846-1111.

2023-24 Season highlights include:

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA (4/27) – Don’t miss the most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, formed in 1956, is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time.

THE BOOK OF MORMON (4/30; 5/1) – Only a few seats remain for the showThe New York Times calls “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals.” And Entertainment Weekly says, “Grade A: the funniest musical of all time.” Jimmy Fallon of The Tonight Show calls it “Genius. Brilliant. Phenomenal.” It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical. Contains explicit language. Presented locally as part of the Glatfelter Insurance Group Broadway Series.

PLENA LIBRE (5/4) – Thrilling audiences around the world for nearly three decades, these masters of traditional Puerto Rican plena and bomba styles fuse mesmerizing hand drumming, stellar horns and soaring vocal harmonies with modern Afro-Caribbean sounds, putting an electrifying spin on this already exhilarating music.

President & CEO, Todd Fogdall says: “We are thrilled to announce the first shows in our 2023-24 season, with a list that touches a wide range of musical genres, plus comedy, celebrities, our first podcast-based show and some huge Broadway titles -- The Book of Mormon, Come From Away  and The Cher Show. Tickets are going to move fast and we encourage our guests to become a Member so they can assure their tickets to the many shows that are yet to come.”

FILM

CAPFILM continues to provide unique opportunities for moviegoers of all ages and styles... 

Don't miss First Friday FREE Family Films, sponsored by UPMC, each and every First Friday. Mark your calendars for films coming soon...

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (5/3) – A modern twist on a classic tale from Walt Disney Animation Studios features the beautiful Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) who dreams of owning her own restaurant. When she meets a Frog Prince (Bruno Campos) who desperately wants to be human again, a fateful kiss leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana… with the villainous voodoo magician Dr. Facilier (Keith David) in hot pursuit! Sponsored by UPMC.

...and coming in June... DISNEY PIXAR'S TOY STORY 2 (6/7)!

Click HERE for more CapFilms, including our brand new Art House Film Series: Image, Sound and Silence, Anniversary screenings and more!

These are just the HIGHLIGHTS of our schedule! New events are being added to the calendar all the time, so visit appellcenter.org for the most updated schedule of events… and be sure you are on our email list for announcements.

While we are no longer requiring COVID safety precautions, unless required by artists or rising conditions, our audiences can have confidence that their Appell Center experience will be healthy and safe. We continue to encourage guests to wear masks should they choose. Our facilities are sanitized before and after all performances, deep cleaning practices are in place, and our HVAC systems feature MERV 13 filtration and maximum fresh air circulation. Up-to-date health and safety information is always available at appellcenter.org.

We look forward to welcoming you through our doors often in the coming months!

2023-24 SEASON UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat Apr 27 @ 7:30PM
Glenn Miller Orchestra

Sat Apr 27 @ 7:30PM
Start Making Sense: A Talking Heads Tribute

Sun Apr 28 @ 3PM
CapFilm: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Tue Apr 30 @ 7:30PM
Wed May 1 @ 7:30PM
The Book of Mormon 
Part of the Glatfelter Insurance Broadway Series
LOW TICKET ALERT!

Fri May 3 @ 5:30PM
Jazz in the City: A Funky Side of Jazz

Fri May 3 @ 6:30PM
Free First Friday Family Film:
Disney The Princess and the Frog

Sat May 4 @ 7:30PM
Plena Libre

Sun May 5 @ 3PM
Image, Sound & Silence: An Art House Film Series
In the Mood for Love

Sat May 11 @ 7PM
GALAVANT 2024: Mardi Gras Masquerade

Wed May 15 @ 7:30PM
CapLive: Josh Ritter
"Works In Progress + Songs You Know" solo show

Sun May 19 @ 3PM
CapFilm: The Matrix
25th Anniversary Screening

Fri May 24 @ 7:30PM
Little River Band

Fri Jun 7 @ 5:30PM
Jazz in the City: A Percussion Blowout!

