by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.
Here are the Top Five Things To Do in Pittsburgh the week of July 24 to 27.
Smack! Crash! Bam!
Who’s a better superhero? Batman or Spider-Man? Can the Hulk beat up Superman? Can Marvel make a successful Howard the Duck movie? Some of these age old comic book questions will be answered at “When Universes Collide: The Ultimate Superhero Smackdown.”
Can’t make ComicCon? Mix and mingle with superhero cos-players (people who dress up like comic book and cartoon characters) while viewing 70 years of original comic book art loaned from some of the nation’s finest collections. Be the first to vote on what hero will win each epic superhero battle.
Be a hero and support the ToonSeum. 945 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA. To buy tickets to the event, Thursday, July 24 click here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/when-universes-collide-the-ultimate-superhero-smackdown-opening-reception-tickets-12170984743?aff=efbevent
Big Fat Musical!
CCAC’s South Campus Summer Theater presents “Hairspray.” John Waters took rock & roll and racism and came up with a delightful comedy about some very real social issues. A few years later, his movie was made into a play (and then into another movie). Catch Tracy Turnblad and all her friends at CCAC South Campus Theatre, 1750 ClaritonRoad, West Mifflin, PA. For more information, go to http://libguides.ccac.edu/content.php?pid=602047&sid=4967050
Dog Days
The Hatch Arts Collective opens their new full-length play, “Walldogs.” The play has four stories about art, text and image. A 1930’s wall sign painter, or “walldog,” two teen taggers, a hipster street artist, and a drunken king from the bible. “Walldogs” is billed as an art-making event. The show opens Friday, July 25 at Artists Image Resource, 518 Foreland Street, Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://www.hatcharts.org/project/walldogs/
Wait for it
Dog & Pony Theatricals present Harold Pinter’s darkly comic tale, “The Dumb Waiter.” In a windowless basement, Gus and Ben await orders for their next job. As mysterious deliveries arrive, paranoia sets in and comedic tension builds. You can catch “The Dumb Waiter,” at the Pittsburgh Playwright’s Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, a stone’s throw from the aforementioned ToonSeum. For more information, go to http://www.showclix.com/event/3860188
Gabaret!
There is always great food over at Harvard & Highland, but on Saturday, July 25 you get music and comedy, too! Phineas the Shark presents “Life is a Gabaret, Old Chum!” Cause, you know, to sharks, everything is old chum. The variety show is hosted by Gab Bonesso and the eponymous shark, Phineas. It features Nathan Bell, Mista Cookie Jar, Neal Rosenblat and Bonesso’s frequent collaborator and front man of “Meeting of Important People,” Josh Verbanets. Best of all, the show is free! Harvard and Highland is on the corner of Harvard and Highland, but, more specifically, you can find it at 220 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://gabbonesso.com/
-MB.
