Send us a text 🎭 What happens when a Pulitzer Prize–winning drama about love, loss, and hope takes over one of Pennsylvania’s most beautiful small-town stages? On this week’s Spotlight 814, I sit down with Evan O’Polka and Elizabeth Williams from Rabbit Hole at the Barrow Civic Theatre’s intimate Off-Barrow space in Franklin. We talk about grief, humor, and why this story will stay with you long after the curtain falls. This show isn’t just a play. It’s a reminder of how we heal, ...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814, it’s the ultimate double feature: radioactive drama and feline fever. I like to call it "Radium CATS" We’re talking with the minds behind Radium Girls at PACA (Zachery Hoffman) and CATS at the Erie Playhouse (Richard Davis). One is a gripping true story about justice, corporate greed, and glowing bones. The other has cat makeup, high kicks, and a cast that’s literally flipping through the air. Expect laughs, behind-the-scenes surprises, and a kne...

Send us a text 🎭 NEW EPISODE: Behind the Scenes of The Da Vinci Code at the Erie Playhouse + a Preview of Spotlight 814's Original Works Weekend at PACA! 🎤 Actor Kyle Filbeck joins us to talk about playing the intense and mysterious Silas, transforming for the role, and what it’s like performing in this chilling adaptation of The Da Vinci Code. Plus, Brenna Thummler shares the scoop on five brand-new local plays premiering at PACA this weekend, including one ghostly comedy she wro...

Send us a text 🎭✨ NEW EPISODE ALERT: Shakespeare Summer Nights - A Midsummer Night's Dream! ✨🎭 This week on Spotlight 814, we welcome director Karalyn Headley to talk about A Midsummer Night’s Dream, part of Gannon University’s Shakespeare Summer Nights series at LEAF (Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park)! 🌿 Hear all about: ✅ Gender-fluid casting choices that challenge tradition ✅ How Oberon and Puck are just like… your cat? 🐈 ✅ The beauty (and chaos) of Shakesp...

Send us a text What happens when Seneca High School theatre kids grow up and gain access to alcohol, memories of the good old days, and a bar stage? Tethered Immersive Theatrical Experience REWIND happens! This week on Spotlight 814, I’m joined by Kristen Smith and Adele Desmone of Penny and Pearl Productions to talk all things REWIND! A 90s-themed immersive pop-up at Room 33, complete with live music by Shani Bills, surprise drama, and a costume contest (yes, JNCOs are encouraged). Plus, ...

Send us a text 🎙️ NEW EPISODE! 🎙️ This week on Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast, I’m joined by the phenomenal Kerry D’Jovanni, ensemble member and Berry Gordy himself in the national tour of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, coming to the Warner Theatre May 23 & 24! We talk about: ✨ Touring the country with a show full of soul 🎤 What it means to honor Black excellence on stage 🕺 Channeling Berry Gordy energy 🎶 First Moto...

Send us a text 🚢 Hot flashes, high seas, and heartfelt hilarity! 🚢 On this week’s episode of Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Theatre Podcast, I sit down with Teri Adams, who plays Iowa Housewife in the touring production of Menopause the Musical 2, coming to the Warner Theatre in Erie on Tuesday, May 13 with Broadway in Erie! We talk: 🎭 Life on the road and thirty years in the biz 🧳 How her character goes from grieving widow to cruise-ship chaos 💃...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Theatre Podcast: 🕺 We’re joined by Zach Hoffman and Howard Lang, stars of PACA’s powerful production of Boys in the Band, a raw, revolutionary pre-Stonewall play that helped reshape queer representation on stage. 🏳️‍🌈 🎙️ Tune in as we unpack: – Bringing this 1968 queer story to life with authenticity and care – How a real-life cast bond powers one of PACA’s strongest ensembles – The layered history behind Mart Cr...

Send us a text 🎙️ This week on Spotlight 814: A TRIPLE THREAT of comedy, chaos, and corn 🌽 We’re taking you behind the scenes of three wildly different, and wildly entertaining shows currently lighting up stages across the region: 🕺 The Producers at the Academy Theatre in Meadville, PA 🛡️ Spamalot at Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin, PA 🌽 Shucked the Musical at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH 🎭 Hotsy-totsy Nazis, knights in tights, and the most surprisingly aMAIZEing musical w...

