Let the Circle be Wide with Tommy Sands Comes to The State 3/12!

Tommy Sands along with Moya and Fionan Sands grace The State with a gift just in time for St. Patrick's Day on Thursday, March 12th. Let the Circle be Wide featuring Tommy Sands as well as Moya and Fionan Sands bring the sound of the true Ireland to The State. Here is some more info on the living legend Tommy Sands:

Tommy Sands, Country Down's singer, songwriter and social activist has achieved something akin to legendary status in his own lifetime.

From the pioneering days with the highly influential Sands Family, bringing Irish Music from New York's Carnegie Hall to Moscow's Olympic Stadium, he has developed into one of the most powerful songwriters and enchanting solo performers in Ireland today.

His songwriting, which draws the admiration of Nobel Poet Laureate Seamus Heaney and father of folk music Pete Seeger, prompts respected US magazine "Sing Out" to regard him as "the most powerful songwriter in Ireland, if not the rest of the world".

His songs, like There were Roses, and Daughters and Sons, which have been recorded by Joan Baez, Kathy Matthea, Dolores Keane, Sean Keane, Frank Patterson, Dick Gaughan, The Dubliners and many others have been translated into many languages and are currently included in the English language syllabus in German secondary schools.

Although constantly performing on stages all around the world he prides in taking his music down from the lights and into the darker corners of society. One of his current projects, teaching underprivledged prisoners in Reno, Nevada to write their own song with which to defend themselves in court is currently creating a wide spread stir in the world of community art in the United States. Back home in Northern Ireland he has just completed a CD written with Protestant and Catholic school children about their own areas, in towns and villages around Northern Ireland. During the Good Friday Agreement Talks, his impromptu performance with a group of children and Lambeg drummers was described by Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon as "a defining moment in the Peace Process".

Below are some videos of Tommy Sands performing with Country Down and also solo:



Let the Circle be Wide featuring Tommy Sands along with Moya and Fionan Sands will be performing at The State on Thursday March 12th at 8:00 PM. Tickets are going for $23 and are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. Hope to see you at this great event leading up to St. Patrick's Day!

Wendy and Lucy Starts Tonight 3/13 At The State

Tonight 2/13 Wendy and Lucy staring Michelle Williams starts its run at The State. Below you will find a trailer for Wendy and Lucy as well as a short plot summary:



Old Joy director Kelly Reichardt crafts this intimate tale of Wendy, an alienated Indiana woman who packs up her car and sets her sights on Alaska, but finds herself stranded in a small Oregon town with no money and only her faithful dog, Lucy, to keep her company. When Wendy realizes that there's nothing keeping her in her home state of Indiana, she makes the decision to relocate to Alaska and seek out work at the local fish cannery. With her four-legged friend Lucy in the passenger seat next to her, Wendy stops off to get some rest in a small Oregon town. The following morning, when Wendy attempts to start her car, the engine fails to respond. But this is only the first in a series of snowballing events, because as Wendy waits for the local garage to open she heads to the supermarket to pick up some dog food for Lucy. Opting to shoplift the puppy chow since she doesn't have much cash to speak of, Wendy subsequently finds herself in the local jail thanks to an overzealous employee. By the time Wendy pays her fine and gets back to the supermarket, Lucy is gone. Unfortunately the dog pound doesn't open until the following morning, and after receiving some help from a kindly local, Wendy gets some particularly bad news about her car.

Wendy and Lucy starts at The State Friday 3/13 at 7:00 and 9:30 PM. The film continues it’s run from Saturday 3/14 (with shows at 7:00 & 9:30 PM) through Thursday 3/19 with shows everyday at 7:00 & 9:30 PM (except Sunday 3/15 there is no 9:30 show). Sunday 3/15 & Wednesday 3/18 there are also 4:00 PM showings of the film. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors and are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!

Oscar Nominated Film FROST/NIXON Starts Its Run At The State Friday 3/6

This Friday 3/6 Frost/Nixon starts its run at The State. Frost/Nixon was nominated for five Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and has received almost unanimous critical acclaim. Below you will find some background on the film as well as the trailer:



For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans. Likewise, Frost's team harbored doubts about their boss's ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted. Would Nixon evade questions of his role in one of the nation's greatest disgraces? Or would Frost confound critics and bravely demand accountability from the man who'd built a career out of stonewalling? Over the course of their encounter, each man would reveal his own insecurities, ego and reserves of dignity--ultimately setting aside posturing in a stunning display of unvarnished truth.

Frost/Nixon, which was Nominated for FIVE Oscars starts its run at The State Friday 3/6 at 7:00 and 9:30 PM. The film continues it’s run from Saturday 3/7 (with shows at 7:00 & 9:30 PM) through Wednesday 3/11 with shows everyday at 7:00 & 9:30 PM (except Sunday 3/8 there is no 9:30 show). Sunday 3/8 & Wednesday 3/11 there are also 4:00 PM showings of the film. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors and are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!

