Don't Get Mad, Get Hilarious: Peeved Continues at PACA

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The original, locally produced play Peeved: A Musical About Life's Little Annoyances, continues through this weekend at PACA.

CONTINUING FRIDAY, SEPT. 15

For this writer, it's dirty socks left randomly around the house or someone chewing a bit too loudly, a bit too closely. For many others it's intrusive, unwanted phone calls, misleading infomercials, or obnoxious blind dates. Everyone's got them: pet peeves. And it's these little, daily annoyances that have become the subject for a fun, ultimately life-affirming musical currently in production at the Performing Artists Collective Alliance (PACA).

You have one more weekend to catch Peeved: A Musical About Life's Little Annoyances at PACA, as the fast-paced, hilarious play wraps up with its final shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The comedy is based on a book written by local writer and actor Charles Corritore and the original music was composed by Michael Malthaner. Corritore and Malthaner have been working together, coming up with theatrical content for decades after Corritore first joined the staff of the Erie Playhouse in 1974. The duo has written a number of original plays and musicals including Arthur's Halloween, Jane Eyre, Santa Claus: The Musical, and, of course, Peeved. In 2021, Corritore won the Association of American Community Theatre National Distinguished Merit Award, which demonstrates his talent and commitment to creating groundbreaking, original theater.

The team's comedic talents are on full display in Peeved where, in more than 10 original songs, the cast will take you on a rushing romp through all those little things that rub us the wrong way. According to Corritore's and Malthaner's synopsis: "Have you ever been stuck on hold, waiting for a real person to answer? Ever been in a theater when someone's cell phone rings? Want to send an email, but can't deal with all the spam? Then you're Peeved: a hilarious new musical that pokes fun at those little things that make us bummed, bugged, burned, frazzled, perturbed, rubbed the wrong way, and just plain peeved! Don't get angry, don't get frustrated, don't go on medication. Why not just laugh at it all?"

And that's exactly what the cast, crew, and writers of Peeved would like you to do. While spending much of the musical in a state of frustration, the cast would ultimately like for you to "transcend irritation by acknowledging it and transforming it into laughter."

Book and lyrics by Charles Corritore, music by Michael Malthaner. Starring Rich Tryzbiak, Leah Johnson, Jean Malthaner, and Patrick Thiem.

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m., Sunday Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. // PACA, 1505 State St. // $16 // For tickets and info: paca1505.com