Theater & Arts category, Page 36
Seton Hill’s ‘The Seagull’ delves into love in all of its forms
Russian playwright and author Anton Chekov once described his classic comedy, “The Seagull,” as having a cast of nine, four acts and “five tons of love.” Robyne Parrish, who is directing the Seton Hill University Theatre production of the play written in 1895 and first produced in 1896, agrees the...
St. Joseph High School stages Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’
St. Joseph High School tackles a “new classic” — “In the Heights.” Before “Hamilton” swept the musical theater world by storm there was “In the Heights.” Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the music and lyrics, starring in both. “In the Heights” garnered numerous top industry honors including Best Musical, Choreography, Original Score...
Pittsburgh Youth Chorus gets little singers some big experience
A few years ago, Olivia Laubham and Evelyn Maiman were just starting out with the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus and were a little nervous about getting onstage. Today, they might not be considered stage veterans yet, but after performances with the Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Public Theater, they’re...
Queen-inspired rock musical to tour North AmericaVideo
LOS ANGELES — A musical inspired by Queen’s music is preparing for a North America tour following the popularity of the Academy Award-winning movie, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Producers announced Monday “We Will Rock You” will open in Winnipeg, Canada, on Sept. 3. The tour will stop in other cities including New...
Allderdice students hit high notes with iconic ‘60s pop hits in ‘Leader of the Pack’
When the lights go down at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School and the music starts, James Rankin hopes to hit all the right notes from his place in the orchestra pit. “There’s something magical about being a part of the live performance,” says the junior who lives in Greenfield. About 30...
Pittsburgh Public Theater brings ‘Indecent’ to the O’Reilly Theater
Pittsburgh Public Theater announced it will present Paula Vogel’s Tony Award-nominated play, “Indecent,” April 18 to May 19 at the O’Reilly Theater, in Downtown Pittsburgh. The production is directed by Carnegie Mellon University graduate Risa Brainin. In the play, an ensemble of 10 actors and musicians follow the trajectory of...
‘Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical’ to make Pittsburgh debut at Byham Theater
The popular 1999 film “Cruel Intentions” has been transformed into a stage musical and a touring production of“Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical,” will make a stop at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St., Pittsburgh, for an 8 p.m. April 20 show. Tickets start at $49. Based on the French novel,...
Pittsburgh New Works Festival seeks 1-act plays
Time is running out. Playwrights with one-act stories, never before produced, may submit to the Pittsburgh New Works Festival through April 5. Twelve, one-act plays will be selected for performance as mainstage productions for the festival’s 29th season, which begins in September. An additional six plays will be chosen for...
Brashear High School hopes to thrill audiences in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’Video
Cass Wilkes is a senior at Carrick High School, but she’s been spending a lot of time this spring at Brashear High School. Her school doesn’t have a spring musical. So she auditioned for Brashear’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” a science-fiction, horror mashup with performances at 7 p.m. Friday and...
Penn-Trafford Drama Guild prepares to stage ‘The Addams Family’Video
The Penn-Trafford High School Drama Guild will stage “The Addams Family” as its spring musical this year. However, it’s actually more like the Addams Extended Family. “We had the talent this year to double-cast all of our lead roles,” director Tom Bekavec said. Moving the story of the old black-and-white...
‘La Boheme’ is the opera for everyone
Some operas are great introductions to the art form. Others appeal more to connoisseurs. But Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme” is both, an experience to be eagerly anticipated for just about anyone. The powerful story is about young artists living together because they are poor, one of whom find true love...
CAPA will perform the musical ‘Sister Act’ for 2 weekends
In a three-piece suit, accessorized with lots and lots of jewelry, Eli Yaroch commits murder. “I have never played the villain before,” says Yaroch, a junior at Pittsburgh CAPA, Downtown Pittsburgh, who plays Curtis Jackson in the musical “Sister Act.” “I like playing a part that is so far from...
