Theater & Arts category, Page 9
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘Young Frankenstein’ electrifies
Fans of Mel Brooks, your ideal date night has arrived at the Greer Cabaret Theater downtown. Pittsburgh CLO’s production of “Young Frankenstein,” which opened Friday night, is a real crowd-pleaser. Based on the 1974 comedy film of the same name, penned by Brooks and Gene Wilder, who also starred in...
3rd annual Comedy Jam will benefit Mario Lemieux Foundation
This Saturday, comedian and former Pittsburgher Steve Byrne will produce his third annual Comedy Jam to benefit the Mario Lemieux Foundation. The show, which boasts an impressive all-star lineup of national acts and Pittsburgh favorites, will be held at Rivers Casino Event Center. “I’d done stand up with Bill Burr...
Lindsay Theater open during park construction
Construction is underway for the new borough park in Sewickley that will be located in front of The Lindsay Theater & Cultural Center. The work is being done by Pittsburgh-based Vermont Stone & Horticulture at a cost of $93,424. The borough owns the land and the lawn that the theater...
Comedian Brad Williams talks jokes ahead of his upcoming Pittsburgh shows
Brad Williams, who has been working in comedy for two decades and has appeared in numerous films and television shows, was born with achondroplasia, a genetic disorder and cause of dwarfism. He’s done sets on late-night shows like “The Tonight Show” and released numerous stand-up comedy specials, including 2015’s “Brad...
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘Music Man’ charms audience with feel-good Americana
Having just celebrated the Fourth of July holiday, it seems a perfect time for one of the quintessential American musicals: “The Music Man.” The final show in this season’s PNC Spotlight Series runs through Sunday at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. And Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera pulled out all...
Tony Award-winning actress, singer Idina Menzel to perform in Pittsburgh
Tony Award-winning actress, singer and songwriter Idina Menzel recalled performing in Pittsburgh around the time of the Tree of Life tragedy in 2018 in Squirrel Hill. “I remember that time, and I remember such a sense of responsibility and connection to my audience. So, years later, when the project of...
Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ coming to Geyer Performing Arts Center
It’s not every day that actor Brandon Kerr gets excited to be a monster. But when the opportunity arose to play the role of the Beast in the Geyer Performing Arts Center’s upcoming performance of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” he jumped at the chance. “I’ve just always felt like...
Carnegie Mellon alumni bring home 4 awards at 2024 Tonys
On Sunday night, the theater community gathered to celebrate the 77th Tony Awards, which honor the best of the best from the past year’s Broadway season. Included among the nominees for competitive awards were six Carnegie Mellon University alumni, with a total of 11 nominations. In addition, Pittsburgh native and...
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘West Side Story’ delivers delightful version of a classic
Tuesday night saw the opening of Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera’s production of a titan in the canon of American musicals: “West Side Story.” And this production will delight any fan of the show. Opening on Broadway in 1957, “West Side Story” is the work of legends, with a book by...
Pittsburgh theater companies keep busy through summer
Some of Pittsburgh’s cultural institutions may be taking a break for the summer, but theater is still all around in the city. Many local companies know that “the show must go on” — and have planned a variety of exciting productions for the next couple of months. Here are a...
John McIntire comedy talk show in Oakmont dedicated to Dr. Cyril Wecht
The world’s on fire — and John McIntire is here to make everyone laugh about it. Since 2007, McIntire has been hosting a comedy talk show with a panel of guests — often local political figures, sometimes comedians. The former host of PCNC’s “Night Talk” and KDKA radio voice has...
Comedian and ‘MadTV’ alum Aries Spears to perform at Pittsburgh Improv
Longtime stand up comedian, impressionist and veteran of sketch comedy show “MADtv” Aries Spears will bring his edgy, no-holds-barred comedy to the Pittsburgh Improv in Homestead this weekend. With five shows — a 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Friday, a 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and a 7 p.m....
