The Update | ‘American Idol’ Faves at Robins; ‘Serial Monogamy’ at Rust Belt; Thai Restaurant Opens

WARREN, Ohio – Twenty years after they rose to fame on “American Idol,” Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken have launched a tour that will come to the Robins Theatre on Friday, Jan. 12, for an 8 p.m. concert.

Studdard and Aiken will highlight the music that made them household names, from Aiken’s rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to Ruben’s soulful single “Flying Without Wings.”

Tickets range from $39 to $89 (plus applicable fees) and will go on sale Friday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. at robinstheatre.com and at the box office, 160 E. Market St.

A presale for members of Friends of the Robins Theatre will begin at 10 p.m. Thursday.

Rust Belt Theater Presents ‘Serial Monogamy’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Rust Belt Theater Company will present “Serial Monogamy: A Killer Musical,” by Robert Dennick Joki and Josh Taylor, at 8 p.m. Nov. 3-4 and 10-11 at Club Switch, 221 Belmont Ave.

“Serial Monogamy” is a musical love story about two serial killers. James and Elizabeth connect on an online dating app, both having ulterior motives. Over the course of their date, they realize that they have much more in common than either thought possible.

The musical numbers range from tongue-in-cheek comedy to drama, taking place in both “reality” and the dark minds of the main players, performed by characters who were inspired by real-life mass murderers.

The cast includes Austin Brown, Sarah Whitlatch, Frank Carsone, Jessica Patoray, Sarah Robles, Lisa Torrence, Geri Dewitt, Alicia Wormley, Phoenix Montgomery, Kylie Davis, Shelby Gossick, Keith Stepanic, Caitlyn Murphy and Joki.

Tickets are $15; for reservations, call 330 507 2358.

Thai Restaurant Opens in Sharon

SHARON, Pa. – Elephant #8 Thai Taste restaurant has opened at 74 N. Sharpsville Ave.

The restaurant is owned by Narintra “Nina” Gold, who is a native of Thailand. Gold lives near Slippery Rock, where her first Thai restaurant is located. The new Sharon location is her second restaurant. She credits her mother for inspiring her to open an authentic Thai restaurant.

Elephant #8 Thai Taste has an extensive menu of Thai specialties. It offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Mafia Author to Speak at Boardman Park

BOARDMAN, Ohio – Allan R. May, author of several books about the mafia in northeastern Ohio, will deliver a presentation at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at St. James Meeting House, Boardman Park.

May’s lecture will focus on The Jungle Inn, the mafia gambling business that once existed in Liberty Township.

May is an authority on the history of American organized crime. He has written five mafia books, including “Crimetown U.S.A.: History of Mahoning Valley Mafia” (Conallan Press, 2013) and “Welcome to the Jungle Inn: The Story of the Mafia’s Most Infamous Den” (Conallan Press, 2011).

The presentation is open to the public, at no charge. A question-and-answer period will follow the 45-minute program. For information, contact Dona Hammond at 330 726 0651.

Art from Wirt Trust on Display at Court

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Some rarely seen artwork from the Benjamin Wirt Trust is being displayed in the public access area of Mahoning County Probate Court.

The exhibition was created by a partnership of Judge Robert N. Rusu Jr. and the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.

Benjamin F. Wirt was born in 1852 and was admitted to the bar in Columbus in 1871. He was a founding member of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and later became a state senator.

Wirt was also interested in business and real estate. He was a director of Federal Savings and Loan until his death in 1930.

Wirt was a respected collector of many eclectic items and left a trust to build a museum for his massive collection of artwork, books, jewelry and artifacts. Although that museum never came to fruition, the Wirt family, with the permission of the probate court, agreed to have the collection managed and displayed by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society at the Arms Family Museum.

The B.F. Wirt Family Trust is overseen by Rusu and the Mahoning County Probate Court. Rusu asked the MVHS if it would be possible to display some of the artwork in the probate court’s public access area not only so they could be seen by the public but to beautify the court area as well.

Beautiful Whirl’d Now Open for Breakfast

WARREN, Ohio – Beautiful Whirl’d, 141 W. Market St., is now open at 7:30 a.m. and has added breakfast items to its menu.

Items include breakfast tacos, omelets, banana split power bowls, sweet waffles, sweet potato bites and hippy hash.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.