WILKES-BARRE – Towards the end of 2024, Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre presented “It’s A Wonderful Life” in the style of a 1940s radio show. If you are familiar with the story, you know that an angel named Clarence shows you to a man named George Bailey how bleak life would be for many people in his town if George had never existed.
Fortunately for those of us who write about arts and entertainment, we never have to wonder what Northeastern Pennsylvania would be like if the arts didn’t exist. Here they bloom in abundance. And we can look back to a busy 2024. Here are some of the highlights:
On February 12, Weekender entertainment writer Gabrielle Lang spoke with local foodie and personal trainer Brian DiMattia at Good Tree MMA about how she aims to change the conversation around food and fitness. A few months later, he would debut the Food Fight Podcast with OnTheStacks to continue doing just that.
Scranton-based director Jennifer Cooney premiered her drama, “Wild Fire,” on March 5 in her directorial debut. The heartwarming film, shot in NEPA, focuses on authenticity and examines relationships through a distinct set of characters. Watch “Wild Fire” on Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, or Google Play.
Famed Plains metal band Motionless in White opened for WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley at Wrestlemania 40 in April. They played their entrance song, “Demon In Your Dreams,” and made history for NEPA artists. This was The Weekender’s most read story of the year.
Lang was thrilled to interview current Jefferson Starship frontwoman Cathy Richardson ahead of her show at Penn’s Peak at Jim Thorpe on June 15. Richardson recalled watching Jefferson Airplane perform “White Rabbit” on television as a child and is now at the helm. as they celebrate 50 years of music. She also shared how she collaborated with rock star and friend Grace Slick on the powerful battle cry, “It’s About Time.”
“At this point it still feels amazing, even though I’ve been in the band for 16 years. What a fairy tale story to become the lead singer of your favorite band,” Richardson said in the interview.
There is no better way to learn about history than to be part of the crowd. The Elements Music & Arts Festival came to Pocono Raceway August 8-11. The huge EDM festival had thousands of attendees from around the world, and our Weekender writer was among them to give readers a first-hand experience. This one-of-a-kind adult immersion playground was truly a treat for the eyes and ears.
Falling in Reverse came to Montage Mountain’s Pavilion on September 7 for The Popular MonsTOUR II: World Domination as the popular rock band celebrated their first new album in seven years.
Howie Mandel performed a monologue at the Keystone Grand Ballroom in Mohegan Pennsylvania on October 18.
Motionless in White presented the second iteration of its Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Apocalypse Fest with two nights of metalcore at Mohegan Arena on October 31 and November 1, presented by 979X. The festival celebrated the 10th anniversary of Motionless in White’s album, “Reincarnate.” At the sold-out concert, local impresario behind Noir Dark Spirits and The Strange and Unusual Josh Balz surprised fans with a special appearance on stage, briefly reprising his role as keyboardist.
Action sports legend and world record holder Travis Pastrana spoke with The Weekender ahead of the Nitro Circus show at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza on November 19. He’s still as excited as ever to wow everyone with amazing extreme sports tricks.
In the community theater arena, Times Leader writer Mary Therese Biebel was impressed, as always, with the depth of local talent as she watched rehearsal clips and wrote trailers for a variety of shows, from the hilarious musical “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Music Box Playhouse in Swoyersville to the skewed fairy tales of “Into the Woods” presented by PTPA in Hazleton and the spoof horror films, “Evil Dead,” which Ovation Playhouse in Plains Township produced in time for Halloween.
Congratulations to the theater community, especially the Little Theater for its groundbreaking evening of original one-act acts, Wilkes University for “John Proctor Was the Villain,” a thought-provoking drama aimed at adults who take advantage of Children, and to King’s College for “All’s Well That Ends Well,” his 75th Shakespeare offering.
And one of the best aspects of the arts is the way it introduces people to new things. Biebel tells this little anecdote: at the end of February he was part of a small group of friends who prepared to see the ballet “Giselle,” performed by a company from Ukraine, at the FM Kirby Center.
“It looks like he’s French,” commented a man on the way to the theater. “So what language will you speak?”
“They don’t talk at all,” Biebel told him. “They will use the language of dance and pantomime and don’t worry, you will be able to understand what is happening.”
That show took place on February 29: one more day during this leap year, one more day for the arts to entertain and educate.
Mohegan Arena, yes, yes, yes! for 25 years
It is more than fair and accurate to say that Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza has exceeded all expectations over the past 25 years.
The Arena has provided more oohs and ahhs from so many adults and children that it leaves one in awe.
And let’s remember that before the Arena was built, there was nothing in that area and look at it now: so many new businesses with new jobs, plus restaurants and that I-81 exit that connects to downtown Wilkes-Barre.
But it’s the Arena that connected the Wyoming Valley to the world.