Fri Jun 7 @ 6:30PM
Free First Friday Family Film: 
Disney Pixar Toy Story 2

Sun Jun 9 @ 3PM
Image, Sound & Silence: An Art House Film Series
Bicycle Thieves

Sun Jun 23 @ 3PM
Image, Sound & Silence: An Art House Film Series
The Passion of Joan of Arc

Sat Jul 13 @ 7:30PM
CapLive: XPN Welcomes
Aoife O'Donovan & Hawktail

Thu Jul 25 @ 7:30PM
Old Gods of Appalachia
Unhallowed Grounds
A Live Podcast Storytelling Experience

The Appell Center is committed to making the performing arts available to everyone in York County. Our Community ConnectTix program expands access to free and discounted ticket to those for whom the price of a ticket is a barrier.

Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for blocks of tickets (up to 20) for select events so the groups they serve can experience the wonder and thrill of live performance. 

Welcome to our Community ConnecTix partner organizations! 

18 South Youth Center

Bell Socialization Services, Inc.

Children's Home of York - Angel Center

Community Options

Crispus Attucks York

Employers Education Foundation c/o Manufacturers' Association

Latinos Unidos of York

Life's New Beginning

Manufacturers' Association

Mightly Mehal Foundation

NAMI York-Adams Counties PA

Northeast Neighborhood Association

Not One More-York Chapter's Family Connections Program

Penn-Mar Human Services

Rising STARS Crispus Attucks 

Salvation Army

South Central Senior Center

Spring Grove Regional Parks and Rec Center

The Program, It's About Change

Theatre Arts for Everyone (TAFE)

Typical Life Corporation

Valley Youth House

White Rose Senior Center

York County Food Bank-Online Pantry Program

York County Hispanic Coalition

Youth Development Center

YWCA York

Click HERE for more information on how to apply and become part of Community ConnecTix!

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Executive Committee

Chair Kira Wagner

Vice Chair/DEIA Chair Elaine Bonneau

Immediate Past Chair/Governance Chair Gene Draganosky

Treasurer/Finance Chair Victoria Connor

Facilities Chair Kyle Jones

Partnership Chair Natalee Gunderson

Directors

Mary Beth Ching

Martin Fedorko

Re. Dr. Mark Kearse

Jenette Lloyd-Jones

Daniel Meckley

Thomas O’Shea 

Dr. Kurt Thomas

Dr. Paul Tolerico

Larissa Tosch

Elizabeth Zifferer

Louis Appell, Jr. 1978-81 

Anne C. Hoover 1981-84 

Leroy A. King, Jr. 1984-85 

William B. Zimmerman 1985-86 

Fran E. Ports 1986-87 

Terence J. Kearney 1987-88 

William R. Hartman 1988-89 

Richard C. Hogentogler 1989-90 

Benjamin A. Hoover, II 1990-91 

Erda G. Erdos 1991-92 

John G. Yates 1992-93 

Delaine A. Toerper 1993-94 

Louis J. Appell, Jr. 1993-95 (Foundation) 

Michael H. Hady, III 1994-95 

Shawn A. Stine 1995-96 

Benjamin A. Hoover, II 1995-97 (Foundation) 

Judy Simpson 1996-97 

Jeffrey W. Byers 1997-98 

John C. Schmidt 1997-99 (Foundation) 

William J. Scott, III 1998-2000 

Morton F. Zifferer, Jr. 1999-2001 

Anne W. Kinsley 2000-01 (Foundation) 

Timothy P. Ruth 2001-02 

Leroy A. King, Jr. 2001-02 (Foundation) 

