Erie Playhouse Celebrates a Century

Friday, July 28

For the past century, the Erie Playhouse has been a mainstay in the Erie landscape and its performances are part of the city's rich history. To celebrate this major milestone, the Playhouse has planned a weekend of festivities. The 100th anniversary reunion weekend begins Friday with a rock concert and continues through Sunday with a celebratory brunch at the Ambassador Center.

"We have a whole weekend planned out," said producing director Richard Davis. "It's really cool for us that we get to be here for this — I think it's going to be great."

The fun kicks off Friday at 7:30 p.m. when the Boston band UltraSonic Rock Orchestra (URO) takes the Playhouse stage. This unique nine-vocalist band isn't your typical orchestra. The group performs music from legends like Queen, David Bowie, The Beatles, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

"A wall of sound that reverberated with life had me leaning so far forward in my seat in sheer captivation that I thought I was going to keel over," wrote Tim Miller of the Cape Cod Times in a review.

Celebrations continue through Saturday with food and family fun at a street fair outside the Playhouse along West 10th Street. People can play games, visit vendors and try the Millcreek Brewing Company special "Break-a-Leg" beer, brewed in honor of the event.

The evening ends with a Concert Extravaganza at 7:30 p.m. In what Davis calls a "spectacular" show, about 150 current and past Playhouse volunteers will perform songs from musicals presented throughout Playhouse history. The program will include songs from 42nd Street, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Hairspray and others.

"We started rehearsals on Sunday (July 9)," said Davis. "And some of the people are coming from out of town." But he has no concerns. "We are used to performing."

A complete schedule of events is available at erieplayhouse.org. — Tracy Geibel

Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10 St. and Ambassador Center, 7794 Peach St. // 454-2852 // erieplayhouse.org/shows-events/celebrating-100-years // $80-130 weekend, $25 URO, $30-100 Concert Extravaganza, $30 brunch ($15 children ages 4-12, free for children under 3) //