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This week on Spotlight 814, Erie's Local Theatre Podcast:

Act 1

• Ryan and a very tired Brenna discuss Disney’s Frozen Jr. at the Academy Theatre in Meadville.
• We talk about the benefits of Youth Theatre.

Werner Books Coffee Break

Act 2

• We had some untimely deaths in the community. Rest in Peace to Tug Roae, Gary Daugherty, and Emily Matson. 
• We’ve got some Broadway news.
• There is no What’s on 814 this week, as everything is closing today and theatres will be dark for Christmas.
• We have a new Website and Logo!
• The cast list for A Doll’s House at MCT was announced.

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This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Podcast: 

Ryan and Brenna are joined in studio by the star of PACA’s Striking 12, SaNae Stephens! 

We discuss Striking 12 and SaNae’s background in theatre. 

We talk a bit about Brenna’s favorite show on the planet, Waitress, which is being screened at Tinseltown until Monday. 

We take our Werner Books Coffee Break, obviously sponsored by our friends at Werner Books! 

If you, or someone you know, is a business owner, we are currently looking for more sponsorships to help keep us operating! Spread the word! 

We will also be rolling out our Patreon in the next few weeks, where we will be offering all kinds of great perks, including bonus content like mini episodes, behind the scenes content, and even pieces of art work by our very own Brenna Thummler! 

Our Facebook Live segment, What’s on 814, tells you what is playing in the area, and what is coming up! 

There is also still time to vote for us as Best Podcast in Erie Reader’s Best of Erie! Also vote for our sponsor, Werner Books, for SIX different categories, including Best Bookstore! Vote now at https://bestof.eriereader.com/ 

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This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Podcast: 

Ryan and Brenna battle through adversity with studio equipment issues to bring you the first episode in a month! 

We discuss a few show’s we’ve seen in the last few weeks, including The Play that Goes Wrong at Seneca High School, Guys and Dolls at General McClane, directed by our friend Will Steadman, and Cabaret at Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.

Barrow-Civic announced their 2024 Season. 

Ryan tells his tale of the worst production of Dracula the Musical, which he was, unfortunately, a part of. 

We take our very first Werner Books Coffee Break, obviously sponsored by our friends at Werner Books! 

If you, or someone you know, is a business owner, we are currently looking for more sponsorships to help keep us operating! Spread the word! 

We will also be rolling out our Patreon in the next few weeks, where we will be offering all kinds of great perks, including bonus content like mini episodes, behind the scenes content, and even pieces of art work by our very own Brenna Thummler! 

We saw It’s a Wonderful Life at the Erie Playhouse on Friday night. We tell you our thoughts on the show, and the wonderful performances! 

Our Facebook Live segment, What’s on 814, tells you what is playing in the area, and what is coming up! 

There is also still time to vote for us as Best Podcast in Erie Reader’s Best of Erie! Also vote for our sponsor, Werner Books, for SIX different categories, including Best Bookstore! Vote now at https://bestof.eriereader.com/ 

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This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Podcast: 

Ryan and Brenna are joined by Leslie Ford and Ash Carr from The Convent by Jessica Dickey. We discuss the show, which is currently running at Dramashop through November 19! 

Ash makes us coffee at our favorite place in town, our sponsors and friends, Werner Books. They just never remember who we are. 

We saw Jesus Christ Superstar at the Warner Theatre last week, and it was incredible. 

Ryan’s weekend of Cabaret. Showing some love to the Academy Theatre in Meadville, Penn State Behrend, and Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin…which IS, in fact, part of the 814. 

Watching yourself perform on video…how does it make you feel?

Controversial casting in Broadway’s Sweeney Todd: Sutton Foster & Aaron Tveit

We’ve partnered up with Broadway in Erie to give away tickets to Bluey’s Big Play at the Warner Theatre on Tuesday night! 

Dusk: A Bite-Sized Love Story, a Twilight parody musical originally produced at Gannon’s Schuster Theatre is currently being featured on Playbill, as their pro-shot recording of the show will be available to stream for only $15. 

Aaron Holman and Josiah Prittie from PACA’s Spike Heels will be joining us next week. 

