The Update | ‘Love/Sick’ at Youngstown Playhouse; Planetarium Shows at College

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – “Love/Sick” will open Friday, Feb. 9, in the Moyer Room of The Youngstown Playhouse, with six performances over two consecutive weekends.

The show, written by John Cariani, compiles nine slightly twisted and hilarious short plays about the joys and pains of being in love.

Each play tells the story of a couple at a crossroads in their relationship.

Cariani is also the author of “Almost Maine.”

The Playhouse production is directed by Rosalyn Blystone.

The cast includes Paul Dahman, Makenna Liller, Rhonda Dam, David Leach, Kage Jonas Coven, Eric McCrea, Sydney Campbell, Sydney Campbell, Adam Dominick, Nailah Thomas, Rachael Conrad, Liz Conrad, Jason A. Green, Brian Suchora, Tricia Terlesky, Blystone, Jenna Cintavey, Brenda Zyvith and Aaron Newell.

Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $17 and can be purchased in advance at experienceyourarts.org.

Spring Shows at Westminster Planetarium

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Westminster College Planetarium will present four new shows this spring. 

All shows begin at 6 p.m. The planetarium is in room 116 of the Hoyt Science Center. Admission is free and open to the public.

Here is the schedule:

• “Out There”: Wednesday, Feb. 7, and Friday, Feb. 16. Explores the universe and the recently discovered planets. Recommended for age 12 and up.

• “Max Goes to the Moon”: Wednesday, Feb. 28, and Friday, March 15. Focuses on a dog named Max and a young girl who take the first trip to the moon since the Apollo era. Recommended for age 5 and up.

• “Totality!”: Wednesday, March 27, and Friday, April 5, in advance of the total eclipse occurring April 8. Explains how eclipses happen and how to safely view them. Recommended for age 8 and up.
• “Cosmic Mashups”: Wednesday, April 24, and Friday, May 3. Explores supermassive black holes and how the merging of galaxies activates galactic centers. Recommended for age 12 and up.

Deer Hunting Season Harvest Revealed

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s hunters took 213,928 white-tailed deer during the 2023-24 deer hunting season that concluded Feb. 4, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

The final total represents all deer taken during archery, gun, muzzleloader and youth seasons since Sept. 9.

The number represents an estimated 12 million pounds of venison.

This is the second year in a row that Ohio’s deer harvest has surpassed 200,000, and the 12th time overall (all since 2002). This season’s count was the highest in more than a decade.

The top 10 counties for deer harvested are:

• Coshocton: 7,740. Last season, Coshocton County also led the state with 7,590 deer checked.
• Tuscarawas: 7,023.
• Ashtabula: 5,887.
• Muskingum: 5,789.
• Knox: 5,625.
• Licking: 5,429.
• Holmes: 5,324.
• Guernsey: 5,220.
• Carroll: 5,038.
• Trumbull: 4,703.

Auditions for ‘Flight Path’ at Playhouse

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Auditions for The Youngstown Playhouse’s production of Norm Foster’s “Here on the Flight Path” will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. March 10 and 11.

The comedy by Norm Foster is about a man named John whose quiet life is interrupted by the women who move into the adjoining apartment. He has conversations with them all and learns lessons that allow him to grow.

There are four roles available: a male age 30 and up; and three females age 25 and above. All ethnicities are encouraged to participate. Please be prepared to read from the script. There will be no callbacks regarding auditions.

The director is Ben Gavitt. Rehearsals will tentatively begin in late March. Performances will take place May 10-12 and 17-19.

For information, go to youngstownplayhouse.org/audition.

‘William McKinley’ Program at JCC

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, will present “Mike Wilson presents William McKinley” on Feb. 13 at 11:30 p.m.

Wilson will bring the 25th president, William McKinley, and issues of the 1890s to life in this program.

The cost is $5 per person. A light lunch is included. Registration is required by Feb. 9. Contact Nancy Sentelik at 330 746 3251, ext. 108, or [email protected] to register.

Fundraiser for Autism Fund

NILES, Ohio – The Sophia’s Gift Fund will host its inaugural fundraiser, a Wine & Chocolate Dinner, at the restored Von Isley Estate, 547 S. Main St., from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. 

The event will include a five-course, wine-paired dinner, a live performance from Leather and Lace and a chocolate dessert tasting.

Proceeds will benefit the Sophia’s Gift Project.

The film “Sophia, I Love You,” which chronicles the autism family experience of area residents Sophia and her father, Scott Austalosh, will premiere. The filmmaker, as well as Scott Austalosh, will attend.

Go to autismvm.org for tickets.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.