Theater & Arts category, Page 3

Penn Middle School student Felice Hutchison has learned there is more to the movie-turned-musical “Mean Girls” than the title may imply. Hutchison is one of dozens of Penn Middle students who have rehearsed since November for their performance of “Mean Girls Jr.,” slated for April 25 to 27 in the...

Franklin Regional Thespian Club adviser Richard Sunny didn’t need to give most of his cast much background on “Little Women,” the club’s spring production. “Most of them have been asking me to do this since they were freshmen,” he said with a laugh. Louisa May Alcott’s classic story of the...

LONDON — A set of the first four editions of William Shakespeare’s collected works is expected to sell for up to $6 million at auction next month. Sotheby’s auction house announced the sale on Wednesday, Shakespeare’s 461st birthday. It said the May 23 sale will be the first time since...

The ocean liner RMS Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, killing more than 1,500 passengers on its maiden voyage from Ireland to New York. Looking back at the tragedy during this anniversary week, Carnegie Mellon University’s spring musical is the 1997 show “Titanic, The Musical,” which runs through April 23...

Since the turn of the century, the deluge of movies-turned-musicals has left many theatergoers — myself included — a little wary. We don’t need a stage show of every cult classic film or romantic comedy with a few famous jokes that can be set to a tune. But sometimes, this...

Adding another excellent play to his 19th Century Collection of works about the American Black experience, playwright and Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre founder/producing director Mark Clayton Southers has painted a beautiful and moving portrait with the world premiere of “Art of Wise,” running through May 4 at the Madison Arts Center...

A generation of women spent the early aughts watching the 2001 film “Legally Blonde” over and over again at sleepovers, quoting its lines in middle school hallways and selecting their own perfect pink ensembles, inspired by main character Elle Woods. While the 2007 Broadway adaptation of the movie — with...

When Mark Spondike isn’t providing music education to students at Pittsburgh’s Creative and Performing Arts school, he’s appearing onstage in the region, including with the Pittsburgh Opera. Next month, he’ll have a man’s fate in his hands, as foreman of the jury in Prime Stage Theatre’s production of “Twelve Angry...

Lovers of musicals can start 2026 with “Wicked.” The popular show takes center stage from Jan. 14 to Feb. 15 at the Benedum Center, as part of the 2025-26 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh season announced Monday by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Presented in partnership with Broadway Across America, the series...

First and foremost, a quick history lesson: on July 13, 1971, 13,000 people filled Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena. Those excited concertgoers were the first ones to see an authorized performance of what was then only a concept album, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. That concept...

With rain in the forecast, it may be tempting to stay inside and scroll on your phone all weekend. But why do that when there are heaps of (indoor) events to enjoy instead? Here’s a few ideas. Steel City Con If you’re a big pop culture fan, there’s nowhere better...

Penn-Trafford High School’s upcoming performance of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” has taken senior Isaiah Cordera back to his childhood. Having grown up watching the film, Cordera is excited to bring the character Charlie to the stage during the show’s debut weekend, April 4 to 6. “It’s a really fun...

Many are familiar with the story of perpetual youngster Peter Pan, the boy adventurer created by J.M. Barrie in the early 20th century. He’s been the subject of numerous plays, musical adaptations, novelizations, movies and reimaginings (despite its shockingly low Rotten Tomatoes score, I’m still partial to Steven Spielberg’s 1991...

It’s an artsy, tasty, dance-y, rocking weekend in Pittsburgh and with so many unmissable events, there’s no way you’ll run out of things to do. Get dressed up, grab some friends and enjoy! ‘Madama Butterfly’ Pittsburgh Opera will mount this groundbreaking new production of a Puccini classic this weekend (and...

More than six decades after premiering on Broadway, Edward Albee’s modern classic “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” remains a little bit vicious, a big surprise and a real conversation piece for first-time audience members. Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production, which runs through April 6, boasts excellent performances that bring Albee’s mind-bending...

Spring is officially here, but the weather is still fickle. So, while we’re waiting for March to go out like a lamb, here are some fun (and mostly indoor) events to pass the weekend around the Pittsburgh region. NatureFest On Saturday, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland will...

“I wish for you so many beautiful hours.” At the beginning of City Theatre’s production of “Birthday Candles” — and on protagonist Ernestine Ashworth’s 17th birthday — this is the wish that her mother gives to her, as they bake a birthday cake together. For the next 90 minutes —...

About a century ago, a comic strip called “Little Orphan Annie” began its decades-long run in newspapers. It was followed by radio programs, movies, and eventually a massively successful Broadway musical that has (thus far) spawned a trio of film adaptations of its own. All of this to say that...

For many Gateway students, this spring’s musical, “Once Upon a Mattress,” will be their final high school performance. “It’s been such a blessing to be a part of all of this,” senior Scarlett Davis said. Davis has been part of the high school musical for the past four years. Davis,...

Time to spring forward! It’s tough to lose that hour just for the sake of daylight savings, but you can have just as much fun this weekend as any other with what’s happening around town. The Thaw This new three-weekend festival from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will (hopefully) take us...

From March 13-16, Fox Chapel Area High School students will bring to life a favorite creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family with their spring musical. “The Addams Family” premiered on Broadway in 2010, starring Nahan Lane as Gomez Addams and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia Addams. After its successful run and...

NEW YORK — The megahit Broadway musical “Hamilton” is pulling out of plans to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., next year, citing President Donald Trump’s shakeup of the art institution’s leadership. “Our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be...

It’s the time of year when the region’s high schools bring together their stage-loving students for spring musicals. Below is a listing of Western Pennsylvania’s upcoming high school shows. Apollo-Ridge: “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” March 13-15 Avonworth: “Sweeney Todd,” April 4-5, 11-12 Baldwin: “The Lightning Thief,”...

Comedy may be more difficult than drama, but balancing both in a 2½-hour musical? That’s harder to pull off than, say, a bank heist. But “Kimberly Akimbo” manages it. The musical — based on the 2001 play of the same name by David Lindsay-Abaire — premiered on Broadway in 2022...

Legendary comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short will bring their “The Dukes of Funnytown!” tour to Pittsburgh this year. Shows are scheduled for Nov. 21 and 22 at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. The show will also feature jazz pianist Steve Babko and bluegrass band The Steep Canyon Rangers....