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This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Podcast: 

Alex Stone, who is currently playing Pontious Pilate in the 50th Anniversary National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, sits down with Ryan and Brenna over Zoom! 

Alex and the rest of the cast and crew of JCS will be performing at Erie’s historic Warner Theatre on October 30-31. 

Not only is he an incredibly talented performer, he is well-spoken, smart, funny, and he has a lot of great advice for our theatre community. 

Come learn about Alex and this incredible show! 

Special thanks to Ali at Broadway in Erie for helping us set up this interview! 

Apologies for the audio! Ryan was swamped at work and forgot to bring his microphone! 

Also, the first part of the episode didn’t record. Thanks, Zoom! 

Oh! One more thing! Go to Werner Books tomorrow at 9am for their ribbon cutting ceremony! Get yourself a coffee and a pastry, buy too many books, and support our friends! 

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 This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Theatre Podcast: 

Ryan and Brenna discuss the incredible production of Misery at the Erie Playhouse. 

Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro are coming to Erie, and we can’t wait! 

Brenna rages about a local theatre not crediting an artist…that happens to be her father. 

Spotlight 814’s Patreon is coming soon! What perks would you like to see as a potential subscriber? 

What’s On 814?? Our new weekly live segment…which YOUR BUSINESS can sponsor! 

Don’t forget to vote for Spotlight 814 for Best Podcast on Erie Reader’s Best of Erie 2023. Our sponsor, Werner Books is also up for SIX awards, including Best Bookstore. Vote here: https://bestof.eriereader.com/130/c7436b7583ba7dae7786203c0e31fa8a 

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 This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Theatre Podcast: 

You may recognize this week’s guest from our Ensemble Appreciation Show…it’s Mitchell King! Star of MCT’s Evil Dead the Musical! 

We discuss Evil Dead, currently running at Voodoo Compound in Meadville. 

 Brenna and Ryan give an honest review of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein at the Academy Theatre. 

 This year’s Erie Reader 40 Under 40 Experience featured several impressive individuals in our theatre community, including our very own Brenna Thummler. 

 Erie Reader’s Best of Erie 2023 voting is open! You can vote for Spotlight 814 for Best Podcast, and you can take your pick and vote for your favorite Theatrical Performer, including our very own Ryan Dawley. Also vote for our friends and sponsors, Werner Books for 6 different categories (including Best Bookstore), AND vote for Brenna for Best Visual Artist! Vote here at https://bestof.eriereader.com/130/c7436b7583ba7dae7786203c0e31fa8a 

 What grinds Ryan’s gears? Climate activists that disrupt or destroy art! 

 What’s On 814?? 

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This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Theatre Podcast:

Molly Parks and Aj Holman from the 42nd Annual production of A Canterbury Feast at the Station Dinner Theatre join Ryan and Brenna at CAM Erie. We talk about the history of the show and the current production. 

We also discuss the ridiculous Church of the Rock Easter productions. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, google it. 

What’s going on at Werner Books this week?

Brenna and Molly speak on their cosmic connection through a play written by Brenna. 

Theatre ghosts! We know Ernie at the Academy Theatre. What ghost resides at your theatre?

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This week on Spotlight 814: Erie’s Local Theatre Podcast: 

JD Mizikowski, director of The Cat and the Canary at All an Act Theatre joins us to talk all about the show!  

We tell you what all is going on in the theatre community. 

We also discuss the amazing things happening with MIAC at Mercyhurst University after Brenna and Ryan got to enjoy an incredible performance by Tony Award winner Sutton Foster! 

Special shoutout to our first sponsor, Werner Books! Go check out the new location a few doors down in the Liberty Plaza. It's amazing!

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The vibes are immaculate as Ryan is joined at CAM Erie by Isaiah Aldridge and Aaron Holman, stars of Dramashop’s The Brothers Size, and the Monster in the Academy Theatre’s production of Young Frankenstein, Chris Pedersen…and Bob. 

Isaiah and Aaron discuss why The Brothers Size is so important, and what the show means to them, personally. 

 Chris discusses his time with the cast of Young Frankenstein, and reveals his hidden talent, and Spotify channel as Xeroxium…Erie’s newest rap star. 

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