‘smallest show in town’ to benefit Leone Writing Competition | Organizers bill the production as “A Prairie Home Companion” meets “The Carol Burnett Show.”
Ursuline High School’s Deibel-Morley Theater is set to host “the smallest show in town” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17. Youngstown native and Ursuline graduate Chris Leone curated the show, which is billed as “A Prairie Home Companion” meets “The Carol Burnett Show.”
Proceeds benefit the Dom Leone Writing Competition, which showcases the creative work of area youth in grades 1-12. The competition is held in memory of Dom Leone, a published fiction writer, songwriter, poet, and cartoonist who died from cancer in 1989. Leone attended schools in Youngstown and was a YSU graduate.
During the family-friendly, all-ages variety show, guests will be treated to a little bit of everything. The lineup includes acoustic music, sketch and improvisational comedy, storytelling, and special guests.
The event will feature the show’s signature grilled cheese sandwiches, which will be available to purchase. “That’s something we do to create a home environment,” said Chris Leone. “It’s like welcoming you straight into our home.”
The show originated in San Francisco, where Chris Leone lived in the early 2000s. It followed him to his current home of Pittsburgh. It has become a monthly event at the Arcade Comedy Theater in Pittsburgh’s cultural district.
Chris Leone said making the transition to Youngstown was easy. “We’re using the format of the Pittsburgh show, while incorporating local acts into the show. Wherever we do the show, we always ask a local guest to participate.”
This year’s special guest will be Youngstown native Bob Jenkins, a retired Ursuline teacher. Leone describes Jenkins as someone “very involved with the community.”
The competition will be a family affair with Carmen Leone, a former Youngstown State University English professor, being an important ingredient in how things run.
“My dad [Carmen Leone] is definitely the glue of the whole operation,” said Teresa Leone, a member of YSU’s English faculty. “The competition is a great way to honor Dom and keep the memory of his creativity, humor, whimsical nature, and unforgettable smile alive.”
With so many creative minds in the family, Carmen Leone said the Dom Leone Writing Competition highlights its importance. “Creativity is extremely important. Creativity is the key to good writing. It’s what separates great writing from average writing,” he said.
On his website, Carmen J. Leone’s states: “In Dom’s short life he created some beautiful art in the forms of stories, poems, songs, and cartoons and inspired many others to create. His family and the Youngstown literary community would like to see that inspiration continue. We see this competition, which has become an annual event, as an important way to achieve that objective.”
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children under 18. You can also purchase tickets in advance at brownpapertickets.com….
About – The Dom Leone Writing Competition is open area students in grades 1-12. The competition is divided into three categories (poetry and song lyrics, short fiction and cartooning) and four levels (grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12). The competition is held in memory of Dom Leone, a published fiction writer, songwriter, poet, and cartoonist who died from cancer in 1989. Prizes are awarded at the discretion of the judges, in each category for each level. The competition has the support of the Youngstown Diocesan Schools and the Youngstown State University English Department. For more information, visit the website of Carmen J. Leone.
Deibel-Morley Auditorium
Metro Monthly is a local news and events magazine based in Youngstown, Ohio. We circulate throughout the Mahoning Valley (and beyond) with print, online and flipbook editions. Be sure to visit our website for news, features, restaurants, local history and essential Valley events. We offer print and website advertising. Office: 330-259-0435.
© 2018 Metro Monthly. All rights reserved.
