Theater & Arts category, Page 5
Charles Shaughnessy returns to Pittsburgh for ‘A Musical Christmas Carol’
Charles Shaughnessy — who’s found success acting in television series including “Days of Our Lives” and “The Nanny,” as well as in numerous roles in film and onstage — never thought he’d be much for musical theater. “When I was at drama school, I was voted least likely to ever...
City Theatre’s ‘The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley’ brings Jane Austen to the holidays
“Pride and Prejudice” is one of the most cherished love stories in the Western literary canon, and many a Jane Austen lover has imagined what it would be like to live in the world of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. This month, City Theatre is giving theatergoers the opportunity to...
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s ‘Nutcracker’ brings local flair to a Christmas tradition
Since 2002, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has mounted annual holiday performances of “The Nutcracker” with a Pittsburgh-centered twist. This year, they’re adding an even bigger dose of the ’Burgh with guest appearances by 14 local celebrities throughout 12 shows. “I think ‘The Nutcracker’ is a tradition on which people and families...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Dec. 6-8
Hopefully, the weather outside won’t be quite as frightful this weekend — the city should be thawing a little after a frigid week. Enjoy it while it lasts! Dance, shop, eat and even parade with these events in Pittsburgh this weekend. Saturday in Mellon Square Featuring the awe-inspiring Aurora light...
Comedian Michael Ian Black to perform at Bottlerocket Social Hall
Fresh off the successful first season of the CNN comedy game show “Have I Got News For You,” comedian, actor and media personality Michael Ian Black is headed to Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood this weekend for a series of stand-up shows. What can audiences expect from those...
Here’s a look at holiday performances around the region this December
With shopping, decorating, baking and planning family events, December can feel overwhelming with the stressful aspects of the holidays. Fortunately, Pittsburgh’s cultural institutions are here to remind us about all of the magic and joy that this time of year can bring. From plays to dance performances to concerts, here...
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘Who’s Holiday!’ is naughty and nice
Fair warning, there will be no rhyming in this review. The red-and-green tinsel-tassled march toward Christmas has begun, a time of merriment, cheer and family — and it can be a bit cloying at times. Pittsburgh CLO’s “Who’s Holiday!” is a very R-rated 90-minute show that will turn all of...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Now that we’re all full and well-rested after a Thanksgiving feast, we’re ready to work off some calories by getting out and about this weekend. Whether you’re into music, comedy or some holiday fun, here are a few things to check out around town. An Evening With Chevy Chase “National...
‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ make gravity-defying theater debuts
NEW YORK — With a combined $270 million in worldwide ticket sales, “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” breathed fresh life into a box office that has struggled lately, leading to one of the busiest moviegoing weekends of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia...
Ribbon cut on Walnut Green, new parklet outside Sewickley theater
The Lindsay Theater & Cultural Center in Sewickley holds a special place in Mayor George Shannon’s heart. It was a fond place during development for him and his wife, Carol, years ago. “She had been sick for seven years and I took care of her,” said Shannon. “When they announced...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 22-24
This Saturday is Light Up Night, and just a few days later we’ll officially usher in the holiday season with Thanksgiving. It’s time to embrace the cheer — or not — with festivities around Pittsburgh this weekend. Here are five ideas for things to do. Phipps Holiday Magic Embark on...
‘MJ The Musical’ is a groovy tribute to the King of Pop at the Benedum Center
Michael Jackson was an innovator, an icon, a musical prodigy, a multitalented superstar and a controversial figure in the world of pop culture. It was only a matter of time until a Broadway musical about his life hit the stage. After a delay due to the covid-19 pandemic, “MJ The...
‘Constellations’ offers a spellbinding journey of choice and destiny
Choices — and their infinite trajectories — are explored in Riverfront Theater Company’s fall production of “Constellations.” The two-person show takes the audience on a spellbinding, romantic journey that follows decisions of a physicist coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis and her beekeeper husband. Written by British playwright Nick...
Comedian and TV star David Cross to perform at Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
David Cross is a prolific actor, comedian, author and director, but many may know him as the eccentric Tobias Funke from critically acclaimed sitcom “Arrested Development.” He’s also starred in “Mr. Show with Bob and David,” three “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movies and self-made series “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of...
Prime Stage’s ‘First Mothers’ gives spotlight to the women who shaped U.S. presidents
The 45 men who have been president have come from many different states, parties and backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: They had mothers. This often-unknown group of women and shaped the lives of our heads of state, but their stories are not told in high school...
Quaker Valley Middle School to stage Disney’s ‘Descendants’ musical
Quaker Valley Middle School is taking on a modern classic with “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical.” The show will have performances Nov. 8, 9, 10, 15 and 16 in the middle school auditorium. Musical director Thomas Forrest said he’s had students clamoring to do this show for years, but the prospect...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 1-3
One last round of scary good times can be found this post-Halloween-kend. Laugh, eat, share, groove and browse with some killer events. Here are a few fun things to check out. Hometown Homegrown Take a bite of everything Pittsburgh at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. Their Hometown-Homegrown...
Pittsburgh Public Theater transports audience into fantastical world of ‘The Hobbit’
For anyone who loves adventure, Pittsburgh Public Theater breathes new life into a classic journey with their production of “The Hobbit,” running at the O’Reilly Theatre in downtown Pittsburgh through Nov. 10. And yeah, this one’s kind of for the nerds. Many know the tale of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,”...
‘& Juliet’ is a sparkly, poppy phenom at the Benedum Center
Jukebox musicals — musicals that use existing music to tell a new story — have become a little stale since “Mamma Mia!” shot the genre into prominence 25 years ago. So it’s especially impressive that “& Juliet” managed to bring a fresh take to two things: jukebox musicals and Shakespeare’s...
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre prepares to thrill with season opener ‘Peter Pan’
Kicking off its 55th Emerald Season this weekend, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will bring magic, pirates and high-flying thrills to the stage with “Peter Pan.” This production is the Pittsburgh premiere of a new interpretation of the classic story, choreographed by Trey McIntyre. “He tried to bring it back to the...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 25-27
It’s the final weekend before Halloween! Between throwing together last-minute costumes and scrounging for a halfway decent pumpkin, we all have big plans. Just in case you want to scare up something else to do, here are some fun ideas. Row House of Horrors Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville takes...
Comedian Kathy Griffin discusses her latest tour: My Life on the PTSD-List
After a lengthy, unplanned hiatus, comedian Kathy Griffin is hitting the stage again. “It’s been too long, it’s been like seven years since I came to Pittsburgh,” Griffin recently told TribLive. She will perform Tuesday at the Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead. Griffin has been doing comedy since the 1990s...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 18-20
It’s been a chilly week, but the temperature will be jumping back up this weekend. Get up, get out, shake off those cold work week blues and see what’s going on around town this weekend. Highmark International StrEAT Festival Hungry? Head to the Highmark International StrEAT Festival to satisfy all...
Nonprofit theater group will host ‘An Evening of One Acts’ in Latrobe
Anastasia Jaeger believes in living a well-rounded life. For her, part of that involves a return to the acting she did in her younger days. “I think it can push you out of your comfort zone a little bit, which is something I believe people should do,” said Jaeger, 28,...
Franklin Regional Thespians solve a wealthy man’s murder in ‘The Westing Game’
Sam Westing is dead. And whichever one of his neighbors solves his murders will get his inheritance. So goes “The Westing Game,” the play that members of the Franklin Regional Thespians will stage Oct. 24, 26, and 27. And for most of them, it’s a familiar story. “Almost all the...

