Photo submitted to Times Observer Madelyn Jones, Lily Walker and Alyssa Wismar, who portray the three Fionas at different ages in the musical “Shrek.” The song is “I Know it’s Today.” The performance of “Where are you Going?” is slated for Friday, August 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. in the Library Theatre.

The Warren Festival of the Arts presents “Where Are You Going?” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 9, at the Struthers Library Theatre.

It’s loaded with talent from our own area.

You might see a glimpse of the gangsters who invaded the art gallery a few years ago. You might also see and hear Cody Hiller, violin, and James Pearson, cello, in an exciting duet. Craig Johnson will thrill you with his melodious bass-baritone voice. The Molly Dies Dance Express will be kicking their legs. And, comedy rules! You may even see a new backdrop or two.

According to Rosalind Hupp, artistic director of the Warren Festival of the Arts, this year’s production of “Where Are You Going?” will be the 39th year of performing in the Struthers Library Theatre with talented artists from the Warren area.

We begin with four of the “gangsters” (who have been in previous performances), John Beard, Gary Brumagin, Jeff Ewing, and Kevin Hunt, looking for a new place to try their luck. They decide on Las Vegas.

Photos submitted to Times Observer Andrew Stalder and Caitlin Webster are singing in the trio “Getting Married Today” with Catherine Hayes Lyon.

Next, we see Caitlin and Will Strassburg, whose parents have given them their credit card to visit any shows they like in Vegas.

On their way, they see Emma Darling and Jill Funari dancing to “What Are You Listening To?”

Next, they decide to see the musical Shrek, so watch Madelyn Jones, Lily Walker, and Alyssa Wismar perform the three Fionas in different time zones.

Now they want to hear Mary Worley, soprano, performing “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” from the Broadway musical Funny Girl.

Lil Hunkele comes out looking for her gangster boyfriend as she sings “That Dirty Old Man” from “Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

Photos submitted to Times Observer Andrew Stalder and Caitlin Webster are singing in the trio “Getting Married Today” with Catherine Hayes Lyon.

(Just a reminder that this is a family-friendly show and even gangsters are funny!)

Alex Burdette, flutist, will give his rendition of “Cantabile et Presto” by George Enescu (for flute and piano), with Amber Shay Nicholson accompanying him on the piano.

Caitlin wants to see a wedding in Vegas, so they watch Andrew Stalder, Caitlin Webster, and Catherine Hayes Lyon sing “Getting Married Today” from Sondheim’s Broadway show “Company.”

They see a “Tarantella” wedding dance by the Dance Express Company. This ends the first act, but not the dancing.

After intermission, the Dance Express Company will perform “Hold On to Me,” then Andrew Stalder will sing “Snoopy” from “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Submitted to Times Observer Dies Dance Express’ ‘Hold on to Me’

Caitlin wants to hear Amber Shay Nicholson play the “Four Tales,” Opus 26, (Allegretto frescamente and Molto vivace) by Nicholai Medtner.

Craig Johnson has arranged four spirituals: “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen”; “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”; “Steal Away”; and, “I Gotta Home” — which he will sing with his beautiful bass-baritone voice.

You’ll hear the “Passacaglia” (after Handel) by Johan Halvorson, performed by Hiller, violin, and Pearson, cello.

Finally, we’ll hear “The Prayer” performed by Lauren Engallena and Catherine Hayes Lyon.

Now, the “gangsters” get together again and decide that they need to go on a cruise where they can do more gambling. We leave them in their new “cruise clothes” as the Dance Express Company goes on a “Sea Cruise.”

Photo submitted to Times Observer The Molly Dies Dance Express will be kicking their legs, including going on a “Sea Cruise” at the Warren Festival of the Arts presentation of “Where Are You Going?” August 9 at Struthers Library Theatre.

Stage manager is Carol Guadagnino; assistant stage manager, Dave Oberg; lighting, Barb Crowley; sound, Josh Falconer; crew, Marty Meddock, and Michael Lyon; costumes, Charmaine Check; box office, Susan Wolfe, and Sue Curtain; head usher, Georgi Rice; DVD, Gene Lang; backdrops, Janine Tomassoni; dance, Molly Dies, Dance Express Company.

Tickets are available at the Library Theatre, or one hour before showtime at the box office.