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Robert Redford dies at 89

Robert Redford, the Hollywood golden boy who became an Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema under the name of one of his best-loved characters, died Tuesday at 89. Redford died “at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah — the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved,” publicist Cindi Berger said in a statement. He died in his sleep, but no cause was provided. After rising to stardom in the 1960s, Redford was one of the biggest stars of the ’70s with such films as “The Candidate,” “All the President’s Men” and “The ...

Playhouse’s ‘Rain’ will leave viewers feeling sunny

YOUNGSTOWN — The forecast at Youngstown Playhouse calls for “Rain.” In this case, that’s a good thing as its stellar production of “Singin’ in the Rain” continues through Sunday. After a 100th season filled with some big productions, the Playhouse doesn’t show any signs it plans to pull back in its 101st year. The first mainstage show of the season is filled with challenges, both for the performers on stage and the technical team, and it handled all of them capably. Yes, it rains on stage. The first act finale is the title song of the Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed ...

Playhouse will make it ‘Rain’

It’s every building owner’s worst nightmare — rain falling from the ceiling. This weekend at Youngstown Playhouse it will be a welcome sight as the community theater presents “Singin’ in the Rain.” The Playhouse originally had a different musical in mind for the main stage opener of its 101st season, but it wasn't available from the rights’ holder, so a replacement was needed. Tyler Stouffer, who is directing, suggested “Singin’ in the Rain,” the stage adaptation of the 1952 Gene Kelly-Donald O’Connor-Debbie Reynolds movie that’s considered one of the ...

TAG/RAA Annual attracts new talent

WARREN — Many new artists will be featured in the 59th TAG/RAA Annual, which opens Saturday at Trumbull Art Gallery. This is the third year TAG has collaborated with the Sharon, Pa.-based group Random Acts of Artists for its juried exhibition. Gallery Director William Mullane, who has been involved with TAG since it was located in the Gillmer House on Mahoning Avenue NW, said the partnership has expanded the talent pool. “It gets the word out,” Mullane said. “I know most of the artists (in the region), and in this show, there are at least 20 that I have never met.” Juror ...

Douglas and his bandmates deliver a winner in Cleveland

Alison Krauss & Union Station is a lot like the Los Angeles Dodgers. It truly is a band with an All-Star at every position. Unlike the Dodgers, who only have the fourth-best record in the National League and are struggling to hold onto the lead in its division, AKUS doesn’t disappoint or underperform. The band came to Jacobs Pavilion Sunday for its first tour together in a decade in support of “Arcadia,” its first album since 2011. It was a homecoming for Leavittsburg native Jerry Douglas, the dobro master who’s played with everyone — literally. Douglas estimates he’s ...

Mahoning Valley arts and entertainment

Art ARTS & EDUCATION AT THE HOYT, 124 E. Leasure Ave., New Castle, Pa.: “Jim Soppelsa: Abstract Variations” and “Dan Droz: Hidden in Plain Sight,” both Tuesday through Nov. 6. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. hoytartcenter.org and 724-652-2882. ASHTABULA ARTS CENTER, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula: “Greg Zbach: Surrealectric II — Intricate Digital Dreamscapes for the 21st Century,” through Sept. 29 with reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ...