Cats is coming!!

The musical sensation Cats comes to the Erie Playhouse stage in a not-to-be-missed production. Featuring many Playhouse veterans and newcomers, Cats promises to deliver what audiences love - great music, great dancing and spectacular voices. Among the featured performers are John Burton (Old Deuteronomy) and Trisha Yates (Grisabella). Pictured at right are (front L-R) Bobby Copfer, Leah Walters, Michael Watts (back L-R) Evan O'Polka, John Burton, Bob Martin.Cats is under the direction of Richard Davis. Click here to purchase tickets.

January 29-Feb. 1, 4-8, 12-15

Bowling with the Erie Playhouse Stars

Food, fun and prizes are waiting at Eastway Lanes on Sunday, February 8 when you join the Erie Playhouse family for "Bowling with the Erie Playhouse Stars!" Teams registering by Feb. 2 will receive a $10 discount.  Click here for more information and to register.  There will be two bowling sessions: 12:30 - 3:30 and 6:00-9:00.

The Graduate

One of the most engaging coming-of-age films comes vividly to life on stage at the Erie Playhouse, as Benjamin, a college graduate, spends his summer in the arms of his father's best friend's wife. Newcomer Nick Giles will take on the role of the aimless Benjamin, while Playhouse veteran Sue Lechner will portray the seductive, alcoholic Mrs. Robinson, with Amanda Hurd as her naive daughter, Elaine. Charles Corritore directs. Click here to see the entire cast.

Premiere Weekend performances Feb. 27 & 28 - all seats Premiere Weekend $13.

March 5-8, 11-15

Please note: The play contains language, adult situations and occasional smoking.
 

From the Executive Director

Dear Erie Playhouse Family:

As I type this, the snow is falling one more day on Erie, PA! I like the snow; I happily shovel it for the first week and then I am content to stay inside and pay the neighborhood kids to clear the sidewalk for the rest of the winter. When we have a winter with lots of snow, I am particularly glad for places like Peek ‘n Peak who depend on the snow for their survival.

Here are the Erie Playhouse, we do not depend on the snow, but we certainly know we need to take it in stride. Our diehard audiences know there is a nice, warm spot to be entertained during Erie’s winter months. Our volunteer actors, musicians and stagehands brave the weather to travel to downtown Erie to perform high-quality, professional, community theatre.

The cast of Cats has been rehearsing since before Halloween to bring you the purrfect show. Don’t wait until the snow stops to see it…there are lots of great seats available opening weekend. Let the Erie Playhouse do our part to make your winter a little warmer.

Safe travels…see you at the theatre!

Almi

DID YOU KNOW? The Erie Playhouse received an $85,000 Keystone Historic Preservation Grant from the PA Historical and Museum Commission for renovations to the marquee, façade and lobby. We are grateful to Jeff Kidder of Kidder Wachter Architecture and Tom Maggio of the Erie Redevelopment Authority for pointing us in the right direction and their assistance on the grant. Renovations will take place this spring…more info to come!
 

Video Contest to benefit non-profits

Do you volunteer for a local non-profit? The Erie General Electric Federal Credit Union is a conducting a video contest - Take Action 2009. The contest is asking the question, "How do you take action in your community" or "What does a non-profit mean to you?" Participants are asked to produce a three minute video and submit it for consideration. The winner will receive $1,000, and $1,000 will go to the the winner's non-profit of choice. For more information visit the Erie Federal Credit Union website.

Erie Playhouse Family News

The Erie Playhouse was very well represented at District Chorus January 14-17. Lindsey Anuszkiewicz, Tim Barthelmes, Elizabeth Chitester, Rebecca Coleman, Julian Decker, Jeremiah Gibbons, Alyssa Heitzenrater, Lauren Held, Hanna Jaskiewicz, Brianna Lecce, Nathan McQueen, Darla Owens, Teresa Scrimenti and Sarah Shreve represented their various high schools at the annual event held this year at Collegiate Academy. Congratulations to all!

Help Warm the Homeless: The all-volunteer Upper Room Shelter (around the corner from the Playhouse at 1024 Peach St.) needs occasional helpers to operate the shelter from 5-11pm during the winter's coldest nights. No experience is needed.  For more info call EP Family member Tom Schlaudecker at 868-8654 or the shelter at 459-3983.

Congratulations to former EP performer Karen Maureen Jeffreys who will be performing in the Pittsburgh CLO Caberet production of My Way. Karen has been seen on the EP stage in The Sound of Music (Maria) among others and is well-known for performing with the local band "Starfish."

Wish List

The Erie Playhouse is in need of the following items: Bookcases, a box truck that would pass inspection, a podium and attractive greenery for our lower lobby.

Special thanks to Pat and Diane Speice for the donation of an electric stove for our kitchen at the Playhouse.

Youtheatre News

Support the cast of Willie Wonka, Jr. on Sunday, February 15th at 10am at the Kid's Expo, located at the Ambassador Conference Center. They will be performing select numbers from the hit show!

The Erie Playhouse Showstoppers will be singing the National and Canadian Anthem at the Erie Otters Game on February 7th at 7:00pm.