MEDINA — It’s a Wednesday evening, about three weeks from opening night, and cast members of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” are preparing to merge their voices with the instrumental team for a complete run-through of the production for the first time. As they trade the sweltering heat outside for the cool sanctuary at […]

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Mere months after “American Idol” made its 2002 debut, the Playhouse Square Center began its own talent showcase, the Rising Star Talent Competition, which features singers and dancers of all ages.
While Playhouse Square Arts Education Director Colleen Porter said the timing of the two events is purely happenstance, the results are decidedly the same.
“We started […]

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In terms of sheer songwriting volume and esteem, you won’t find two bigger or more influential artists than Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello. The two icons are co-headlining a fall tour, which brings them to Columbus for an Oct. 13 show at the Value City Arena. Opening is Amos Lee. Tickets are $39.50 to $69.50, […]

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There’s currently a rocking trend in country music that Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, better known as Montgomery Gentry, are not shy about taking some credit for starting.
“I think we opened up a lot of different avenues,” said Gentry, calling from Eau Claire, Wisc. “Fortunately for us, when ‘Hillbilly Shoes’ came out in 1999, radio embraced us. […]

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The Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory Community Arts program will expand this fall with offerings in Medina County. The B-W Conservatory will partner with the Medina County Performing Arts Foundation to offer classes for children, teens and adults.
Classes will be held at the Grace Drake Center for the Performing Arts, which is located at 222 S. Broadway, […]

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MEDINA — When the Rev. Barbara Hribar, pastor of Unity of Medina One in Spirit, walked into a book store and asked for help locating a copy of “Why Good Things Happen to Good People,” the clerk was positive she had the title wrong.
“You must mean “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” he responded, […]

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Debut novels don’t get much better than Wadsworth author Cynthia L. Hall’s new book “Secret Sacrifices” (PublishAmerica; $19.95). “Secret Sacrifices” tackles the awfulness of child abduction in a way that makes you want to keep reading instead of slamming the book and your mind shut on the subject matter. Readers will want to keep turning […]

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Many things are taken for granted in America — one of them being filling up our gas tanks when the need arises. Cleveland author Paul Bures’ book “America: the Oil Hostage” (VBW Publishing; $22.95 hardcover/$14.95 softcover) discusses the current situation and offers suggestions for oil independence. His opening words set the pace:
“America: the Oil Hostage. […]

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I thought it would be fun to put the spotlight on a timely political book that is NOT written by a politician. Author Shirene Hansotia, a journalist and former member of the Central Intelligence Agency, has painstakingly written and documented her book “Don’t Crash My Party!”  (Helm Publishing; $16.95) I liked this book because it […]

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A poignantly beautiful video reviewed the ongoing happy moments in the life of Leland E. Keller from the time he was a small child until shortly before he passed away July 27, 2007, at the age of 86. He was a man who loved life, loved his family, loved fishing and loved doing things for […]

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