Benjamin A. Hoover, II 2002-04 

Leroy A King, Jr. 2004-06 

Michael Heine 2006-08 

Charles Wise 2008-2010 

Anthony Campisi 2010-2012 

Joel Menchey 2012-2014 

Loren Kroh 2014-2016 

Eric Menzer 2016-2018 

Krista Gardner 2018-2020

Gene Draganosky 2020-2022

Administration

President & CEO Todd Fogdall

Director of Finance Trevor Alford

Administrative Assistant Carol Potter

Box Office

Senior Box Office Agent Julie Lavetan

Box Office Agent Bea Campbell

Development

Director of Development Mindi Haines

Development Manager Kimberly Soderberg

Development & Education Assistant Dan Crowell

Marketing

Director of Marketing Debra L. Volz

Marketing Content Manager Dave Hoffheins

Education

Director of Education & Community Engagement AJ Myers 

Operations

Director of Operations Amanda Spalla

Operations Manager Aidyn Vargas

Operations Assistant Jeremy Kilgore

House Manager Stephanie Becker

House Manager Shaye Holmes

House Manager Tina Meckley

House Manager Megan Miller

House Manager Daniel Poole

House Manager Jeffrey Tierno

House Manager Jay Yeaple

House Manager Bridget Young

Production Staff

Production Express Steve Shelley, Owner

Head Tech Jamie Heath

Volunteers

Bob Albright

Sandy Aldinger

Janet Alibrandis

Henrietta Alicea

Mary Alpaugh

Maliik Anderson

Yul Baker

Linda Baugher

Cliff Beck

Janene Beck

Sally Beck

Steve Beck

Stephanie Becker

Claudia Besecker

Joan Book

Margaret Bowen

Cindy Brown

Joann Byrne

Ron Byrne

Lin Carlson

Amy Cathell

Carol Cottingham

Carol Cousins

Isabella Cousins

Arthur Curtis

Cathy Dalton

Janet Deamer

Katherine Delauder

Melvin Doyle

Bob Ehlenbeck

Ellen Ehlenbeck

Susan Epley

Cheryl Everhart

Iris Ferber

Cherie Flaherty

Bradley Flinchbaugh

Rick Fonda

Arnie Fritzius

Dennis Fry

Linda Fry

Regina Giuffrida

Evelyn Godsey

Pauline Gross

Peach Hamm

Duane Herbert

Brian Hershner

Linda Hershner

Cindy Hoehn

Beth Holt

Stephen Holt

Betsy Holtzman

Brian Honeychuck

Bill Houghton

Rhonda Jones

Debra Kemper

Brenda Kiger

Shirley Klinedinst

Robert Kluk

Laura Koebnick

Bennett Leas

Tamara Leas

Diane Leib

Rina Leo

Gabby Linnell

Kelly Linnell

Jim Loehwing

Kim Lombardo

Jonathan Lopes

Bonnie Martin

Annie Massin

Pam McIntosh

Suzanne Mescan

Sheri Mickley

Kathy Mierzwa

Connie Miklusek

Sally Miller

Greg Mitchell

Lucinda Morrisson

Anne Nichol

Paul Nichol

Dave Norris

Jean Norris

Rosha Parker

Pat Parks

Linda Paules

Darwin Peiffer

Phyllis Peiffer

Clay Pinckney

Joyce Porteus

Carla Purdy

Syd Purdy

Kathy Raio

Tim Raio

Santos Ramos

Meg Rea

Adele Rossiter

Russ Sarich

Ginny Schucht

Sam Schucht

Terri Scott

Moninne Seitz

Peggy Selway

Sarah Shaver

Tamar Smallwood

Janet Smith

Sheryl Smith

Roy Snoke

Joan Snyder

Christine Staats

Tracy Stabler

Darrell Steckler

Benjamin Stein

Cindy Stoltzfus

Stephanie Stough

Doris Sullivan

Marty Tassia

Lori Topper

Steven Tracy

Jen Trout

Tess Trueheart

Ana Tuali

Custer Ugbome

Mike Vernon

Sue Wallick

Teddie Waltermyer

Rev. Joshua Wargo

Lisa Welch

Paul Welch

Sharon Whitmore

Anita Wiedenhaefer

Jason Wolf

Carolyn Woods

Mary Yeaple

Scott Yingling

Jeanette Zeiders

Marian Zeiler

Mark Zortman

Nancy-Ann Zortman

For almost 100 years, many of the biggest names in entertainment have been featured on the historic stages in front of you. Each show takes the skills and talent of our staff and crew to happen, but we simply cannot forget the very special members of our Appell Center family, without whom none of this would have been possible…

Our Appell Center volunteers and ushers—and there have been hundreds of them over the years—have made this place work for decades.

You meet them first when you first approach the theatre and then as you walk in our doors. Their warmth and friendliness, professionalism and courtesy, inform everyone’s first impression of the Appell Center experience, especially our newer guests.

We often hear from patrons about their experiences while visiting for a live show, learning workshop or film screening, detailing how wonderful our ushers are... how kind and helpful in whatever situation they find themselves in. Often times, this is followed up with a question of how others can join our Volunteer corps!

Looking for something fun, rewarding and community-building? We are always looking for new volunteers to serve as ushers, lobby greeters, bartenders, and more! 

For more information on becoming a volunteer, please click HERE.

