YOUNGSTOWN –The Mahoning Valley-based cabaret act of Mary Jo Maluso and Rick Blackson kicked off 2024 with a sold-out weekend of performances of its “Close to You” tribute to The Carpenters, with local actor and singer Maureen Collins.
In the spring, the Beyond Broadway duo entertained at the Cattle Baron’s Ball.
The summer was highlighted by a supper club event at Leo’s Ristorante in Howland. In the fall the duo appeared in Easy Street Productions’ reprisal of its “Gotta Dance” revue at Powers Auditorium. It also appeared in the troupe’s “Miracle on Easy Street” Christmas show. And the duo’s holiday season included a show at the Doubletree Hotel downtown during the city’s annual Light Up Night.
Blackson is working with others on a gala in June that will celebrate the Youngstown Playhouse’s 100th anniversary. To raise funds for the gala, the duo will again be joined by Collins in reprising their salute to The Carpenters on March 8 at The Playhouse.