Click to win four tickets to PRIDE & PREJUDICE

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 four tickets to Pride & Prejudice.    Please note: these tickets are valid March 11-14, 17-21. The winner will be notified via email and must present the email at the box office to claim the tickets.

Congratulations to Sally  - our February winner!

Pride & Prejudice

All the wit and romance of Jane Austen's classic novel comes to life in this fast-paced and engaging new adaptation. Pictured are Chris Dearbeck (Mr. Darcy) and Claire Curtis-Ward (Elizabeth Bennet). Click here to read more and view the cast.

Showdates: March 5 & 6, 11-14, 17-21

There will be a special daytime performance for school groups March 10 at 10am.

Thank you to our sponsors:  Goerie.com and the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel

Spectacular Concert Event

Musical theatre fans will not want to miss our next concert event - A Tribute to the Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Featuring the Erie Playhouse orchestra, chorus and popular vocalists, audiences will be thrilled with the sound of their music. Two performances only Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 28 at 2pm.   The Saturday evening performance will feature a dessert reception at intermission.  Click here to order tickets online.

The Irish Are Coming

Members of the Dungarvan Dramatic Club will arrive in Erie April 2 for an 8-day stay. During their stay they will visit many popular sites around Erie (see the complete itinerary in Almi's article). They will be guests of the Sheraton Bayfront Hotel and will be feted at many parties and receptions during their stay. 

One of the hightlights of their visit will be their performances at the Erie Playhouse on April 7 & 8.  The shows they will present focus on the works of Irish poet, Francis Ledwidge. The first part of their performance is Strange are the Ways of Pegasus devised and directed by Magaret Dennehy. The second part, Faint Voices by John McKenna, is a dramatization of Ledwidge's relationship with Ellie Vaughey and the last years of his life. Both parts are performed each night.

Thank you to our sponsors: Mercyhurst College, The Erie Playhouse Wing, Goerie.com and the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel.

Youtheatre News and Auditions

Babes in Toyland Auditions
Young people ages 5-18 are invited to audition for Babes in Toyland on March 8 and 9 at 4 PM. Auditions will be held at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall, 1158 East 12th Street. Each individual auditioning will be responsible for providing a short monologue or poem as well as a song with accompaniment (sheet music or CD with no lyrics). Also, please make sure to bring with you all schedule conflicts you will have from March-May. For questions, please email Emily.

2010 Summer Showstoppers Auditions
Auditions for the 2010 Spring/Summer Showstoppers will be held on March 8 and 9 at 4 PM at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall, 1158 East 12th Street. Please bring a song with accompaniment and be prepared for a dance audition. Open to ages 12-18. Please call Emily at 454-2852 x.7 if you have questions.

How do groups book the SHOWSTOPPERS?
Simply call (454-2852 ext. 7) or e-mail Emily with the date and time of your event. The SHOWSTOPPERS are available to perform from late May to early September. Performance availability is first come, first served. The SHOWSTOPPERS come equipped with their own sound system. All that is needed is adequate space to perform. The medley this season will consist of songs from the hit TV Show Glee and assorted classics from the Broadway musical Jersey Boys. The SHOWSTOPPERS look forward to performing for you!

"Hooray for You!" Performance at the Barber National Institute
Please join us for a performance of "Hooray for You!," based on the popular book by Marianne Richmond. 50 youngsters from The Elizabeth Lee Black School at the Barber National Institute will perform on March 11 at 10:00 AM in the BNI Gymnasium. Free to the public. This production was made possible by a grant from ArtsErie.

Auditions for Rent

Mark your calendars for June 6 & 7 when auditions for Rent will 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.

From the Executive Director

Dear EP Family,

The Irish are coming! The Irish are coming! Okay…it doesn’t have the same effect but you know what I mean!

The excitement is building at the Erie Playhouse as we prepare for the arrival of the Dungarvan Dramatic Club! The EP family is rolling out the red carpet for our sister-city’s theatre troupe’s nine-day visit, April 2 through 10. WE WANT YOU TO BE PART OF ALL THE EXCITEMENT. Some of the itinerary highlights include many events that you can share in during the week:

Friday 4/2 ................ Niagara Falls at night
Saturday 4/3............ Tom Ridge Center and Presque Isle
Sunday 4/4............... Easter Sunday at St. Patrick’s RC Church at 10:30am
                                  or St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 10:00am
Monday 4/5...............Bicentennial Tower at night
Tuesday 4/6 .............Station Dinner Theatre matinee
Wednesday 4/7....... Faint Voices and Strange are the Ways of Pegasus
                                 and cast and audience party at the Erie Playhouse
Thursday 4/8............Presque Isle Downs Casino, Erie Zoo
                                 Faint Voices and Strange are the Ways of Pegasus
                                 at the Erie Playhouse
                                 Cast and audience party at BrewErie
                                 at Union Station - Arts and Drafts
Friday 4/9................ Erie Art Museum, Experience Children’s Museum,
                                Warner Theatre, Erie Historical Society,
                                Romolo Chocolates
                                Wine Tours at Arrowhead, Mazza and Penn Shore
                                 Late Night Going Away Party at the Bayfront Grille,
                                 Erie Sheraton Bayfront Hotel

If you have any suggestions for their stay or a small gift to include in their gift bag, please contact me - Almi

Call NOW or go online to reserve your tickets for April 7 and 8 at the Erie Playhouse for Dungarvan Dramatic Club’s performances of Faint Voices and Strange are the Ways of Pegasus. These are unique plays that, even though you may not recognize the titles, will enlighten all of us as to the theatre experiences of our friends across the Atlantic. I know I am looking forward to seeing these clever pieces. Click here for more information about the two one acts. Following the shows, please join us for the cast parties!

