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...
City Theatre, CMU School of Drama partner for return of the Momentum Festival
This weekend, City Theatre and Carnegie Mellon University will partner for a celebration of new works for the stage. The Momentum Festival: New Plays at Different Stages will run Saturday and Sunday at City Theatre on the South Side. The four included works include “East Carson Street,” a jukebox musical...
Gateway High School’s ‘Almost, Maine’ production a fitting debut for director
The first time Kaylie Wallace saw her grandfather, Larry Cervi, direct a play was about a decade ago when Gateway High School performed “Almost, Maine” — the 2004 show written by John Cariani. Recently, Wallace stepped into Cervi’s (dancing) shoes as the artistic director and choreographer at the nonprofit East...
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘Yippee Ki Yay’ a heartwarming, hilarious tribute to ‘Die Hard’
Let’s get this out of the way: I don’t buy into the whole “ ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie” thing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy this 1988 action flick classic that (deservedly so) launched Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman into super-stardom. But “taking place at Christmas” does not,...
Local celebs to add extra sparkle to Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’
“The Nutcracker” is a Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre holiday tradition going back to the company’s inception in 1969. This year, they’re also continuing a more recent tradition of featuring local celebrities in cameos during the show. From football favorites to TV stars, PBT has tapped a wide variety of Pittsburgh’s famous...
Q&A with CMU grad Adam Brett, who is making his national tour debut as Wadsworth in ‘Clue’
Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School. Recently, The Oracle spoke with actor Adam Brett, who is making his national tour debut as Wadsworth in “Clue,” which is running...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 28-30
The leftovers are packed in the fridge and the family is still hanging around for a couple more days. What to do? You can show them how fun and bright Pittsburgh is with these events. Enjoy! Beers of the Burgh’s Winter Warmer Get ready for some fancy holiday cheer and...
‘Les Misérables’ is an epic tale of revolution at the Benedum Center
Other than “Wicked” (at the moment) and a handful of others, “Les Misérables” has to be one of the most well-known musicals in the modern canon. It’s the longest-running musical in the history of London’s West End, has won eight Tony Awards for its Broadway production — including Best Musical...
Your guide to Western Pa. holiday performances this season
It’s Christmastime in the city! The holidays are upon us, and the streets are bright with colorful lights and alive with festive music. While family visits, gift shopping and weekend afternoons of baking are filling up the calendar for the next few weeks, the holidays wouldn’t be quite as special...