USO Big Band Ball

Tickets are still available for the USO Big Band Ball, November 17 at Rainbow Gardens.   The evening will kick-off at 7:30 with the posting of the colors by the Gannon University Color Guard. Playhouse vocalists will add to the pomp as they present the Marine, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard anthems. Dancers will swing to Dave Stevens Big Band from 8pm until midnight. Swing dancing, patriotic melodies and more will highlight the evening, which is hosted by Brady Louis. 

If dancing isn't your thing, you can relax in the USO Canteen, play a game of ping-pong or write a letter to a solider.

Cash bar, USO Canteen with food available for purchase and silent auction items are all part of the fun.

Call the box office at 454.2852 to reserve your tickets!

It's a Wonderful Life

The delightful holiday story is re-told in a brand new musical as Clarence the angel (played by Chuck Priestap) guides George Bailey (Patrick Thiem) thru a life without him around. Tender, funny and heartwarming - a holiday gift for all to enjoy.

November 29-Dec. 2, 5-9, 13-16

Seats for adults start at $12 (+ tax)

Community United for a Cancer Cure

The Erie Playhouse is proud to join other local organizations in supporting the Community United for a Cancer Cure to benefit the John Kanzius Research Fund. Following each holiday performance of It’s a Wonderful Life (November 29-December 16), the cast will greet audience members in the lobby. We ask that you dig in your pocket or purse for loose change and bills to toss in the collection. All monies collected at the 13 performances will go directly to this community effort. The Erie Playhouse will provide our audiences with information about this worthwhile project in the show playbill. For more information on Community United for a Cancer Cure, go online to www.unitedforacancercure.org or call 814-480-5776.

Around the World with Disney

Our ever-popular New Year's Eve Gala is back again to highlight the holiday season. This year we turn to the treasure trove of Disney music as we present The Magical Music of Walt Disney: Around the World with Disney.  Due to the increasing popularity of our New Year's Eve show at the Playhouse and the wide appeal of Disney, we have added an afternoon matinee on New Year's Day.  Don't miss this Erie New Year's Eve tradition complete with the Erie Playhouse all-volunteer orchestra and chorus bringing the magic of Disney to you!

December 31 at 7:30pm and January 1 at 2:00pm

Adults $35  Children and full-time students $25

From the Director's Desk

Dear Erie Playhouse Family,

It’s with great enthusiasm that I tell you that ALL 422 NEW SEATS AT YOUR ERIE PLAYHOUSE HAVE BEEN SOLD! What a major accomplishment for the entire Erie Playhouse Family. 
Jim and Mary Ann Toohey, who had already purchased two seats this summer, purchased the last three seats in the names of their children. We can’t thank them enough, in addition to all of the individuals, businesses and groups who chose to make an Erie Playhouse seat purchase. How terrific to know we will all enjoy the comfort provided by such a generous group of people. The names of all seat purchasers are on the website at www.erieplayhouse.org/venue/support-us/thank-you-to-the-seat-yourself-in-style-seat-campaign-donors/

On October 30th the Erie Playhouse hosted a six-course dinner for high-end annual fund donors.  Jean Robertson, one of the guests, sent me the nicest thank you card. She mentioned the delicious dinner, catered by Carole and Bob Brotherson, and that she had the chance to sit in her new seat. She was very pleased.
The Erie Playhouse staff is rejuvenated each time we receive feedback from a volunteer, audience member and/or supporter. We strive to ensure your comfort and support.
In the next month, you will be given the opportunity to give us your feedback about the plays and musicals we are perusing for the 2008-2009 season. Your comments matter! Be sure to put in your two cents!

Until then, I hope to see you at the USO Big Band Ball on November 17th at Rainbow Gardens and at the theatre.

A Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family,

Almitra

Playhouse Family News

Youtheatre "kid " Devon Yates, a sophomore at Baldwin-Wallace, recently opened in Phantom of the Opera as Carlotta. BW was selected as one of six pilot programs to produce the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Devon's mom, Trisha and dad, Bruce, write, "After Devon's audition, she called and was very excited. She has mentioned time and time again the valuable tools of the trade the Erie Playhouse has given her! When she entered the theater program she felt she had an advantage in many ways over her fellow peers because of the opportunities and quality of the performances she has already gotten under her belt through your guidance.
As parents and proud members of the Playhouse community, Bruce and I
just wanted to send this warm note of gratitude to everyone there. It
has been a long time coming and I felt particularly moved today as my
daughter is home for the weekend and continues to sing your praises.
You have given us something much more valuable than we can ever
quantify. You were the village that raised our daughter and for that we
cannot find the words to measure what is in our hearts!"

Erie Playhouse actors recently participated in THE BIG READ at the Erie County Library. Supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, THE BIG READ encourages reading for pleasure and enlightenment.

Three scenes from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby were interpreted by Playhouse actors Almitra Clerkin, Charles Corritore, Zach Flock, Mike Hayes, Christine Sanner, John Thiem and Rebecca Wolford. Period costumes were created by Mary Rose Ferrara.

Thank you Erie Community Foundation

A great big THANK YOU goes out to the Erie Community Foundation for a recent grant the Erie Playhouse received to purchase a new lighting console. Joe Hassler, scenic and lighting designer, is pictured here in the light booth with our new board.

The Erie Community Foundation was also generous in providing the Erie Playhouse with a $15,000 Capacity Building Grant to fund the creation of a three-year strategic plan.  The plan will be available online by January 2008.

Thank you for your support!