Two beloved Northwest Philadelphia theater institutions are returning to the stage after pandemic setbacks, bringing classic and contemporary productions back to community audiences this spring. The Drama Group of Germantown was temporarily sidelined, and Allens Lane stopped producing full theater shows. Both venues are now staging a comeback.

The Drama Group

The First United Methodist Church of Germantown at 6001 Germantown Ave. is the historic home for The Drama Group. Beginning in the early 1980s, it flourished under the direction of Robert Bauer. In the aftermath of the pandemic, productions were suspended and its principal members retired.

While Bauer continues to serve in an advisory capacity, The Drama Group has formed a new Board. Taylor Rouillard is the artistic director, with Becca Begnaud as the technical director. Britt Fauzer, Josh Hitchens and Ryan Walter serve as associate directors.

The Drama Group typically produces two plays a year, but took a pause after "The Importance of Being Earnest" to restructure and define its mission. With its current show, entitled "Juliet and Romeo," it returns to producing two plays a year.

In the past, The Drama Group favored contemporary drama. Now, much like Quintessence Theatre, it focuses on the classics. Their upcoming production, directed by Josh Hitchens, is consistent with that vision - except Hitchens took the liberty to change the title to "Juliet and Romeo."

Is this a trendy, gender-bender switcheroo? Hitchens argues no, because the play centers on Juliet, made clear by the powerful closing line: "For never was a story of more woe/ Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." He also made Lady Capulet a single mother.

Hitchens has a history of reinterpreting the classics. He founded the Victorian Theater at the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion and once created a well-received version of "Dracula" by Bram Stoker, a 70-minute solo show in which he also acted all the roles. Staging "Juliet and Romeo" in a contemporary setting is tame by comparison.

Hitchens is surprised some see the play as being about "two stupid teenagers in love." He argues it is more about "a world where the adults fail their children." Blind to what is going on, "their world is full of violence and hatred. One by one, they fail."

The Drama Group team worked hard to produce this theater classic. They conducted auditions in December and began rehearsals in the second week of January. They will complete dress rehearsals next week for their opening on Friday, March 21.

Staying true to the prologue, the events of the play take three-and-a-half days. The first half is leisurely as Hitchens wants to promote the underlying joy and humor. But after the murder, his pace quickens, and the scenes become short and frantic.

The cast consists of nine actors. Four play just one character: Romeo, Juliet, Lady Capulet and Benvolio. The other five actors play at least two characters. Hitchens is especially proud of his cast, finding them the most engaging and rewarding group of actors with whom he has ever worked.

In producing the play, Hitchens was haunted by the memory of a high school classmate who committed suicide. He said: "I wanted to hone the play down to its essence." For him, that essence lies in the failure of the adult world to speak honestly, both among themselves and to their children. He wants the audience to heed the final words: "Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things..."

Following the March 21 opening, Drama Group will run "Juliet and Romeo" for three successive weekends at 6001 Germantown Ave. Tickets are available at the door, or visit groupthedrama.com

Allens Lane

Allens Lane Theater is also on the rebound. The arts center has been a fundamental part of theater in the Northwest for the past 70 years. Its intimate, cabaret setting is unique to area venues. Yet, in the aftermath of Covid-19, the company also shut down full-length theater shows.

But this spring, Allens Lane will launch its first independent production since the pandemic. "Crossing Delancey" debuted in 1985 at The Jewish Repertory Theater in New York, then turned into a movie three years later. As a romantic comedy, it competed with other hits of the 1980s like "Moonstruck," and "When Harry Met Sally."

Written by Susan Sandler, this rom-com is ethnically Jewish, centering on the conflicting values of a sophisticated NYC woman and her "Bubbie," her Orthodox Jewish grandmother who hires a Yenta to get her granddaughter to settle down into a traditional marriage.

In recent years, Allens Lane has remained open as an art center, and as a theater that performs readings. But this show is exploratory, evaluating if Allens Lane can return to its historic role of producing four full productions each year. Featuring their traditional BYO cabaret seating, "Crossing Delancey" will open on April 25. Information available at 215-248-0546, or info@allenslane.org.