Look around. Here you are, seated in this beautiful, historic theatre about to enjoy a professional, live show right here in York’s downtown! What could be more exciting? This would not be possible without the support of our members.

We are humbled by the generosity of individuals across the county who make it all happen, Appell Center membership support allows us to make a significant impact in York. Members are the reason we have been able to continue entertaining the community for nearly 100 years and maintain these two historic theatres. Their support has allowed us to provide free uplifting experiences to our neighbors for whom the price of a ticket is a barrier and provide free educational programming for a generation of children in school districts throughout York County.

Members have helped us stay the course. Because of them, we remain focused on our mission and are able to throw our doors open for another season full of inspiring entertainment for you!

Our members are passionate about the performing arts. Aren’t you? Make a lasting impact right now by becoming a member of the Appell Center for the Performing Arts. 

For information on the levels and benefits of membership, visit appellcenter.org or contact Kimberly Soderberg, Development Manager, at 717-825-2236 or ksoderberg@appellcenter.org

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In August 2022, the Appell Center wrapped up its Centennial Capital Campaign, raising over $7,500,000 to support vital infrastructure improvements and establish a Facility Endowment Fund for much needed improvements to our facility, which will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2025. The summer of 2023 saw the completion of many of these improvements.

Today we are proud to welcome you through our new ADA compliant doors and into the Strand Theatre lobby where we have new and improved concessions areas that will allow for more efficient service during performances. In addition, we have replaced the HVAC system throughout the facility roof-top units, interior air management devices and system controls, which improves the efficiency and comfort of the building, reduces energy costs and provides cleaner and healthier air. 

We would like to recognize the many loyal and generous community members, foundations and businesses that helped us reach our goal and invested in the future of the performing arts in York County. They deserve a standing ovation!

• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Powder Mill Foundation
• Anonymous
• J. William Warehime Foundation
• W. Dale Brougher Foundation
• Kinsley Foundation
• Helen Appell
• Chandra & Lou Appell
• Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation
• Glatfelter Insurance Group
• Giambalvo Family Foundation
• The Graham Foundation
• Shipley Family Foundation

• Stephen & Jenn Tansey
• Meg & Peter Brubaker
• New Standard Corporation
• PeoplesBank Charitable Foundation
• Jolene & Julian Tolbert
• Carl & Brenda Vizzi
• Dr. Vincent & Kathryn A. Butera
• Tony & Stef Campisi
• Jane G. Davis
• Hodges Family Foundation
• Dr. Benjamin & Anne Hoover
• Elizabeth M. Imboden MD
• Loren & Faye Kroh
• Lee Fence & Outdoor
• Menchey Music Service, Inc.
• Susanne Motter & Edward Motter
• Ruby & Mark Schmidt
• Bill & Sue Scott
• M&T Bank
• Traditions Bank
• The York Water Company

• Mr. & Mrs. Fred C. Fay
• Kenneth E. Hickman
• Wellspan York Hospital Medical Staff
• Collin Holder
• Kendall & Eric Menzer
• Judith V. Blakey
• Robert A. Bowen
• John & Cappy Bush
• Erda Erdos
• John & Denise Gilliland
• William R. Hartman
• James D. Isett, DMD, MS
• John Schmidt Foundation
• Fran Polk
• Bob & Donna Pullo
• Vance & Suzanne McConkey
• Kris & Tom O'Shea
• Todd & Elaine Fogdall
• Tony & Amy Doll
• Eugene J. Draganosky
• Michael & Melanie Hady
• Sean Gormley
• Debbie Simon & Tim Grumbacher
• Mike & Vicky Kochenour
• Stan & Jane Lebouitz
• Judy Simpson
• Shawn & Chrysta Stine
• Kurt & Barb Thomas
• Todd & Delaine Toerper
• Kira & Jan Wagner
• William & Kimberly Yanavitch II
• Jack Kay
• Joe & Susan Wagman
• RKL
• Doug & Kristin Berman
• Elliot & Krista Gardner
• Rob & Becky Gratalo
• John & Jan Klinedinst
• Erin McGlaughlin
• Katie & Rob Berkebile
• Nate & Sandra Sterner
• The Tolerico Family
• Graham & Elizabeth Zifferer
• Z. D. Bauer
• Don & Jane Dellinger
• Reed & Natalee Gunderson
• Duane & Kristin Moyer
• David & Linda Davidson
• Charles & Holly Wise
• Robert Gantz
• Betsy Keefer
• Stephanie Kessler
• Miodrag Kukrika
• John & Wendy Lakatosh
• Hunter & Emily Mink
• Mike & Jackie Summers
• Jerry Caslow & Dr. Jane S. Sutton
• Robert Godfrey
• Dennis R. Kohler
• Joan & David Stauffer
• Krista & Mike Darr

This season, the Appell Center continues its focus on bringing the very best entertainment to diverse audiences of all ages… but wait, there’s more!

