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YSU airs ‘Episode 26’

YOUNGSTOWN — After watching Youngstown State University Theatre’s production of “Episode 26,” it’s hard to picture it being staged any other way. Howard Korder’s play is a spoof of the serialized sci-fi tales that used to run with the Saturday matinees in movie theaters in the 1940s and ’50s, and it’s usually staged by actors in costume on a set designed to reflect the style of those low-budget productions. Director Todd Dicken decided to reimagine it as a radio play. His actors are dressed like folks from the 1950s showing up for a day of work at the studio. They ...

Morly Grey collector’s favorite gets Peppermint reissue

Local music fans of a certain age will remember the band Morly Grey. The rock power trio from Alliance performed regularly in Mahoning Valley from 1968 until 1972, playing such venues as Packard Music Hall, The Apartment, Zodiac Club and The House That Jack Built and sharing stages with Bob ...

Teens tackle Tony-winning ‘Hadestown’

“Hadestown” won eight Tony Awards in 2019, including best new musical. It’s still running on Broadway nearly seven years and 2,200 performances later, and it opened in London’s West End in 2024. It’s not available to regional and community theaters, but the producers have licensed ...

Gray Areas: Ribs-N-Rock sets lineup, acts face off for Fed Frenzy

After a couple of weeks of nothing but snow and temps in the 20s qualifying as a heatwave, I’m sure I’m not the only one looking forward to weather that makes me want to do something outside besides shiver. A couple of reminders of warmer days ahead arrived this week. On Friday, the crowd at Westside Bowl will have a chance to choose at least one of the acts that will perform at the year’s Federal Frenzy in downtown Youngstown. Participating in the battle-of-the-bands-style event will be zoloft!, Doomsday Darling, Mo Turk, Brake Fluid, SJ the Artisan, and Drifting Thing and the ...

Mahoning Valley arts and entertainment

Art ARTS & EDUCATION AT THE HOYT, 124 E. Leasure Ave., New Castle, Pa.: “My Abandoned Heart: Photography by Diane Beatty,” “Portals to the Soul: Photography by Dina Liguore” and “Felicific Calculus: Photography by Eric Kunsman,” all through March 12. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. hoytartcenter.org and 724-652-2882. BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown: 86th Area Artists Annual, through Feb. 15; “Gary Erbe: Magical World,” through March 29. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday ...

Rust Belt brings ‘Dating Sucks’ to Playhouse

“Dating Sucks: The Musical” opens Friday for a two-weekend run at the Youngstown Playhouse, the first of four shows Rust Belt Theater Company will stage in the Moyer Room in 2026. Several new musical numbers will be part of the revue-style musical by Robert Dennick Joki with ...