No Mountain Playhouse performances in Jennerstown: Shows will go on instead at UPJ in 2022.

Dylan Johnson, The Daily American
·3 min read

This year's Mountain Playhouse season will not be performed at the historic Mountain Playhouse theater in Jennerstown.

The Mountain Playhouse nonprofit, helmed by Executive Director Patty Carnevali, attempted to purchase the playhouse property and gristmill theater from Oak Leaf Lane LLC, but an agreement could not be reached. Carnevali said the nonprofit wanted to make upgrades to the building, including a new roof, foundation repairs and interior improvements.

"A mutually satisfactory agreement could not be reached," she said in an email. "The board of the nonprofit has a responsibility to uphold the mission – most importantly, producing theater for the residents of southwestern PA after (two) years of postponement due to covid."

The nonprofit is looking for a new theater home in Somerset County and will put on this year's performances at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center in Richland Township. This venue is located on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

"I cannot reveal any details about the search at this time," Carnevali said.

"Patrons who had tickets from 2020 and 2021 have been contacted by letter, email and phone. Those wishing refunds should contact the Box Office. Anyone who would like to purchase tickets for 2022 should call the Box Office at 814-629-9220x100 or email boxoffice@mountainplayhouse.org."

Mountain Playhouse history

The playhouse has been the site of theatrical shows in Jennerstown since 1939 after its founding by James Stoughton.

In 1987, Teresa Stoughton Marafino took over as producer and initiated the playhouse's transition into a nonprofit arts organization. Ticket sales make up approximately 60% of the playhouse's budget.

In 1997, Marafino stepped down from the nonprofit board, then handed over the reigns as producer to Carnevali in 2020.

Mountain Playhouse 2022 season

Here is the Mountain Playhouse 2022 schedule, according to its website:

  • "Always … Patsy Cline" by Ted Swindley from May 25 to 29: "Always … Patsy Cline" is a tribute to the legendary country singer who died at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show is based on the true story about Cline’s relationship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961 and continued to correspond with Cline until her death. The musical includes 27 songs and many of Cline's hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Walking After Midnight.”

  • "Popcorn Falls" by James Hindman June 1-5: "Popcorn Falls" is a small town where its only claim to fame — a namesake waterfall — has dried up. Now bankrupt, their only chance for survival is a large grant that can only be used if the town produces a play in a week. One big problem: no playhouse. Another problem: no play. Led by the mayor and the local handyman, the enterprising townsfolk try to rise to the challenge and prove that art can save the world. Broadway World called it “laugh-out-loud, comedic genius.” Additionally, the 20 citizens of Popcorn Falls are played by just two actors.

  • "RIPCORD" by David Lindsay-Abaire June 15-19: A sunny room on an upper floor is prime real estate at the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. When cantankerous Abby is forced to share her quarters with new arrival Marilyn, she has no choice but to get rid of the infuriatingly chipper woman by any means necessary. A seemingly harmless bet between the women quickly escalates into a game of comic one-upmanship that reveals not just the tenacity of these worthy opponents, but also deeper truths that each would rather remain hidden.

  • "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" by Alan Janes June 22-26: This is the true story of Holly’s meteoric rise to fame from “That’ll Be the Day” until his tragic death on “The Day the Music Died.” The show features more than 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits, including “That’ll Be the Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Everyday,” “Oh Boy” and “Raining In My Heart,” plus Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.”

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Mountain Playhouse shows set at UPJ's PPAC