The Silk Screen Film Festival Set to Kick Off Its Ninth Year

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The ninth annual Silk Screen Film Festival 2014 will begin on Saturday, April 26th, and runs through Sunday, May 4th. The 2014 Festival features 25 feature length films from all over Asia and the Middle East, as well as two shorts.

There will be 47 screenings at 4 locations in the city: the Regent Square Theater, the Melwood Screening Room, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Earth Theater, and the new location this year is the Waterworks Cinemas, which will host one screening of “Jadoo” on Thursday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m.

To kick off the festival, Silk Screen will host a star-studded Gala of lively entertainment and ethnic cuisine on Friday, April 25th, 6:30 p.m. at the Rivers Club in Oxford Center. The Late Night Gala, new this year for the younger crowd, will begin at 9:30 p.m. with Pittsburgh’s hottest D.J, Pandemic Pete.

The Opening Film “Omar” is one of the 2014’s Academy Award Nominated Films for Best Foreign Film directed by Hany Abu-Assad. It is the first time Silk Screen presents a film from Palestine, a region of endless warfare hoping for peace. On Sunday May 4th, the Film Festival will end with “Morning Recipe”, a touching film delivering family love and motive for life. Documentaries, animation, and remake of a previous Best Picture winner are all on the slate for the 2014 Silk Screen Festival, offering those interested in experiencing international cinema an even greater opportunity than ever before.

The Opening Film ticket is $20 and the Closing Film is $15 and included an invitation to the closing reception at D’s Six Pax & Dogz. A 4-flim pass for $30 and an 8-film pass for $60 (not valid for Opening or Closing Night Films) are now available at: http://www.showclix.com/event/SilkScreenFilmFestival2014 . Single tickets are $10 each and $5 for students with valid I.D. Scheduled to be shown:

• “A Respectable Family” (Iran) – April 29, 7:00 p.m. & May 2, 7:00 p.m., both at Regent Square Theater : Directed by Massoud Bahkshi, a story about a man’s returning to Iran after twenty-two years in exile, the clash between past and present leaves him with a hazy choice between loyalty and morality.

 “A Time in Quchi” (Taiwan) – April 27, 1:00 p.m. at Melwood & April 30, 2:00 p.m. at Carnegie: a tale about a young boy from Taipei, who is sent to stay with his grandfather in rural Taiwan. In this touching family drama, he learns life lessons and experiences his coming of age.

• “Ankhon Dekhi” (India): 4/27, 1:30 p.m. & 5/3, 4:30 p.m. both at Regent Square Theater:  Fresh off last year’s opening film “Midnight’s Children,” Director Rajat Kapoor returns to Silk Screen Film Festival with this daring tale of the spiritual and ontological awakening of an ordinary man.

 “Apur Panchali” (India) – 4/29, 9:00 p.m. & Sun 5/4, 2:00 p.m. both at Regent Square: a real life story inspired by Subir Banerjee, the little child actor who played the iconic role of Apu in Satyajit Ray’s masterpiece Pather Panchali, which even today remains one of the 100 greatest films of all-time.

• “Beyond All Boundaries” (India) – Each screening is paired with the short film Kush, 4/27, 4:30 p.m. & 5/2, 7:00 p.m. both at Melwood : a documentary uses the 2011 Cricket World Cup as a backdrop to thoughtfully contrast the struggles of India with the hardships faced by individuals.

 “Bonta” (China/USA) – 4/27, 2:00 p.m. & 5/1, 6:00 p.m. both at Carnegie: an animated sci-fi adventure film pulls together all the best elements of fantasy storytelling in an adventure that is a joy to watch for audiences of all ages.

• “ Cheong”(South Korea): 4/26, 7:00 p.m. & 4/28, 9:00 p.m. both at Melwood , 5/1, 1:30 PM at Carnegie: Cheong tastefully explores the inner world of a little girl who tries to experience his blind father’s realities.

