Out & About: Greensburg Civic Theatre celebrates 70 years on stage

Greensburg Civic Theatre has accomplished something rare in the realm of community theater — it has survived and thrived through 70 seasons.

To mark the anniversary, the troupe hosted the “GCT Goes Platinum” gala on Sunday evening at Greensburg Garden & Civic Center.

About 100 guests gathered for a cocktail hour and buffet dinner, then moved to the center’s auditorium for a taste of what the group does best — a revue of popular musical numbers.

Special guest was actor Tim Hartman, a familiar figure from Pittsburgh stages, Broadway and movies, who served as emcee. Hartman told a few theater stories of his own, including the time he “almost died on stage.”

He was playing the Ghost of Christmas Present in Pittsburgh CLO’s “A Musical Christmas Carol,” and the director decided Hartman should make his appearance out of a smoke-filled box.

When the box was opened, an oxygen-deprived and barely conscious Hartman rolled out onto the stage.

“They put a spotlight on me and just let the show go on,” he said, until he was able to stagger to his feet and mumble his lines.

There were no such mishaps at the civic center, as the following performers hit the stage: Raegan Hochman, Josh Kinneer, Amanda Anne Leight, Grace Philips, Rachael Tresco, Vince Tresco and Ben Wren.

Also performing was a youth ensemble comprising Ben Ament, Joey Estok, Wesley Heverly, Addison Hoone, Gianna Mease, Phelan Newman, Ambur Orowitz, Aubrie Orowitz, Brody Ross, Chloe Scrima, Callie Shirey and Ryann Shirey.

Eric Barchiesi was musical director and also played keyboard with his EBT Jazz Trio, along with Mike Matteo on drums and Dan Lauritzen on bass.

Theater board members serving on the event committee chaired by Becky Ziegler-Koch included Emily Balizet, Teresa Baughman, Phillip Boatright, Vince D’Angelo, Missy Greenberg, Michaelene McWhinney, Margaret Ryan, Craig Soich and Carol Schropp.

Established in 1951, the civic theater performed in various local venues, including The Palace Theatre, before becoming a resident tenant and staging shows since 1969 at the civic center. It also has a children’s theater group, the Greasepaint Players.

Also celebrating 70: Scott Ludwick, Mark Crisci, Pamela Cooper, Greggory Brandt and Leslie Hanson, Steve Herda, Mark and Ryann Heverly, Jimmy and Christina Mease, Ed and Cheryl Clark, Sarah Weisel, Justin Williams, matt Tracy, Rachel Carey, Kathryn Leight and Mark Tomczak.