Theater & Arts category, Page 12
Review: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Crystal’ creates a hot performance on ice
It was an evening of dance, contortionist moves, high-flying jumps, aerial poses and gymnastic-inspired moves, choreographed to lively music, with bright lights and special effects. And it was all done on ice. Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatic performance — “Crystal” — deserved the standing ovation it received from the captivated audience...
‘South Side Stories’ updated at City Theatre for 10th anniversary
Ten years ago, Tami Dixon sat on the corner of a busy street in the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Next to her was an empty chair and a sign that read “Tell me a story about the South Side.” People did. They told her about their struggles, their successes,...
How Pittsburgh Public Theater brought ‘A Christmas Story’ to the stage
Tim Mackabee walked into the O’Reilly Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh and sat in the front row. The New York-based set designer looked at the space in front of him trying to envision a creative way to bring the show made for the screen, “A Christmas Story,” to life on the...
Award-winning costume designer Paul G. Tazewell to be honored at FashionAFRICANA’s inaugural gala
A costume is more than a piece of clothing to Paul G. Tazewell. The fabric is a part of the character. “I love the process, and I love collaborating with people,” said Tazewell, who has been designing costumes for Broadway, regional theater, film and television, dance, and opera productions for...
Franklin Regional Thespians will present Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’
Abby Wingard has spent her time with the Franklin Regional Thespians club in the wings of the theater, as a longtime member of the stage crew. But for her senior year, Wingard, 18, wanted to step onstage for a change. The problem? “I am not an actor, at all,” she...
Antique props, colorful choreography shine in Geyer theater’s upcoming ‘Pirates of Penzance’
For director Martha Oliver, the Geyer Performing Arts Center’s upcoming performance of “Pirates of Penzance” was a long time coming. “I have wanted to do this since 1982. That’s 40 years,” Oliver said. As a young actress, Oliver performed in a Penn State Fayette rendition of the classic musical in...
Penn-Trafford to bring Shakespeare ‘play within a play’ to stage this weekend
The Penn-Trafford High School Drama Guild will bring a twist on a Shakespeare classic to the stage this weekend for the first time in about two decades. The drama guild will perform “Romeo and Juliet: Together and Alive At Last,” a story about two middle school students, Anabell and Pete,...
Huey Lewis’ rom-com musical ‘The Heart of Rock & Roll’ finds a stage on Broadway in spring
NEW YORK — Huey Lewis, who with his band The News stormed radio in the 1980s with such rock-pop hits as “The Power of Love” and “I Want a New Drug,” is about to take his music to a Broadway stage. Lewis and executive producer Hunter Arnold tell The Associated...
Quaker Valley Middle School students prepare to bring ‘Annie Jr.’ to the stage
Quaker Valley seventh grader Skylar Egbert bets her bottom dollar that the middle school’s upcoming performance of “Annie Jr.” will be a memorable one. “We have a live dog and have a lot of amazing people in our cast, really focused people, kind people as well,” said Skylar, who plays...
‘War of the Worlds’ tops Halloween double bill of Pitt-Greensburg science fiction plays
An attack by Martian invaders, dramatized for anxious listeners 85 years ago, will be staged beginning Tuesday as part of a Halloween double bill of science fiction radio plays at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. The Pitt-Greensburg Theatre Company will perform Orson Welles’ “The War of the Worlds” and...
Cultural Trust’s Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh fundraiser highlights the iconic drink
The cosmopolitan is a pink-hued martini that rose to popularity on HBO’s “Sex and the City,” which debuted in 1998. The cosmo, as it is also known, has stood the test of time for the ladies in the show, appearing in episodes of the 2021 “Sex and the City” sequel...
Latrobe Drama Club to present ‘Father of the Bride’
Latrobe Drama Club will present “Father of the Bride” as its fall play Thursday and Friday. Directed by Allison Duda, with assistant directors Michelle Kondrich and Rebecca Snyder, the comedy follows a father dealing with the turmoil caused by his daughter’s out-of-control wedding — including the financial stress. The show...