• “Confession of Murder” (South Korea) – : 4/30, 8 :00 p.m., 5/2, 9:30 p.m. both at Melwood: A handsome young man emerges from nowhere and publishes a revealing biography in which he admits to killing ten women in an infamous series of murders. A detective refuses to believe it and tries to reveal the truth.

• “Garden of Words” (Japan) – Each screening is paired with the short film Cheong. 4/26, 7:00 p.m. & 4/28, 9:00 p.m. both at Melwood : a study in visual poetry and an ode to human connection and discovery.

 “Hank and Asha” (USA) – 4/26, 4:30 p.m.& 5/3, 7:30 p.m. both at Melwood: directed by James E. Duff, a romantic story between Hank and Asha begins with sharing their video diaries despite thousands of miles distance.

• “Hide and Seek” (South Korea)  – 4/27, 7:00 p.m. & 5/1, 9:00 p.m. both at Melwood: The film spins the tale of Baek Sung-soo, whose stable life as a successful businessman gets upended when he begins having strange and inexplicable visions.

• “Jadoo” (UK/India) – 4/26,2:00 p.m. at Carnegie & 5/1, 7:00 p.m. at Waterworks : Oscar-nominated cinematographer Amit Gupta presents this lighthearted comedy about food, family and romance.

• “Kush” (India) – 4/27, 4:00 p.m. & 5/2, 6:30 p.m. both at Melwood: A school field trip rapidly goes awry in this short film based on the shocking death of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and the large-scale ethnic violence tragedy that followed .

• “Liar’s Dice” (India) – 4/27, 4:00 p.m. & 4/30, 7:00 p.m. both at Regent Square” : depicts a story of a dedicated wife from a rural village facing the horrible realization that her husband is missing and no one will help her find him.

• “Mourning Recipe” Closing Film  (Japan) – 5/4, 5:00 p.m.: What starts out as a simple family melodrama develops into a meditation on family, connection, grief, and ultimately- healing.

 “Norte, The End of History” (Philippines) – 5/3, 2:00 p.m. at Melwood: When a brutal murder shatters a small Filipino town, the police wrongfully arrest impoverished family man Joaquin. What follows is a harrowing tale of suffering and brutality, as well as a philosophical consideration of crime and its far-reaching consequences.

“Omar” Opening Film (Palestine/Belgium) – 4/26, 7:00 p.m. at Regent Square : In Palestine’s first Oscar nominated film; all is fair in love and war. No film in recent memory unpacks this cynical, familiar sentiment with as much gusto and truth as Omar.

• “Red Obsession” (Australia) – 5/1, 6:30 p.m. & Sun 5/4, 2:00 p.m. both at Melwood: Narrated by Russell Crowe, this documentary is a fascinating study about the world of fine wine and a cautionary lesson in global markets.

• “Sake-Bomb” (USA/Japan) – 5/1, 9:30 p.m., 5/3, 9:30 p.m. both at Regent Square: Sake-Bomb uses the road movie tradition as a vehicle to examine the dynamic relationship between two very different individuals who find that they may share much more than is immediately apparent.

 “The Haumana” (USA) – 4/29, 6:00 p.m. at Melwood,  5/4, 3:00 p.m. at Carnegie: depicts not only a beautiful tropical paradise we typically associate with the Hawaiian Islands of our imagination but explores local values as embodied in the hula tradition.

• “Things Left Behind” (USA/Japan/Canada) – 5/2, 2:00 p.m. & 5/3, 2:00 p.m. both at Carnegie: This unique documentary is a collaboration between photographer Miyako Ishiuchi and filmmaker Linda Hoaglund stands as their mutual commitment to shattering the imagery of the Japanese as victims of a holocaust.

