The Spitfire Grill - only two weekends!

Since it opened Off-Broadway, The Spitfire Grill has become one of the most often produced new American musicals. Based on the 1996 film, this musical adaptation follows Percy as she moves to the small rural town of Gilead to start a new life. Critics have uniformly cheered the show wherever it has played. "The score is exciting, infectious, and lively!"...Variety. "A Triumph!"...The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Pictured are cast members Leah Walters (Percy), Eleanor Logan (Hannah) and Alaina Manchester (Shelby). Click Here for more information, to order tickets and to view the cast list.

March 26-29, April 1-5

RENT joins the 2009-2010 season line-up

We are thrilled to announce a change in our line-up of shows for next season.  The Broadway musical sensation Rent has become available and will replace Fame in our season next year. We truly do strive to present "great theatre all year long!"  View our 2009-2010 season of exciting plays, thrilling musicals and captivating Youtheatre shows.

The Constant Wife

A sparkling comedy of manners tells the story of a woman surrounded by friends and family all eager to divulge that her husband is having an affair with her best friend. Her solution to the problem provides a delightful twist. Click here for more information and to view the cast list.

SHOW DATES

April 23-26, 29-May 3

Premiere Weekend  - April 17 & 18

Composer/Lyricist Concert

Join host Richard Davis and and some of your favorite Playhouse vocalists in the final concert of the season - Broadway 2000 and Beyond. This dynamic concert event features songs from the shows that have lit up Broadway in the 21st century. Songs from Mary Poppins, The Wild Party, Grey Gardens, The Light in the Piazza, Jersey Boys, The Color Purple and more will be presented by Chris Bucci, John Burton, Patty Corella, Julian Decker, Diane Hardner, Cheryl Jong, Elizabeth Kelly, Mary Jo Laupp, Eric Marshall, Hayes Moses, Claudia Skerlong, Patrick Thiem, Seth Travis, Linda Troyer, Justin Williams and will feature Sara Niland.

April 20 & 21 - 7:30pm

MAINSTAGE AUDITIONS

 Auditions for The Wedding Singer, Chicago, Christmas Belles, A Christmas Carol and the New Year's Eve Gala will be held Monday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 9 at 6pm at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall - 1158 East 12th St. Click Here for casting requirements.

Marquee Madness Strikes the Erie Playhouse!

Plans are well underway for our facade renovation at the Erie Playhouse. As part of this "face lift," our marquee will also be renovated. The marquee renovation will provide 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 multiple bulbs, your name will be up in lights!

Click Here to learn more and order you bulbs today!

Stage Combat Workshop

Stage Combat Workshop - ages 16 and up 

April 19th and 26th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Erie Playhouse Scenic and Costume Shop

Cost - $40.00

 This workshop is designed for actors, directors, stage managers, and anyone who loves live theater and would like to add some new tools to their repertoire. Topics will include falls, rolls, slaps, punches, kicks, and all the basics needed to safely perform stage violence while maintaining the 4th wall. The workshop will be taught by Rob Greaves. Rob's fight choreography has been seen by thousands of people across Ohio and Pennsylvania with stops including Youngstown State University, Slippery Rock University, Ballet Western Reserve, Shenango High School, and the Oakland Center For the Arts. His work has been seen most recently in Erie at the EP with Frankenstein, in which he also appeared as The Creature, and Shakespeare in Hollywood as well as Gannon University's Shakespeare Summer Nights productions of As You Like It and Hamlet . Rob has trained with the Society of American Fights Directors and United Stuntmen's Association and holds multiple degrees in various martial arts disciplines.

 To register,Click Here

Youtheatre News

Youtheatre Spring Classes - Register now for classes starting April 18th. Class offerings include Acting and Singing for the Stage. For more information or to register, Click Here.

17th Annual EP Youtheatre Summer Camp - Register online now!  Camp dates are June 15-20 and 22-27 for new campers and July 13-18 for encore camp! For more information and to register Click Here!

"Dream" with the students from the  Barber National Institute. Youtheatre/Education Director, Emily Cassano has been working with students at the Barber National Institute for the past six weeks on the production Dream, based on the book by Susan V. Bosak.  You are invited to join us to enjoy the performance on Friday, March 27th at 10am at the Barber National Institute. For more information Click Here.

Wing News

Splash for Cash at Splash Lagoon!  When you print out and present the Splash for Cash flyer for admission to Splash Lagoon on Sunday, April 26 from 9:00am-9:00pm 20% of your swimmer admission goes to the Erie Playhouse Wing. See the flyer for more details.

Fun, Family and Murder

The Erie Playhouse Board of Directors is holding a fundraiser on Friday, May 22 at the Siebenbuerger Club. They will sponsor a performance of the murder mystery Mama Mia Mayhem - Blood Relatives. 

Friday, May 22 - Doors open at 6:30pm, Showtime 7:00pm

Dinner buffet & show $25 per person.

Click here for more information and to order tickets!

Bisons, Bears and Wolves...oh my!

Join Erie Playhouse board President and Gannon professor, Steve Ropski, and his wife, Melanie, on a summer excursion to Yellowstone Park! 

Dates:  July 28 - August 4

Click Here for more details!

From the Executive Director

Dear EP Family,

Does this town have something positive to celebrate or what!?

Congratulations to the Villa Maria Academy Victors (my alma mater) and their state championship girl’s basketball win last Friday. A hearty congratulations also goes to the Mercyhurst College Lady Lakers on their second place finish in the Frozen Four, and an enthusiastic congratulations goes to Gannon University’s Men’s Golden Knights (my other alma mater!) and their PSAC Championship.

These three groups of young, talented people, along with their dedicated coaches, families and teachers, have taught us that endurance, character and hope, along with some great teamwork and fun, help us reach our ultimate goal.

The Erie Playhouse’s first string – staff, board, volunteers, audience, and donors – have proven that our staying power, temperament and spirit, along with some great teamwork and fun, time and again help the Erie Playhouse reach our ultimate goal of great theatre.

With only five Mainstage shows and one Youtheatre production remaining in the 2008-09 season, the Erie Playhouse looks forward to seeing you at our upcoming winning productions. I hope you can come to enjoy The Spitfire Grill (only a two-week run), which opens this Thursday. You will be pleasantly surprised with this must-see, heart-warming musical that is a guaranteed audience pleaser.

DID YOU KNOW…The Erie Playhouse needs 37,930 patrons to walk through the theatre doors this season? As of today, we have had 22,678, with 15,252 to go. We can achieve this goal with your help.  Please consider bringing NEW theatre-goers to the Erie Playhouse. As a loyal family member, we ask that you encourage family, co-workers and friends to join you for a night at the theatre. Thanks for all you do to guarantee the Erie Playhouse will be here for future seasons!

See you at the theatre!
Almi

Playhouse Family News

The Erie Playhouse was blessed with an Irish visit from Tom and Carmel Keith (pictured) from Erie’s sister-city Dungarvan, Ireland on March 19. Tom and Carmel spent eight days in Erie and all day March 19 with the Erie Playhouse. They met local arts leaders, toured the Erie Art Museum and the Warner Theatre, had lunch with the EP staff, dinner with the troupe of travelers who visited Dungarvan last August, visited Judges Susan Baxter and Sean McLaughlin at the US Court House, and had a book signing at The Erie Book Store. They also had the opportunity to see the last performance of The Graduate on March 15 and a rehearsal of The Spitfire Grill.

Congratulations to Erie Playhouse Board member and Youtheatre dad Tom Unger for his induction into the Knights and Ladies of St. Patrick on March 14th.