In addition to planning the shows on our stages, we are committed as an organization to recognize and celebrate the artistic talent of our community in many ways. 

Learning Workshops for All Ages

Acting... dance... singing... storytelling... jazz... improvisation... even circus arts! These are just a few of the focus areas that are available for students age 3 and up to explore. PLUS, we have added Tot Rock, an early learning program for our youngest friends age 0-2! Most workshops are "pick your price," with a suggested $15 per student, in order to increase access to arts learning for all!

Here are a few photo highlights...

TOT ROCK!

COMEDY IMPROV INTENSIVE

SONGWRITING 101 with Amanda D'Archangelis

WHAP-AMA-PHONE Instrument Building at Keystone Kidspace

This fall, we launched "Third Saturday Worshops" - all with a "pick your price" model in order to increase access to arts learning for all. Each third Saturday features a workshop for our young ones and their families, and another for our pre-teens (age 8-13). 

In mid-September, Angel Nuñez led two fun, interactive workshops for students in puppet making (age 4-7) and set design (age 8-13).

In October, Jasmine “PAN” Taylor introduced students to the world of poetry with and "Stories That Rhyme" for our young ones, and "Spoken Word: Writing and Performing" for our 8- to 13-year-olds.

In November Krystal Younglove, an award winning artist and circus sweetheart based here in York, led a unique Circus Arts experience building hula hoops and learn introductory skills in the art of hula hooping. 

WINTER 2024 WORKSHOPS

Third Saturday Workshops continue in 2024 - reserve your spot for these amazing learning opportunities!

January 20

10AM - Relative Laughter Hour - Family Workshop
The family that plays together, stays together! Bring your tots, teens and Great-Aunt Maggie to participate in a playful hour chock full of light-hearted improv games and big ole belly laughs! Families will learn and play games that theater actors use to get their creativity flowing.

1PM - Intro to Improv Comedy (ages 8-13)
Improvisational activities sharpen listening skills, encourage mindfulness, develop resourcefulness and build self-confidence… and are loads of fun! In this workshop, kids will have a hoot playing improv games, building stories and creating characters, both individually and with others. Oh, yes, there will be laughter – and lots of it!

February 17

10AM - Ballet for Everyone - Family Workshop
1PM - Ballet for Everyone - Ages 8-13
Athletes have used ballet as a way to stay in shape and improve their performance for years. Families will join REACH! Founder and Juilliard graduate Jason Reed for an opportunity to learn about the benefits of dancing for everyone, and your chance to try it out. A great chance for anyone who has been thinking about starting dance classes to get their feet wet!

March 16

10AM - Music Composition and Improvisation - Family Workshop
1PM - Music Composition and Improvisation - Ages 8-13
Making music is fun – making music together even more so! Come join local pianist and composer Matt Monticchio and see how making music spontaneously can lead to writing entire songs! No prior music experience necessary – just come ready to learn.

MASTERCLASSES

Audition season is coming up! Whether you’re preparing for school musicals, District Band or college auditions, the ability to prepare yourself mentally, arrive in the right headspace, and reaching a state of flow is invaluable. On January 20, Peter Matthew Smith will lead a masterclass in musical theater, where aspiring performers can learn the ins and outs of preparing a song, nailing an audition, and life as part of some of Broadway’s biggest hit shows. Most recently King George in the Angelica Touring Company of Hamilton, Peter Matthew Smith’s career on Broadway includes roles in the original productions of RENT, Mamma Mia, Hairspray and the revival of Fiddler on the Roof. 

Our Teaching Artists and Staff did not stop there... 

