Youth theater presents ‘Hansel and Gretel’

October 19, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theatre will present “Hansel and Gretel” at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Oct. 26, and Nov. 1 and 2, in the theater’s Moyer Room.

“Hansel and Gretel” is a gentle adaptation of the folk tale about a young brother and sister who are sent into the forest to hunt for berries. They discover a house, made of gingerbread, candy and other goodies, but the owner is a strange old lady who has an entirely different menu in mind for her dinner.

With the help of the audience, Hansel and Gretel outwit their captor and are reunited with their parents.

The cast includes Jacob Nash, Claire Killian, Joe Asente, Murphy Sharp, Tierney Chesney and Justin Asente.

Patricia M. Fagan is the director, James Lybarger is set designer, and Patricia Petaccio is costume maker.

DeAnna D’Egidio is stage manager, and Donny Wolford is crew chief.

Admission is $5 for children and $7 for adults.

A complimentary autograph party with cookies and punch follows the performance. Reservations are suggested, and can be made by calling the box office at (330) 788-8739.

‘Swingin’ with Sinatra’ at Main Street Theater

COLUMBIANA — “Swingin’ with Sinatra,” a musical tribute to Frank Sinatra, will be performed at Main Street Theater, 5 N. Main St., at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The show, produced and directed by Michael Moritz Jr., includes a live band and guest vocalists who will perform Sinatra’s greatest hits.

Tickets are $10 and are at The Encore Caf next to the theater, or by calling (330) 482-9647.

Singers can audition for master class

YOUNGSTOWN — Singers are invited to audition from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 in the ballroom of Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave., for a master class on The Principles of Belt led by stage performer and instructor Tony Richards.

The class will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 23 in Stambaugh’s Christman Room. Ten people will be selected for the class, but all are invited to observe.

The Principles of Belt is an innovative approach to singing that keeps the vocal cords healthy and the voice fit and flexible enough to sing any style from pop, rock and country, to musical theater and opera. Richards excels at working with damaged and uneven voices, diagnosing vocal needs, and making adjustments. Anyone curious about how to identify these principles in themselves and in others is encouraged to attend — especially students and their teachers.

This is an interactive program. If selected to participate, the cost is $60 ($30 to observe). Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the class.

Auditioners should be prepared to sing up to three minutes and perform a capella or with either CD or live piano accompaniment. There is no cost to audition. For more information and to apply to audition, go to beyondbroadwayent.com” www.beyondbroadwayent.com or call Rick Blackson at (330) 519-9634.

New Castle Playhouse to present ‘Apple Tree’

NEW CASTLE — The musical “The Apple Tree” will open Friday at the New Castle Playhouse’s Annex Theatre, 202 E. Long Ave.

The show, directed by Paula R. Ferguson, comprises three one-act musicals about men, women and temptation.

“The Apple Tree” will run for three weekends. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.

For reservations, call the box office at (724) 654-3437. All tickets are $10.

Mercer County mills topic of radio show

MERCER, Pa. — Bill Philson, Mercer County Historical Society executive director, will be a guest on the Ron Everett Radio Show on WPIC-AM 790 at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The topic will be Mercer County’s industrial heritage, focusing on local mills.

Listeners can share their memories during a phone-in segment of the show.

A live stream of the program can be heard online at www.790wpic.com.