‘Burgh Vivant contributor Mike Buzzelli’s hot picks for this weekend, August 30 – September 1st, 2013:
Hit the Heights
Lights go up on Washington Heights, and you don’t have to be there at the break of day, like Usnavi. You can get down to your favorite bodega and hang out with the colorful residents of a tight-knit urban community, in “In the Heights.” Front Porch Theatricals and Carnivale Theatrics bring Tony Chiroldes back from Broadway, reprising his role as Kevin Rosario.
There may not be “Hundreds of Stories” in Washington Heights, but this is by far the best one. Tony award-winning is down at The New Hazlett Theater through September 1.
Tickets and more information are available by calling (888) 718-4253 or visiting carrnivale.com or showclix.com/event/IntheHeights.
The Other Side of Pittsburgh Dad
You might not know this but Pittsburgh Dad, Curt Wootton, is not just Yinzer with a ‘tude, he’s also a fine actor. You can see for yourself in Duquesne University’s production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Justin Sines directs one of Tennessee Williams’ finest plays.
Find out why Maggie (Cassandra Hough) is as prickly as…well…a cat on a hot tin roof.
Catch the “Cat” August 29-31, at 8:00pm in the Peter Mills Auditorium at Duquesne University. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. More information can be found at thesummercompany.com.
Collegiate Hop
All the kids are back in school and they’re showing off. You can hop over from Duquesne to Point Park and watch Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” directed by the playwright’s son, Robert A. Miller.
Joe Keller (Philip Winters) is having a more ups and downs than an elevator salesman. One son is about to propose to his girlfriend and the other is presumed missing in the war. Did I mention that the aforementioned patriarch is harboring his own dark secret?
“Sons” runs from now until September 22 with a “Pay what you will” performance at 2:00 p.m. Saturday September 7, and a special “Talk Back” Session after the 2:00 p.m. Saturday September 14 performance.
For more information call the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or online at http://www.pittsburghplayhouse.com/current-season/the-rep/all-my-sons-1
Saturday Night Special
If you’re looking for laughs, head downtown for “The John McIntire Dangerously Live Comedy Talk Show.” Saturday McIntire presents, “Carlos Danger: The Rise and Fall of Anthony Weiner,” where the comedian will not only roast Weiner, but he will be discussing political sex scandals both past and present with special guests Pittsburgh Post-Gazette cartoonist Rob Rogers, therapist Natalie Bencivenga, and mayoral candidate Bill Peduto’s press secretary Sonya Toler. All this for a mere sawbuck (five dollars) or FREE if you have a ticket stub from a same-night Cultural Trust event.
The late night talk show starts at 10:30 p.m. Saturday night at the Cabaret Theater, 655 Penn Ave., Downtown. For more chatter about the chat show call 412-325-6769 or visit www.trustarts.org
And now for something completely different…
Summer is almost over, but before the community pools are drained of their beautiful blue, albeit chlorinated water, you have a chance to throw your pet into the deep end at the Labor Day Doggie Dip at the Dormont Pool.
Take your dog for a swim at 4:00 p.m. September 2, treat them to an ice ball or soft pretzel and enjoy some fun in the sun with man’s best friend. Dormont Pool and the Western PA Humane Society cohost the fifth annual Doggie Dip.
For more information contact http://www.boro.dormont.pa.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B3AA27979-B5AF-4773-B414-2816CFD18C9B%7D
Bonus Track
Here’s a special sixth fun thing to do in the ‘Burgh this weekend. Join Stacey Keene, Davon Magwood, Tim Ross, Zach Simons, Tim Sommers, Todd Shaffer and some other guy (ME!) at the True Story Beach Party at the Arcade Comedy Theater on August 30th.
The storytellers will be making waves on stage, because the show’s theme is “Making Waves.” You can also hear DJ Zombo spin some surf rock music. The event is BYOB, so liquor up and come on down to the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Downtown.
For more information surf over to http://arcadecomedytheater.com/
– MB