‘Grease’ is the word for Monessen High School spring musical
It’s got groove, it’s got meaning. It’s “Grease,” the spring musical at Monessen High School. The auditorium will be rocking like Rydell High School when the musical comedy about 1950s teen love between greaser Danny Zuko and sweet Aussie Sandy Olsson hits the stage. The High/Middle School Group for Performing...
Join in the fun with Burrell’s ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’
Audience participation is not only expected as Burrell High School presents “The Mystery of Edward Drood,” it’s required says Burrell musical director Martin Connolly. “The audience gets to vote and decide who the murderer is at the end of the show,” Connolly says. “And then based on that we will...
Springdale takes a chance on ‘Mamma Mia’Video
The global sensation “Mamma Mia” lands on the Springdale Jr./Sr. High School stage March 29-31. “I like the fact that this musical is contemporary. We can do a lot with that,” says Emily Plunkett of her lead role as Sophie. The global smash hit musical takes place on a tiny...
Highlands High School presents ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’Video
Highlands High School presents the only Pittsburgh area high school musical production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” March 29-31. Based on the French novel by Victor Hugo and songs from the Disney animated feature, this production is the largest to grace the Highlands stage under the direction of Highlands...
‘Wiesenthal: Nazi Hunter’ spotlights tolerance, benefits Tree of Life fund
He is nicknamed the “Jewish James Bond.” Simon Wiesenthal survived 12 Nazi concentration camps and made a name for himself by doggedly hunting down and bringing to justice Nazi criminals, including Adolf Eichmann. Now he is the subject of a one-man, one-act play called “Wiesenthal: Nazi Hunter” opening Tuesday at...
Exhalations Dance Theatre to perform ‘Equinox’ at Kelly Strayhorn TheatreVideo
They are pharmacists, bankers, nurses, teachers, and digital strategists. They are also dancers and members of the Exhalations Dance Theatre, a nonprofit organization that was formed to create performing and choreography opportunities for non-professional dancers. The company will present “Equinox” at 8 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at the...
Uniontown theater schedules auditions for two summer musicals
Auditions for two upcoming productions are planned April 7-8 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts, 37 E. Main St., Uniontown. Summer at the State’s 2019 season will feature “Mamma Mia” and another musical to be announced. Both productions will have ensemble casts of 30-35 actors, singers and dancers....
‘Mary Poppins’ to fly over Norwin stage
Mary Poppins, the magical English nanny made famous in the 1964 film starring Julie Andrews, will be flying across the stage at the Norwin High School auditorium. “We chose ‘Mary Poppins’ because we thought it would be a perfect show to showcase the students’ talents, especially in terms of the...
Greensburg Salem Middle School thespians stage spring musicalVideo
Due to contract regulations, Greensburg Salem Middle School is not using a particular, well-known name to advertise its spring musical. Suffice it to say, fans of a certain popular musical will want to be in attendance, however, in order to “read all about it.” Chorus teacher and musical director Melanie...
James Corden returns to host the 2019 Tony AwardsVideo
James Corden is returning to host the 73rd annual Tony Awards. The American Theatre Wing on Tuesday announced that the host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show” will preside over Broadway’s biggest night which honors the season’s best plays and musicals. Corden previously hosted the 70th annual Tonys. Corden won...
Kiski Area goes classic with ‘The Sound of Music’Video
Everyone’s favorite singing nun returns as Kiski Area High School presents “The Sound of Music” March 27-30. “Coming off the heels of a no-dialogue show like last year’s “Joseph,” this year’s show will provide audiences with a nice contrast as we return to a more traditional and classic musical favorite,”...
Sounds of Ireland come to the Palace for St. Patrick’s DayVideo
If a quick trip to the Emerald Isle is out of the question, the next best place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day just might be The Palace Theatre with the National Dance Company of Ireland’s Rhythm of the Dance. Traditional Irish songs, dances and music will comprise the program during...
Northern Lights illuminate Stage Right Pittsburgh’s ‘Almost, Maine’
The Northern Lights are in the sky and love is in the frosty air on a cold winter’s night in the mythical town of “Almost, Maine.” Stage Right Performing Arts and Education will present six performances of the romantic comedy comprised of nine short plays set at the same time...