In spring 2023, Appell Center Teaching Artists visited 55 classrooms across nine elementary school, working in different art forms with over 1,000 students to reinforce themes from April's Stage the Page performance of The Gruffalo. Additionally, the Appell Center partnered with York City School District’s 21st Century After School Program to provide an arts enrichment program throughout the month of May. This program has expanded to six schools in the district for the 2023-24 school year.

Community Engagement 

In July 2022 the Appell Center began a collaboration with Creative Generation, a group committed to pioneering projects in the arts and cultural, education and social change fields to support those organizations driving systemic change in their communities. This work produced an actionable plan elevating knowledge within our community to help inform a set of tools to create a societal hub for arts and cultural education in York County, PA. Listening sessions with key partners and their constituents were conducted, and information gathered from those sessions has helped inform the next steps of our strategic plan in this area.

At the completion of the active phase of this collaboration, the following statement was crafted and made public on our website:

The Appell Center for the Performing Arts seeks to be a cultural hub for the community in York.

We play a vital role in the local ecosystem, collaborating with educational, civic and other cultural organizations, informal networks, and individual artists to create experiences as outlets for healthy, creative expression.

Together, we believe in connecting the arts with education, personal wellbeing and family life.

We seek to build meaningful pathways in arts, cultural and creative learning for the York community through consistent, reliable opportunities which provide

• engagement with a diversity of artistic and cultural forms;
• multi-generational creative participation; and
• transformative experiences for creative youth.

We strive to be a relationship-builder, convener and host.

PARTNER WITH THE APPELL CENTER

There are many ways to join us in partnership, but here are some common starting points:

• Attend a free or low-cost workshop and event. We have workshops and classes where you can pick a price that feels right for you and your family.
• Host an event or program at the Appell Center. Our Community Support Fund helps support local non-profits and mission-aligned projects with reduced rental fees.
  
• Bring a group to one of our performances. The Community ConnecTix program offers complimentary tickets to local nonprofit groups every season.
  
• Invite us to support an event or program. Our team can host tables at your events to promote performing arts opportunities in the community.

Click HERE to learn more about our Discovery Sessions and Community Engagement initiatives, and how you might work with us in partnership to bring one of your ideas to the community at large!

Covid-19 policy

For current policies and updates, please visit appellcenter.org.

The Appell Center will continually monitor Covid-19 data with guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. All are encouraged to regularly visit our website or call the Box Office for up-to-date information, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and any specific instructions for your scheduled performance.

Bag check

It is recommended that you do not bring any bags with you in order to expedite entry. Bag checks are mandatory and conducted by our security team. Metal (or wooden) rods will be used to search each bag. Guests will be asked to open and hold their own bags while they are being searched for any items not permitted in the building.

Concessions

Concessions are available at both the Capitol and Strand Theatres. All alcoholic beverages are sold in reusable cups which must be purchased with your first drink. Guests are encouraged to bring their cups back to our concessions stands during future visits to purchase drinks at the refill price. Non-Appell Center cups will not be eligible for refills.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located on both levels of the Strand Theatre and on the first floor of the Capitol Theatre. Accessible restrooms are available in both theatres.

Accessible Services

ADA-compliant seating is offered in several locations. Assistive-listening devices are available for all Strand Theatre shows and select films. These devices can be requested from a member of our Front of House staff when you arrive or by calling the Box Office in advance at 717-846-1111. We also offer audio description and closed captioning for some films. Sign language interpretation may be available when requested at least two weeks in advance. Notify the Box Office of any needs when purchasing tickets. We’re happy to arrange the perfect seats and services for you.

Smoking

The Appell Center is a non-smoking facility, including e-cigarettes and vape pens.

Child booster seats

Complimentary booster seats are only available in the Strand Theatre on a first-come, first-served basis. Please see one of our Ushers when you arrive for assistance. 

Electronic devices

We appreciate your cooperation in silencing all electronic devices before the performance begins.

Photo/recording policy

For most events, photography/recording of any type is prohibited. However, for some events, non-professional, non-flash, photography is permitted. Any adjusted policy will be advertised on signs at the entrance to the venue. The Appell Center reserves the right to confiscate any photo or recording device if policies are ignored. Patrons found possessing professional equipment not expressly authorized will be asked to leave their cameras in their vehicles or will otherwise be escorted from the venue.

Click HERE to learn more about our policies.