Have you ever attended Open Mic at the Peg Fassett Performing Arts Studio at the Dietrich?
Generally scheduled for 7 p.m. every fourth Friday from March through October, Open Mic Night at the Dietrich Theater is, according to Cultural Assistant and Open Mic Facilitator Jessica Shaffer, “a great way to display the amazing talents we have to offer in our community.”
“Audience and performers of all ages come out to enjoy open mic night every month,” said Shaffer. “From music to comedy to ventriloquism, open mic nights are a great way for people to come together to appreciate and demonstrate the wide variety of talent you can find right here in NEPA. Open Mic is always a great time for those who come out to enjoy it. Last month’s Open Mic night was one of the best turnouts we’ve had all season. Since the start of the season in March, we have had an average of three to five Open Mic performers. Last month, we had nine. Thirty people came out to watch all of the performers, but more are always welcome and wanted.”
Attending a theater showing of the movie “The Wedding Plan” this last week dramatically illustrated why seeing movies in a movie theater with other moviegoers enhances the experience.
I was not going to see “The Wedding Plan,” even though I was able to see 12 other movies in Summer Fest. Then I had the opportunity to meet friends and go to the movie, so I decided to see it after all. It is the poignant and humorous story in Hebrew with sub-titles, of course, of a bride, spurned by her fiancé a month before the wedding, who decides to trust in fate and go ahead with her plans.
The theater was filled with bursts of laughter as the story unfolded and, at the end of the movie, there was spontaneous applause. This is why we have movie theaters and this is why people still come even though there are so many ways to view a movie. This is why the Dietrich Theater has a mission to provide the best movie-going experience to our community and our surrounding communities, because we are all about community.
Another community movie experience is coming up at 1 and 7 p.m Wednesday, Aug. 16. Because of the sponsorship of an anonymous friend of the Dietrich, the tickets are free for the movie “Annie,” the 1982 hit with Albert Finney, Carol Burnett and Tim Curry. Bring your family and friends to enjoy this classic story of the little girl looking for a home. You will probably leave the theater singing one of the many catchy songs in this special family friendly musical.
Speaking of community, our entire community will benefit from Donna LaBar’s “Simple, Natural, Healing” workshops at the Dietrich. LaBar will talk about a usually eliminated topic, “Proper Elimination,” from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 12. Learn how breath, skin, liver and kidney function and blood pressure all play roles to increase the body’s capacity to process and eliminate toxins.
Just show up or call the theater at 570-996-1500 for information.
Not for the whole family is the National Theatre Live production of “Obsession” with Jude Law. This is the sizzling story of a drifter and his affair with another man’s wife. Said to be “fiery” and “chilling,” this screened performance of the London play will be shown at 2 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 13 and 20 at the Dietrich.
Many National Theatre Live fans have discovered the special experience of these screened performances complete with backstage interviews with the actors and crew of the plays.
Tickets may be purchased online at the ticket booth or just by showing up at the theater.
So we are all about community – community near and far. We hope you feel part of our community, too.