 “Touch of the Light” (Taiwan)  – 4/28, 7:00 p.m. at Melwood, 5/1, 1:30p.m. at Carnegie-The short film Cheong will be shown as part of this screening: based on a remarkable true story, born visually impaired, Siang is a talented real-life pianist who has been accepted by a prestigious art college is experiencing the journey towards dream

• “Trap Street” (China)  – 4/29, 8:30p.m. at Melwood, 5/3, 7:00 p.m. at Regent Square: What begins as a simple story of boy-meets-girl, Trap Street takes us into a rabbit hole. more sinister implications begin to arise as the boy becomes unwittingly tangled in the web of lies and deceit.

 “Unforgiven” (Japan)  – 4/26, 9:30p.m. & 4/28 7:30p.m. at Regent Square:  Jubei Kamata (Ken Watanabe) brings swords to a gunfight in this highly anticipated Japanese adaptation of Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Best Picture Winner Unforgiven.

• “Why Don’t You Play in Hell?” (Japan) – 5/2, 9:30 p.m. at Regent Square, 5/3, 9:30 p.m. at Melwood : The ambitious, yet wildly untalented, amateur film-making crew discover they may be able to shoot a gang war between rival Yakuza factions that’s been brewing for a decade.

 “With You, Without You” (Sri Lanka) – 4/26, 4:30 p.m. , 4/30, 9:15 p.m. both at Regent Square : A chance encounter between a lonely pawnbroker and his beautiful but shy patron in post-war Sri Lanka quickly leads to romance, but as the two spend time together it becomes increasingly clear that issues from their varied pasts create a struggle to coexist in the present.

• “Zinda Bhaag” (Pakistan) – 5/1, 7:00 p.m. & 5/3, 2:00 p.m. at Regent Square: a drama of three friends Khaldi, Chitta and Tambi literally beg, borrow, and steal to get by in their everyday lives while they look westward for something more than mere existence.

The “Buzz” From Buzzelli – Pittsburgh’s Top 5 To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (4/10 – 4/13)

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Here are the Top Five things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, April 10 through 13. There are a lot of balls this week.

Ball One

A bunch of LGBT organizations get together and have a kiki. Garden of Peace, GLSEN Pittsburgh, True T Entertainment and Will Gee’s Fashion present “Living Out Loud! The Kiki Ball.” They’ll be making some noise to celebrate the National Day of Silence (wait, what?). Actually the Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment.

Kick things up to high gear (and high fashion) and enjoy a fashion show and ball. It’s all happening Friday, April 11 at the Andy Warhol Museum (where else), 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh.

www.gardenofpeaceproject.org/april-extravagayza.html

 

Ball Two

It’s the biggest ball of the all, y’all. Attack Theatre’s getting dirty again. It’s the Dirty Ball. There will be performances, beats by Title Town Soul & Funk Party, art installations, fashions, throw-downs libations and cocktail fare.

Get dirty on Saturday April 12, at the Jane Street Warehouse, 2120 Jane Street, South Side, Pittsburgh.

“Don’t wear anything too…complicated.” – King Louis in “History of the World, Part II”

 

Ball Three

This time we’re looking at Quantum Theatre’s Jay Ball (by way of a Michel de Ghelderode classic) with “Pantagleize.”  Ball takes the 1931 play out for a spin, adding some wild new concepts.  A secret password could bring down a dictator.  You’ll “Howl” when you hear Ball’s take (that’s a hint).

Pantagleize opens April 11 at the Lexington Technology Center, 400 North Lexington Street, Point Breeze. For more information, go to www.quantumtheatre.com/season/Pantagleize

Ball three and no one walks.

 

Strindberg Variations

Red Masquers is celebrating acclaimed Swedish playwright and novelist August Strindberg with a night of one-acts. See “Stronger” and “Playing with Fire.”

X meets Y on Christmas Eve in “Stronger” and a love triangle breaks out on an island in the Swedish archipelago in high summer in “Playing with Fire.”

Catch the Strindberg One Acts at the Peter Mills Auditorium, Rockwell Hall, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh.

http://www.duqredmasquers.com

 

Wiggin Out

Unplanned comedy has a special guest and we’re wiggin’ out about it. WTAE news anchor Sally Wiggin is coming to the Union Pig and Chicken to be the Mondo (a monologist who comes up with a monologue on the spot).  A group of talented improvisers will take her off-the-cuff speech and create comedy from with it.

