Theater & Arts category, Page 37
Theatre Factory gets to the heart of ‘Fuddy Meers’
Most typical days in many people’s lives are uneventful and not so noteworthy. That’s not the case with Claire, one of the main characters in “Fuddy Meers,” a play being staged Feb. 22-March 3 at The Theatre Factory in Trafford. Claire has a rare form of psychogenic amnesia that erases her...
Stage Right needs witnesses for Guinness record-breaking attempt
Independent witnesses are needed on March 9 at The Palace Theater in Greensburg, to observe as Stage Right attempts to break the Guinness Book of World Records’ record for the fastest staging of a musical production. People 18 and older are needed for four-hour shifts starting at 5:30 a.m. at...
Geyer PAC looks at ‘a year in the life’ in ‘Unconventional’
A local woman’s play that originated as part of Actors and Artists of Fayette County’s One Acts Festival in 2017 will make its debut as a full-length production March 7-10 at Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale. Jessica Zack of Uniontown will direct four performances of “Unconventional,” which follows characters...
A conversation: Pittsburgh actor Wali Jamal appeared in all of August Wilson’s playsVideo
One of the most compelling stories within the Pittsburgh arts scene belongs to actor Wali Jamal. He is the only actor in the world to have appeared in all 11 of August Wilson’s plays, the 10-play Pittsburgh cycle and the autobiographical solo show “How I Learned what I Learned.” Jamal...
Pittsburgh Festival Opera welcomes Christopher Powell as executive director
Christopher M. Powell was named executive director of the Pittsburgh Festival Opera effective March 12. Powell was the director of artistic initiatives for the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, N.Y., for the past four years. He will work alongside Artistic Director Jonathan Eaton into the opera’s 42nd season. The upcoming season...
‘The Legend of Georgia McBride’ play extends run in Braddock
People apparently can’t get enough of this Elvis impersonator. “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” play is extending its run at Barebones Black Box Theater in Braddock. The play was supposed to end March 10 and will now run through March 17. “Every original scheduled show had sold out,” said Patrick...
Quaker Valley prepares to put on a big show with ‘Shrek the Musical’
Quaker Valley High School students are getting ready to put on a big show. Everything in “Shrek the Musical,” which will take place at 7:30 p.m. March 7-9, will be just that: big. There’s the 20-foot dragon that moves around on stage at the hands of five puppeteers, the large...
Greater Latrobe to present play-within-a-play ‘Man of La Mancha’Video
Director Daniel Krack has a three-year cycle of themes for the Greater Latrobe Senior High School spring musical. The first year is a little-known title, the second year is a family oriented show and the third is a classic. 2019 is classic year, and the show being presented is “Man...
Greensburg Salem kicks it up in ‘Mamma Mia!’Video
When Greensburg Salem High School musical director and producer Susan Glowa heard the rights were becoming available to “Mamma Mia!,” she was ready. “This was a brand new release,” Glowa, English and dramatic arts instructor, says. She applied and received approval to stage the show in the same day. Speaking...
Mickey and friends bring ‘new look’ show to townVideo
Feld Entertainment has some surprises in store for audiences with its newest “Disney on Ice” production, “Mickey’s Search Party.” Besides the touring ice show’s usual lineup of favorite characters and snappy sing-along songs from Disney’s animated movies, there’s an added “wow factor” this time around. “We’re really excited about this...
Saint Vincent Summer Theatre slate features 3 ‘timeless’ musicals
Three timeless musicals make up the slate for Saint Vincent Summer Theatre’s upcoming 51st season, says producing artistic director Greggory Brandt, who will direct all three. Casts including actors from Actors’ Equity Association and other professional regional actors will perform these perennial audience favorites: • “Forever Plaid,” May 23-June 2...
Apollo-Ridge presents the upbeat ‘The Music Man’
Apollo-Ridge High School presents “The Music Man” Feb. 28- March 2. Trouble comes to River City when a fast-talking con artist salesman falls for Marian the town librarian in the classic six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy. Musical director Bethany Greenlee said she chose “The Music Man” to showcase the talents...
