YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Hopewell Theatre will conclude its season with the moving and humorous drama “Middletown.”

The play by Will Eno takes place in a small American town. As a friendship develops between longtime resident John Dodge and new arrival Mary Swanson, the lives of the inhabitants of Middletown intersect in strange and poignant ways in a journey that takes them from the local library to outer space and points between.

Jeanine Rees is the director. The cast includes Amy-Anne Kibler, Brenden Boyle, Candace DiLullo, Brandon Donaldson, Chase Miles, Dominick Spisak, Eric Kibler, Eric McCrea, Jaclyn-Sarah Senich, Leslie Whetstine and Nick Mulichak.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. June 13-14 and 20-21; and 2 p.m. June 22.

General Admission tickets are $15 ($12 for seniors and students). For reservations, go to HopewellTheatre.org or call 330 746 5455. The theater is at 702 Mahoning Ave.

Tickets on Sale for Brad Paisley, Lynyrd Skynyrd

CANFIELD, Ohio – Tickets are now on sale for all grandstand shows at this year’s Canfield Fair, including the concerts by Brad Paisley on Aug. 31 and Lynyrd Skynyrd on Sept. 1.

To purchase tickets, click HERE.

This year’s shows also include a demolition derby at 8 p.m. Aug. 29 and the truck and tractor pull at 7 p.m. Aug. 30.

Western Reserve PBS to Air Show on Eclipse

KENT, Ohio – The total solar eclipse that Ohio witnessed April 8, 2024, has been captured in an upcoming documentary, “Gathered in Darkness,” which will premiere exclusively in Ohio on PBS Western Reserve at 10 p.m. Saturday, June 14.

The film documents the 2024 Citizen Continental-America Telescopic Eclipse project at multiple stops along the path of totality, including in northeastern Ohio.

CATE 2024, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and NASA, placed 35 identical telescope setups along the path of totality from Texas to Maine. Community scientists then collected polarized images of the eclipse, allowing scientists to better understand the sun’s corona, the outermost layer of the sun.

“While the film covers what the CATE 2024 project is and the value of science and data collection, it more importantly follows the community scientists who were involved in the project,” said Daniel Zietlow, the documentary’s filmmaker and educational designer at NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major partner in CATE.

Following its broadcast premiere, “Gathered in Darkness” will be available to watch on the free PBS App, the PBS Western Reserve website and YouTube.

Joe Bell to Discuss History of Eastwood Mall

LIBERTY, Ohio – Joe Bell, an anchorman for WKBN-TV in Youngstown from 1992 to 2007 and communications director at Cafaro Corp., will speak on the history of Eastwood Mall at 10 a.m. June 21 at Denny’s restaurant meeting room, 4020 Belmont Ave.

Opened in 1969, the mall and surrounding property is home to more than 100 stores. Unlike many competing regional malls, Eastwood Mall continues to expand, modernize and thrive. It is the only mall nationwide to have a minor league ballfield on the premises.

The lecture is presented by the McGuffey Historical Society. Admission is $15 ($10 for society members. For reservations, call 330 726 8277.

‘Funniest Rabbi in Cleveland’ at the JCC

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will host Rabbi Daniel Roberts for a comedy presentation, “Laughing Through Life,” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 22 at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane.

Jewish humor has changed the world. Some of the greatest comedians were Jewish, and their humor delighted audiences for years. Participants will hear some of their comedy and some new jokes that only a rabbi can tell.
The event is free, but registration is required. Click HERE to register. A meal is included.

Roberts is a graduate of The Rayen School. He was influenced to become a rabbi through his participation in the youth group at Temple Rodef Shalom. Roberts served at Temple Emanu El in Cleveland for 35 years and was named Rabbi Emeritus. 

Roberts is an author of several books on suicide and a children’s book, “Once Upon a Kingdom: Parables on Morals, Values and Kindness.” He was twice voted “The Funniest Rabbi in Cleveland.”

Pictured at top: Jaclyn-Sarah Senich and Candace DiLullo in a scene from Hopewell Theatre’s production of “Middletown.”