Category Archives: Theater

Clue: The Musical at Palisades Playhouse

Last week, I had the pleasure of being one of the attendees for opening night of the community theater production of Clue: The Musical at the Palisades Playhouse in Greenfield. If you are looking for something to do this weekend, I would like to suggest that you make time to go see one of the final performances.  This performance is definitely kid friendly and a good way to entertain the family on a holiday weekend.

One of the things I learned when I would give a weekly event listing on WDVE is that there are often no event happening on holiday weekends.  The lack of events for holidays is problematic, because if your family is like my family, we can only exist in peace when we are doing something together. I was just thinking about the easter when I was little and my grandparents came to visit, in an effort to keep everyone entertained we went to visit a chicken farm somewhere in Westmoreland County, I think (I assure you my father will read this post and fact check the location).

I will admit that I am quite biased in my support of this particular production, 1/4 of the cast are good friends of mine from high school, but my friends aside, here are 5 reasons I think you should check out Clue: The Musical this weekend.

Five Reasons to see Clue: The Musical at Palisades Playhouse

  1. Clue: The Musical. I loved and still love Clue: The Movie. I remember first watching this at my friend Mandy’s sleepover birthday party and as seven year-olds, we thought the scene where the signing telegram woman collapses was the funniest thing ever.  I had no idea there was a musical version of what I consider to be a cinematic classic. Clue: The Musical is still a mystery and still the same clever plot line but with some snappy songs for a stage production. Sadly the singing telegram is not included in the musical version.
  2. A musical & a mystery you try to solve. I’ll get back to the snappy songs in a second. I thought that I was going to see a series of musical performances, what I did not expect and really loved about the production is that is also a mystery. Your program comes with a score card and you can keep track of the clues that are presented by the characters as the show unfolds.
  3. The cast & crew. I have tremendous respect for anyone who gets on stage and performs. The entire cast is performing for fun, rehearsing after their full-time jobs.
  4. The set. I thought that the Palisades Playhouse did an incredible job creating a backdrop for the performance. Minimal, but well constructed and supported the overall plot of the musical performance.
  5. The theater building. I was particularly excited to see this production and check out how the Palisades Playhouse was re-purposing the former Greenfield Presbyterian Church building. Last month, Partners for Sacred Spaces, a national nonprofit with the mission of helping churches and communities reuse religious structures spoke here in Pittsburgh. One of the many examples of church reuse that they shared was for community theater spaces. It was great to see how Palisades Playhouse is using the sanctuary as a theater and hear more about how the other areas of the building are being used as community spaces. You can read more about Palisades Playhouse and their future plans from this Post-Gazette article.

Clue: The Musical at Palisades Playhouse

Tickets are available at the door or online here.

  • Friday April 14 at 7pm
  • Saturday, April 15 at 1pm
Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

This weekend: Living on the Fringe

Pittsburgh Fringe FestivalIf you are looking for experimental plays, one-person shows and performance art without a filter, the second annual Pittsburgh Fringe Festival comes to the North Side this weekend, May 8-10. If you are anything like me, I hadn’t heard about the Fringe last year when it took place in Shadyside. And, like so many of the more subversive events I find so fascinating in this city, I found out through old school word-of-mouth. So, after doing my own research, becoming involved and now preparing to participate in Pittsburgh Fringe, here is a quick and easy guide to what you need to know and what you can learn about this hidden Pittsburgh treasure:

A 5 Point Guide to the 2015 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

1. Festival Details: For show descriptions, tickets and volunteer opportunities on the Fringe, please go to the official website: pittsburghfringe.org

Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

 

2. Location, location, location: the North Side is hosting this year’s artists. Fringe Central is at Arnold’s Tea Room. Here you can see the entire layout: http://pittsburghfringe.org/images/map@2x.jpg

Map of the 2015 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

3. Explore the Neighborhood: In between shows, please take advantage of all of our hosting establishments as seen in the map. From food and beverage to art, tattoos and recreation, find more of what they offer here:

4. Podcast: For a more personal touch , listen to an AP collection podcast with Pittsburgh Fringe Artistic/Executive Director, Dan Stiker, and  two Fringe artists (yes, one of them  is me!) here.

5. Social Media Stuff: Follow the Fringe on social media for updates, news, shares and retweets at the following: (and don’t forget to use the official hashtag #makeityourfringe)

And who knows? Once you experience life on the Fringe, you may be inspired to join us next year as the international Fringe phenomenon becomes a local staple for alternative creative practice. Hope to see you there!

See Pittsburgh Batman at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater – March 20-22, 2014

pittsburgh-batmanNot going to see Pittsburgh Batman is one of my biggest regrets of 2013.  Pittsburgh Batman is a play that was performed last year at Bricolage Theater.

Back by popular demand, Pittsburgh Batman will be at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater this weekend.  There are only 3 performances and I’m sure this will be a sell out again.

Pittsburgh Hearts

Pittsburgh Hearts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pittsburgh Batman is the brain child of Lord Grunge and Jackson who hail from Pittsburgh, but are often traveling as the dou Grand Buffet.  I have the good fortune of getting to know some of the other cast members, who are incredible performers and some of the most creative people in Pittsburgh).

