Theater & Arts category
Review: Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s ‘Annie’ brings a shining cast to a classic musical
Some artistic works are both timeless and very much of their time. That’s the case with “Annie,” a massive hit musical that was already a cultural touchstone before it even existed. Drawing from more than half a century of source material in the form of comics, radio programs and movies,...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend
There’s light (and warmth) at the end of the tunnel at last! We’re finally seeing bearable temperatures outside, so why not get out and take in the post-frost city? Here are some events to try out this weekend. Disney on Ice Americans young and old have been captivated by the...
‘Shrek’ boasts largest Franklin Regional musical cast yetVideo
Isaac Eaton discovered quickly that it’s awful tough trying to fill the shoes of legendary comedian Eddie Murphy. “It’s challenging to find my own voice for the character,” said Eaton, 17, a senior who will portray Murphy’s iconic character Donkey in Franklin Regional’s high school production of “Shrek: The Musical,”...
Theater group will host auditions for ‘Women of Troy’ staged reading
StoryZ Studios will host auditions on Monday and Tuesday for a staged reading of Euripides’ “Women of Troy.” The play, originally performed 2,500 years ago, tells the story of the women of Troy held hostage and removed from their homeland, a story of family separation and the abuse of power....
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Feb. 13-15
Are you ready for Valentine’s Day? Be honest. Did you procrastinate making reservations or buying a gift? No worries. Here are some events where you can take someone special for the holiday weekend. Symphony Dances from ‘West Side Story’ The classic musical “West Side Story” is based on the tragic...
Review: ‘The Chief’ at Pittsburgh Playhouse is a riveting evening with the soul of the Steelers
Few people are as truly, splendidly Pittsburgh as Art Rooney Sr. Not just because he gave the Steelers to the world, though that doesn’t hurt, but also because he embodied qualities that make Pittsburghers the best people in the world: loyalty, toughness, humor, passion. (Disclosure: This reviewer, a third-generation Pittsburgher,...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 30-Feb. 1
Let’s not even talk about the weather. It’s time to put it on the back burner and shake off the cabin fever for a weekend of dancing, dining, competing and more. Whether you love the cold and want to get outside or stay indoors and toasty, Pittsburgh is your playground...
Larry Cervi, beloved arts director and founder of East End Kids, dies
Larry Cervi, who spent decades shaping students and stages as an educator and performing arts director across the Pittsburgh region, was a people person at heart. Cervi, of Churchill, died Thursday, after a yearlong battle with bladder cancer, only two days after his 90th birthday. He founded the Larry Cervi...
City Theatre will not merge with Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theater
Last August, three major local theater companies — City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh CLO — announced they were considering the possibility of a merger. Today, the companies revealed that such a union is not in the cards — or, at least, not for all three. In a statement...
Prime Stage Theatre’s ‘Freedom House’ shines a light on a lesser-known moment in Pittsburgh history
Pop quiz: Where was the first ambulance service stafffed by paramedics with medical training established? It may surprise you, but it was in the Hill District in Pittsburgh. Our city has been a center for pioneering medical breakthroughs for decades; the polio vaccine, modern CPR and any number of other...
Review: City Theatre’s ‘Malcolm X and Redd Foxx’ is a poignant moment spent with 2 legends
The title of City Theatre’s ”Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem” is rather self-explanatory. But while the title might sound surreal, it’s actually a historical fact; Civil Rights Movement leader Malcolm X and comedy icon Redd Foxx were, in fact, lifelong friends who...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 23-25
There’s no doubt that this is the hardest time of year to live in Pittsburgh, with all the dark, cold and snow. But when you venture out to have some fun, it’s always a great time to live in Pittsburgh. Here are a few events to remember why the city...
Review: Latest ‘Wicked’ production at Benedum Center is as enchanting as ever
I bet a lot of us are just plain “Wicked”-ed out at this point. Not only has the smash-hit show been running on Broadway since 2003, making it the fourth longest-running Broadway musical of all time, but we’ve also just had its blockbuster movie adaptations released at back-to-back Thanksgivings. It...
Here are 6 things to do in Pittsburgh this long weekend: Jan. 16-19
It’s the first long weekend of 2026, for many of us. That gives us some extra hours to enjoy ourselves and get out to see what the city has to offer. Here are some great events going on. Winterfest at The Frick Infuse your winter season with some brightness and...
‘Wicked’ tour prepares for 5-week run at the BenedumVideo
More than a dozen trucks carrying hundreds of props and set pieces lined up behind the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday, preparing to transform the historic theater into the magical world of Oz. The tour of “Wicked” returns with opening night on Wednesday for its sixth run in...
Pittsburgh Opera announces appointment of new general director
The Pittsburgh Opera announced Tuesday that it will enter a fresh chapter with new general director William Powers, who will take the reins on July 1 after the company’s 2025-26 season. Powers — who has decades of experience working in the performing arts and has spent much of his career...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 2-4
Welcome to 2026! Time for new beginning, new goals and new experiences all over Pittsburgh. Here are a few ideas for new things to do this weekend to get your year started right. Laser shows at Buhl Planetarium For fans of blockbuster Netflix show “Stranger Things” or pop superstar Taylor...
Review: Twists and laughs of ‘Clue’ slay at the Benedum Center
It’s a play! Of a movie! Of a board game! The 1985 cult classic comedy film “Clue” certainly seems ripe for the stage, with quickfire dialogue, a single-mansion setting and plenty of room for actors to make their mark. The movie features memorable performances from character actor legends including Tim...
What you need to know about Highmark First Night in Pittsburgh
Downtown Pittsburgh will put on its holiday best to host the annual Highmark First Night, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The Cultural District will be ringing in the new year with a jam-packed lineup of performances, activities, fireworks and a midnight ball-raising. Tens of thousands of people are expected...
Year in Review: The best of Pittsburgh theater in 2025
Despite funding struggles and numerous other challenges, including the construction in the Cultural District, Pittsburgh’s theater companies and arts organizations staged a stunning slate of productions in 2025. While we didn’t get to all of them, here are some highlights to remember. The Top 5 Shows City Theatre’s “The Real...
August Wilson Center raising funds with seat-naming opportunity
Theater-goers have a chance to make a visible investment in the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Downtown Pittsburgh through new seat-naming opportunities. The initiative is a legacy-giving chance to support the center, which is among the nation’s largest Black multidisciplinary arts facilities. “A seat dedication is both deeply...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 19-21
The holidays are officially underway — Christmas is just days away, Hanukkah is lighting up the nights and the winter solstice is Sunday. Incorporate these events into your holidays for a little extra fun this weekend. Trans-Siberian Orchestra For almost three decades, progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been turning...
Karla Boos, fonder and longime artistic director of Quantum Theatre, announces plans to retire
Quantum Theatre, a company that has challenged and delighted Pittsburgh theatergoers since its inception in 1990, will be looking for a new artistic director next year. Karla Boos, founder and current holder of that position, has announced she will retire in December 2026. Before departing, Boos will be directing Quantum’s...
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘A Musical Christmas Carol’ keeps a holiday tradition singing
Charles Dickens penned a Christmas story for the ages in 1843, spawning dozens of adaptations on stage and in film across the world (the Muppet version is, in my opinion, unmatched). It’s so ubiquitous that “Scrooge” as a description for a cantankerous anti-holiday crank has become a part of our...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 12-14
The temperature just keeps dropping, but the ‘Burgh shows no sign of stopping! There’s lots to do and see this weekend all around town, so don’t miss out just because of a chill. Here are a few must-dos this weekend. Holiday storytelling show The holidays can be a complicated time...
