"If you can make it in Scranton, you can make it anywhere."

Scranton has a proud history in the theater and performing arts. At one time, Scranton was one of the premier vaudeville stops in the entire United States. Legendary entertainers such as Mae West, W.C. Fields, Harry Houdini, Will Rogers, Fred Astaire, the Marx Brothers, Jack Benny, George Burns & Gracie Allen and Ray Bolger all played Scranton.

Scranton had a reputation on the vaudeville circuit as having audiences that were especially difficult to please. Major booking agents would demand to know how a performer fared in Scranton before they would sign them to play in the biggest cities on the circuit. "If you can make it in Scranton, you can make it anywhere" was the big catch phrase among vaudevillians.

Today, Scranton's support for the performing arts remains unparalleled. Home to several spectacular theaters, Scranton boasts numerous acting groups, a highly regarded regional philharmonic orchestra and a diverse, year-round concert schedule. Fortunately for lovers of the performing arts, the world's finest musicians, dancers and actors are still trying to "make it in Scranton."

Theaters & Concert Venues -Theater Groups
Ballet & Dance -Orchestras & Choral Groups

Theaters & Concert Venues

Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple - This spectacular structure is the focal point for performing arts and cultural events in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Designed by famous architect Raymond Hood, who also designed Rockefeller Center, The Chicago Tribune Building, the McGraw-Hill Building and the Daily News Building. The Scranton Cultural Center combines intricate aesthetic details with marvelous stage engineering that accommodates Broadway's most elaborate productions. The Romanesque and Gothic style structure was completed in 1930 and has played host to some of the world's greatest performers. The building's main auditorium holds an audience of 1,876, the Grand Ballroom accommodates standing room for up to 2,300 people and Shopland Hall, the fourth floor theater, seats 600. Call the Scranton Cultural Center at 570.345.7369 to book an event or 570.344.1111 for a schedule of events and ticket sales.

The Mellow Theater at Lackawanna College - Located just a few steps away from the Scranton Cultural Center is another breathtaking theater. When Lackawanna College bought the vacant former Scranton Central High School in Downtown Scranton in 1994, it found the building's once grand theater to be in very poor condition.The theater, which dates back to 1923, has a distinguished history. World famous performers such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Marian Anderson, John Phillip Sousa and Allan Jones graced its stage. Over the decades however, the lavish theater slowly fell into disrepair.

Today, thanks to extensive restoration work by LC, the theater glistens again. The facility now gleams with extensive gold leafing offset by muted cream and rose on the walls and ceilings. The seats and curtains are a rich, deep blue. The theater's capacity was reduced to slightly over 1,000 to create more leg room. Children's theater, choral groups, dance companies, dramatic productions, popular and classical concerts, individual recitals and variety shows have all been featured in the theater since it reopened. For a schedule of events, call the Mellow Theater at 570-961-7856 or e-mail.

Diva Theater - A two-block walk from the Scranton Cultural Center and the Mellow Theater takes you to another restored performing arts hub, the Diva Theater. Featuring dinner theater at the J&J Lounge, the Diva offers productions all year round. Phone 570-347-4779.

F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts - A tremendous community effort lead by retail giant Al Boscov brought Wilkes-Barre's former Paramount Theater back to life in 1986. Built in 1938, the theater on public-square featured lavish interior appointments, five lobbies, oval rose-colored mirrors, doors and walls in copper tints with shades of metallic blues and a spectacular chandelier. After falling on hard times, the Paramount closed in 1977. In 1985, Boscov assembled the team of community leaders that raised the $4,300,000 needed to refurbish the facility.

Today the Kirby Center, renamed in honor of the father of substantial donor Fred.M. Kirby II, is the performing arts hub in Greater Wilkes-Barre. A complete restoration and renovation of the art-deco terra cotta file façade, easily the most recognizable aspect of the theater, has been completed, and the famous chandelier still graces the lobby. A diverse group of entertainers, such as The Backstreet Boys, Tracy Chapman, Natalie Cole, Bill Cosby, Melissa Etheridge, Aretha Franklin, Faith Hill, B.B. King and Smokey Robinson, have appeared in concert at the Kirby. For concert information call the box office at 570-826-1100.

Ford Pavilion at Montage Mountain - Searching for some summer fun? Why not take 18,000 of your closest friends to a concert on Montage Mountain? Located just a few hundred yards from the slopes of the Montage Ski Resort is this beautiful multi-million dollar amphitheater. The complex features covered reserved seating, a main concourse and food & beverage concessions. Built in 2000, the amphitheater has already drawn the likes of Britney Spears, N'Sync, Blink 182, Matchbox Twenty, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Rod Stewart, Paul Simon, Aerosmith, Harry Connick, Tony Bennett, Eminem, and Snoop Dog. For more info call the business office at 570-969-7669.

Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza - In November, 1999, this $44 million, 9,000-seat arena in Wilkes-Barre Township opened its doors for the first time. Home to the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey team, the Arena has also developed into one of the premier performing arts venues in Pennsylvania. A wide variety of popular entertainers including Neil Diamond, Sting, Elton John, Janet Jackson, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, the Irish Tenors, Barry Manilow and Prince have dazzled arena crowds. For more information call the arena at 570-970-7600.

