Miller Minutes
This week, “Phantom of the Opera” closed as the longest-running Broadway show, after 35 years and more than 13,000 performances. It marks the end of an era, as the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic first opened in 1986.
Though it’s never been one of my favorites, “Phantom” is a musical that’s touched many lives.
The “Phantom” fanatics are right to give so much attention to the work and dedication of the performers involved. Reading articles about actors and musicians whose entire career was spent on the musical is awe-inspiring, and gives a lot of hope for artists everywhere.
I regret my initial feelings about “Phantom”: that it wasn’t worth the hype, that the music wasn’t that good. Those things I said in theater school to appear “cool” are clearly trumped by the endless amount of praise the show got for three decades.
You can bet I’ll be giving the “Phantom” soundtrack another listen this week, out of fairness for the legacy it’s left.
Since you can’t see the show anymore, you can stay close to home and experience some fun in Butler at any of the events below.
See Slippery Rock University’s production of “Seussical: The Musical,” beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, in the Miller Theater in the Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door or online at sru.universitytickets.com. Watch the stories of familiar characters like the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, and more.
North Catholic High School’s production of “Cinderella” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 21. Tickets are available through northcatholic.org for $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Saturday matinee tickets for children age 12 and younger cost $5. The show is performed at 1617 Route 228, Cranberry Township.
Hike waterfall to waterfall from 1 to 3 p.m. at McConnells Mill State Park on Friday, April 21. The hike is considered difficult as it includes going over steep, uneven terrain. Registration is required at events.dcnr.pa.gov.
Check into Night Disc Golf at Alameda Park, 184 Alameda Park Road, starting at 8:45 p.m. Friday, April 21. Registration is $10. Take your own discs, but all skill levels are welcome.
Show up, rain or shine, to help make Moraine State Park shine during the Earth Day Clean Up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 22. There will be projects for all skill levels. Meet at the park office on the South Shore. Registration is required at events.dcnr.pa.gov.
Take a seat at the Penn Theater, 145 N. Main St., starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22, to contribute to its renovation! Attendees get the chance to donate $50 toward the renovations and take home three theater seats. Get a sneak peek of the plans for the building and contribute to the cause.
The annual Paw Print Basket Bingo benefits Operation Spay and Neuter, and will start at noon Saturday, April 22, in Highfield Hall, 229 Highfield Road. No one under the age of 16 will be permitted in the hall. Cost is $20 for lunch, 16 games and door prize access.
Grove City College orchestra will be performing, for the first time ever, Beethoven’s “Tenth Symphony” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, in Ketler Auditorium on campus. The work was unfinished when the composer died, and was completed through artificial intelligence generation. It has never been performed live. Watch the livestream performance at gcc.edu/livestream, or attend the concert for free.
