Click to win a four pack of tickets to Disney's High School Musical 2

Every month our enewsletter subscribers will have the chance to win tickets or a Choice Card to the Erie Playhouse.  It's easy - when you click on one of the links in the newsletter you will automatically be entered to win.  One winner will be chosen monthly - but you have to Click to Win!  This month we are giving away four tickets to Disney's High School Musical 2.    Please note: these tickets are valid Jan. 8-10, 15-17 . The winner will be notified via email and must present the email at the box office to claim their tickets.

Congratulations to Angela Divell  - our December winner!

Disney's High School Musical 2

The kids from East High are back in this delicious musical treat presented by the Youtheatre. It's the end of their junior year and a promising summer stretches out before them when the entire Wildcats gang shows up for work at the Lava Springs Country Club. Tickets on sale NOW. Pictured (l-r) Maria Scrimenti (Gabriella),Tyler Shearer (Ryan), Julian Decker (Troy), Alanna Grafius (Sharpay)

January 8-10, 15-17

Thank you to our sponsors: Highmark, Erie Times News, Classy 100, HOPE (Housing Authority of the City of Erie), Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel

The Wiz - a red carpet event!

Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz have been set to music in a dazzling mixture of rock, gospel and soul music. Everyone knows the story, but now it's a new fantasy - mysterious, opulent!  Click here for more information and to view the cast list.

Showdates: Jan 29 & 30 (Premiere Weekend - all seats $13), Feb. 4-7, 10-14   Tickets on sale - January 11.

Thank you to our sponsors: Hamot, Newline Creations, Sheraton Bayfront Erie, Bob-FM and Goerie.com

On Saturday, Jan. 30 the African-American Fraternities and Sororities will host a red carpet event.  There will be a pre-show reception at 6pm followed by a performance of THE WIZ at 7:30pm.  All seats $13.

Bowling with the Erie Playhouse Stars

Back again for the third year is Bowling with the Erie Playhouse Stars. Join friends and family on Sunday, January 31  - 12:30pm at Eastway Lanes for fun, food, prizes and more. For more information and to register Click here!

New this year - one session from 12:30-3:30. Let's fill all 40 lanes - get cast members together and have a show reunion!  Anybody want to take on the "Futrelle Sisters?"

Mainstage Auditions

The third group of Cattle call auditions will be held  January 31 and February 1 at 6pm at Cirino Hall, 1158 East 12th St. Shows auditioning are the musicals - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Forbidden Broadway, The Music Man and the play - Tuesdays With Morrie. Click here for more information and casting requirements.

Youtheatre Winter Classes

This Winter, enroll in Erie Playhouse Youtheatre Classes! Classes will run on Saturdays from January 30 - March 13. This semester's offerings include Acting, Singing for the Stage, Musical Theatre Dance, and an Audition Workshop. For more information or to register, Click here.

Peeved

A hilarious new musical revue exploring a myriad of everyone's daily pet peeves, written by Erie's own Charles Corritore and Michael Malthaner.  Suggested for mature audiences.

Showdates: Feb. 18-21

Tickets on sale January 18th. All seats $15 (+tax).

From the Executive Director

Dear Erie Playhouse Family,

Happy 2010 to you and your family!

Since the New Year began, I received an email from a dedicated volunteer, a Facebook message from a past Youtheatre parent, and a phone call from a loyal season ticket holder/donor. All three messages thanked the EP staff for all the work we do to keep the Erie Playhouse a viable organization for everyone to share, whether on stage, behind the scenes, front-of-house or in the audience. As I read and heard these, I was humbled. At the same time, I was reminded how lucky I am to walk through the Erie Playhouse doors every day.

It is a true privilege to work at the Erie Playhouse, making sure it will be here today and for future generations. Each one of you plays a part in this succession. On behalf of the EP staff, thank you for keeping the Erie Playhouse a viable organization for everyone to share!

May 2010 bring you all the things you have worked so hard for and may peace, health and prosperity greet you every day of the year.

See you at the theatre!

Almi

DID YOU KNOW…The renovations to the façade, marquee and lobby will be finished by the end of January? Be on the lookout for the ‘official unveiling’ of the renovations some time in February! What are your thoughts on the new marquee? Email Almi  and let her know!
 

