The Update | ‘Bonnie and Claire’ by Black Sheep Players; Opera for Children

SHARON, Pa. – Black Sheep Players of the Shenango Valley will present “Bonnie and Claire” at 7:30 p.m. April 12 and 13, and 2:30 p.m. April 14 at First Presbyterian Church, 600 E. State St.

Directed by Maria Petrella-Ackley, the play focuses on two estranged sisters who are reunited due to life’s circumstances and their advancing age. Through a balance of humor and compassion and many road trips, love prevails with the help of their beloved niece.

Tickets are $15 and $13 and available in advance at blacksheep.booktix.net and at the door. 

Cast members are Kathy Williams, Susan Woge and Miranda Woge.

‘Bremen Town’ Opera for Children and Families

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Emerging Artists of Opera Western Reserve will present the children’s opera “The Bremen Town Musicians” at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 5, in the Ford Family Recital Hall at the DeYor Performing Arts Center.

The story revolves around General Boom, a musical retired army donkey, who is on his way to the town of Bremen to start a new band.

In his travels he runs into a rooster, a cat and a dog who have all been turned away from their homes. General Boom invites the outcasts to join him on his journey to Bremen and learn to work together as a team to overcome their circumstances.

The tale demonstrates that working together is far better than facing problems alone.

The show is an operatic version of “The Town Musicians of Bremen” and contains music by Jacques Offenbach, Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Sir Arthur Sullivan and Giuseppe Verdi.

An educational and entertaining production, it is appropriate for children of all ages. At the conclusion, the cast will greet and interact with the audience.

Stage director is Robert Pierce.

Tickets are $9 (children) and $11 (adults) and can be purchased weekdays at the DeYor box office, by phone at 330 259 9651 and at experienceyourarts.org.

The Opera Western Reserve Emerging Artists travel around the tri-county area to perform at local schools and camps.

Opera Western Reserve is the only professional opera in the area. It will present Verdi’s “La Traviata” at Powers Auditorium on Nov. 22. For information, go to operawesternreserve.org.

Bobblehead Giveaway at Scrappers Opener

NILES, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley Scrappers will present Margaritaville Night on opening night Friday, June 7. 

The first 1,000 fans will receive a free Scrappy Margaritaville bobblehead.

There will also be a pregame performance by The Suns of Beaches Band and a fireworks show after the game.

Gates will open at 5 p.m., and first pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

The team will wear a specialty Margaritaville jersey, with jersey auction proceeds benefiting Junior Achievement.

Tickets can be purchased at mvscrappers.com, the box office at Eastwood Field and by phone at 330 505 0000. Prices start at $7.

Lilacs Will be Topic of Garden Event

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – “Lilacs Then & Now,” a luncheon presentation, will take place Thursday, May 2, at Idabelle Firestone’s Gathering Place & Garden, in Firestone Park, on East Park Avenue.

Sponsored by Columbiana Women’s Club, Green Thumb Garden Club and Firestone Park Cultural & Custodial Committee, the event will be presented by Skip McCullough of Meadowbrook Nursery.

Guests must register in advance. Tickets are $25, with lunch served at noon; or $15 for the program only, which will start at 12:30 p.m.

Make checks payable to Columbiana Women’s Club and mail to 121 N. Main St., Columbiana, OH 44408.

Include the number of tickets/attendees for each program choice when sending in payment. For information, call 330 207 1470.

“Lilacs Then & Now” is the first of a five-part luncheon series at Idabelle Garden. Here is the rest of the schedule:

• June 6: “What’s the Buzz about Pollinator Gardens?” with Cindy Tyler, Terra Design Studios.
• July 25: “Hydrangeas in the Landscape” with Eric Barret, Ohio Cooperative Extension Service.
• Aug. 15: “Harvesting & Preserving” and “Careers in Gardening & Horticulture” with a panel of Extension service master gardeners.
• Oct. 5: “Color in the Autumn Garden” with Keith Kaiser, Pittsburgh Botanical Garden.

Herb Growers Guild Sale at Fairgrounds

CANFIELD, Ohio – The Holborn Herb Growers Guild’s annual herb and plant sale will take place Saturday, May 11, in the vegetable building at the Canfield Fairgrounds. 

Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enter the grounds at Gate 5 on state Route 46. Admission is free.

The sale will offer a large selection of herbs and perennials, succulents and fairy garden plants. All sales are cash or check only. The event will take place rain or shine.

A used book sale featuring gardening, herb, cookbooks and similar topics will take place during the event. Guild members will be on hand to assist with purchasing, answering questions and sharing information.

The Holborn Herb Growers Guild began in 1982 with the aim of educating members and the public on the use and enjoyment of herbs. To this end, the guild has established public herb gardens at Western Reserve Village at the Canfield Fairgrounds and at Boardman Park and has held numerous educational programs, herb sales and events. Membership information will be available at the sale.

Pictured at top: Kathy Williams and Susan Woge in Black Sheep Players’ production of “Bonnie and Claire.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.