Season Tickets on sale June 7

Broadway is 432 miles away. The great performances are right here!

You won't want to miss one single show or special event in our upcoming 2010-11 season.  Season tickets will go on sale for our new season on June 7.  If you are a season ticket holder and haven't renewed your season tickets now is the time to do it! To read more about our new season click here.

Click to win a Choice Card!

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 a Choice Card. A Choice Card is good for six admissions to any regularly scheduled Mainstage show and is good for one year from date of issue. The winner will be notified via email and must present the email at the box office to claim the Choice Card.

Congratulations to Ginny Caldwell  - our May  winner!

76 Trombones hit the Playhouse stage

Don't miss the ever-popular The Music Man at the Erie Playhouse June 4-20.  Click here for more information and to view the cast list.  Pictured are Rich Tryzbiak (Harold Hill) and newcomer, Stephanie Witzorreck (Marian Paroo).

Showdates: June 4 & 5 (Premiere Weekend all seats $13), 10-13, 16-20

Thank you to our sponsors: Presbyterian Homes, Sheraton Erie Bayfront, National Fuel, Bob-FM, Goerie.com

Pay a visit to the Double Cupp Dinor!

The popular group Tennessee Backporch returns to the Erie Playhouse stage in the hit Broadway musical Pump Boys and Dinettes, featuring group members Chris Moore, Julie Moore, Tom O'Camb, John Carouso, Calvin Bowers and special guests - Bob Martin and Linda Troyer.  Pictured are cast members Linda Troyer, Chris Moore, Julie Moore and  Bob Martin.

Showdates: June 24 & 25 at 7:30pm.

Click here to read more about the group.

Reverends Uncork'd - The Resurrection

They are back! Your favorite clergy are returning for the third year to entertain you with their favorite Broadway hits and their most memorable church humor.  All that, plus a delightful dinner, cocktails and camaraderie at the beautiful Sunset Inn overlooking the shores of Lake Erie. Returning clergy include Donald Baxter, Shawn Clerkin, David Edmunds, Hayes Moses, Derrick Ulmer and special guest Msg. Tom McSweeney. New to our "line-up" will be Evangelist Denise Jamerson, who audiences will remember from The Wiz.

Click here for more information.

Showdate:  Sunday, June 27 at 5pm

Many thanks to our hosts and major sponsor: Michael and Paula Barrett - Sunset Inn

Youtheatre News and Auditions

Youtheatre Camp Dates Announced!
The Youtheatre Camps will be held on June 14-19 & 21-26. Our Encore Camp will be held on July 19-24. Make sure to register soon to receive your Early Bird Camp Rate of  $225 (Encore)! Click here for more information and to register.

Book the Showstoppers for your Summer Event now!
The SHOWSTOPPERS are the Youtheatre ambassadors for the Erie Playhouse in Erie County. Throughout the year, this talented song and dance troupe performs musical variety shows for organizational meetings, parties, school functions, festivals, and holiday events. Our Summer 2010 show features music from the hit show Jersey Boys, as well as hits from the popular TV Show Glee. Their schedule fills up fast - to book, contact Emily Cassano by email or call 454-2852 ext. 7.

Summer Play Series Audition Dates Announced
The 10th Annual Youtheatre Summer Play Series auditions will be held on June 9th and 10th at 4:00 PM at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall, 1158 East 12th Street. Those interested in auditioning must prepare a short monologue or poem. The shows will be Mime Time (ages 12-18) and The Jungle Book (ages 5-18). Performance dates are July 30, 31, and August 1. For questions, please email Emily. The shows will be directed by Craig Kosnik and Hannah Jaskiewicz.

Auditions for Rent, Hairspray and more (note date change)

RENT AUDITIONS:  Mark your calendars for June 6 & 7 when auditions for Rent will be held at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall at East 12th and Brandes.  Please note that the director, Richard Davis, has specific guidelines for those wanting to audition.  Please click here for more information.

CATTLE CALL AUDITIONS FOR HAIRSPRAY; JEWTOPIA; I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE; A CHRISTMAS CAROL; MY FIRST TIME and NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA CONCERT:  Cattle calls for the first shows of our new season will be held June 19 at 1pm & June 20 at 6:30pm at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall located at East 12th and Brandes. Please click here for more information.

Tuesdays With Morrie

Based on the award-winning book, Tuesdays with Morrie  is the autobiographical story of a journalist and his former college professor. Click here to read more about the show and view the cast.

