Variety of shows headed to Erie's entertainment venues in 2023
Editor's Note: The Erie Philharmonic changed the programming for its May 13 concert after our deadline. This story has been updated to reflect the concert as Mozart's "Requiem" rather than Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky."
If you were waiting to get tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld at Erie's Warner Theatre in May, you're too late.
The show is sold out, according to the Erie Events website, which also warns against third-party ticketing sites offering tickets for much higher than the show's $175, $87.50 and $67.50 prices.
But even if there's no Seinfeld for you, there are plenty of other shows to see around Erie in 2023. From Broadway to a Led Zeppelin tribute, the new year is full of drama, comedy, music and more. Here is some of what's ahead, according to news releases we've received and websites for various theaters and venues. Find more or add your shows at GoErie.com/calendar.
All An Act Theater
652 W. 17th St.
"Verdict"
When: Feb. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26
This Agatha Christie play isn't a murder mystery or a whodunnit per se, but a profound and thoughtful piece, delving deeply into the psychology of relationships and moral philosophy, according to All An Act's website.
"Peter and the Star Catcher"
When: March 24-26 and 31 and April 1-2
All An Act will join with Footlights Theatre Performing Arts Center to present the play about orphans being shipped to a distant island, a mysterious trunk and pirates.
"What Is Susan's Secret?"
When: May 5-7, 12-14, 19-21
An endearing elderly couple appear to be bordering on senility but they're really clever con artists preying on unsuspecting guests at their inn and getting them to perform various improvements.
"On Golden Pond"
When: Aug 18-20 and 25-27 and Sept. 1-3
Ethel and Norman Thayer return to their longtime summer home on Golden Pond, where they are visited by their middle-aged daughter and fiancé, who leave his teenage son behind for the summer.
"The Cat and the Canary"
When: Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1, 6-8 and 13-15
Ambrose West's will designates Annabelle West as his heir as long as she isn't insane. So the family tries to unbalance her and reveal another heir.
"Jake's Women"
When: Nov. 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26 and Dec. 1-3
In this play by Neil Simon, a novelist, who is more successful with fiction than with life, faces a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life.
For information, call 814-450-8553 or 814-449-6554 or visit www.allanact.net.
Roles to remember:Teen talks about iconic characters she took on at All An Act Theatre
Broadway in Erie
Warner Theatre, 811 State St.
"Riverdance"
When: March 14-16
A Grammy Award-winning score complements the thrilling energy and passion of the show's Irish and international dance.
"Rain — A Tribute to the Beatles"
When: April 16
Performances of the iconic band's hits.
"Fiddler on the Roof"
When: April 19 and 20
The new production of the classic features musical hits "Tradition," "Sunrise, Sunset," "If I Were A Rich Man," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" and "To Life (L’Chaim!)."
For information, call 814-452-4857 or visit erieevents.com or nacentertainment.com/broadway-in-erie.
2022-23 season:Disney's 'Aladdin,' 'Riverdance' among Broadway in Erie blockbusters ahead
Corella Productions Children's Theatre Academy
"The Addams Family: School Edition"
When: March 3-4
Actors ages 6 to 16 will present a story about Wednesday Addams, the original princess of darkness, falling in love with a "normal" boy from a respectable family, according to Corella's website. Shows will take place at Cathedral Preparatory School, 250 W. 10th St.
For information, call 814-602-8221 or visit www.corellaproductions.com.
From 2021:Corella Productions to bring dinner and a show in Erie's former Maennerchor ballroom
Dramashop Theatre in Process
1001 State St., Suite 210
"Incognito"
When: Feb. 3, 4, 10-12 and 17-19
Four actors play 21 characters within three interwoven stories: A pathologist steals the brain of Albert Einstein; a neuropsychologist embarks on her first romance with another woman; a seizure patient forgets everything but how much he loves his girlfriend, according to Dramashop's website.
"The Pleasure Trials"
When: March 24, 25 and 31 and April 1
When Rachel and Callie start clinical trials on their new female libido enhancement drug, willing participants come out of the woodwork. The effectiveness of the medicine is undeniable, but the overwhelming pressure for its success might corrupt everyone involved.
One Act Festival
When: April 21, 22, 28 and 29
Biennial event featuring short plays written, directed and performed by local artists.
"Kingdom Come"
When: June 9, 10, 16, 17 and 23-25
Comedy about 30-somethings who connect through an online dating site but are each pretending to be someone else.
For information, call 814-315-3348 or visit www.dramashop.org.
From 2021:Dramashop celebrates 10 years
Erie Events
Erie Insurance Arena, 809 French St.
"WWE Saturday Night's Main Event Supershow"
When: Jan. 21
Features Seth "Freakin" Rollins vs. Austin Theory, Charlotte Flair vs. Shayna Baszler and Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch and Asuka vs. Damage CTRL, more.
Harlem Globetrotters
When: Feb. 1
Globetrotter stars bring out their amazing basketball skill and outrageous athleticism as they go against the Washington Generals.
"Disney on Ice: Find Your Hero"
When: Feb. 9-10
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends including Moana, Anna, Elsa, Ariel, Rapunzel and Belle from around the Disney Kingdom come together to take families on a journey through timeless tales.
