2022/2023 Season
CELEBRATING 98 YEARS
The Youngstown Playhouse has provided community theatre to Youngstown and the surrounding area for almost 100 years, this season’s line-up continues to bring a variety of genres to the stage. A mix of classic and contemporary shows will take audiences through a range of emotions, love, mystery, adventure, joy, and hope.
“We tell stories that connect us, that let us walk in someone else’s shoes and illuminate the human spirit. There’s nothing better than entertaining people and making them laugh or cry.”
– Dr. John Cox, Board President
SISTER ACT
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Book by Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner
Additional Book Material by Douglas Carter Beane
Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture, Sister Act, written by Joseph Howard
Directed by Emma Wason
September 23 – October 2
Youngstown Playhouse Main Stage
ABOUT THE SHOW
After witnessing a murder, Deloris Van Cartier is placed in witness protection and is sent to a convent disguised as a nun. She faces hardships with having to follow Mother Superior’s orders and adjusting to her new lifestyle. She uses her singing and dancing talent to strengthen the convent and community, only to get her cover blown. This award-winning comedy is powered by friendship, gospel music, and an inspiring storyline.
EXCALIBUR HIGH
Youth Production
Written & Directed By Jim Canacci
October 27 – 30
Youngstown Playhouse Main Stage
ABOUT THE SHOW
This medieval fantasy will take the audience through a 15th-century adventure. After the loss of the headmaster of the Academy, three young scholars must put aside their own destinies and summon their collective strength to prevent the dark power that threatens Logres. Can they summon the Sword of Power and cleanse this evil from the shores of Avalon?
THE DAY THEY SHOT JOHN LENNON
By James McLure
Directed by Frank Martin
November 11 – 20
The Moyer Room
ABOUT THE SHOW
Written by James McLure, The Day They Shot John Lennon is a powerful story reliving the day The Beatles songwriter and musician, John Lennon, was assassinated. A group of strangers meet at the location of his murder to reminisce on his life with humorous and moving anecdotes. The play is set in December of 1980 when the songs of his era took on unfortunate new meanings.
A TUNA CHRISTMAS
By Ed Howard, Joe Sears, Jaston Williams
Directed by Pat Foltz
December 9 – 18
The Moyer Room
ABOUT THE SHOW
Playwrights Ed Howard, Jaston Williams, and Joe Sears created A Tuna Christmas, a sequel to the hit-comedy Greater Tuna, on the set of a fictional town, Tuna, Texas. An unexplainable Christmas phantom spooks town citizens by vandalizing yards during its annual Christmas Yard Display Contest. Among other subplots are Stanley Bumiller attempting to end his probation and flee Tuna, Bertha Bumuller trying to keep her family together during Christmas and Joe Bob Lipsey’s attempt to save his Christmas production despite technical difficulties. An all-female cast will be returning to the stage from the Playhouse’s 2018 production of the show.
ROMEO & JULIET
Directed by Tyler Moliterno & Emelia Sherin
January 28, 2023
The Main Stage
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Youth Valley Players Showcase presents Romeo & Juliet with a twist! Join us as we watch local students write and perform their short vignettes influenced by Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo & Juliet. These self-written works will display characters, themes, sets, and props based on the classic, tragic love story.
SPECIAL EVENT, back by popular demand!
sold out in 2022
COUPLES THERAPY
Written & Directed by Jason Tarr
February 10 & 11, 2023
The Main Stage
ABOUT THE SHOW
This special event is a unique and clever combination of theatre and stand-up comedy that is as funny as it is insightful. Audiences go on a hilarious and interactive ride as we equally explore and appreciate the differences of men and women. What could be better for Valentines Day than to laugh with, and at each other? Because the only thing crazier than relationships are relationship seminars.
OUTSIDE MULLINGAR
By John Patrick Shanley
Directed by Christopher Fidram
February 24 – March 5, 2023
The Moyer Room
ABOUT THE SHOW
Called “a Valentine to the wonder and weirdness of love,” this romantic comedy tells the story of lifelong neighbors Anthony and Rosemary, a couple of introverted, middle-aged misfits. When Anthony’s father threatens to leave his Irish farm to American cousins, Rosemary jumps into the middle of a land feud and gets caught in a web of family eccentricities. Poetic, uplifting and delightfully funny, Outside Mullingar is a celebration of rural life, the indomitable Irish spirit and the belief that love conquers all.
SPECIAL EVENT
THE IRISH… AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY
Written by Frank McCourt
Directed by John Cox
March 24 – 26, 2023
The Main Stage
ABOUT THE SHOW
Written in 1997 by Frank McCourt, The Irish… and How They Got That Way highlights traditional Irish through humorous and confident song, dance and storytelling of Irish history — including research by McCourt on how they were used and poorly viewed by the English.
The second special event show of the season was written by Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt, The Irish…and How They Got That Way celebrates a heritage that confronts adversity with determination and good humor while recognizing the injustices suffered by the Irish both in Ireland and in America. Drawing from McCourt’s personal experience, the story is told through his unique humor and a blend of traditional songs, show tunes, and pop classics – from “Danny Boy” to U2.
PASS OVER
By Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu
Directed by Dr. Lundeana M. Thomas
April 14 – 23, 2023
The Moyer Room
ABOUT THE SHOW
Pass Over, written by Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu, takes the audience into the lives of two African American males who spend day and night on the curbside under a street lamp post passing the time, and hoping that maybe today will be different. As they dream of their promised land, a stranger wanders into their space with his own agenda and causes unnecessary trouble. Emotional and lyrical, Pass Over exposes the raw spirit of these young men stuck in a cycle just looking for a way out.
SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Opera Western Reserve, Stambaugh Auditorium, The Youngstown Playhouse and The Youngstown Symphony Society Present:
RENT
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Matthew Mazuroski
April 27 – 30, 2023
Powers Auditorium, The DeYor Performing Arts Center
ABOUT THE SHOW
Written by Jonathan Larson, the iconic musical, Rent is set at the height of the 1990s HIV/AIDS epidemic in East Side New York City. The story follows a group of young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create, as they find the ability to stay positive while facing the obstacles of sickness, poverty, and death. RENT has bridged generational gaps teaching audiences of all ages to measure our life in love.
NEWSIES JR.
Youth Production
Music By Alan Menken
Lyrics by Jack Feldman
Book by Harvey Fierstein
JR. Script Adaptation by David Simpatico
Directed by Savannah Teter
May 19 – 21, 2023
The Main Stage
ABOUT THE SHOW
Disney’s Newsies Jr. is a timeless and powerful story filled with hope and ambition. When a top-notch newspaper publisher raises prices for newsboys’ delivery services, Jack Kelly jumps into action to rally newsies around the city to strike against them. The newsies soon learn they are stronger together as they create a movement to fight for what they deserve.
THE 39 STEPS
Adapted by Patrick Barlow
From the novel by John Buchan
Directed by Johnny Pecano
June 16 – 25, 2023
Main Stage
ABOUT THE SHOW
A fast-paced spoof of the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name, The 39 Steps, follows an “everyday man” who meets a woman, a spy. When he brings her home, she is murdered. The next thing he knows, an organization called “The 39 Steps” is hot on his trail and determined to find him. A blend of upbeat and inventive performances will have the audience on the edge of their seat in this mysterious comedy. The 39 Steps was last on stage at the Playhouse in 2012, this production will reunite 3 of the original 4 cast members as tribute to the 2012 production’s director, David Jendre.
2022/2023 Season Flex Passes
ON SALE NOW
2022/2023 Flex Pass subscriptions are on sale now and available in three pricing tiers, passes are valid for four (4) performances within the season.
