The entertainment duo of Mary Jo Maluso and Rick Blackson took on two high-profile musical projects in 2025 that celebrated iconic Mahoning Valley organizations.
When asked to put together a fundraiser for the Youngstown Playhouse’s Centennial Project, to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the duo and Maureen Collins, co-founder of Easy Street Productions, presented a revival of the “Close to You – A Musical Tribute to the Carpenters” cabaret show in March.
The duo also played a key role at the Playhouse’s gala celebration in June. Blackson wrote and produced the show, along with author-playwright J.E. Ballantyne Jr. Blackson also served as the show’s accompanist and musical director.
Maluso sang at the show and wrote and co-produced its media and marketing campaign.
The Mahoning Valley Historical Society last year commissioned Blackson to produce a show to celebrate its 150 years. The show was performed by Maluso and Blackson in the Stambaugh Auditorium ballroom in September.
The duo’s other noteworthy shows in 2025 include a performance at the reopening of Youngstown Country Club’s Great Hall in August.
During the holiday season, they appeared at Youngstown’s DoubleTree Hotel during Light-up Night, and York-Mahoning’s holiday party at Tippecanoe Country Club.
Through their Youngstown-based company, Beyond Broadway Entertainment, Maluso and Blackson perform together as a song and piano act at high-quality events.
Maluso also works as a voiceover artist, emcee and product spokesperson, while Blackson is a songwriter, voiceover artist, and voice, piano and songwriting instructor.
For information, call 330-702-1717 or go to BeyondBroadwayEnt.com.
Pictured: Rick Blackson and Mary Jo Maluso of Beyond Broadway Entertainment.