As a Times Leader headline said: “In the end, the entire region wins the prize.”
All you have to do is look at the list of events that have been held at the Arena since 1999:
Neil Diamond, ZZ Top/Lynryrd Skynyrd, Def Leppard, Barney, Harlem Globetrotters, Irish Tenors, Elton John, Barry Manilow, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Creed, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Steely Dan, AC/DC, Reba McEntire , Bon Jovi, Andy Williams, Disney on Ice, Alan Jackson, Matchbox 2o, Monster Jam, WWF, WWE, Stars on Ice, Prince, Sting, PRCA Rodeo, Kenny Rogers, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Janet Jackson, Korn, Nelly, Bob Dylan, Guns N Roses, Arenacross, Yanni, Cher, Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, American Idol, Simon & Garfunkel, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Bette Midler, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock, Kelly Clarkson, Godsmack, The Wiggles, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, Larry the Cable Guy, Hilary Duff, Josh Groban, The Eagles, Duran Duran, Ron White, John Mellencamp, Def Leppard, Kenny Chesney, Nine Inch Nails, Brad Paisley, James Taylor, Carol King, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Nickelback, Martina McBride, Michael Bublé, Rod Stewart, Keith Urban, Cirque Du Soleil, Foo Fighters, Carrie Underwood, Blue Man Group, Daniel O’Donnell, Lil Wayne, Backstreet Boys, Jeff Dunham, Sesame Street Live, Andre Rieu, Jason Aldean, Alice In Chains, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Green Day, Gabriel Iglesias, Luke Bryan, Charlie Daniels Band, Kevin Hart, Amy Schulmer, Blake Shelton, Bryan Adams, Judas Priest, John Fogerty, Steve Martin & Martin Short, Snoop Dogg, Disturbed, Jim Gaffigan, Billy Strings, Alabama, Sebastian Maniscalo, Blippi, John Mullaney, Alice Cooper, Limp Bizkit, Dropkick Murphys, Thomas Rhett, Journey, Tom Segura and Donald Trump.
That’s a pretty impressive list of highlights. Many of them have appeared more than once in the Arena. Then add in all the community events, sporting events, graduation ceremonies, trade shows and much more and you can see how important the Arena has been to this region’s economy and quality of life over the past 25 years, and will continue to be.
Luzerne County Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame
The Luzerne County Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame held its second annual induction ceremony on Friday, November 8 at the FM Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre.
Those incorporated in 2024 are:
Shawn Klush, Abilene, Lex Romane, George Wesley, Jesse Wade and Spencer Cottman, WARMland Legends: Tom Woods, Harry West, Joey Shaver, Len Woloson, Don Stevens, Ron Allen, Bill Stuart, Terry McNulty, George Gilbert and Day from Bobby; Annette Evans, Erika Funke, Al Groh, Joan Harris, Franz Kline, Herman J. Mankiewicz, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Herbert Simon, Ted Sod, George Graham.
The first class members inducted in 2023 were also impressive:
Jimmy Harnen, The Buoys, The Badlees, Joe Nardone & The All Stars, Eddie Day Pashinski, Mel Wynn & the Rhythm Aces, Lee Vincent, Bobby Baird, Brunon Kryger/The Kryger Brothers, Breaking Benjamin, Adrian Pearsall, Barbara Weisberger, C .Edgar Patience, George Catlin, Hammond Edward “Ham” Fisher, Sue Hand, Jack Palance, Santo Loquasto.
FM Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Joell Yarmel, executive director of the FM Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, said the popular venue has had an exciting year, filled with star-studded performances, exciting announcements and non-stop action.
From dazzling shows to new developments, Yarmel said 2024 was a year of transformation and entertainment.
The venue hosted a wide range of performances, attracting nearly 80,000 guests while also completing vital flood recovery and capital improvement projects.
Among the highlights of the year, the reconstruction of the lower level is officially complete, with a sleek new VIP bar in the Mohegan Lounge and upgraded restrooms.
Not stopping there, the center also renovated the main lobby bars and concession area, improving both aesthetics and convenience with additional retail outlets.
Yarmel said the 2024 programming schedule would end with the highly anticipated Get the Led Out on Saturday, December 28.
Looking ahead, a new spring brochure will be released in January showcasing 39 exciting events already announced for the 2025 season.
The year kicks off with a stellar lineup featuring headliners Lee Brice and KC and the Sunshine Band, along with comedy legends Joe Koy, Brian Regan and Kevin James.
Music lovers can enjoy performances by Trey Anastasio, Dark Star Orchestra, Experience Hendrix and Brit Floyd, while the whole family is entertained by fun-filled children’s shows like Dog Man and Blippi.
For the latest updates and to stay up to date with exciting programming, visit kirbycenter.org and follow the Kirby Center on social media.
‘ www.timesleader.com ‘
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