|
Executive Director Kate Neubert-Lechner |
|
Dear Playhouse Friends,I find it hard to believe that we have reached the end of our 101st season of theatre at your Erie Playhouse! It’s been a wonderful season and we’re ending it with a bang in August. I hope you all join us for The Hunchback of Notre Dame, opening this Friday. It’s a beautiful and moving piece of musical theatre that asks questions that, while presented in 15th century France, are still very relevant in today’s world. The show explores the themes of equality, social compassion, fear of the “other", and kindness in the face of inhumanity. This is all presented in a touching story with glorious music and thrilling costumes. I look forward to seeing you there Also, we’re gearing up for Erie Gives Day on Tuesday, August 14th! From 8am-8pm, please consider making a donation at www.eriegives.org to your Erie Playhouse. Any donation of $25 and more will enter you to win two tickets to see Les Misérables in the Playhouse Square in Cleveland, in addition to a voucher for dinner and gas. Your Erie Gives donations will go towards sustaining our outreach programs like PLAYtime, our pre-K arts and literacy program that has brought the joy of reading and live theatre to over 7,500 children and families over the last three years, at no charge to them. Your donation helps support our staff in their work at the Barber National Institute and Sarah Reed Residential, as they work with students at both sites to create their own shows that they present on the Playhouse stage. Your donation helps support activities we present with groups like Big Brothers, Big Sisters, The Autism Society, The Caring Place, and many more In short, your donation to your Erie Playhouse on Erie Gives Day supports not just the Playhouse, but the thousands of kids and families we work with through other organizations. I hope you have a wonderful end of your summer! Kate
| |
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
This is not your kid's animated Hunchback movie! This darker and more powerful performance of Victor Hugo's epic novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, will be on the LECOM Stage starting Friday, August 10 and running through August 26. With music by Oscar-winning team of Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast) and Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Wicked), and a timeless story, this is a show you won't want to miss! The story follows Quasimodo (Will Steadman), the hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre Dame, and his desire to one day be a part of the outside world. When he summons the courage to attend the Feast of Fools, he meets Esmeralda (Amelia Wisinski), a compassionate gypsy who protects him from an angry mob. But at the same time, Quasimodo’s master, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo (Jeff Lipiec), and the new captain of the guard, Phoebus de Martin (Domenic Del Greco), fall in love with the beautiful girl. Adding to Quasimodo’s struggle is his punishment and derision from Frollo, following years of psychological abuse, and the danger posed by the gypsies, who are willing to kill any outsiders who venture into their secret hideout. The show is supported by an additional 14-member cast of citizens of Paris, clergy, gypsies, and gargoyles.
The talented ensemble is under the direction of Kate Neubert-Lechner. Additional production credits go to Belinda Parker for choreography, and features impressive work by the designers: Christine Daughtery’s massive set and evocative lighting, Andrew Rainbow’s enveloping sound, leading a full pit orchestra as well as a 30-member choir, and Ryan Ingram’s period costumes.
| |
Think of the Erie Playhouse on Erie Gives Day!
Your donation will benefit year-round Youtheatre programming, our Pre-K initiative—PLAYtime, the 2019 Annual Fund, and more. Gifts of $25 or more must be made ONLINE Tuesday, August 14, 8:00am–8:00pm at www.eriegives.org.
| |
For every $25 donated to the Playhouse on Erie Gives Day, donors will receive an entry to win two (2) tickets to LES MISÉRABLES at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square in November 2018, PLUS $100 towards dinner and a gas voucher!
Drawing will be held August 31, 2018
| |
|
Matilda is coming to the LECOM Stage!
We're thrilled to be offering this wildly entertaining and popular family-friendly show as part of our upcoming season, just in time for the holidays. Matilda will be presented December 6, 2018 through January 6, 2019, with a special New Year's Eve event. The show will be included with both Mainstage and Family Season Ticket packages. Be sure to make a note of upcoming auditions (below) as we cast for Matilda!
| |
| 2018-2019 Season Tickets On Sale Now!
Our season lineup is one you won't want to miss!
MAINSTAGE: Hello, Dolly!, Terms of Endearment, Matilda, Evita, Shakespeare in Love, Freaky Friday, Spring Awakening, 42nd Street
YOUTHEATRE: Miss Nelson is Missing!, Snow White and the Prince, Backbeard (the Hairiest Pirate That Ever Lived)
Subscriber Benefits:
Savings of up to 30% over walk-in prices
The best seats in the house for every show
Purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public
Convenient ticket exchange policy
Season tickets for the Erie Playhouse are available to order online, over the phone, or in person. Many options available. Contact us today to make your reservation!
| |
"I loved being part of A Chorus Line because it was the one of the very few times that I truly bonded and connected with a cast to tell a story that I related to because I too want that dream...of being someone on a stage to make people feel something."
|
|
The Talent
Meet Curtis Jones III, Clopin in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This is Curtis’ 5th show on the LECOM Stage, where his favorite roles include Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors and Richie Walters in A Chorus Line. He also really enjoyed playing Ren McCormick in Footloose at Lock Haven University. Portraying both Seymour and Ren was a chance for him to be movie characters he had seen growing up, and gave him a sense of validation in the sense that he was talented enough to be given a chance at these lead roles, which are not often portrayed by black actors. As with most actors, he has some dream roles… Aladdin (Aladdin), Scarecrow (The Wiz), and everyone’s favorite greaser, Danny Zuko (Grease): all characters that he saw in his childhood that shaped him as a man in certain aspects, and to portray them in an art form that he loves would be a dream come true. Curtis has been singing since he was a child, but it wasn’t until his senior year of high school, where sports no longer gave him a sense of purpose or motivation, that he discovered his love of performing. When not on stage, Curtis enjoys weightlifting/fitness, modeling, singing, and developing skills as an artist/performer.
| |
AUDITIONS!
We will be holding auditions for upcoming Youtheatre and Mainstage shows: Youtheatre Auditions for
Miss Nelson is Missing! - Monday, August 20, 5:00 PM - Tuesday, August 21, 5:00 PM Rehearsal Hall - 1158 East 12th Street
Open to ages 8-18. Come prepared with a short monologue approx. 1-1/2 minutes in length, and 1-1/2 minutes of a song preferably with piano sheet music - an accompanist will be provided (a karaoke CD is acceptable but not preferred). Mainstage Auditions for Matilda, Evita, and Shakespeare in Love - Monday, September 24, 6:00 PM - Tuesday September 25, 6:00 PM Rehearsal Hall - 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. Casting is open to all ethnicities, and newcomers are especially welcomed. 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 info@erieplayhouse.org
| |
Playhouse alum Julie Craig is RECORDING AN ALBUM in Los Angeles!
Growing up in Erie, Julie acted in over 50 Erie Playhouse and Youtheatre shows. She then went on to study voice and acting at New York University, and has since made a career in theatre, film, and television in New York and Los Angeles.
With your help, through a crowdfunding Indiegogo campaign, she is looking to raise the funds to record a classical/pop album (in the genre of Josh Groban) with a full orchestra from Budapest at the world famous Village Studios in LA. Check out the exciting perks when you donate to her campaign including getting the finished album shipped to you. The link is LIVE NOW! Spread the word!
| |
|
|
|
|