Pittsburgh Playhouse season will celebrate 'American spirit'

The upcoming season at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse will celebrate “love, human resiliency and community spirit,” according to a video announcement from managing director Drew Martorella and artistic director Steven Breese.

The 2020-21 season includes the Pulitzer- and Tony Award-winning “Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches,” eclectic dance productions highlighted by the renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Media Innovators Speaker Series, kicking off with former Minnesota Sen. Al Franken.

“When we began selecting plays for the upcoming season, we started thinking about the significance of the upcoming election, the fact that we are nearly 20 years into the new millennium, and that many students coming to our campus are too young to even remember the 9/11 attacks,” Breese said. “And then suddenly the global pandemic struck, and as we huddled around our computers and televisions, we saw America come together in new ways.

“It’s that uniquely American spirit that we chose to honor and celebrate this season.”

The playhouse schedule includes:

Theater

“Pippin,” Oct. 7-11

With a score from four-time Grammy winner and three-time Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz, this “Pippin” is an updated version of the play that won four 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival.

“Little Children Dream of God,” Oct. 28-Nov. 8

A pregnant woman floats ashore in Miami from her native Haiti, determined to forge a better life in America for her unborn son in a play that is “a dark yet hopeful drama about learning to start a new life by facing the one you left behind.”

“Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches,” Nov. 18-22

Recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play, Tony Kushner’s work is “at once playful and profound, extravagantly theatrical and extraordinarily entertaining.”

“It’s a Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play,” Dec. 9-20

In this adaptation, Frank Capra’s beloved holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with holiday music.

“The Wild Party,” Feb. 17 - 21

Based on Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 narrative poem of the same name, “this steamy prohibition tale roars its way across the stage and features one of the most exciting, pulse-racing musical scores ever written.”

“The Children’s Hour,” March 10-21

Lillian Hellman’s powerful story illustrates how one malicious lie can undermine the lives of good people, reminding audiences that “truth is often illusive and dire consequences can grow from selfish deception and lies.”

“Shakespeare in Hollywood,” March 31-April 4

It’s 1934, and playwright Ken Ludwig sets Shakespeare’s most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, down on the Warner Brothers’ Hollywood set of Max Reinhardt’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Smitten by the glitz and glamour of show biz, the two are ushered onto the silver screen to play themselves.

“Passing Strange,” April 14 - 25

Part musical theatre, part rock concert, part performance art, “Passing Strange” traces the creative life of a young bohemian who charts a course for “the real,” from black middle-class America to Europe and beyond on a journey toward artistic and personal authenticity.

Media Innovators Speakers Series

• Al Franken, former Minnesota senator, comedian, media personality and series headliner, Oct. 16

• Donna Brazile, former Democratic strategist and now a Fox News analyst, Sept. 18

• Salena Zito, author of “The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics,” Jan. 19

Events for younger audience members

“A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 19-24

A one-man version of Charles Dickens’ classic as Dickens himself performed it, bringing Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and Christmas ghosts to life for patrons of all ages to enjoy.

“Potted Potter – The Unauthorized Harry Experience,” Jan. 22-24

Playing to sold-out houses all over the world, this Olivier Award-nominated show by Dan and Jeff condenses all seven Harry Potter books and a game of Quidditch into 70 hilarious minutes.

Dance

Sponsored by UPMC, the season includes ballet, modern, contemporary, commercial jazz dance, hip hop and tap, with masterworks from dance icons like Paul Taylor and Bob Fosse anchoring the season. The season also features works from Justin Peck, Teddy Forance and Chloe and Maud Arnold and showcases the versatility of Point Park’s student dancers.

Contemporary Choreographers: Poised for Renaissance, Oct. 14-18 in the George Rowland White Performance Center

The performance celebrate tap’s resurgence while exploring tap’s roots in African and Irish American dance forms.

Pieces also include Norbert De La Cruz III, contemporary; Camille A. Brown, African American contemporary; Jessica Lang, ballet; and Chloe and Maud Arnold, tap.

Dancing Wheels, Oct. 30 in The PNC Theatre

This professional company of dancers represents a diversity of age, ethnicity, gender and physical abilities and creatively shares messages of equality and accessibility.

Student Choreography Project I: Fall Festival of New Choreography, Nov. 18-22 in the George Rowland White Performance Center

Student choreographers’ performances showcase the depth and breadth of talent within the dance program at Point Park University.

Winter Dance Concert: Mother of Invention, Dec. 16 – 20 in The PNC Theatre

The Conservatory Dance Company will perform “In Creases,” a work by Justin Peck, one of the premier new “it” choreographers of the ballet stage. Pieces also include Hip Hop-Rennie Harris, Contemporary-Penny Saunders and Jazz/Commercial-Teddy Forance.

Faculty Dance Concert: Visions of the Future — Echoing Diverse & Versatile Voices in Dance, Feb. 24-28 in the George Rowland White Performance Center

The annual showcase of Point Park Dance Department faculty choreographers.

Paul Taylor Dance Company, March 12-13 in The PNC Theatre

Described by The New York Times as “one of the most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies in the entire world.”

Student Choreography Project II: Spring Festival of New Choreography, March 31-April 4 in the George Rowland White Performance Center

A continuation of the Student Choreography Project, with new performances, new choreographers and new dancers take the stage.

The playhouse will comply with federal, state and local health and safety guidelines due to the covid-19 pandemic. Updates to the schedule will be posted to the website.

Season subscriptions may be purchased by calling 412-392-8000 or emailing boxoffice@pointpark.edu. Individual tickets will go on sale July 1 at the Playhouse box office at 305 Forbes Ave., 412-392-8000 and playhouse.pointpark.edu.