Theater Groups

The ACT Players - Area acting group that often stages its dinner theater, including some audience participation productions, at the Daily Grind, 63 River Street, Carbondale, PA. Call 570-282-0821 for info.

Actor's Circle at Providence Playhouse - this Scranton-based, non-profit group has been entertaining audiences for more than 20 years with its fresh, edgy productions. For information on its five annual shows call 570-489-7544 or 570-342-9707. Headquartered at 1256 Providence Road.

Broadway Theater League of Northeastern Pennsylvania - For more than 40 years this non-profit organization has brought national touring Broadway shows to Scranton. Call 342-7784 for the latest schedule.

Corner Bistro Dinner Theatre - local actors present seven productions annually at 76-78 Main Avenue, Carbondale, PA. Call 570-282-7499 or 570-282-5250 for show information.

First Act Children's Theater - a children's dinner theatre that offers kids a fun, creative way to learn about the stage. Call 570-282-0577 for information about regular classes and the summer workshop.

Keystone Players - The students and employees of Keystone College in LaPlume, PA produce one major theatre production each semester. Plays range from classics of the theatre to contemporary plays to experimental pieces. Call the college at 570-945-5141 for info.

Little Theater of Wilkes-Barre - A non-profit community theatre presenting comedies, musicals, dramas, concerts, and children's shows throughout the year. For tickets call the box office at 570-823-1875.

Marywood University Players - The Theatre Program of Marywood's Communications Arts Department produces three main stage plays each year including drama, comedy, musical theatre and children's theatre. The Marywood Players is a student-governed organization whose members produce, direct, and act in showcase productions, a public performance for Family Weekend, and the annual High School Theatre Festival. For information call 570-348-6231.

Music Box Players - this non-profit community group located at 196 Hughes Street in Swoyersville, PA provides high quality productions and dinner theater and includes performances for children. For information and reservations call 1-800-698-7529.

The Northeast Theater - presents professionally produced plays year around in its beautiful new home on the second floor of the historic Hotel Jermyn, corner of Wyoming at 326 Spruce in downtown Scranton. To see what's playing, and for complete information on all that the Theatre has to offer, go to its web site at www.thenortheasttheatre.us. The variety of fare the Theatre presents is broad, and its flexible performance space treats audiences to a surprise each time they attend. The Northeast Theatre is a nonprofit theatre company operating under contract with Actors' Equity Association, the union for professional actors and stage mangers.

The Ritz Dinner Theater and Restaurant - Scranton's newest dinner theater is located at the site of the legendary Poli Theater, which played host to vaudeville's mega-stars in the first half of the 20th century. The Ritz also features a multi-level club and piano bar and will host comedy shows and band performances. Stop by to see project developer Al Cleary at the theater at 222 Wyoming Avenue in Downtown Scranton or call 570-344-8847.

Scranton Public Theater - this group's professional cast performs comedies, dramas and original plays and sponsors the Pennsylvania Summer Theatre Festival at McDade Park. For information call 570-344-3656.

Showcase Theater - celebrating its 36th season in 2001 this non-profit organization is located at 54 Tunkhannock Avenue in Exeter, PA, next to the Fox Hill Country Club. Phone is 570-654-2555.

University of Scranton Players - The Players' productions range the gamut from comedy to classical theatre to American musicals. They create theatre with a combination of undergraduates and guest artists from the professional ranks. These have included acclaimed actors Richard Harris and Glenda Jackson. The University Players showcase their work on campus at the Royal Theatre, an intimate 300-seat space with a modified thrust stage and the smaller, flexible Studio Theatre. Call the Box Office at 570-941-4318.

Ballet & Dance

Ballet Theater of Scranton - Founded in 1958, Ballet Theatre of Scranton provides area residents with the finest in dance education and production as well as the opportunity to work with internationally known choreographers and artists. Since 1976, in conjunction with Marywood University, Ballet Theatre has presented the Nutcracker as a holiday gift to the community and more than 100,000 persons have enjoyed the production to date. The company is committed to playing an important role in arts education in the community. For information call 570-347-0208.

Scranton Civic Ballet - based in Downtown Scranton this ballet company performs a variety of works from children's ballets, to modern and classical productions. Features spring and fall performances at the Scranton Cultural Center. Call 570-343-0115 for details.

Orchestras and Choral Groups

Singers' Guild of Scranton & Singer's Guild Children's Chorus - performs beautiful adult and children's choral music. Call 570-969-1203 for performance information.

Scranton Community Concerts - Currently celebrating its 75th Season, Scranton Community Concerts has brought hundreds of the world's finest performing artists to Scranton, PA. Orchestras, large scale operas, renowned soloists, ballet, big band, and chamber music have all been presented, and now, the finest names in jazz have been added to our list of diverse offerings! In addition to concerts, Master Classes, workshops, and pre-concert dinners are offered. Check the web site or call 570.342.4137 for event and ticket information.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic - The region's premier symphony orchestra recently celebrated its 30th year. Created when the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Philharmonic decided to combine forces in the early 1970's, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic splits its performances between the Scranton Cultural Center in Downtown Scranton and the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Wilkes-Barre. The Philharmonic offers a diverse portfolio of performances that feature the works of Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Richard Rogers, Duke Ellington and others. For tickets call 570-457-8301.