The Update | ‘Newsies Jr.’ at Playhouse; Selah Theater Announces Season

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theatre will present “Newsies Jr.” for three performances this weekend.

Directed by Savannah Teter, the production will run May 19, 20 and 21 on the main stage.

Disney’s “Newsies Jr.” tells the story of a strike by young newspaper sellers after the publisher cuts into their profits. The youngsters learn they are stronger together.

Savannah Teter is the director.

Tickets range from $11 to $17 (plus fees) and can be purchased in advance by calling 330 788 8739; online at youngstownplayhouse.org; and in person at the DeYor Performing Arts Center box office, downtown.

Bee Gees Tribute Concert at Robins

WARREN, Ohio – Stayin’ Alive, a tribute to The Bee Gees, will come to the Robins Theatre on Dec. 15 for an 8 p.m. concert.

The show utilizes video clips, photos and imagery as it traces the music and career highlights of the acclaimed band.

Tickets range from $38 to $18 (plus applicable fees) and will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 19, at robinstheatre.com and the Robins box office, 160 E. Market St. A presale for Friends of the Robins Theatre will start at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Selah Dessert Theater Unveils Season

STRUTHERS, Ohio – Selah Dessert Theater’s 2023-24 season will include two dramas, including the Tony Award-winning “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” and a musical.

Performance dates for the three shows have not yet been determined, said Mary Ruth Lynn, executive director of the theater.

The season will open with “Beauty Queen,” written by Martin McDonagh, which earned six Tony nominations in 1998 and won four. The play is a dark comedy about a spinster daughter and her manipulative mother.

The second show will be “Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun,” by Norm Foster. It tells the story of a mentally challenged young man and a pregnant woman who meet at a bus stop and develop a lasting friendship.

The season will close with “The Irreverent Mr. Lehrer,” a musical revue featuring the satirical songs of Tom Lehrer.

Selah Dessert Theater is located on the second floor of Selah Restaurant, 130 S. Bridge St. For information, click HERE.

Football Hall of Fame Village Adds Ride

CANTON, Ohio – Spike It, a thrill ride in which riders suddenly drop from a 40-foot tower, will be the next attraction at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village.

The amusement ride will be the newest attraction in Play-Action Plaza, a family fun zone at the Village, when it opens this summer, according to a press release.

The ride emulates the classic touchdown celebration – with the riders becoming the ball. It starts by hoisting riders skyward, then pauses at the top before “spiking” back toward the ground until the magnetic brakes slow the ride at the end. Six people at a time can experience this sensation of weightlessness and rapidly changing forces.

Play-Action Plaza already includes the Half-time bar area and patio, an amphitheater, a walking path and the Red Zone Ferris wheel and Forward Pass zipline.

Regional Art Competition at The Hoyt

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Arts & Education at the Hoyt’s annual juried competition is on display in the main galleries through June 29.

Louis A. Zona, executive director of The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, was the juror of the competition. He selected 72 of the 483 submitted works.

The competition is open to artists within a 250-mile radius of the museum. 

First place went to Yelena Kukarenko of Pittsburgh for her oil painting “Melissa.” Second place was awarded to Diane Beatty of Campbell, Ohio, for her photograph “Mountain Dew.” Third place was awarded to John Schlabaugh of Poland, Ohio, for his oil painting “My Great Grandpa’s Farm.”

Merit awards went to Scott Hunter of Pittsburgh for his oil painting “Untitled”; Zachkary Hoon of Westlake, Ohio, for his infrared photograph “PA Keeper’s House”; Ruthanne Bauerle of Pittsburgh for her photograph “The Meeting of Rivers”; and Maryanne Caleris of Struthers, Ohio, for her oil painting “Phases.”

One of the 154 entrants was also selected to receive a solo exhibition in the 2024-25 exhibition season to commemorate the exhibition’s 50th anniversary. That honor went to Gwen Waight, a mixed media artist from Ohio who repurposes found objects.

A public reception will take place Saturday, May 20, from noon to 2 p.m. It will feature a panel of artists speaking to the importance of regional art. Awards will be distributed at 1 p.m. All are welcome, and admission is free.

Barbecue Picnic at Scrappers’ Opener

NILES, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers will have an opening night barbecue picnic with food by Cockeye BBQ on Thursday, June 1, at Eastwood Field.

Tickets start at $28 and include one game ticket, brisket, pulled pork, two sides, cornbread, soft drinks and water. The picnic runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. To purchase picnic tickets, or just regular game tickets, go to mvscrappers.com or call 330 505 0000.

Cockeye BBQ pulled pork sandwiches will also be available at Eastwood Field throughout the season.

Opening night will also be a buck night, with $1 hot dogs, soft drinks and domestic beer and $1 general admission tickets. A fireworks display will follow the game.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.