Pittsburgh Public Theater’s ‘The Coffin Maker’ is a challenging, hilarious look at history
”The Coffin Maker” is an exciting play for a number of reasons. It serves as the finale for Pittsburgh Public Theater’s current season, and it is also a world premiere, written by Pittsburgh playwright — and founder of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company — Mark Clayton Southers. Inspired by August Wilson,...
Nonprofit group forms to pursue rebirth of Derry theater
Joan Reynolds wants to bring the arts back to downtown Derry. She achieved the first part of her plan when she repurchased the former theater building she owned more than two decades ago. Local bands took to the stage of the Gem Theater in the 1990s while Reynolds operated a...
‘Wonderettes’ brings back song hits of ’50s, ’60s for Saint Vincent Summer Theatre
A high school prom and reunion, set to a string of popular songs, will unfold on stage for those who purchase tickets for “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” the first production in Saint Vincent Summer Theatre’s upcoming season. This season marks Greggory Brandt’s 10th as producing artistic director of summer theater at...
Local high school musicals highlighted by Gene Kelly Award nominations
Since 1991, the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater have recognized the hard work and passion of music educators and high school students throughout Allegheny County. This year’s nominees — in a variety of categories — were announced on May 8, and the awards will be...
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘Lady Day’ is a beautiful, raw evening spent with a legend
Billie Holiday will undoubtedly — and deservedly — be a household name for generations to come. The revered jazz singer was just 44 years old when she passed in July 1959. “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill,” the first musical of Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera’s summer 2024 season, takes...
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s ‘Cinderella’ is magical
Friday night was an enchanted evening at the Benedum Center with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “Cinderella.” The show, which runs through Sunday, marks the United States premiere of this production, choreographed by Jayne Smeulders. The ballet features music by Sergei Prokofiev, performed by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Every moment sparkled...
Meet the CMU alumni who are nominated for this year’s Tony Awards
Carnegie Mellon University has plenty to brag about now that this year’s Tony nominations have been announced. The 77th Tony Awards, which honor the season’s best efforts on Broadway, will take place June 16. When nominations were announced April 30, six alumni of Carnegie Mellon netted 11 nominations. In addition,...
2 Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dancers perform onstage with their daughters in ‘Cinderella’
Audiences at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s production of “Cinderella” will get to share in some sweet family memories. Two dancers — William Moore and Danielle Downey — will perform with their young daughters in the production, which runs Friday through Sunday. Even more poignant, both dancers have just announced their retirement...
Area organizations offer creative and performing arts summer programs for kids of all ages
For kids with a creative streak, the summer can be a great chance to expand their horizons and learn new skills. In the Southwestern Pennsylvania region, many arts organizations are offering programs for the summer of 2024 that will entice and engage students, from 2-year-olds all the way up to...
Steve Solomon brings hilarious family tales to the Palace Theatre
Steve Solomon would like to tell you about his wacky family. He will perform his comedic one-man show, ‘My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy!” at the Palace Theatre on May 19. Attendees will be in good company — more than a million people worldwide have seen...
‘Kite Runner’ is an emotional, unflinching story of survival and redemption
Khaled Hosseini’s 2003 novel “The Kite Runner” was a massive hit in the United States, selling more than 10 million copies in this country to date. In 2022, the stage adaptation of that book, adapted by Matthew Spangler, premiered on Broadway. And on Tuesday night, the epic, devastating touring production...
Franklin Regional goes down the rabbit-hole with ‘Alice in Wonderland’
It might not be accurate to say Riley Bain was born to portray Alice from “Alice in Wonderland,” but there’s no doubt that she’s done plenty of research for the role. “I have an obsession,” said Bain, 17, a Franklin Regional junior. “I had an ‘Alice’ party for my 16th...
Former Ringling Bros. clown will perform 1-man show at New Hazlett Theater
Mike Perry just wanted to have fun when he was growing up in Buffalo. He found a unicycle and taught himself to ride it at the age of 12. Later, a friend taught him how to juggle, and he thought that was fun, too. He couldn’t have guessed that it...