Last Two Nights 3/4-3/5 to Catch 'I've Loved You So Long' at The State

There are only two more nights 3/4-3/5 to catch I've Loved You So Long at The State before it ends its run. The critically acclaimed French film staring Kristen Scott Thomas is a story of a family trying to find answers in a complicated and tragic situation. Below you will find the trailer for I've Loved You So Long as well as a plot summary:

Their relationship fractured when older sister Juliette is sentenced to 15 years in prison, two siblings wage an emotional battle to rebuild their relationship, overcome the secrets that keep them apart, and finally express the thoughts that have lain dormant for well over a decade. The moment Juliette was convicted, her parents declared that they wanted nothing to do with her. Now, after 15 years behind bars, Juliette is a free woman and in desperate need of a human connection. When Juliette's younger sister, Léa, is approached by a prison social worker and asked if she would be willing to provide her recently paroled sibling with a place to live, she doesn't hesitate to open her doors and share her home. But Léa is happily married with two adopted daughters, and her husband, Luc, is uneasy with the arrangement. Still, the house is large, the couple is used to having company, and the two young girls are thrilled to have a new aunt. As Juliette gets settled, Léa does her best to make her feel welcome. Likewise, Léa's colleague Michel and emigrant couple Samir and Kaïsha also offer to help Juliette readjust to life on the outside. Along the way, Juliette slowly begins to emerge from her shell and Léa realizes just how much she missed her sister. Perhaps if she can put aside her feelings of guilt long enough to truly understand her sister's plight, these two strangers can finally remember what it means to be family.

I've Loved You So Long only has two more days worth of screenings. You can catch I've Loved You So Long today Wendesday 3/4 at4:00, 7:00 & 9:30 PM and tomorrow 3/5 at 7:00 & 9:30 PM. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors and are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!

The Met Opera HD Returns with Puccini's Madama Butterfly 3/7

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD simulcast is back this Saturday 3/7 at 1:00 PM at The State featuring Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. In case you don't know about The State's Met Opera Live in HD shows it goes something like this: Through an effort to spread the love of Opera throughout the United States and the world, The Met Opera in New York City has begun simulcasting their performances to Theaters that are HD (high definition) ready. This all started in December of '06 when their first simulcast went worldwide and has been met with acclaim from every realm including critical as well as popular. On top of just performing the Operas themselves, the audience at The State is exposed to behind-the-scenes features, live interviews with cast and crew, insightful short documentaries, and bird’s-eye views of the productions offer an unprecedented look at what goes into the staging of an opera. Another great thing about these simulcast is that you can see these performances for just a fraction of the cost that you would pay at the Met ($22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $18 for students, and $15 for children). Even though you might not actually be in New York for the show, we are offering the highest digital quality picture so it does feel like you are actually there without the long car ride.
This weekends Opera is Madama Butterfly by Puccini’s. The story goes something like this:

Pinkerton, an American naval officer, has taken lease of a house in Nagasaki, Japan. He is going to live here with his future Japanese wife, Butterfly. Butterfly, (Cio-Cio-San) a giesha, is only 15-years-old. Goro, the marriage broker, while showing Pinkerton his new house, introduces him to Suzuki, his wife's maid. Sharpless, the American consul, warns Pinkerton of getting married. Pinkerton tells him that the is happy with his Japanese bride, but adds that one day he will marry a real "American bride." Butterfly enters and the family gathers for the wedding. Cio-Cio-San shows Pinkerton a dagger that was once used by her father to commit hara-kiri. The wedding ceremony is disrupted by angry family members, including Butterfly's uncle, a Buddhist priest. As the family leaves after the wedding, the couple celebrates their love and their first night alone together [source].

Below you can find a selection from Madama Butterfly:


The Met Opera Live in HD featuring Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is playing this Saturday 3/7 at 1:00 PM at The State with tickets going for $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $18 for students, and $15 for children. Purchase tickets ONLINE or at The State Theatre Box Office. Hope to see you there!

Daily Collegian Article on The State's Newly Acquired Liquor License

In today's 2/10 Daily Collegian there was an article explaining The State's newly acquired liquor license. In case you didn't know, in the upcoming weeks The State will be selling alcoholic beverages to its theatre goers during certain events. The date and events where alcohol will be served is still yet to be determined but a time frame has been made for the end of February. To view the article in full click HERE.

This Weekend at The State 2/27-3/1

Here are the events that are happening this weekend 2/27-3/1 at The State. You can click on the title of the show to see more info on these shows. Hope to see you at The State this weekend!

Friday 2/27:
I've Loved You So Long at 7:00 & 9:30 PM

Saturday 2/28:
I've Loved You So Long at 4:00 & 7:00 PM
The Asylum presents A Brown Leaf, City Infinite & PJ Bond at The Attic above The State at 7:30 PM
I've Loved You So Long at 9:30 PM

Sunday 3/1:
No.4 Street of Our Lady at 2:00 PM ***SOLD OUT***
I've Loved You So Long at 7:00 PM

You can buy tickets for any of these shows ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you this weekend!

This Sunday 2/22 Centre County Reads Presents Persepolis

This Sunday 2/22 at 1:00 PM Centre County Reads presents a special showing of the Oscar nominated film Persepolis (2008 Best Animated Feature). Centre County Reads will present the award-winning film, Persepolis, to complement the reading of the graphic memoir, which is the 2009 Centre County Reads selection. Centre County Reads is a county-wide program to encourage everyone in the community to read the same book and have discussions about the topics it might raise. With Persepolis, a true story of a young girl in Iran during the Iranian Revolution, we hope to stimulate dialogue about different cultures and different viewpoints.

Immediately after the showing of the movie at the State Theatre, we will be gathering at Schlow Library to continue the discussion with several students from Iran, who will answer questions about the events in the movie, as well as questions about Iran today. There will be additional book discussion groups and events from January through March. More information is available at www.centrecountyreads.org.

Reading the book and watching the movie often brings different perspectives to the story and that can also inspire conversation. You’ve read the book, now see the movie and join the conversation.

Persepolis trailer:


Even if you have never read the graphic novel we still encourage you to come and enjoy Persepolis, a truly great film. Tickets for Sunday afternoon's event are only $1 and can be purchased both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. Hope to see you there!