Youth Theater presents ‘A Thousand Cranes’

April 20, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater will present the local premiere of the play, “A Thousand Cranes,” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Playhouse’s Moyer Room. Additional performances will be at 2:30 p.m. April 27, and May 3 and 4. The production is part of the Small Fry series.

Written by Kathryn Schultz Miller, “ Thousand Cranes” tells the true story of Sadako, a young victim of the Hiroshima atomic bomb disaster in 1945. At first seemingly unharmed, Sadako eventually is diagnosed with radiation sickness. With boundless optimism, she takes an old Japanese legend to heart: If a sick child folds a thousand paper origami cranes, the gods will grant her wish to be well again. The play, which has been performed all over the United States, including the Kennedy Center, won an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Youth Theater’s production of “A Thousand Cranes” is directed by Erica Stickel. Set design is by James Lybarger and costumes are by Patricia Petaccio. The cast includes McKenna Hassay, Abby Hughes, Mayson Jenkins, Shane McKinney, Jacob Nash, Susan Nelson, Madeleine Rhoads and Olivia Torisk. Stage manager is Elizabeth Whetstone.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children. Call the box office at (330) 788-8739

Wrestling show benefits Landis, McGath families

LIBERTY — Many Mahoning Valley residents know the story of Teralynn Landis-McGath. For her entire life, the local girl battled liver disease, which eventually moved into her kidneys. McGath’s life was expected to be short, but organ donations prolonged it for 20 years until February when she died.

A benefit wrestling show will be held Thursday to help the Landis and McGath families with the cost of the funeral and the massive medical expenses that accumulated over the years. Championship Wrestling Experience will hold the show at 7 p.m. at the MetroPlex Hotel and Conference Center on Belmont Avenue in Liberty. Tickets are $10 at the door.

CWE undisputed Champion Johnny Gargano will battle former WWE/WCW/ECW/TNA superstar Jerry Lynn. The main event is a three-way match among Lamont “Action” Williams, Patrick Hayes and Allen McGath, the husband of Teralynn Landis-McGath.

Shenango concerts

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Shenango Valley Chorale, directed by Edgar S. Groves, will celebrate its 35th year as a community chorus by performing two spring concerts titled “Musical Memories.” Groves, who has been musical director and conductor since 1995, and members of the chorale put together the program by selecting their favorite songs from past programs.

The song list includes “The Last Words of David” by Randall Thompson; “Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal” a Southern Folk song; “Lacrymosa” by Mozart; “Dirait-on” by Morten Lauridson” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” arranged by Wilhousky.

The concerts will be at 7:30 p.m. May 3 at First United Methodist Church, 237 W. Silver St., Sharon, Pa.; and 2:30 p.m. May 4 at Hickory High School auditorium, North Hermitage Road. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for students. Children are free. Call (724) 342-0793 for more information.

WYSU raises $102K

YOUNGSTOWN — WYSU 88.5 FM, Youngstown State University’s public radio station, raised $102,058 during its recently completed spring pledge drive. Close to 1,000 listeners contributed to the station during the pledge drive, including 113 new members.

The week-long pledge drive included many giveaways, including a pair of tickets to a 13-day tour of Greece, which was won by Bea Jones of Berlin Center. Corporate support for the drive was provided by Go Ahead Tours, Internet Data Management Inc. (IDMI.net), Butler Wick Co. Inc., and The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, all of which provided partial matches during drive time pledge periods.

Fair seeks vendors

MERCER, Pa. — The Jefferson Township Fair Committee is seeking non-food vendors. The 2008 fair will be July 22-26 at the grounds on Lamor Road, between Mercer and Hermitage. Vendor fees are $100 for indoor space and $70 for outdoor for the fair’s duration. Go to jeffersontwpfair.org for application forms, or call (724) 699-4565.