The platinum-selling rapper’s Friday night performance marks a milestone moment for the Poconos’ premier live music venue

STROUDSBURG, Pa. — The energy on Main Street was electric Friday night as platinum-selling rapper Yung Gravy brought his Voluptuous Voyage Tour to the Sherman Theater, delivering a high-octane performance that had Monroe County fans on their feet from start to finish.

The Minnesota-born artist, known for his signature blend of nostalgic soul samples and modern trap beats, made Stroudsburg one of only a handful of new cities on this tour leg—and he didn’t disappoint. With his deep baritone voice drawing comparisons to Barry White and a catalog that spans everything from 1940s oldies to contemporary hip-hop, Gravy transformed the historic venue into a full-blown party.

“It’s really high energy, a lot of stage antics and interacting with the crowd,” Gravy said ahead of the show. “More than most rappers or artists in general, I do a lot of talking directly to people and a lot of banter between songs and having fun with it.”

Small Venue, Big Energy

The 8 p.m. show drew fans from across the Poconos and beyond, many eager to experience the intimate atmosphere that smaller venues like the Sherman provide. For Gravy, who has accumulated over 6 billion streams and sold 5 million units worldwide, playing rooms like this is intentional.

“I think it’s really fun to go see those people because a lot of times they’re more into the show because they don’t get to see stuff like that quite as often,” he explained. “Also just the intimate atmosphere of a smaller venue—it’s a lot more fun.”

Joining him on the road is girlfriend Ariel Kytsya, who recently appeared in his music video for “Debbie.” The couple has been documenting their tour adventures online, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses with fans along the way.

A New Chapter for an Iconic Venue

Friday’s show arrives at a pivotal moment for the Sherman Theater itself. Just weeks ago, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau officially assumed management responsibilities of the nearly century-old venue—a strategic partnership aimed at positioning downtown Stroudsburg as a regional arts destination.

The theater first opened its doors on January 7, 1929, with comedy legends Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy gracing the stage on opening night. After decades as a vaudeville house and movie theater, the venue fell into disrepair in the 1990s before Rich Berkowitz and his wife Catharine spearheaded a renovation that brought it back to life in 2004.

Now, with Berkowitz stepping back after two decades of stewardship, the PMVB is looking to build on that foundation.

“We want to create a mecca for the arts here in the Poconos,” said Chris Barrett, president of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau and now vice president and general manager of the Sherman Theater. “We envision a vibrant future where the arts become a defining product of Stroudsburg, with the Sherman Theater serving as an anchor for a dynamic destination.”

The theater will continue operating as a separate nonprofit with its own board of directors, now chaired by Sylvester Williams. Berkowitz will remain involved, booking events and advising the new management team.

“I think it’s a great thing for the community,” Berkowitz said of the transition. “We’ve been working for this for more than 20 years, and I’d like to think that we’re gonna see a big rally and continued support and growth.”

What’s Next

The Sherman’s packed calendar shows no signs of slowing down. Coming up this week: Zakk Sabbath takes the stage Wednesday, followed by Railroad Earth’s two-night run over Thanksgiving weekend. December brings comedian Craig Ferguson and country star Kip Moore.

For a venue that has hosted everyone from Megadeth to Weird Al Yankovic, from Blues Traveler to Trey Anastasio, Friday’s Yung Gravy show was another reminder of why Pollstar has repeatedly ranked the Sherman among the world’s top club-sized venues.

With new leadership, a stacked lineup, and a vision to make Stroudsburg a true arts hub, the next chapter of the Sherman Theater story is just getting started.

For tickets and upcoming events, visit shermantheater.com.