Live theater is back at Montgomery County Community College as spring student performances will be held on stage at both campuses this semester. As usual this year’s performances are sure to leave audiences on their feet in thunderous applause.

The curtain will rise first at Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, as MCCC Theatre & The Drama Club presents “Everybody,” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Theater Assistant Professor Tim Gallagher.

The “Everybody” cast includes Dillon Diorio, Lex Storm, Sydney Cain-Frazier, Erica Carter, Miles Fodor, Icarus Varady, Nilay Dogan, River Uini, Sam Memon, Sunny Funkhouser, Tiarah McGill, Michael O'Hagann, Connor Cherby, Amanda Meade, Sunny Funkhouser, Connor Cipriano.

The “Everybody” design and production staff includes Emily Cerequas, Finn Irvin, Bre Freeman, Heather Malarkey, Alyssa Hegerich, Kat Morrow, Blair Oskerhausen, EmmaRose Thompson, Joey Meade, Jarah Cox, Tiarah McGill, Dillon Diorio, Rashaun Hays, TJ Moyles, Michael O'Hagann, Kelly Roessler, Colin Sokol, Dejaun Waters, Justin Geunes.

“A modern riff on the fifteenth-century morality play, “Everyman” follows the character of Everybody (chosen from among the cast by lottery at each performance) as they journey through life’s greatest mystery—the meaning of living,” according to the synopsis.

Performances will be held April 20 at 7 p.m., April 21 at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., April 22 at 7 p.m. and April 23 at 2 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre, room 107, located in the Science Center. Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and children.

Gallagher said this play asks many thought-provoking questions of the audience.

“I like any play that challenges our understanding of the world. This play challenges us to revisit our understanding of our experiences here. And it does so with a hopeful message,” said Gallagher. “That’s what most interests me about theater. How do we challenge our beliefs and expectations and how do we find hope in our world after we leave the theater? It’s also a really fun play. It’s irreverent and a challenging piece of theater. Students are recognizing it’s a lot of fun, but it has a really important message. That really resonates with them.”

Then at Pottstown Campus, 101 College Drive, Pottstown, West End Student Theatre presents W.E.S.T. PHEST ’23, six short plays by Philadelphia playwrights, directed by Jessica Dalcanton, Dyana Kimball and Rob Heller.

W.E.S.T. PHEST cast includes Amanda Ackerman, Jace Brackley, Ava Ciriello, Leigh Collins, Erika Cripps, Austin Diachynsky, Peyton Finacchio, Colin Hogan, Finn Irvin, Janelle Jefferson, Sophie Jordan, Yadi Jimenez, Sairen Paul, Jesse Raab, Autumn Sherry, Lydia Turner, Ollie Wampler.

W.E.S.T. PHEST design and production staff includes Peyton Finacchio, Finn Irvin, John Morgeneir, Ollie Wampler, Sairen Paul, Autumn Sherry, Lydia Turner.

Performances will be held April 27-29 at 7 p.m. and April 28 at 12:30 p.m. in North Hall 228.

“Join us for a celebration of brotherly love…and humor…and mayhem. Written by Philadelphia-based playwrights, this collection of short plays is sure to be just what you need at the end of the semester. Seriously, youse gonna love it!” according to the festival’s description.

Gallagher said there’s no theme that unites the six plays other than each playwright is from the Philadelphia area.

“They run the spectrum from an inmate during the last few days before the death penalty, to a bunch of really inept supervillains, to people in serious situations, to people in goofy situations. The common thread is Philadelphia area playwrights, who have much to say about the world and we celebrate that.”

Gallagher said the festival is a great opportunity to experience several different flavors of theater in one night, as each play is short in run time. The longest of the six hover around 15 minutes.

“What I love is it’s a wild ride. They’re each different and not particularly long. If you like changing things up, this is a perfect evening of theatre. They are just the right length. Kind of like snippets of various podcasts. "As an audience member, you get to live in a world for a little while, then change gears. I love how these plays are succinct but still leave an impact on us." They get to the conflict; we get to experience that for a brief time then move on. It’s fun to experience.”

Tickets to each of these shows are on sale now. For more information, visit the landing page.