Published: August 13, 2008 09:59 pm      

1960s stars headline Arcadia Theater gala

WINDBER — Two 1960s teen idols are coming to Johnstown’s Cambria County War Memorial Arena to help support a Windber icon.

Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell will headline the Arcadia Theater’s 10th Anniversary Gala at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 in the War Memorial.

Tickets are $35 for any arena seat. They go on sale Sept. 2 at the War Memorial box office.

Funds from the gala will help secure Arcadia’s future, board Chairman Frank Cunsolo said during Wednesday’s announcement in the Windber theater.

“We are trying to raise money for an endowment that will keep the Arcadia alive for generations to come,” Cunsolo said.

Since it reopened in 1998, the Arcadia has hosted the likes of The Lettermen, Three Irish Tenors, Charo and John Davidson, Joyce Murtha said Wednesday. She and her husband, U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, are honorary co-chairs of the anniversary gala.

“I’m just amazed they are getting that caliber of entertainment,” Joyce Murtha said.

“Those are all great people.”

The historic theater not only serves as an entertainment outlet, it is an economic development tool for the community, said F. Nicholas Jacobs, anniversary gala chairman and president and chief executive officer of Windber Medical Center.

“It has been an interesting journey over the last 10 years,” Jacobs said at the Arcadia.

“It has become almost hard to think about Windber without this theater.”

Organizers hope to raise several hundred thousand dollars to be invested, with interest earnings used to support future shows and renovations.

“You can’t operate a theater this size with ticket sales alone,” Cunsolo said.

The Arcadia’s anniversary concert is being held at the War Memorial in order to accommodate the expected crowd.

“We have limited seating (at the Arcadia) ,” Cunsolo said. “A show of this caliber requires a larger venue.”

Avalon, 68, became a superstar in the late ’50s and early ’60s as a boyish pop singer, recording hits like “Venus” and “Why.” He went on to a movie career, where he is best-known for teen beach movies, often starring with Annette Funicello. Films include “Beach Party,” “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini,” “Beach Blanket Bingo” and “Bikini Beach.”

Rydell, 66, first hit the charts in 1959 with “Kissin’ Time” and “We Got Love.” His biggest hit came the next year with “Wild One.”

Patrons and corporate sponsors will have an opportunity to meet the stars during a post-concert celebration at the Pasquerilla Conference Center.

The patrons’ $125 package includes floor seats in the War Memorial and admission to the post-concert gala.



If you go

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 25.

Where: Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

Tickets: $35, go on sale Sept. 2 at the War Memorial box office.

More information: 467-9070.