A new dinner theater company has organized in Erie and is ready to put on its first show.  It's all new, but the first performance will be held inside the former Maennerchor Club, one of Erie's most historic stages.

The 132-year old Maennerchor building recently re-opened after the social club had to sell it at a sheriff's sale in 2018. The first floor is now active with a new restaurant. The second floor stage and ballroom will come alive this weekend hosting a dinner theater presented by Patty Corella Productions.   Patty's production company has been involved in children’s theater in Erie for the past eight years. However, she's loved everything about dinner theater performances since she was a kid.

"It was back in the 70s.  A gentleman by the name of Ben Agresti had an establishment called The Village Dinner Theater.  That was the first time I had ever been introduced to theater, musical theater. I knew right then this is what I want to do,” remembered Patty.

The cast is rehearsing for Patty's production of the musical 'Company', to be presented at the Maennerchor building this weekend.  It is a dream come true for Patty.  That dream, to start a dinner theater in Erie, came to her last spring. 

"I had a vision of doing the musical 'Company.' I'm a big fan of the composer Stephen Sondheim and 'Company' is a show I've always loved.  Actually, it was the very first show that I saw at the Erie Playhouse when I was a pre-teen,” she said.

The inaugural dinner theater show was be presented last September, but COVID-19 postponed the event.  Patty realizes COVID is still with us, but she says if Broadway is open, her company will be open. She believes this is a time for people to be entertained. Just this week she read a quote posted online by Broadway legend Patty LuPone that went like this.

"Theater.  It inspires.  It heals and it brings people together. And don't we need that right now?"

The dinner theater will be held this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with dinner at 6pm followed by the show at 7pm. Tickets can be purchased online at CorellaProductions.com.   Patty is planning to put on a new show every six weeks.