Here is some press on last years performance:

Tickets are $25.00 and available online here.  Follow @PittsburghBTMN on Twitter for updates.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MgkFSStiZE[/youtube]

 

Guide to Pittsburgh’s Independent Movie Theaters

When the weather starts heating up, sometimes the only thing to do is go inside. This season many of us will take to the air-conditioned refuge of our local megaplexes. To switch things up, I offer you a list of local independently owned theaters. Many of the theaters screen the same new releases, but also provide character and unique programming.

Hollywood Theater475193_275212485896001_1501098987_o

1449 Potomac Ave., Dormont

(412)563-0368

The Hollywood plays a wide variety of movies as well as special film events. Known for its Rocky Horror Picture Show performances, as well as its “Breakfast and a Movie” series (just what it says, breakfast, and a movie) there’s something for everyone. The single-screened theater is a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing Potomac Avenue and Dormont by providing a theater and community center.

The Strand

119 North Main St., Zelienople

(724)742-0400

The Strand offers a variety of films as well as live performances. The Rocky Horror Picture Show screens regularly (17 & over only) and yes, you can throw things at this performance. The theater screens classics like Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, but you can also find live shows at The Strand. The nonprofit theater was restored in 2002, and wants to expand the project.

The Manor

1729 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh

(412)422-9851

The Manor theater screens both wide-release and independent movies, at often lower prices than the megaplexes. The Manor also boasts “The M Bar” in the lobby where patrons can bring alcoholic drinks into the theater. Check out the “Manor at Midnight” series, when the theater screens classic movies Saturdays at midnight.

Harris Theater

a little history?

a little history? (Photo credit: macwagen)

809 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)682-4111

Owned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and programmed by Pittsburgh Filmmakers ,the Harris Theater is a classic movie house in the heart of the Cultural District. The theater screens foreign and contemporary independent films, and is also part of the Three Rivers Film Festival.

Oaks Theater

310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont

(412)828-6322

The single screen Oaks Theater screens both new releases and cult classics. Check out the summer series “Moonlit Matinees”, where Oaks screens a cult classic every Friday and Saturday night. Once a month, the theater hosts the “Cine Bruch”, where movie fans can watch and munch on a delicious Oakmont Bakery brunch.

Regent Square

Regent Sq Theater

1035 South Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)682-4111

Owned and operated by Pittsburgh Filmmakers, this single screen theater plays limited release independent movies seven days a week. In addition, every Sunday night the Regent Square theater hosts “The Sunday Series”, a monthly series of film screenings based around a theme, era, or director.

Melwood Screening Room

477 Melwood Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)681-5449

Located within the Pittsburgh Filmmakers building, the Melwood Screening Room is the youngest of the independent theaters on this list. The screening room plays independent features, and hosts “Film Kitchen” on the second Tuesday of every month.“Film Kitchen” is a series featuring local short films. The filmmakers are present at the screening and available for discussion after the show.

 


View Independent Theaters in Pittsburgh in a larger map

What’s your favorite theater in Pittsburgh? Seen any good movies lately?

Five Things To Do This Week (and One Next Week)

Akira
Tuesday 7p
ToonSeum, Cultural District

Based on the groundbreaking cartoon series, this 1988 animated Japanese film is set in an obsessively detailed version of a post-apocalyptic Japan.
More info: http://www.toonseum.org/

 

Obscure Game Night
Wednesday 9p
Hambone’s, Lawrenceville

Not much on the website, but it looks as if it’s a night dedicated to weird and obscure board games. Sounds ridiculously fun.
More info:  http://www.barsmart.com/bars/events.cfm?evnt=2A987CA4-A612-8638-C3FCEB69BDE5D8DD&id=990

 

MAKEnight
Thursday 6p-9p
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, North Side

Create keepsake items, feast on local artisan foods & specialty cocktails, more. Ages 21+.
More info:  http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/makenight/Event?oid=1610569

 

Gojira with Devin Townsend and The Atlas Moth
Saturday 8p
Mr. Smalls, Millvale

If you’re at all into metal, this is an awesome lineup. That’s a lot of musicianship for one evening.
More info/tickets:  http://www.mrsmalls.com/NewPHP/home.php?section=events

 

Pulp Fiction
Saturday Midnight
Manor Theatre, Squirrel Hill

Tarantino’s classic 1994 film shown in all its glory on the silver screen. If you’re like me, you were too young to see it when it was new.
More info:  http://www.manorpgh.com/img/ManoratMIdnightOscar.pdf

 

Arcade Comedy Theater Grand Opening
Friday, Feb 15 8p
Cultural District

I’m a week early on this one, but let’s support our newest comedy club. Their mission statement: “Arcade Comedy Theater provides an interactive platform for players of all levels, both onstage and off, to experience various forms of theatrical comedy, from proven standards to offbeat styles.”
More info:  http://arcadecomedytheater.com/

 

Some information provided by:
http://old.post-gazette.com/events/
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/EventSearch