Monday, March 12, 2012

Doubt


I will be honest, when it came to writing this blog entry, I stared at the screen for a little while.

For me, it is easy to write about musicals that feature beloved songs or romantic plays where everything is rosy and right with the world.

But, when it came to writing about John Patrick Shanley’s play “Doubt” coming to the State Theatre Center for the Arts on March 24,  I approached with some trepidation.

A lot of people know the story of “Doubt” thanks to the 2008 film adaptation featuring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams.

The story, set in the Bronx in a Catholic church in 1964, focuses on the relationship between Father Brendan Flynn and a young altar boy named Donald Muller and the suspicious relationship cast by Sister Aloysius.

When approached by Sister Aloysius who questioned the relationship between the priest and the boy, Father Flynn said he was confronting Muller about stealing altar wine.

Sister Aloysisus does not believe Father Flynn and feels that he was forging a more inappropriate relationship with the boy.

The play is not funny or lighthearted. In fact, it is the type of play that forces the audience to sit and judge whether or not they think Father Flynn did something wrong, like Sister Aloysisus believes or is an innocent reprimand as Father Flynn adamantly proclaims.

In a world where many turn to entertainment to forget their troubles, this play will engage the audience  so as they can draw their own conclusion to the dilemma presented  in “Doubt.”  It will provide a connection to the relevance of this issue in the world today and encourage a dialogue.

Perhaps this is why it won a 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

As Father Flynn says, “Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty.” Do you agree? I guess you will just have to see the play, and then you won’t have any doubt.

To order tickets, call the box office at 724-439-1360 or toll free 800-397-2554.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Damn Yankees


As the snow starts to swirl blustery all over town and the Super Bowl is just weeks away, it’s hard to believe baseball is on its way to Uniontown this month.
That’s right!  America’s favorite pastime will hit a homerun when The State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown presents “Damn Yankees” at 8 p.m. Jan. 20.
“Damn Yankees,” a winner of seven Tony Awards, tells the story of Joe Boyd who sells his soul to the devil, Mr. Applegate, for a great player for his team, the Washington Senators.  Mr. Applegate tells Joe that if he gives up his soul, he will transform him into “Joe Hardy” the young slugger the team desperately needs. Joe tries to find a way to return to his former life while helping the Senators go on to the World Series.
As the story unfolds, you may find yourself reminiscing over many popular songs like “Whatever Lola Wants” and “You Gotta Have Heart.”
Even though the temperatures outside say baby it’s cold outside, come visit us at the State Theatre and think spring!
To order tickets, visit the box office in Downtown Uniontown Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 724-439-1360 or toll free at 800-397-2554.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Broadway Holiday


For me, when I think about the upcoming holiday season, visions of sugar plums are not the only thing dancing in my head. When I close my eyes and imagine Christmas, I see our tree set up in the living room, I feel the heat coming off of the crackling fireplace and I hear Christmas music playing on the stereo.

For me, no Christmas scene is complete without Christmas music. I couldn’t imagine writing my Christmas cards without listening to “Christmas Time is Here Again” or “O’ Holy Night.”

If you are like me and enjoy your fair share of Christmas music, you will want to visit The State Theatre Center for the Arts in Downtown Uniontown for Neil Berg’s “Broadway Holiday” at 8 p.m. Dec. 3.

The Christmas spirit will be alive and well at the State Theatre as they present Neil Berg’s critically acclaimed musical revue. Broadway alumni along with musical director Berg and a three piece orchestra will take the audience on a journey featuring favorite holiday classics as well as musical selections from Broadway hits like “My Fair Lady,” “South Pacific,” “Jersey Boys” and “Wicked.”

Vocalists performing with “Broadway Holiday” include Carter Calvert from “Cats,” “Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues” and “Smokey Joe’s CafĂ©;” Jeffry Denman of “How to Succeed…,” “The Producers” and “White Christmas;” Rita Harvey of “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Oklahoma” and “Phantom of the Opera;” “Marc Kudisch of “9 to 5,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Wild Party;” and Ivan Rutherford of “Les Miserables” and “Titanic.”

If you are interested in kicking off your holiday season with the sounds of Broadway, be sure to contact the box office at 724-439-1360 or toll free at 1-800-397-2554.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

New Christy Minstrels


Minstrels have played an important part in cultures around the globe for many years. They were often a medieval European storyteller who performed songs that enchanted audiences with stories of distant places and imaginary worlds. Their form of entertainment was often very popular with royalty and would often be retained to perform at lavish parties.
Minstrels also had a place in modern day society with the advent of Vaudeville. The shows would continue to mix the story telling and music but would also add comedic skits.
On Nov. 12, we will be continuing the tradition of the musically gifted storyteller, as The New Christy Minstrels take the stage here at The State Theatre in Uniontown.
Founded in 1961, by Randy Sparks, The New Christy Minstrels perform a wide variety of American folk music. They have recorded more than 20 albums and had success with hits “Green Green,” “Saturday Night,” “Today and” “This Land is Your Land.”  In 1962, the group released their first album “Presenting The New Christy Minstrels” which went on to win a Grammy Award.
Today, The New Christy Minstrels, comprised of eight musicians, perform all across the country entertaining audiences with their unique brand of musical storytelling.
Although tickets are still available, please give us a call at the box office to secure your seat for one of America’s greatest folk singing groups.

“S Wonderful”



There is something about live theater. It almost seems that theater is a Pandora’s box of sorts. It tempts you to open the lid and explore this world that is presented right before your eyes. Sometimes you feel wonderful emotions like happiness, joy and love. While other times you feel agony and heart wrenching sorrow. But, the most remarkable part is you can experience all of this straight from one of the seats here at The State Theatre Center for the Arts!
From the Theatre of Dionysus of ancient Athens and The Globe Theatre in London to the footlights of Broadway, stage performances have been a huge part of civilization spanning the world throughout time.
One of the most popular forms of stage performances is musical theater. The combination of beautiful costumes, memorable characters and catchy songs that all of the actors magically seem to know the words to, are some of the reasons why both young and the young at heart enjoy musicals. Today, with the growing popularity of shows like “Glee” and the “High School Musical” phenomena, younger generations are embracing the genera.
Often times audience members are privy to only the finished product of a musical. It is rare they get to see the creative process of a musical.
But, audiences are in luck!
At 8 p.m. Oct. 15, The State Theatre will present “’S Wonderful,” a singing and dancing musical revue that celebrates composers George and Ira Gershwin. “’S Wonderful” offers the audience a look at the real events that occurred in the lives of George and Ira Gershwin.
Maybe some of you haven’t heard of the Gershwin brothers before, but I am sure you have heard of some of their songs including “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” “Shall We Dance,” “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Rhapsody in Blue.”
Even if you are new to the Gershwin brothers and their music, you will still find your feet tapping along during the performance of “’S Wonderful.”
Tickets can be purchased at The State Theatre Center for the Arts box office 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by visiting www.statetheatre.info to purchase tickets online.
If you have any questions call, 724-439-1360 or toll free 800-397-2554.
We hope to see you for a memorable evening of song and dance.