everything theater in the Mahoning Valley!

PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: David Wartel – 614.752.2770; dwartel@culture.ohio.gov
Salem Community Theatre: Sarah Durham – 330.332.9688; salemtheatre@att.net

Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $53,000 at its quarterly meeting today for facility improvements at Salem’s State Theatre. The Salem Community Theatre was founded in 1977 and provides the community with a full season of live performances, dance lessons, voice lessons, and theater workshops.

Since 1981, the group hasmade its home in the State Theatre, originally a movie palace, built in 1922. The Salem Community Theatre will utilize the state funding to replace the State Theatre roofing system. The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows Salem Community Theatre to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 562 of the 127th General Assembly.

Columbiana County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senator Jason Wilson and former Representative Chuck Blasdel. “This Theatre is not just a community theater but it is also a budding educational facility for the performing arts. As such, it is filling a wide service gap for our community. The roof project will save the historic building which at times is the ‘home away from home’ for many community members, ranging from age 3 to 73. I believe this is the beginning of a very positive movement here in Salem, Ohio. Thank you Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission,” remarks Nicole Paolozzi, Salem Community Theatre Treasurer.

The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that supports economic development, expands educational opportunities, and enhances the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed more than $400 million in capital funds appropriated by the Legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at nonprofit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues. The Commission partners with nonprofit groups and local governments on more than 300 projects in 72 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.

PRESS RELEASE: MV Theater Buzz theaters to perform at YSU Summer Festival of the Arts
Press Contact: Cheryl Games, buzz@mvtheaterbuzz.com

MV Theater Buzz Theaters to Showcase Talent at YSU Summer Festival of the Arts
The Mahoning Valley Theater Buzz is thrilled to announce that its member theaters will be showcasing their talents at the 2010 YSU Summer Festival of the Arts. The review, which includes performances of scenes, monologues and songs, will be held on Sunday, July 11 from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at Kilcawley Center on the YSU Campus. Admission is free.

The Mahoning Valley Theater Buzz member theaters performing include: Kent Trumbull Theatre, Oakland Center for the Arts, Salem Community Theatre, Stage Left Players, Victorian Players, Youngstown Playhouse and Youngstown State University Theater. Excerpts from the following shows will be performed: GUYS AND DOLLS, PANCAKES AND A LOBSTER TANK, SWEENEY TODD, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, NUNSENSE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE and CURTAINS.

CLICK HERE for DIRECTIONS

CLICK HERE for MAP of YSU CAMPUS

For more information on the Summer Festival of the Arts, visit www.ysu.edu/sfa.

PRESS RELEASE: Local foundation invests in Youngstown Playhouse for major restoration project
Press Contact: Mary Ruth Lynn, 330-788-8739, youngstown_ph@att.net

June 29, 2010 Youngstown, Ohio – The Youngstown Playhouse is excited to announce a major gift that will help fund a Playhouse restoration project. The Youngstown Foundation is investing $20 thousand in the longtime local theater, which opened in the valley in 1959.

As with most buildings that are fifty or more years older, the Playhouse is in need of upgrades. This grant money will specifically be used for a partial roof replacement. A portion of the roof has been leaking and causing water problems in the scene shop and costume shop. With the new roof, the Playhouse will be free from further water issues and any future damage to costumes and props. Other aspects of the restoration currently in progress include creating a rehearsal space out of the old offices and restoring the former box office.

Executive Director Mary Ruth Lynn is excited that a major local foundation is committed to the future of the Youngstown Playhouse and hopes other donors will come forward to propel the theater into its next fifty years in the valley. “I am very appreciative of this recent grant award from the Youngstown Foundation. Not only will it eliminate an ongoing water problem here; it also says to the Playhouse family and the community that the foundation believes in our work and in our ability to move forward. This is a very exciting time as we begin the process of restoring our 50 year old home!” said Lynn.

The Youngstown Foundation has been awarding grants to worthwhile causes for more than 90 years. Despite a challenging economy, the Youngstown Foundation accepted gifts of $4 million from area donors in 2009. The Foundation awarded more than $3.3 million in grants in the same year. Since its establishment in 1918, over $80 million has been given back to the community. For more information on the Youngstown Foundation, including grant request guidelines, visit www.youngstownfoundation.org.

Read the articles in the news!
• Playhouse Gets $20K Grant for Roof Repair, Youngstown Vindicator
• Foundation Gives $20K to Playhouse?, Youngstown Business Journal
• Foundation Gives $20K to Playhouse?, WFMJ
• Show Goes On at Youngstown Playhouse, WYTV

THE 2010 TONY AWARDS

Okay, Buzzers, what did you think about this year’s Tony Awards?  Likes?  Dislikes?  Let’s hear it, blog your comments right here!

For the love of Broadway
Youngstown Vindicator, Sun, May 9, 2010 By MILAN PAURICH

Youngstown Playhouse to present ‘Curtains’

Since moving back to the Youngstown area in May 2009, Boardman High School/Ohio State graduate Michael Dempsey has quickly made a name for himself in community theater circles.

After directing a well- received production of “Into the Woods” at Salem Community Theater last summer, Dempsey helped create the Mahoning Valley Theater Buzz Web site (www.mvtheaterbuzz.com) with local actress Cheryl Games.

In addition to serving on the board of the Oakland Center for the Arts, Dempsey is also helming the local premiere of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s 2007 musical “Curtains,” which opens next weekend at the Youngstown Playhouse.

During a recent interview, writer-director-actor Dempsey discussed the show and why he’s so excited to be working at the Playhouse on such a challenging piece.

Q. What made you want to direct “Curtains”?

A. It’s a valentine to the great old razzmatazz shows of Broadway’s Golden Age — shows that didn’t aim to be edgy or challenging, but just want to sweep you away with great tunes and lots of big production numbers.And after directing the brilliant but dark “Into The Woods,” it seemed like a great change of pace.

I just plain love the songs in this show — they’re fun and tuneful. There’s also tons of comedy as well. But the thing I like most about “Curtains” is that it’s about the theater and people who love theater.

Kander and Ebb were at the end of their lifetime collaboration (“Chicago,” “Cabaret,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” etc.), and my hunch is that they wanted to create an homage to the type of musicals they loved when they were starting out.

Anyone who loves the theater will get its many references to the process of bringing a new show to life.

READ FULL ARTICLE

CURTAINS
Youngstown Playhouse
May 14 – 23, 2010
Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m
Tickets: 330-788-8739dem