Cambria County, Pa. (WJAC) — Cresson Lake Playhouse is planning a busy summer of events after being shut down for the last year and a half.

Because of COVID restrictions, they made the tough choice to cancel their past two seasons.

Paul Seymour, the Artistic Director at Cresson Lake Playhouse, said they're ready to take the stage once again.

"We're really focused on survival because the arts are so important in branding a region. It's so easy to see them go away," he said.

So, they've used their recent down time to focus on fundraising.

"We are ready to do theater again here, and excited," he said.

Their first live theater production will run six times (July 13th - 18th) called "The Drowsy Chaperone" in their barn theater.

"We're really excited because we haven't done live theater. That's what we do, and we're good at it," Paul told 6 News.

They're also preparing a play in September to recognize 9/11 -- called "110 Stories" -- to honor first responders in the region.

"It's an outreach to them because we've seen through 9/11, all of the tragedies we deal with, and also through the pandemic how necessary they are," Paul said.

Four local musical groups will also take part in the Summer Music Fest in their new outdoor performing space on June 19th (from 4:00pm - 10:00pm) in conjunction with PennCrest Bank.

Tickets purchased in advance will be $13, and tickets purchased at the gate will be $15.

"When the arts go away, we're in trouble," Paul said.

In 2024, the Cresson Lake Playhouse will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Paul said he would like to thank all of Cresson Lake Playhouse's patrons that have been so loyal and supportive during the pandemic.

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