Playshop Theatre Opens Its 85th Season with “Market Growth” at the Meadville Market House

Market Growth logoSept. 5, 2014 — The Allegheny Playshop Theatre opens its 85th season with “Market Growth,” a community celebration at the historic Meadville Market House during the Second Saturday Community Market Harvest Festival, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 13. The day’s events include two comedy improv groups and musical performances on a garden-themed stage. Admission is free.

“The event is one way in which I’m trying to help create theatre that is more environmentally friendly,” said Allegheny College faculty member Michael Mehler, who is producing “Market Growth.” “The stage is built mostly from stock items that have been used before and can be reused in later Playshop productions. The items that are consumed come from easily renewable sources, such as bamboo and wheat stalks.”

Mehler notes that “Market Growth” is the first production of its kind in the United States and is based on Tanja Beer’s “Living Stage,” which premiered at an arts festival outside Melbourne, Australia.

The stage is a result of the efforts of Meadville area children, who grew and decorated it during Second Saturday community markets. Produce tasting and a live cooking competition will make use of the stage plants.

Allegheny student performers are Julie Copenhaver, Nate Freed, Sean Gannon, Quinn Kobelak, Mary Lyon, Lee Scandinaro, Chris Schuchert, Leanne Siwicki and Annie Utterback. Erin Sumerfield will stage manage the event. Musical performances are by Twisted Roots and Todd Crowley. The cooking competitors are Pete Zimmer of Voodoo Brewery and challenger David Dawson.

In addition to the other activities planned, vendors will sell a variety of products, including botanical arts and crafts, locally prepared food, jewelry and pottery.