PITTSBURGH – Point Park University’s Conservatory Theatre Company will produce five works, including the world premiere of a new musical about the life of the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, in the 2014-2015 season.
The season begins Oct. 17 and runs through April 26, 2015, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in the city’s Oakland neighborhood.
Written by Alki Steriopoulos, “21” will be directed by Richard Sabellico, who has directed Off-Broadway, national tours, and several Pittsburgh CLO productions, including The Music Man (starring Jeff Goldblum and Ed Begley Jr.), The Pajama Game, and Bells Are Ringing.
The season’s other productions are William Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy, As You Like It, directed by John Amplas, the musicals Urinetown, directed by Zeva Barzell, and The Boy Friend, directed by Jack Allison, and Tennessee Williams’ timeless classic, A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Martin Giles.
The Conservatory Theatre Company 2014-2015 season subscriptions, which save patrons up to 35 percent off single-ticket prices, are available now. Five-show season packages are $50-$70. Those who purchase three subscriptions get the fourth free. Single tickets are $18-$20 and go on sale at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2. To order tickets, contact the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000, or visit www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
The 2014-2015 season:
“21”
Book, music, and lyrics by Alki Steriopoulos
Directed by Richard Sabellico
Friday, Oct. 17 – Sunday, Oct. 26
Rockwell Theatre
“21” tells the compelling story of the unparalleled life and death of baseball legend, Roberto Clemente, as well as the three women who were instrumental in making Clemente the man he was – his mother, Doña Luisa, his wife, Vera, and his doting sister, Anairis.
Alki Steriopoulos’ extensive theatre resume includes conducting Those Were the Days on Broadway, Gifts of the Magi at the Lambs’, The Little Prince starring Tony-winner Daisy Egan at the John Houseman, and the 25th Anniversary production of Jacques Brel… at the Village Gate. He played keyboards for Tommy, served as associate conductor for A Chorus Line, and conducted the U.S tour of Five Guys Named Moe. He also musical directed Tony Award-winner Joel Gray in his solo portrayal of his father, Mickey Katz, at the Philadelphia Academy of Music, and conducted two-time Tony-nominee Bruce Adler in concert.
Richard Sabellico is an award winning director, seasoned Broadway actor, as well as an acting coach and script adapter. Sabellico directed, choreographed, and adapted the critically acclaimed American Jewish Theatre production of The Cocoanuts and its transfer to Broadway. He has also directed Wonderful Town at Lincoln Center, Leonard Bernstein: A Helluva Town at Rainbow and Stars, as well as a revised version of Jerry Herman’s first musical Milk and Honey. He was nominated for two Outer Critics Circle and one Drama Desk Award for his work on I Can Get It for You Wholesale and Rags. As an actor, he’s performed in seven Broadway shows, most notably as Rooster in Annie and as Pasty in Gypsy.
As You Like It
By William Shakespeare
Directed by John Amplas
Friday, Nov. 7 – Sunday, Nov. 23
Studio Theatre
A favorite among audiences, Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy, which features one of the most often-quoted speeches – “All the world’s a stage” – follows Rosalind as she flees her uncle’s court with her cousin Celia and the court jester, Touchstone, to find safety and love in the Forest of Arden.
A professor with the Conservatory of Performing Arts, John Amplas teaches all levels of acting and directing. He has served as both an actor and director in countless Pittsburgh Playhouse productions dating back to 1972. He is one of the founding members of the Playhouse Repertory Company and has served as associate artistic director since 1999. Most recently, he directed the world premiere of Soldier’s Heart for Point Park University’s professional theatre company, The REP, in September.
Urinetown
Book by Greg Kotis, music by Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Kotis and Hollmann
Directed by Zeva Barzell
Tuesday, Dec. 9 – Sunday, Dec. 14
Rauh Theatre
Winner of three Tony Awards, three Outer Critic’s Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards, and two Obie Awards, Urinetown parodies popular musicals and the Broadway musical form itself. Set in an undisclosed town where a 20-year drought has made private toilets unthinkable, Urinetown is a hilarious, irreverent and poignant musical about greed, corruption, love, and revolution.
Director Zeva Barzell has trained in London and New York City where she resided for many years. Professional acting credits include Off- and Off-Off-Broadway, where, among other roles, she originated the Great Lady in Robert Patrick’s Orpheus and Amerika, as well as performing in regional theater, summer stock, dinner theater, daytime television, industrials, and national voice over work. Credits include Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Broadway (Lillian Rice), My Three Angels (Madame Parole), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania), Annie Get Your Gun (Annie), Hello, Dolly! (Dolly), and Angels in America (Hannah). National directing and choreography credits include I Heard It at the Movies, Just Jerry, Once Upon a Mattress, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (revival), Bye Bye Birdie, Hello, Dolly! Red Hot and Cole, Peter Pan, Godspell, Pride and Prejudice, Dracula, No U Turns?, Disney Days. Most recently, she directed the Point Park University Playhouse Jr. production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
The Boy Friend
Book, music, and lyrics by Sandy Wilson
Directed by Jack Allison
Friday, Feb. 27 – Sunday, March 15
Rockwell Theatre
Set on the French Riviera during the Roaring Twenties, The Boy Friend premiered on the West End in England in 1953 and ran for more than 2,000 performances. It premiered the following year on Broadway and was revived in 1970. A film version, starring Twiggy and directed by Ken Russell, hit theaters in 1971.
Jack Allison has directed at most of the major regional theatres in the United States, Canada, and Europe, including, among others, The Walnut Street Theatre, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Cincinnati Opera and the North Shore Music Theatre. In New York, he has staged acclaimed productions at the Manhattan Theatre Club and the Circle Repertory Company. He premiered Cabaret at the National Theatre of Belgium. He has received prestigious awards for his direction, including three Florida Carbonell Awards and three Boston Globe Best of Season Awards. At the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera he served as resident director and staged more than 30 productions.
A Streetcar Named Desire
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Martin Giles
Friday, April 17 – Sunday, April 26
Rauh Theatre
Tennessee Williams’ sultry, steamy classic needs no introduction. One of the greatest plays of the 20th century, this 1948 Pulitzer Prize-winner opened on Broadway with a cast that featured Marlon Brando, Jessica Tandy, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden. In 1951, most of this cast – Vivien Leigh replaced Tandy as Blanche – and director Elia Kazan turned Williams’ play into an unforgettable film.
A popular Pittsburgh actor, director and writer, Martin Giles’ directing credits include many productions for The New Group Theatre, where he served as Artistic Director and playwright. He also directed productions in PICT’s BeckettFest and Synge Cycle. Best-known for his work on stage, he has performed for both Opera Theater of Pittsburgh and PICT. His Opera Theater credits include Beggar’s Holiday and Lost in the Stars. For PICT, his credits include The History Boys and What the Butler Saw. He is the 2002 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Performer of the Year.
