Friend,

First I want to give a big thank you to everyone who donated to the Playhouse on Erie Gives.  Thanks to your generosity we raised nearly $58,000 before the match -- our best Erie Gives since 2017.

I also want to give a shout out to all the staff and volunteers involved in The SpongeBob Musical.  It was a gargantuan effort from top to bottom and our team really rose to the challenge. 

Now everyone is busy working on the last 4 shows of this season. Beautiful is in the throes of rehearsal, and we just concluded auditions.  We have assembled a tour de force cast for Misery with Sue Ellen Wojciechowski and Matt Fuchs and an all star cast for It’s A Wonderful Life that features Charles Corritore as Clarence, David Durst as Mr. Potter and Patrick Vahey in the role of George Bailey.

On August 28th and 29th we have auditions for Disney Descendants and we are looking forward to seeing all of our incredible Youtheatre talent.

Finally this month the staff is busy putting together the launch of our 2024 season.  We are all very excited about what we will be sharing with you on August 27th.  So don’t forget to reserve your seat for this free event, and we will see you there as we unveil what’s up next on our stage.

Richard Davis
Artistic Director

2024 Season Reveal is Sunday, August 27
RSVP by TODAY -- Friday, August 18!

Please join us on Sunday, August 27 for a reception at 6:00pm followed by the big reveal of our upcoming season live from our stage at 7:00pm. To RSVP, call the box office at 814-454-2852 or email [email protected] TODAY! Be sure to include the names and number of guests in your party.

LIMITED SEATING REMAINING — SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

Tickets for BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL on sale Tuesday

Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of Carole King (Kate Thiem), from her early days as a Brooklyn teenager struggling to enter the record business to her years as a chart-topping music legend. Beautiful covers the pop classics she wrote for the biggest acts in music, to her chart-busting success with Tapestry.
 
NOTE: Open Card members and Choice Card holders may reserve best available seats one week before the general public by calling the Box Office at (814) 454-2852.

Meet Ahnika Lexvold, Youtheatre & Education Director!
The Playhouse is excited to welcome Ahnika Lexvold to our team as Youtheatre and Education Director. She was selected after a search that attracted candidates from across the country.

A theatre educator hailing from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Ahnika graduated with a B.A. in Acting/Directing from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and went on to work with a variety of theatre companies in the Twin Cities area as an educator, director, costume designer, and stage manager. Most recently, Ahnika served as the Out-of-School Time Coordinator for an elementary school and worked with the organization Adventures in Cardboard, running fantasy adventure role-play camps.

“Youtheatre and Education have long been a vital part of our operations,” noted Zach Flock, Executive Director. “Ahnika is a passionate artist, educator and administrator, and we’re thrilled to welcome her to the Playhouse and the Erie community.”

“There’s a lot of momentum at the Playhouse,” added Emily Cassano, President of the Erie Playhouse Board of Directors who served as Youtheatre & Education Director from 2008-2014. “We’re excited to welcome Ahnika and to build and grow our programs to serve the entire community.”

As Youtheatre and Education Director, Ahnika will organize, administer and manage all aspects of Youtheatre programs, productions, and educational opportunities. Her first production in this role will be DISNEY'S DESCENDANTS, opening November 10.

Ahnika made the move to Erie with her husband Daniel and their two cats, Aurora and Kintsugi. When she’s not working, Ahnika can be found painting, enjoying sketch comedy, or taking a well-deserved nap. Ahnika is excited to bring her passion for the arts to Erie and join this vibrant community.

YOUTHEATRE AUDITIONS:
Disney Descendants: The Musical

Auditions for the Erie Playhouse Youtheatre production of  Disney Descendants: The Musical will be held on August 28 and 29 at 4:30 pm at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall at 1158 East 12th Street.

Actors are asked to arrive and to sign in within the first hour of the audition start time. All roles are available. The Erie Playhouse practices color conscious casting.  All ethnicities and newcomers are welcome. Crew and other volunteers are also needed for these events. Perusal scripts are available in the box office for 24 hrs. with a refundable $10 deposit.  Questions? Please contact [email protected]

Disney Descendants: The Musical
Book and lyrics by Nick Blaimere

Directed by – Ahnika Lexvold
Asst. Director – Patrick Vahey, Jr.
Choreography – Kelley McDonald
Music Director – Devon Yates

Show Dates – Nov 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19
For more information and descriptions of available roles, please visit our website.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like ALASKA …A Christmas Show
Coming to the Erie Playhouse on Saturday, December 23, 2023!

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I’m telling you why: Alaska is coming to town!

The “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like ALASKA …A Christmas Show” tour begins in Seattle on December 6, 2023, and travels to 11 cities, including Chicago, Toronto, San Francisco, and New York City.

This show promises to be a magical, fun night with holiday classics, not-so-holiday classics, and yuletide tomfoolery. Buy your tickets for a very special show.

Justin Andrew Honard is an American drag queen and recording artist from Erie, PA, performing under the stage name Alaska 5000. She is best known as the runner-up on the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the winner of the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

DECEMBER 23, 2023 at 8:00 pm -- ALMOST SOLD OUT! 

BUY TICKETS

The latest short from Oddity Productions premieres at the Erie Playhouse
The worlds of fine art, the cosmos, and artificial intelligence all come together in Portrait of a Universe. This short film, the latest work from Erie’s own Oddity Productions, will be the centerpiece of an interactive premiere experience taking place at the Erie Playhouse on Saturday, August 26, 2023. 

The premiere will be a fully immersive experience involving virtual reality painting, an on-camera miniature ship exhibit, cocktails, food, and a short film screening. A VIP option is also available for the evening, featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres, professional photography, and a private VR painting setup.

Doors and reception at 5 p.m., event at 7 p.m. 

Tickets $25, $40 VIP

For tickets and info: tickets.eriereader.com