Playwright's Holocaust piece will be performed overseas

A Youngstown playwright has earned a special bit of recognition.

J.E. Ballantyne Jr.'s "A Light in the Darkness: A Story of Hope During the Holocaust" will be performed this fall by the American School in London, marking the first international performance of the play.

“A Light” already has been performed at Liberty High School and at Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle, and Ballantyne routinely fields inquiries from other theater companies.

It premiered in October 2011 at Victorian Players Theater in Youngstown. Ballantyne is well known in the Valley’s community theater scene as a director, actor and playwright. The play was the winner of six Marquee Awards, including a Special Award for Community Service.

“A Light” is based on “The Promise,” a book written by Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, who is Anne Frank’s stepsister, and Barbara Powers. The play details Schloss’ life during the time that her family went into hiding from the Nazis, through its imprisonment in Auschwitz, and to its eventual return to Holland after World War II.

Schloss attended the premiere in Youngstown and is expected to attend the premiere in London.

Ballantyne already has begun writing a second play about Schloss, based on her latest book, “After Auschwitz.” This play also will deal with her early life, including the years in hiding and in Auschwitz, but will spend considerable time examining what she has done with her life since the end of the war. Schloss has traveled the world many times over, telling her story and educating people about the Holocaust.

Ballantyne said that when Schloss, 85, can no longer travel, his play will carry on her message and speak for her. He is designing it as a one-woman show with accompanying video that will incorporate other characters.

For more information and to inquire about performance rights for “A Light in the Darkness,” go to jandbproductionarts.com and click on play licensing.

TROLIO WILL BE COMMEMORATED AT MOUNT CARMEL ITALIAN FEST

The late Tony Trolio will be remembered for his dedication to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival at this summer’s event.

Trolio founded the festival 17 years ago and chaired it every year until his death in November.

He will be commemorated for his service to the church at the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. July 25 on the main stage. His family will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award in a special presentation.

Three tables inside the church hall will be dedicated to Trolio, with photos, awards and a little of his history with the church and the festival.

A full-page ad in the program book also will honor his memory, according to Frank Frattaroli, who is now chairing the festival.

The Mahoning Valley has quite a few Italian festivals every summer, but the OLMC-Youngstown fest stands out for its steadfast adherence to Italian traditions — something Trolio insisted upon.

BUSKERS WILL PERFORM AT NEW CASTLE FESTival

The practice of busking, or street performing, dates back hundreds of years, and it’s still popular today in most large cities.

The Hoyt Center for the Arts will bring busking to New Castle this summer at Arts on the Riverwalk,

The two-day event — a merger between the former New Castle Arts Fest and the Fireworks Festival — will be July 11-12. It will include an artists market, a local arts competition, window galleries ... and street performances.

Musicians, singers, artists, magicians, ventriloquists, palm readers and other buskers will perform for tips along East Washington Street and along the Riverwalk. To secure a spot, contact the Hoyt at 724-652-2882, or go to hoytartcenter.org.