by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.
Here are the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh for the weekend of December 4 through 7.
Santa in Santaland
Decades ago, David Sedaris told a story about his time as a Christmas elf in at Macy’s on
“This American Life.” That story, “The Santaland Diaries” made him a household name with the NPR set. That story has become a phenomenon. Now, a man named Santa (actor and director Stephen Santa) stars as Crumpet the Elf, i.e. the author’s alter ego. The jingle bells jangle at South Park Theater, Corrigan Drive at Brownsville Road, South Park, PA. For more information, go to http://www.southparktheatre.com/
Plan on Unplanned
Three improv teams, Well Known Strangers, The Death Show and Ocho Dik Dik, compete for the ultimate title. Each team has 18 minutes to convince you, the voters, that they deserve comedy gold. It’s a grand night of comedy at “Make Nice Boom” followed by more fun at the Mondo Show. It’s all part of Unplanned Comedy and it happens Friday, December 5 at Cattivo, 146 44th Street, Pittsburgh, PA.
Expecting Greatness
An orphan boy, Pip, goes through a myriad of trials and tribulations to win the hand of the fair Estella in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” It’s over at PICT, so expect greatness. It starts this weekend. The Victorian tale is told at the Charity Randall Theatre, 4301 Forbes Avenue (in the shadow of the Cathedral of Learning), Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to http://www.picttheatre.org/
Man Up
If you missed the sold out “Avenue Q” recently, Assemble is putting on “Acting Like A Man,” a sex farce with puppets on December 6. The Marquis de Sade and puppetry, what more could you ask for? Did I mention it’s $5.00 in advance and only $7.00 at the door. That door is located on 5125 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh (Garfield). For more information, go to https://actinglikeaman.wordpress.com/
All Aboard!
Every Christmas, the Garden Railroad leaves the junction at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This year the exhibit’s theme is the California Gold Rush. Explore miniature versions of Northern California, complete with tiny prospectors, water features, and interactive buttons for children to push, and lots of mini flora. The train departs and arrives from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1 Scheneley Drive, Pittsburgh (blocks from the aforementioned Cathedral of Learning). The display is ongoing through the holidays.
http://phipps.conservatory.org/exhibits-and-events/featured-event.aspx?eventid=371
– MB.