Pittsburgh Symphony and the Hill District community team for ‘Lift Every Voice’ concert
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has teamed with Hill District community members for the annual “Lift Every Voice” concert, a celebration of the neighborhood’s cultural legacy The concert is at 8 p.m. March 2 at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts in Downtown Pittsburgh. Symphony and associate conductor Andres Franco will...
My, my, ‘Mamma Mia’ is most popular high school musical
Holding true to national trends, “Mamma Mia” is the most popular high school musical in the region. The latest count shows eight area schools singing and dancing to the ever-popular strains of ABBA. The 2018 release of the film sequel, “Mamma Mia 2,” surely helped add to the musical’s popularity....
Would-be thespians invited to play ‘Shakespeare Games’
Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks promises a “turn to the ridiculous” in the next installment of its Bring Your Own Bard reading series. “Shakespeare Games” will begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Te Cafe, 2000 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. “We will feature readings from Shakespeare’s plays, but with a...
Pittsburgh Opera’s ‘Glory Denied’ tells POW’s story
Pittsburgh Opera’s “Second Stage” productions of new operas, which account for one of the six operas it stages each season, fulfill one of the company’s most vital missions. We love the old operas that dominate programming everywhere because of their great music serving universal themes. Contemporary opera has the advantage...
‘Charlie Brown’ and his pals spreading the happiness
Beloved cartoonist and creator of the comic strip “Peanuts” Charles M. Schulz has been gone for 19 years, but his wit and wisdom live on in tributes such as Clark Gesner’s classic musical, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” Stage Right Professional Theatre Company will bring his lovable characters –...
Seton Hill’s production of ‘Clybourne Park’ tackles race relations head on
Seton Hill University Theatre will present a contemporary play that won a Pulitzer Prize (2011) and Tony Award for Best Play (2012) with its production of “Clybourne Park” Feb. 22-March 1. Director Denise Pullen, associate professor of theater at Seton Hill University, wants audiences to be aware that while the...
Theatre Factory gets to the heart of ‘Fuddy Meers’
Most typical days in many people’s lives are uneventful and not so noteworthy. That’s not the case with Claire, one of the main characters in “Fuddy Meers,” a play being staged Feb. 22-March 3 at The Theatre Factory in Trafford. Claire has a rare form of psychogenic amnesia that erases...
Mystery goes to the circus in Oakmont
Murder — sort of! — is about to celebrate a 25th anniversary in Oakmont. That’s how many years the good people of the murder mystery dinner shows at United Methodist Church, Oakmont, have been pretend dying to keep the church’s local and far-reaching social outreach programs not only alive but...
Greensburg student wins Shakespeare contest
A Greensburg student did the Bard proud, winning her category in a Shakespearean competition with more than 1,000 Pittsburgh-area competitors. Carolyn Jerz, a homeschooled student, won best monologue in the 8-12 grade division for her performance as the Duke of York from Shakespeare’s play “King Henry VI, Part 3” More...
Armstrong Community Theater ‘lets the sunshine in’
The cast of Armstrong Community Theater (ACT) is about to “let the sunshine in” in “Peace, Love and the ’60s” on Feb. 22-24 at Worthington Community Center. It was an easy choice to focus this tribute to an era, says Paul Wright of ACT, and, along with Karissa Lloyd, director...
Pittsburgh Musical Theater brings mega laughs to West End with ‘Nunsense the Mega-Musical’
Pittsburgh Musical Theater continues the 2018-2019 Seize the Stage Season and Rockin’ West End Series with “Nunsense the Mega-Musical,” at the Gargaro Theater, 327 S. Main St. in the city’s West End. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. March 21-23, 28-30 and at 2 p.m. March 24 and 31. The show...
Secret to a successful high school musical? Picking the perfect show
It’s not all singing and dancing. A lot of work goes into staging a high school musical. From picking the show and securing the rights, to casting, rehearsing, building sets and creating costumes, to paying for the whole thing – it’s enough to earn the folks who do it a...
‘The Last Five Years’ opens in Stage Right Pittsburgh’s new home
Stage Right Pittsburgh has an idea for Valentine’s Day weekend that will combine seats to a stage show, complimentary bubbly, chocolate strawberries and a rose for that special someone. Does it get any better than that? Or theatergoers can forego the VIP package and just enjoy the first adult performance...
