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Playhouse hits new ‘Heights’ with Miranda musical

YOUNGSTOWN — One phrase that keeps showing up in the actor bios in the program for “In the Heights” is “Playhouse debut.” Whether it is the opportunity to appear in the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical or the tenacity of director Caitlyn N. Santiago to assemble a cast that reflects the multicultural characters that populate the story, the spectacular Youngstown Playhouse production features an abundance of new talent joining some familiar faces. Welcome to the Playhouse and please keep coming back. Miranda’s musical about a Fourth of July weekend in a predominantly Hispanic ...

Playhouse aims for the ‘Heights’

Back in 2022, Caitlyn Santiago and Isa Foltz were working together on a show at Youngstown Playhouse and were the only two people with Hispanic backgrounds involved in the production. “I looked at her one day and I was like, ‘you know, what would be really cool? I really want to direct ...

McDonough displays YSU print collection, ‘Eternity’ exhibition

A hidden art gem at Youngstown State University and an exhibition featuring four artists exploring ecological themes are on display at McDonough Museum of Art. The works featured in the “Kilcawley Print Collection” haven’t been seen by anyone for decades unless they were in one of the ...

Gray Areas: ‘Buddy’ is Barney as abusive father

As a father of young children in the ’90s, I’m all-too-familiar with “Barney & Friends,” “Bear in the Big Blue House,” “The Big Comfy Couch” and other shows targeted to the preschool set. Burrowed in the deep recesses of my brain are the lyrics to Barney songs I can sing with ...

Mahoning Valley arts and entertainment

Art ARTS & EDUCATION AT THE HOYT, 124 E. Leasure Ave., New Castle, Pa.: “Shaping Space: PIttsburgh Society of Sculptors” and “Nicole May Luga — City Scrolls: Everyday Beauty,” both through Sept. 30. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday ...

YSU announces 2026-27 theater season

Three shows and a cabaret production make up the 2026-27 season for Youngstown State University Theatre. The season opens Oct. 2 in Spotlight Theatre with the gothic mystery-comedy “Ravenscroft,” written by Don Nigro. A police inspector investigating a death in a remote manor house finds herself entangled with five women, each offering a different version of events, in a story full of twists and comic misdirection. “Clue, The Musical” opens Nov 13 in Ford Theatre. Based on the classic board game, the production follows Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum and the ...