July 9 & 10, 15-18, 21- 25

Thank you to our sponsors: Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, Goerie.com and Duskas-Martin Funeral Home

Broadway on the Bay with the Erie Playhouse

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 18 when the Erie Playhouse Board of Directors will host a celebrity bartending night on the patio at the Erie Yacht Club from 5-9pm.  Stars from the upcoming shows along with some "surprise" guests will be on hand to serve your drinks. This is one event you won't want to miss.

From the Executive Director

Dear EP Family,

Summer is here and that means vacation to many of you.  While some of you "get out of town," many choose to stay at home and look for interesting and exciting things to do. 

May I suggest you include the Erie Playhouse in your vacation plans this summer. We have a tremendous summer season opening Friday, June 4 with the classic all-American musical The Music Man. You can sit back and relax in air-conditioned comfort and enjoy the outstanding talent at the Playhouse.

Our summer continues with a special performance of the hit Broadway musical Pump Boys and Dinettes brought to life by the ever-popular Erie singing group Tennessee Backporch.  Tuesdays With Morrie takes the stage at the EP in July and our big, big summer hit Rent will close out our 2009-10 season.

I hope you have enjoyed the talent of all our Erie Playhouse volunteers in the past season.  I can guarantee you will be just as thrilled and entertained in our upcoming 2010-2011 season.  If you haven't renewed your season ticket yet - please do it now so you don't miss out on any of the captiviating plays and musicals we have planned.

Our new season brochure will be available in the next few weeks AND season tickets go on sale June 7.  So much to do...so little time.  Find time to treat yourself to the Erie Playhouse this summer.  You'll be glad you did.

Almi

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 curtain - makeup, costume, greenroom and last minute nerves.

Tours are available for TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, RENT and the complete line-up of shows for our 2010-2011 season. 

Click here for more information.

Wing News

 The Wing continues its fundraising efforts for the Erie Playhouse this summer with an exciting raffle during The Music Man. While at the show, be sure to purchase a chance to win a most practical prize - a gas card! And, check out the Wing's cart for new merchandise including EP baseball caps and tote bags, as well as Country Fair coupon books.

With summer vacation right around the corner, consider enrolling your children in Youtheatre Camp or encouraging them to audition for the Summer Play Series. The Wing is proud to sponsor both opportunities for Erie area children. In fact, over the past ten years, the Wing has underwritten $10,000 for the Summer Play Series! They also provide scholarships for Youtheatre Camp and are proud sponsors of the Showstoppers.

Be sure to save the date for the Erie Playhouse Family Picnic, once again hosted by Wing member, Crystal Arlington. The picnic will be held on Saturday, August 21st, at the Arlingtons' in Lake City. More details to come!
 

Would you like to get involved as a volunteer with the Wing? Come to their next meeting – Tuesday, August 3, at 7 PM at the Station Dinner Theatre.This will be an excellent time for new members to join, as the Wing launches fundraising plans for the exciting 2010/2011 season at the Playhouse. Annual dues are just $5 and all are invited! For more information, click here

Wish List

Mary Rose Ferrara, Costume Designer for the EP, has requested the donation of a "free arm" sewing machine.  Please contact Mary Rose at the Costume Shop (806-3322) if you are able to help out.

The Wing is asking for donations of Holiday gift wrap and supplies.  These can be dropped off at the box office.

Playhouse Family News

Cassandra Unger graduated in May with honors from Mercyhurst Prep where she received the Director's Cup award for outstanding participation in the arts. She was one of four seniors inducted into the Circle of Mercy for representing the school's Mercy Charisma Core Values. In the fall, Cassi will be attending Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL for illustration.  She most recently appeared in the EP production of Pride & Prejudice.

Congratulations to Erie Playhouse orchestra veteran Linda Federici. Linda was recently honored for her dedication to the music program at Trinity Lutheran Church where she has been an organist for 35 years. A dinner was given in her honor by the Ladies Aid Society. In addition to playing the organ, Linda also directs the church choir.

Chris Bucci is producing and starring in Rounding Third - a comedy at the Roy Arias Theatre located at 43rd and 8th Ave. in New York City. Click here for more information.

Maureen Ferrara, violinist extraordinaire, just completed her first year at Pace University Law School and has returned to the EP to play in the pit for The Music Man. She will also be doing her law clerkship while home for the summer.