Poe’s ‘Tell-Tale Heart’ at Victorian Theatre

Poe’s ‘Tell-Tale Heart’
at Victorian Theatre

YOUNGSTOWN — Victorian Players will team up with J&B Production Arts to stage “The Tell-Tale Heart” as its annual Halloween show.

Based on the popular Edgar Allan Poe short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart” opens at 7:30 Friday night and runs for three weekends.

Director J.E. Ballantyne Jr. adapted the short story for the stage, adding characters and turning it into a full-length play. “The Tell-Tale Heart” journeys through the twisted mind of a man who takes care of an elderly person. The cast includes Roger Wright and Thomas P. Gilmartin Jr. as the lead character; Wayne Morris as the Old Man; Tim McGinley as the Detective; Molly Galano as Mrs. Appleby; Dennis Villa and John Courter as police officers; and a mysterious visitor.

“The Tell-Tale Heart” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27; at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 and 28; and at midnight on Saturday Oct. 20 and 27.

Call (330) 746-5455 for tickets. The theater is located at 702 Mahoning Ave., near downtown, across from Flynn’s Tires.

Oakland has new dates for ‘Runner Stumbles’

YOUNGSTOWN — Milan Stitt’s mystery drama “The Runner Stumbles” opens Friday at the Oakland Center for the Arts.

The play is about a Catholic priest who is forced to confess his indiscretions and question his own sanity when held accountable for the violent murder of a nun.

Based on an actual 1911 court case, “The Runner Stumbles” is a powerful period drama with an ending that is both surprising and explosive.

Directed by Christopher Fidram, the cast includes Greg Mocker, Laura Phillips, Barbara Evans, Dan Black, Clyde Holmes, Sam Luptak, Lori Broderick, Eric McCrae and Terri Labedz. Stage manager is Denise Sculli.

The Oakland will alter its traditional performance schedule for “The Runner Stumbles” and several other productions this season. Instead of the usual three-weekend run, “The Runner Stumbles” will be staged six times over two weekends, adding a Sunday matinee Oct. 14 and a Thursday evening performance Oct. 18. The full schedule is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Oct. 18, 19 and 20; and 2 p.m. Oct. 14.

The Oakland is located at 220 W. Boardman St., downtown Youngstown. Tickets are $15 ($12 for senior citizens and $10 for students) and can be reserved by calling (330) 746-0404.

Stambaugh schedules
Sunday brunch concerts

YOUNGSTOWN — Stambaugh Auditorium has scheduled a Sunday brunch/concert series.

The first program “Afternoon of a Fawn,” will be Oct. 21 in the auditorium’s Christman Memorial Hall. Danielle Frabutt, flutist, will play music of French composers and will be accompanied by Jack Ciarniello, pianist.

Future programs will be “Go for Baroque,” featuring the Dana Brass Ensemble, Dec. 9; “Mardi Gras,” with pianist Randall Fusco performing the music of Gottschalk and others, Feb. 3; and “Salute to America,” with the Youngstown Connection, April 3. Cost is $23 per person. All programs begin at 11:30 a.m. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call (330) 747-5175.

Christmas in the Woods

COLUMBIANA — The 13th annual Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Woods will be Oct. 13-14 and 20-21 at Shaker Woods. The festival gathers 200 craftspeople and artisans in a manicured, wooded setting. Juried costumed crafters will decorate their booths in an old-fashioned holiday theme. The exhibitors will demonstrate their crafts. The level festival grounds feature gravel footpaths. Strollers are not recommended.

B.E. Taylor will perform Christmas music all four days of the festival.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, rain or shine. Admission is $6.50 (children 12 and under are free). Shaker Woods is on state Route 7, one mile north of the intersection of state Route 14. For more information, go to shakerwoods.com.

MLK choir seeks singers

YOUNGSTOWN — The Martin Luther King Planning Committee is recruiting singers for a multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-denominational Celebration Choir.

Interested persons are asked to attend the choir’s rehearsal at 7 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave. The choir will perform Jan. 19 with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra in the fourth annual Musical Tribute to Martin Luther King at Powers Auditorium. Choir director is Arnold J. Wagner. For more information, call Bonnie Deutsch Burdman at (330) 746-3251, Ext. 183.