Disney's Geppetto and Son

Once again the Erie Playhouse is proud to premiere a new Disney musical, Geppetto and Son. Under the direction of Youtheatre/Education director Emily Cassano, this bright and bubbly musical is perfect entertainment for your family. Pictured are Dakota Holmes (Geppetto) and Ethan Craig (Pinocchio).

November 7-9, 14-16

Curtain times: Friday 7pm, Saturday 2pm & 7pm, Sunday 2pm 

All seats $13.00 (includes tax and fees)

Purchase tickets online.

USO Big Band Ball

As we all know the state of the economy has had a direct impact on our spending habits. The recent downturn in the economic stability of our nation has had a profound effect on advanced ticket sales for the USO Big Band Ball. We understand all people are taking a closer look at their discretionary income and how to spend it.

With this in mind, we have made a difficult decision to cancel the USO Big Band Ball, originally scheduled for November 22 at Rainbow Gardens. To those of you who have supported this effort - we thank you and we will be in contact with you. 

American Girl Holiday Tea and Show in the Afternoon

Join the Erie Playhouse as we celebrate the American Girl tradition with lunch and an American Girl Holiday show! The event will be held at St. Peter Cathedral Center Cafeteria on November 30 starting at noon. Click Here for more information or to purchase tickets online.

Nuncrackers

Nuncrackers - The Nunsense Christmas Musical comes to the Erie Playhouse this holiday season. It stars the nuns you love plus Father Virgil and some of Mt. Saint Helen’s most talented students. This show is filled with “Nunsense” humor, some of your favorite carols, a “Secret Santa,” and an uproarious take on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet. Nuncrackers will make you laugh and maybe tug at your heartstrings. It’s the perfect way to insure your holiday season is merry and bright. Click Here for more information. Tickets go on sale November 10.

December 4-7, 10-14, 18-21

New Year's Eve Gala - 25th Anniversary

Join the celebration as we toast 25 years in our downtown Erie location with a spectacular concert featuring the Erie Playhouse orchestra and chorus. Over 100 volunteers will fill the stage with musical magic and song. Erie's best New Year's Eve tradition continues at the Erie Playhouse.

All seats $35. Includes a pre-show champagne reception.

Tickets on sale December 1.

From the Executive Director

Dear EP Family,

As the EP staff prepares for our first Youtheatre show of the season, Disney's Geppetto & Son, opening Friday night, gets set for auditions for the January Youtheatre show Willy Wonka Jr. (scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday), and rehearses for both Nuncrackers and Cats, we are actually deep into the process of selecting musicals and plays to consider for the 2009-2010 season! It takes the EP staff and board a year to choose the shows that will be on the stage next season. We are fast approaching the time where we will need your valuable input.

We rely heavily on what our audiences want to see and the best way to gather that data is via a brief survey. While you are enjoying the holiday musical-comedy Nuncrackers and the winter Youtheatre show Willy Wonka Jr., the EP staff hopes you will consider going online or filling out the show survey about possible productions we are considering for the 2009-2010 season.

There will be other musicals and plays that could become available to the Erie Playhouse for production. We will inform our audiences via the website as those become known to us.

If you ever have any questions about the show selection process, please contact Producing Director Richard Davis or me.

The Erie Playhouse staff wishes you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving holiday!

See you at the theatre!

Almi

DID YOU KNOW?  Over the Tavern paid walk-in and season ticket audiences totaled 2,809, taking our total number of people we need to come to the Erie Playhouse during the 2008-2009 season to 33,148. As you recall, 39,370 was the number of individual, paid ticket holders who need to walk through our doors from September 4, 2008 through August 16, 2009. Thanks for being a part of the 65%-capacity audience for Over the Tavern! We will need your help to continue toward the 39,370 goal with Disney's Geppetto & Son, Nuncrackers, and New Year's Eve!

Playhouse Family News

Ben Willis, former Youtheatre and Mainstage performer, in his fourth year at Notre Dame, traveled to Erie with the University of Notre Dame Glee Club on their first stop of their Northeastern tour Saturday, October 18th. A total of 60 young men sing in the glee club. The concert, performed at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, featured a variety of music, from spiritual to popular to international, ending with the Notre Dame school and fight songs. It was great to hear Ben’s tenor voice again!

Trevor Sones, last seen in The Producers, performed in Ballet to Broadway at Mercyhurst College two weekends ago. Trevor danced in the 1849 classical ballet piece LeConservatoire and was featured in The Pajama Game’s "Steam Heat." Trevor is the assistant choreographer for the EP’s upcoming January Mainstage musical Cats.

Former Playhouse volunteers - the Baughman Family - Randy, Ginger, Kelsey, Zach and Nick are all doing well and now living in North Carolina. Kelsey is in her senior year of college at UMKC and is looking forward to law school next year. Zach, an aspiring pilot, is involved in the Civil Air Patrol. Nick is growing and loves Star Wars, while Ginger (former Wing President) is studying to become an insurance adjuster.

Congratulations to Youtheatre mom and season-ticket holder Kathy Dahlkemper in her new role as U.S. House Representative for the 3rd District.

Dancing with Erie Celebrities

On Monday and Tuesday, November 24 and 25, be sure to vote at www.yourerie.com for EP Executive Director Almitra Clerkin as she competes in WJET-TVs "Dancing with Erie Celebrities." Almi is one of four contestants; her light-on-their-feet dancing rivals are Curtis Jones Jr. of Erie City Council, Brenda Savelli of Classy 100 and the Breakfast Club, and Wes Heerssen, Captain of the US Brig Niagara. The winner will be announced November 26. If Almi wins, her first-place prize of $250 will go to, you guessed it, the Erie Playhouse. Almi, however, will keep the trophy in her office!