Get in on the backstage excitement

We invite you and your club/group to join us in a theatrical adventure like no other...Venture Into the Playhouse with our VIP program.  Your theatrical adventure begins when the doors to the theatre open - except YOUR door will be the STAGE door. Witness first hand the moments leading up to curatin - makeup, costume, greenroom and last minute nerves.

Tours are available for THE WIZ, PRIDE & PREJUDICE, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, THE MUSIC MAN, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE and RENT.

Click here for more information.

Marquee Renovations Near Completion!

We are thrilled to announce that our facade renovation is almost complete. The photo shows our new marquee. The marquee renovation  provides an opportunity for theatre patrons, friends and Playhouse family to own a piece of Erie Playhouse history by sponsoring a light bulb for $25. If you sponsor four or more bulbs, your name will be up in lights! To date we have sold 700 light bulb sponsorships - our goal is 1,000!  We still need your help to make our goal. There are several ways to get involved.  Click the link below or you can sponsor a bulb on our Facebook page.

Click Here to learn more and sponsor your bulbs today! 

Erie Playhouse Facebook Friends can sponsor bulbs online!

RECYCLING FUNDRAISER!  Lincoln Metal Processing (1602 Selinger Ave. - just west of Yorktown Center) will accept ANY metal and donate the amount you would receive to the Erie Playhouse. Also, for aluminum cans, they will add an additional 5 cents per pound. When you go, simply tell them to donate the amount to the Erie Playhouse.

Bayfront Grille Discount for Theatregoers

The Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel is offering Erie Playhouse patrons a 20% discount off in their restaurant - The Bayfront Grille .  Season Ticket holders will be receiving a card in the mail in the next few weeks that they will be able to use.  Non Season Ticket holders may present their ticket stub or playbill to receive the discount.  Parking is complimentary.  Patrons just need to bring their parking ticket with them to have it validated.  If you are attending before the show, remember to tell your server you are attending the Erie Playhouse.

Erie Playhouse on FACEBOOK

Join the Erie Playhouse page on FACEBOOK and you will get up-to-date information on shows, auditions and more. Click Here to join our FACEBOOK page.

Wing News

The Wing would like to thank everyone who supported their many fundraisers during the holiday season.  Proceeds from these events will benefit the Playhouse, including the concession area renovation project that the Wing is pleased to be underwriting.

The Wing has many exciting fundraisers planned for the new year. During Disney's High School Musical 2, they will be featuring a special raffle, as well as licensed HSM merchandise for sale. Fresh flowers for performers will be available for purchase at the shows, and HSM 2 t-shirts will be available to order. Be sure to visit the concession stand and also send a candygram to your favorite HSM performer.

The Wing is always looking for new members to join their talented group! If you would like to support the Playhouse with your time and talents, this fundraising organization might be just right for you. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month at 7 PM at the Station Dinner Theatre. For more information, contact Wendy Grafius or Karen Etter, co-presidents.

It was a Green Christmas for Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation

During the run of White Christmas, cast members collected funds following the performances in support of the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.  We are happy to report that it was a "green Christmas!"  Audience members donated $16,405.95 to KCRF.

Playhouse Family News

Playhouse friends and supporters Barb and Gary Shapira recently returned from Singapore where they were thrilled to see their daughter, Julie, perform in an International cast of Victor, Victoria. Julie graced the Erie Playhouse stage many times in Mainstage and Youtheatre productions prior to college and marriage. She and her husband are currently residing in Singapore and expect to be there for 3-5 years.

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

The Erie Playhouse Board of Directors is sponsoring a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre performance at the Siebenbuerger Club on Sunday, Feb. 28th. The show - "You Bet Your Life - Game Show Mayhem" will keep audience members entertained and wondering "who dunit."  More details coming!

2010 Yellowstone Tour

Join Steve Ropski & Melanie Gustafson-Ropski on an exciting trek to Yellowstone National Park July 7 - 14, 2010. Steve, in addition to being President of the board of directors at the EP, is a veteran of many trips to Yellowstone and Melanie is a native of Montana.

Leader fees from the trip will be donated to the Playhouse. Click here for more information.