‘Lord of the Dance’ performance at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre canceled
The Nov. 12 performance of Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance - 25th Anniversary” tour at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre has been canceled, according to the Westmoreland Cultural Trust. The statement cited “unforeseen circumstances” for the cancellation, and notes that tickets will be refunded at the original point of purchase. The...
Bethel Park High School teacher wrote, is directing fall play
Cortney Williams had more actors than parts. Instead of trimming the cast, she added characters. Williams, an English teacher at Bethel Park High School, wrote plays so everyone could be included. “I thought, if they are willing to come and put in the time, then there needs to be a...
Murrysville middle school’s fall play is a lost-and-found story about learning to love
Franklin Regional teacher Christine Klemstine couldn’t have been more surprised when eighth grader J.T. Esposito performed his audition for the middle school’s fall play. “He had half of the script already memorized,” Klemstine said. “I couldn’t believe it.” Memorizing 20 pages of dialogue is a big enough challenge for an...
Greensburg Civic Theatre opens 72nd season with ‘The Last Five Years’
A two-person performance will light up the stage and kick off the 72nd season at the Greensburg Civic Theatre this weekend. The show, “The Last Five Years,” will be performed at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This will be an early season opener for...
Greer Cabaret Theater hosts its 1st performance with change of scenery
The Greer Cabaret Theater is in character, dressed up and ready for opening night. After being closed for more than a year and getting a re-fresh, the venue will host Pittsburgh CLO’s “tick, tick…BOOM!” It’s an autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer of “RENT.”...
Prime Stage Theatre to host open auditions for upcoming season
Prime Stage Theatre officials will host open auditions for their 27th season Sept. 16-17 in Pittsburgh. Auditions for the “Season of Courage and Discovery” will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 and 4-9 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Prime Stage Studio, 840 West Saw Mill Run Boulevard in...
Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks stages ‘Cleopatra’ with all-woman cast
William Shakespeare was not averse to including a ballad or two in his plays. Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks is going the Bard one better this year, adding modern dance numbers to its production of “Cleopatra & Antony.” Audience members will hear snippets of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring...
Trafford’s Theatre Factory to debut play this weekend at Pittsburgh New Works FestivalVideo
When Josette Kurey realized she would be directing actors Ron and Mary Ferrara of Vandergrift as part the world premiere of a new play about a married Italian-American couple from Queens, N.Y., she knew things were on the right track. “They’re almost playing themselves, married Italian grandparents. It’s very funny,...
Documentary Week announced at The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley
The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley announced the lineup for its inaugural Documentary Week, Sept. 1-14. Nine films, curated to suit a wide range of interests, will be offered on various days and times. The week also features virtual talkbacks with directors, expert speakers and other special events...
Billy Porter helping to revitalize Pittsburgh’s Homewood Coliseum
The arts saved Billy Porter. Porter wants those dreams for other young people. That’s why he is partnering with Herky and Lisa Pollock and professional cook Rachael Ray on the revitalization of the Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum in Homewood, a part of the city near and dear to Porter. Ray is...
Broadway-bound revival of ‘The Wiz’ finds its next Dorothy, thanks in part to TikTok
NEW YORK — A 24-year-old triple threat who toured in “Hairspray,” competed on “American Idol” and came to the attention of casting agents with her TikTok videos has landed the plum role of Dorothy in the Broadway-bound production of “The Wiz.” Nichelle Lewis will star in the national touring show...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Aug. 4-6
It’s the first weekend of August. In addition to the Pink concert on Saturday at PNC Park on the North Shore, here are some fun ways to spend it. Art crawl The Lawrenceville Art Crawl is from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday. This festival along Butler Street has indoor and...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: July 14-16
It’s the weekend. Here are some ways to spend it. Northside Music Festival The inaugural Northside Music Festival is Friday through Sunday. Previously known as the Deutschtown Music Festival, the free, three-day event will feature more than 70 musical acts, an artist market and more than 30 food trucks. On...
