Anyone remember First Night Erie?

That was always a good night, with tons of music downtown. It's long gone but Erie Playhouse has a tradition of its own: an annual gala show.

This year, the Playhouse will feature a 100-plus cast performing highlights from the most popular productions at the venue since it opened on W. 10th St.

You'll hear songs from "Ragtime," "Annie, "West Side Story," "Fiddler on the Roof," "South Pacific," and "Beauty and the Beast," among others.
Sue Lechner, Mark Tannenbaum, and Crystal Corritore, who were all original cast members from the Playhouse's 1983 production of "Annie," will reunite to sing "Easy Street." Also, the original Annie from that show, Kim Pashke, will be joined by later Annies for "Tomorrow."

John Burton, Shawn Clerkin, Joe Greulich, Casey Kilroy, Kate Murosky, Linda Troyer and others will also perform solos.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. But you can also attend a pre-show reception with champagne at and hors d’oeuvres at 6:30pm.

Almitra Clerkin and Eric Smrcka will co-direct the show. All tickets are $35.

U2 has set a March 3 release day for "No Line on the Horizon," its next CD, which features Steve Lillywhite, Brian Eno, and Daniel Lanois as producers. Buzz is strong for this one...but isn't it always for U2?