Send us a text 🎙✨ New Episode Alert! Spotlight 814 is BACK and better than ever! ✨🎙 This week, host Ryan Dawley sits down with the hilarious Tony Lewandowski from Murder Among Friends at Station Dinner Theatre and the sensational Camellia Tatara from Bat Boy: The Musical at PACA – and trust us, it's a must-listen for theater lovers, comedy fans, and anyone who’s ever wanted to cry their troubles away (or laugh them off instead 😂). 🍽️ Get the inside scoop on Erie’s most thrilling d...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast: 👻 Calling all Addams Family fans! 👻 Get ready for an electrifying episode of Spotlight 814! ⚡️ We sit down with Chris Carsten, the incredible actor playing Uncle Fester in The Addams Family Musical, coming to the Warner Theatre on March 17-18! 🎭 Chris spills behind-the-scenes secrets about playing Fester, the power of embracing your weirdness, and even shares his most outrageous on-stage mishaps (tornado twirls included!...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast... Our new co-host, Kyle Filbeck sits down with the 'Star' of The Cher Show, Morgan Scott! We discuss: 🌟 The Role of Star – How Morgan portrays one of three versions of Cher and what makes this storytelling format so unique. 🎤 Cher’s Vulnerability & Strength – Finding the human side of an icon beyond the costumes, hair, and music. 🎭 Tribute vs. Impression – The delicate balance of honoring Cher’s essence while keeping...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast (and Erie Reader's Best Podcast of 2024!) I’m joined by Betsy Petoriak (PACA Board Secretary) & Sarah Little (Director of Footlights Youth Theatre) as we dive into what makes this event special, why you should grab tickets ASAP, and how PACA is working to make the theater more accessible for everyone. What’s in This Episode? 🎭 PACA’s Valentine’s Fundraiser – A must-attend theater event in Erie, PA that supports PACA’s...

Send us a text 🎭 This Week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Theatre Podcast! 🎭 Hold onto your pieholes, because this episode is packed! Ryan takes the stage at CAM Erie with none other than Kyle Filbeck, aka Dr. Pomatter in the Erie Playhouse’s upcoming production of Waitress! 🥧 Opening night is this Friday, and trust us, you won’t want to miss this sweet slice of musical magic. Kyle and Ryan spill the beans on the Waitress rehearsal process, the show’s jaw-dropping music by Sara Bareille...

Send us a text On this special episode of Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast: Ryan is joined by one of the stars of Pretty Woman on Tour, Lauren Esser (Ensemble/ Kit understudy), as they prepare to make a stop right here in Erie on January 8-9 at the Warner Theatre! We talk about the show, tour life, the audition process, and she has some solid advice for any actors looking to make a career in the theatre! Special thanks to Ali at Broadway in Erie for setting up this intervi...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast: Ryan is joined at CAM Erie by Adele Crotty, star of PACA's production of Who's Holiday, which just finished a successful limited engagement! Adele talks about the show, and about what happened to Cindy Lou Who 40 years later. It's funny. It's sad. It's dark. Apologies for the shaky audio. There was a lot going on at CAM on Saturday, and it really impacted the audio in the podcast studio. Ryan Reads Reddit...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast: Ryan is joined at CAM Erie by Yelena Carvin and Jim Nash, stars of Barrow-Civic Theatre's production of Dracula, which runs this weekend only in Franklin! We talk all things Dracula and Barrow-Civic, including their newly-announced season! Ryan Reads Reddit, where one redditor has an incredible realization about Sweeney Todd. We take our Werner Books Coffee Break, where Ryan enjoys a French Toast Cold Brew from...

Send us a text On this special episode of Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast: Ryan is joined by two of the stars of Dear Evan Hansen on Tour, Gabriel Nunag (Jared Kleinman) and Michael Fabisch (Evan Hansen), as they prepare to make a stop right here in Erie on October 15 and 16 at the Warner Theatre! We talk about the show, tour life, the audition process, and they give some solid advice for any actors looking to make a career out of their artistry! Special thanks to Ali at ...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast: Ryan is joined at CAM Studio by the stars of The Woman in Black at PACA, Ken Brundage and Daniel Stripp! Ken and Dan discuss the process, learning the lines, and working with such a small team on the intimate show, directed by JD Mizikowski, assistant directed by Char Newport, and a big shout-out to Dave Schroeder, the technical director at PACA. Ryan Reads Reddit returns, where we determine who the ass**** is w...

Send us a text This week on Spotlight 814: Erie's Local Theatre Podcast: Ryan is joined at CAM Studio by the stars of Pippin at PACA, SaNae Stephens (Leading Player) and Aaron Holman (Pippin)! We discuss the rehearsal process, a successful opening night, and the incredible cast and crew of the show! We learned that Pippin originated at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon, and about SaNae's full-circle moment, after performing on stage with Patina Miller long before she idolized her in the very ro...