Warner Theatre, 811 State St.
"Get the Led Out"
When: Jan. 12
The Philadelphia-based group delivers Led Zeppelin live and re-creates its songs in all their depth and glory with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin never performed.
"Mania: The Abba Tribute"
When: Feb. 1
The touring ABBA tribute formerly know as ABBA Mania recreates the band's sound with its dance-inducing hits.
"Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen"
When: March 4
The concert by the tribute band features Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury.
MercyMe concert
When: March 5
Performance by the Christian band with special guests Micah Taylor and Taya.
"Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles"
When: April 7
Tribute show performing the Eagles catalog of music.
"Little Feat: Boogie Your Spring Away Tour"
When: April 13
Concert by the band that unites California rock, funk, folk, jazz, country, rockabilly, and New Orleans swamp boogie; with special guest Miko Marks.
"Casting Crowns: The Healer Tour"
When: April 22
Performance by the contemporary Christian rock band with special guests We Are Messengers and Ben Fuller.
"Jeff Dunham: Still Not Canceled"
When: May 4
Tour stop featuring the comic/ventriloquist.
For information, call 814-452-4857 or visit erieevents.com.
How It Works:Erie Events manages Warner Theatre, Erie Insurance Arena, UPMC Park and Bayfront Convention Center events
Erie Philharmonic
"The Planets"
When: Jan. 28
The concert will feature Gustav Holst’s famous orchestral tribute to the heavens, "The Planets," and women from the Erie Philharmonic Chorus.
"Pixar's 'Toy Story' in Concert"
When: Feb. 18-19
The Philharmonic will play the score along to the 1995 film.
"Midori"
When: March 25
Violinist Midori makes her Erie Philharmonic debut performing Schumann’s Violin Concerto; also a special performance by the Erie Junior Philharmonic's Symphony Orchestra.
"Cirque at the Symphony with Troupe Vertigo"
When: April 15
The Philharmonic concludes its 2022-23 Pops Season with a group of circus performers.
Mozart's "Requiem"
When: May 13
The Erie orchestra concludes its Symphonic Series with Mozart's "Requiem" in place of the originally scheduled Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky" due to the war in Ukraine. Phil officials said they will donate 10% of ticket sales to the Erie United for Ukraine Fund administered by the Erie Community Foundation and the United Way of Erie County.
For information, call 814-455-1375 or visit www.eriephil.org.
2022-23 season:Sheena Easton, violinist Midori, 'Toy Story' among Erie Philharmonic's lineup
Jazz Erie
James Brandon Lewis Trio and The Messthetics
When: March 14
Lewis, a saxophonist and composer, is considered one of the provocative musical voices of his generation, according to his website. Jazz Erie is bringing his trio to Hirt Auditorium at Blasco Library along with The Messthetics, an instrumental trio formed by former Fugazi bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty with guitarist Anthony Pirog.
For information, visit https://jazzerie814.square.site or www.jblewis.com or send an email to jazzerie814@gmail.com.
Performing Artists Collective Alliance
1505 State St.
"The Fantasticks"
When: Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 2-4, 10-11
This funny and romantic musical is about a boy, a girl, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart while the narrator asks the audience to follow him into a world of moonlight and magic, according to the PACA website.
"Brownstone"
When: March 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
Three points of time converge in a New York brownstone, spanning 80 years and encompassing the lives of six people: a pair of newlyweds, two aspiring actresses and an engaged couple.
For information, call 814-616-7222 or visit www.paca1505.org.
Worthy of preservation:PACA's downtown Erie building added to National Register of Historic Places
Station Dinner Theatre
"The Wake"
When: March 11-12, 14, 17-18 and 29 and April 1-2
An afternoon or evening of fun with jokes, jigs, games, stories and songs, according to the theater's website.
"Self Help Farce"
When: April 15-16, 19, 29-30 and May 6-7 and 10
Married struggling actors reinvent themselves as self-help gurus but their lives unravel as they try to conceal a corpse and hold on to their false fame.
"The Savannah Sipping Society"
When: May 27-28, June 3-4, 7, 10-11, 14, 17 and 21
This comedy features four Southern women deciding to reclaim their enthusiasm for life.
"The Chicago Speakeasy"
When: July 15-16, 19, 22-23, 29-30 and Aug. 2, 5-6
A musical comedy with audience interaction, music, dancing and laughter.
"Over the River and Through the Woods"
When: Aug. 19, 20, 23, 26-27 and Sept. 6, 9-10
Nick's dream job would take him away from his beloved but annoying grandparents, who scheme to keep him around in this family comedy.
"A Canterbury Feast"
When: Sept. 23-24 and 30; Oct. 1, 6-7, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29; and Nov. 3-5, 10-12, 17-18
Knaves and wenches take you to 1492 and serve you a meal without utensils in this medieval musical comedy.
"Christmas Memories"
When: Dec. 2-3, 8-10 and 15-17
The heartwarming holiday family musical celebrates the true meaning of Christmas.
For information, call 814-864-2022 or visit www.canterburyfeast.com.
From 2019:Go medieval at long-running Canterbury Feast
Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @ETNmassing.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Variety of shows headed to Erie's entertainment venues in 2023