Our Ireland travelers include:

Ann & Ruaidhri De Paor, Renee & Geoff Palmer, Noreen & Dave Lee, Aoife Doyle, Mick Flynn, Orla Glascott, Tricia Kiely, Pat Powe, Paul Mc Gabhainn, Dave Pollock, Ned Cullinan, Lisa O'Sullivan, Siobhan Buckley, and last but not least Margaret Dennehy!

We look forward to introducing our Ireland thespians to the wonderful EP family!

See you at the theatre!

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 PRIDE & PREJUDICE, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, THE MUSIC MAN, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE and RENT.

Click here for more information.

See your name in lights!

As our marquee and lobby renovation nears completion, we still need to sell the remaining light bulb sponsorships (235) to finance our project.  To those of you who have sponsored the new LED light bulbs for our new marquee we thank you. To those who haven't sponsored any light bulbs, please consider doing so. Sponsorship of a light bulb/s provides an opportunity for theatre patrons, friends and Playhouse family to own a piece of Erie Playhouse history. A light bulb sponsorship is $25 for one or $100 for four. If you sponsor four or more bulbs, your name will be up in lights!  Click the link below or you can sponsor a bulb on our Facebook page.

Click Here to learn more and sponsor your bulbs today! 

Erie Playhouse Facebook Friends can sponsor bulbs online!

RECYCLING FUNDRAISER!  Lincoln Metal Processing (1602 Selinger Ave. - just west of Yorktown Center) will accept ANY metal and donate the amount you would receive to the Erie Playhouse. Also, for aluminum cans, they will add an additional 5 cents per pound. When you go, simply tell them to donate the amount to the Erie Playhouse.

Bayfront Grille Discount for Theatregoers

The Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel is offering Erie Playhouse patrons a 20% discount off in their restaurant - The Bayfront Grille.   Season Ticket holders can pick up their discount cards in the box office.  Non Season Ticket holders may present their ticket stub or ticket envelope to receive the discount.  Parking is complimentary.  Patrons just need to bring their parking ticket with them to have it validated.  If you are attending before the show, remember to tell your server you are attending the Erie Playhouse.

Erie Playhouse on FACEBOOK

Join the Erie Playhouse page on FACEBOOK and you will get up-to-date information on shows, auditions and more. Click Here to join our FACEBOOK page.

Wing News

The Wing has many exciting fundraisers planned for this spring. You can help out by taking your family and friends to Hoss’s on West 26th Street next Tuesday, March 9th, during the Wing’s community day event. Pick up a voucher at the box office and 20% of your check for lunch or dinner will benefit the Erie Playhouse.

While at the theatre, be sure to purchase a raffle ticket for the Wing’s Pride & Prejudice gift basket - full of Jane Austen books, DVD’s, English teas, special event tickets, and more. And, patronize the Wing’s sales cart – Cat’s Meow collectibles are priced at only $5.

The Wing is pleased to be a sponsor of the upcoming Dungarvan Dramatic Club Visit and Performances. Members will be helping with welcome bags, as well as with several of the special events planned.

Wing members and Babes In Toyland cast members will be selling Delta Sonic carwash certificates this spring. More details to be announced.

Have any ideas for future fundraisers? Come to the Wing’s next meeting – Tuesday, April 6th, at 7 PM at the Station Dinner Theatre.  New members are always welcome! For more information, click here

ArtsErie 2010 United Fund

You need the arts. The arts need you. Donating to the 2010 ArtsErie United Fund will provide vital support to the local arts community, including the Erie Playhouse, enabling us all to thrive. For more information about the 2010 ArtsErie United Fund, please visit www. artserie.org or call 814.452.3427.

Playhouse Family News

Congratulations to Erie Playhouse board members Alyson Amendola and Rebecca Wolford on their recent engagements.  Alyson will wed Matthew Goode in June and Rebecca will tie the knot with Michael McCormick.

Chris Bucci, who EP audiences will remember as Amos in Chicago and Max Bialystock in The Producers, is appearing in a play called A Delightful Quarantine opening in mid-March in NYC. He plays Clark Wigglin in this cute little comedy. It will run for a week Off-Broadway at the Roy Arias Theatre on West 43rd St.
 

2010 Yellowstone Tour

Join Steve Ropski & Melanie Gustafson-Ropski on an exciting trek to Yellowstone National Park July 7 - 14, 2010. Steve, in addition to being President of the board of directors at the EP, is a veteran of many trips to Yellowstone and Melanie is a native of Montana.

Leader fees from the trip will be donated to the Playhouse. Click here for more information.