The stage lights will shine once again at Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple.
The entertainment venue at 420 N. Washington Ave. has started filling up its calendar with a variety of entertainment events, from cultural programs to concerts to theatrical tours, bringing it close to a pre-pandemic level of operations. It also continues to host weddings and receptions as well as other private special events.
“All of the feedback that I have heard and that we’ve gotten is that people are exited to get back,” said Rachael Fronduti, the cultural center’s marketing manager. “There’s just something special about not only coming to the cultural center … but I think for people who enjoy theater or who enjoy live music there’s just something special or a sense of community there.”
When the pandemic shut things down, it wiped Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania shows from the calendar, and a lot of weddings planned for the venue rescheduled. Eventually some activity resumed, including online concerts and using the cultural center as a satellite site for Lackawanna County courts.
“It’s been a long year and half, you know, and it’s certainly been hard for us to not engage with our patrons because that is so much of what we do. … We’ve been doing our best to connect virtually, and we’ve had some very successful virtual events during that time,” Fronduti said. “But there’s nothing like being in the room with everyone.”
Earlier this summer, the cultural center started a free outdoor concert series, which ends this month. Although they had to move inside a couple times because of bad weather, the shows drew a crowd, and Fronduti said the acts “were just so thrilled to be performing on stage.”
The cultural center also missed out on holding its annual major fundraiser, An Evening of Fine Food and Wine, in 2020 and 2021. It received some government grants and also had “two very successful annual campaigns” that helped with its finances during the pandemic, Fronduti said. The “Bright Side” virtual variety show raised more than $50,000, while the regional NEPA Gives online fundraising campaign brought in nearly $7,700.
Several donors repeatedly stepped up to help, and new donors also joined the effort, Fronduti said. Knowing people wanted to support the cultural center “was a humbling experience,” she added.
“We definitely have been just blown away by the support we received from our donors from the past year and a half,” Fronduti said.
Broadway Theatre is coming back this fall, and the cultural center has added some concerts to its lineup, including one of the top-rated Eagles tribute bands in the nation and an Allman Brothers tribute that includes a former member of that band. The American Masters Lecture, featuring David Sedaris, has been postponed from Wednesday, Sept. 8, to a date to be announced.
“We’re definitely kind of still in the process of scheduling things, so there will definitely be more to come throughout the season,” Fronduti said.
Here’s a look at the entertainment coming up at the historical venue.
Free Outdoor Summer Concert: Blind Choice
When: Friday, Sept. 10; cash bar opens, 6 p.m.; entertainment, 6:30 to 8
Details: 570-344-1111 or scrantonculturalcenter.org
The venue wraps up its concert series with a performance by Pennsylvania punk trio Blind Choice, which plays covers, originals and acoustic songs. The concert will move indoors if there is poor weather. Light fare also will be available for purchase.
James Barrett with Harmony Woods and A Fire with Friends
When: Friday, Sept. 24; doors open, 7 p.m.; show, 7:30
Details: 570-344-1111 or scrantonculturalcenter.org
Catch Scranton singer-songwriter James Barrett, Philadelphia act Harmony Woods and six-piece NEPA group A Fire with Friends for this concert in Shopland Hall on the cultural center’s fourth floor. Tickets cost $15 in advance and cq$20 the day of the show and are for general admission (standing room only).
Best of the Eagles
When: Friday, Oct. 1; doors open, 7 p.m.; show, 7:30
Details: 570-344-1111, scrantonculturalcenter.org or BestoftheEagles.com
This Eagles tribute band has toured the country and has many sold-out performances to its name, and it’ll next bring its powerhouse act to the cultural center’s main stage. Tickets cost $28.25 to $48.25 for reserved seating.
‘RAIN — A Tribute to the Beatles’
When: Wednesday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Details: 570-342-7784 or broadwayinscranton.com
Hear many of the Beatles’ greatest hits in this theatrical production presented by Broadway Theatre League of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The show has visited Scranton in the past and usually draws a big crowd. This one-night-only production is not part of the league’s season ticket package. Tickets cost $35 to $65.
‘Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story’
When: Friday, Nov. 5, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 6, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m.
Details: 570-342-7784 or broadwayinscranton.com
Hear more than 20 of Buddy Holly’s best-loved songs in this musical about the legendary rock ‘n’ roller’s life. This show is a holdover from Broadway Theatre League’s 2019-20 season, which the pandemic cut short. Tickets for the original date are valid for this one. The show runs just shy of 2.5 hours and it suitable for all ages. Tickets cost $37 to $72.
A Brother’s Revival
When: Friday, Nov. 12; doors open, 7 p.m.; show 7:30
Details: 570-344-1111, scrantonculturalcenter.org or ABrothersRevival.com
Fans of the Allman Brothers Band can hear many of their favorite songs at this concert, which features former Allman band member David Goldflies. He founded the group with Mike Kach two years ago to celebrate the Allman Brothers’ 50th anniversary. The concert will take place on the main stage, and tickets for reserved seats cost $28.25 to $48.25.
‘Waitress’
When: Friday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 4, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m.
Details: 570-342-7784 or broadwayinscranton.com
This musical adaptation of the 2007 film of the same name features original music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and was nominated for four Tony awards, including best musical and best original score. It is the first show in Broadway Theatre League’s 2021-22 season package; individual show tickets will go on sale closer to the performance date. The show runs 2.5 hours, including intermission, and has a PG-13 age recommendation.
‘Stomp’
When: Wednesday, Jan. 12, and Thursday, Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Details: 570-342-7784 or broadwayinscranton.com
This musical event has toured the world, with musicians using items like brooms and garbage cans to deliver the show’s unique brand of percussion performance. Although presented by Broadway Theatre League, this show is not included in its 2021-22 season ticket package.
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’
When: Friday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 5, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m.
Details: 570-342-7784 or broadwayinscranton.com
Roald Dahl’s beloved novel comes to life on stage in this musical adaptation. Here such songs as “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man” as young Charlie Bucket meets Willy Wonka at his colorful chocolate factory. Tickets are available now through Broadway Theatre League’s season package; seats for single shows will be on sale closer to the performance date.
‘South Pacific’
When: Friday, March 4, 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 5, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, March 6, at 1 p.m.
Details: 570-342-7784 or broadwayinscranton.com
”Some Enchanted Evening” — or matinee — audiences will experience Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical. Set during World War II, the show also features the well-known tunes “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” and “There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame.” Fans can grab a seat now with a Broadway Theatre League season pass or pick up individual show tickets closer to the performance.
‘Cats’
When: Friday, April 22, 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 23, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 24 at 1 p.m.
Details: 570-342-7784 or broadwayinscranton.com
Broadway Theatre League wraps up its 2021-22 season with Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical that won seven Tony Awards. The tour features new lighting and sound design as well as new choreography. The show runs about 2 hours, 20 minutes, including one intermission, and is suitable for ages 5 and older.
Caitlin Heaney West is the content editor for Access NEPA and oversees the Early Access blog in addition to working as a copy editor and staff writer for The Times-Tribune. An award-winning journalist, she is a summa cum laude graduate of Shippensburg University and also earned a master’s degree from Marywood University. Caitlin joined the Times-Shamrock family in 2009 and lives in Scranton. Contact: cwest@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5107; or @cheaneywest
