‘Nutcracker 1969’ takes new approach

‘Nutcracker 1969’ takes new approach

SHARON, Pa. — The Walnut Lodge and Ballet Theater Shenango Valley will present “The Nutcracker 1969” on Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 19 and 20 at Penn State Shenango’s auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

The production will give a glimpse of what “The Nutcracker” would have looked like if Jimi Hendrix, instead of Tchaikovsky, had written it.

In the first act, audience members will meet Richard Nixon, a biker named Pumpkin and, of course, Clara, Drosselmeyer and the Rat King. In the second act, the audience will travel to the Moon where Foxy Sugar Plum reigns over the Land of Eternal Harmony and Love for a series of groovy dances that include all the Nutcracker variations.

Seating is limited because of the interactive nature of the performance, which includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages. For tickets, call the Walnut Lodge at (724) 346-4746. Tickets are $25 ($15 for students; $10 for children under 5).

Steel Town Studios to have open house

YOUNGSTOWN — Steel Town Studios, 8 N. Phelps St., downtown, will host its annual holiday open house from 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, featuring the works of graphic artist Bob Barko Jr.

Memorabilia from former Youngstown landmarks, including Idora Park, Isaly’s, Mill Creek Park, the steel mills, local movie theaters and downtown will be on display and for sale. Admission is free.

Barko’s 24-foot by 6-foot “Here In Youngstown” mural will be on display, weather permitting. The mural is a visual history of the city from 1796 to the present. Wall-size full-color prints of the mural will be available for $20. Also available and new for 2009 are Barko’s new 10-inch by 24-inch 2009 Youngstown skyline print and an oval “IDORA” bumper sticker, a companion item to his “YO” bumper stickers.

Other gift items include the artist’s full line of art prints, Y-town Wear clothing, holiday ornaments and greeting cards, and historic photo and postcard reproductions.

Artists to show work at gallery inside mall

NILES — Four artists from Youngstown State University will display their work from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Art Outreach Gallery in Eastwood Mall.

Ross Massupappa, a junior studying printmaking; Chris Kasmar, senior, graphic design; Lisa Perry, sophomore, general fine arts; and faculty member Chris Leeper, a full-time artist with a studio in Canfield, will be on hand at the gallery. Kasmar will paint children’s faces. The Gallery is between Sears and Macy’s.

Donors will get ticket to ‘Miracle on 34th’

YOUNGSTOWN — Audience members attending Friday’s opening night of “Miracle on 34th Street” at The Youngstown Playhouse who bring a new, unwrapped toy or a child’s coat to donate to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning County will receive a free ticket to that night’s show.

The holiday production runs this weekend and next. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15 ($12 for seniors and students), and discount rates are available for groups. Call the box office at (330) 788-8739.