The Update | ‘Fully Committed’ at Selah Theatre; State Fair Announces Concerts

STRUTHERS, Ohio – Selah Dessert Theatre will present the comedy “Fully Committed” for a three-weekend run that will start March 2.

Brandy Johanntges stars in the play as Sam, a struggling actor in New York who works as a reservationist at an upscale restaurant.

She’s overworked and at the mercy of a rude chef and an entitled maitre’d.

Adding to her woes are her father, who wants her to come home for Christmas, and her best friend, Janie, who is up for the same role.

Johanntges plays not only Sam but also nearly 40 other characters on the other end of phone calls.

Mary Ruth Lynn is the director. Set designers are Brian Palumbo and Jeffrey Chann, and Tom O’Donnell and Kevan Sullivan are the technical managers.

The show is an adult comedy and has strong language.

“Fully Committed” will be performed at 8 p.m. March 2-4, 10-11 and 17-18. Tickets are $19.50, which includes dessert and coffee at intermission; go to selahrestaurant.com.

A premiere night package, which includes dinner, is available on Thursday, March 2.

Ludacris, Styx, Tyler Hubbard at State Fair

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The first batch of shows at this summer’s Ohio State Fair will include Ludacris, Styx, Tyler Hubbard and Kidz Bop.

Tickets go on sale Feb. 24 at ticketmaster.com. All shows are in the WCOL Celeste Center. The 12-day fair will include 13 shows, including two free concerts. The remaining shows will be announced Feb. 28 and March 7.

Here is the lineup so far:

• Ludacris, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1, $55, $45.
• Styx, with Foghat, 7 p.m. Aug. 2, $50, $40.
• Tyler Hubbard, with Matt Stell, 7 p.m. Aug. 3, $50, $40.
• Kidz Bop, 6:30 p.m. July 26, $25.

Additional concerts will be announced Tuesday, Feb. 28, and Tuesday, March 7. Tickets purchased in advance include admission to the fair.

Photo Exhibition at Butler Museum

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – An exhibition of photographs by Ian Wade is on display at The Butler Institute of American Art.

Wade, who was born in Warren and grew up in Kinsman, took up photography while stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany. After returning to the United States, he studied at the New York Institute of Photography.

Sportswriter Terry Pluto at McKinley Auditorium

NILES, Ohio – Terry Pluto, sports columnist for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, will speak at 6:30 p.m. March 7 at the McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum auditorium, 40 S. Main St. Admission is free.

Pluto, of Akron, has been inducted into the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame. He has written 23 books, including “The Curse of Rocky Colavito” and “Loose Balls.”

Pictured at top: Brandy Johanntges in a scene from “Fully Committed” at Selah Dessert Theatre.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.