December Academy Theatre Festivities

Enjoy Events from Christmas Classics to New Year’s Eve Fun

The Academy Theatre will be hosting a number of holiday events in the coming month at 275 Chestnut Street in Meadville.  Late Nite Catechism will bring Christmas humor on Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30pm for $30.50.  Catch a free presentation of “White Christmas” in our beautiful theater during December 6^th “Light up Meadville” night.  The Erie Philharmonic will present the annual tradition “Come Home for the Holidays” on Sunday, December 8^th at 2:30pm for $20.50, $25.50 or $30.50.  The Academy’s Youth Theatre presents Bah Humbug! Scrooge’s Christmas Carol December 20-22 for $8.50 and $10.50.  Ring in the New Year with Tammy Pescatelli on December 31^st at 7:30pm for $30.50. Information and tickets for all shows can be found at www.theacademytheatre.org or by calling 814-337-8000.

Late Nite Catechism has become an annual Special Event here at the Academy Theatre.  The third in the series, it’s “CSI: Bethlehem” in this holiday mystery extravaganza.  From the author of Late Nite Catechism, Sister takes on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the ages – whatever happened to the Magi’s gold? (“We know that Mary used the frankincense and myrrh as a sort of potpourri – they were in a barn after all.”) Retelling the story of the nativity, as only Sister can, this hilarious holiday production is bound to become a yearly classic. Employing her own scientific tools, assisted by a local choir as well as a gaggle of audience members, Sister creates a living nativity unlike any you’ve ever seen. With gifts galore and bundles of laughs, Sister’s Christmas Catechism is sure to become the newest addition to your holiday traditions.

The Academy Theatre is delighted to join in the festivities of “Light up Meadville” on Friday, December 6.  Performers from the Youth Theatre’s Bah Humbug! cast will sing in Diamond Park during the tree lighting.  After the ceremony, follow the parade to the Academy Theatre for a free presentation of the classic holiday movie White Christmas, presented in partnership with the Meadville Chamber of Commerce and the Baldwin Reynolds House Museum.  There will be holiday treats and fun for the children as well.  Don’t miss this chance to get out of the cold and share some Christmas cheer with everyone in our community.

It wouldn’t be Christmas in our area without what has become a new Meadville Tradition: the 8th annual appearance at the Academy Theatre by the Erie Philharmonic! Conductor Daniel Meyer and the Phil will perform their sparkling holiday repertoire during the afternoon of December 8th.  The Crawford County Cantabiles will also be part of this performance.  This group, lead by Mrs. Molly Caprara, is a hit every year.  Composed of high school students from around the county, they are truly a talented group whose singing brings a whole other dimension to the concert.

Come share the magic of everyone’s favorite Christmas classic performed by the Academy’s Youth Theatre! Watch as Ebenezer dooms himself to visits from three Christmas spirits. His revelation that “life was meant to be lived” brings a heart-warming conclusion to Dickens’ beloved tale.  Bah Humbug! Scrooge’s Christmas Carol is directed by Alicia Greathouse, with music direction from Sonia Firster, and performers of all ages.  Show times are Friday and Saturday, December 20 and 21 at 7:30pm, Sunday December 22 at 2:00pm.  Watch the next generation of performers shine with this classic tale in musical form.

For a fresh New Year’s Eve tradition, come to the Academy Theatre for Tammy Pescatelli and Luca Palanca.  Tammy Pescatelli has become a comedy legend in Meadville.  She is the kind of woman you wish was your sister or your best friend.  Like a good sister, she‘s always ready with a good joke or lively quip.  Tammy learned her funny skills growing up in a large, crazy, Italian family outside of Cleveland.  She went on to marry into an even larger, crazier, Italian family and has a little boy that she named after her husband-“just to prepare for Alzheimer’s!”  Luca Palanca is that husband, and together New Year’s Eve 2013 is sure to be one of the most fun Meadville has seen!