Go for it, Sally!

It’s all Unplanned Comedy April 12 at The Union Pig and Chicken, 220 N. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

For additional details go to the Unplanned Comedy Facebook page, here; https://www.facebook.com/events/1480614118833339/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

 

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Conservatory Dance Company at the Byham Theater showcases work by visionary, internationally acclaimed choreographers

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PITTSBURGH – Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company continues its acclaimed tradition of featuring the work of some of the most visionary and internationally recognized choreographers with the Conservatory Dance Company at the Byham Theater, April 17-19.

The performances begin at 8 p.m., Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, at the Byham Theater, Sixth Street, downtown. Tickets are $18-20, and are available by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000 or at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

This year’s curated evening of dance offers a sampling of styles from choreographers George Balanchine, Martha Graham, David Parsons and Dwight Rhoden.

Choreographed by Balanchine in 1934, Serenade was staged for the Conservatory Dance Company by Joysanne Sidimus. The Russian-born Balanchine, who died in 1983, is regarded as the foremost contemporary choreographer in the world of ballet. His more than 400 works of dance include Serenade, The Nutcracker, Orpheus, Symphony in Three Movements and Vienna Waltzes.

Miki Orihara stages Graham’s Steps in the Street, an excerpt from Chronicle. The program note from its 1936 premiere at the Guild Theatre in New York said, “Chronicle does not attempt to show the actualities of war; rather, by evoking war’s images, it sets forth the fateful prelude to war, portrays the devastation of the spirit which it leaves in its wake, and suggests an answer.”

Parsons’ Wolfgang was commissioned by and created for the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet in 2005. Staged by Elizabeth Koeppen, it features Mozart’s Symphony No. 25. Parsons was a leading dancer with The Paul Taylor Dance Company, where Taylor created many roles for Parsons in works such as Arden Court, Last Look and Roses. The New York Times called Parsons “one of the great movers of modern dance.”

Gary W. Jeter II stages Rhoden’s work, Mercy. Called “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day” by The New York Times, Rhoden has performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal and as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 1994, he and Desmond Richardson founded Complexions Contemporary Ballet and, together, have brought their unique brand of contemporary dance to the world for two decades.

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli – Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (4/3 – 4/6)

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by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant contributor.

Here is the list of the Top Five things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend from April 3 to April 6.

Dress to Kill

Start your weekend early with a diva. Cher is at the Consol Energy Center. Chances are you probably already have your tickets, but it’s not too late. Besides, Pat Benetar is also going to be there. It’s a real blast from the past. It’s the Dress to Kill tour with Cher, Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo.

Get your groove on at Consol Energy Center, 1001 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh.

For more information, go to www.consolenergycenter.com/events/detail/cher

 

Catch the Bus

See six new 10 minute plays written by playwrights who have to take a 90 minute bus ride around the city of Pittsburgh. In 24 hours the plays are written, directed and performed. It’s the annual Bricolage Urban Scrawl (B.U.S.)Friday and Saturday at the New Hazlett Theater.

Join Dixon, Carpenter and Pittsburgh’s power couple, Marie and Jeff Stapinski at BUS 8. They promise it’s going to be an amazing ride.

The bus stops at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square E, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

For more information, go to www.bricolagepgh.org/events/bus-9

 

Comb Out

Kim El will also be telling great personal stories in a performance that combines spoken word, songs and poetry in “Straightening Combs.” Kim promises to take the audience on a intimate journey as seen through the eyes of an African American woman coming of age in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.

You can find “Straightening Combs” at the Off The Wall Theater, 25 West Main Street, Carnegie. For more information go to www.pittsburghtheaterrental.com/straightening-combs

 

Living Dangerously

Come out for John McIntire’s Dangerously Live Comedy Show at the Cabaret Theater in Theater Square. McIntire will be joined by Pittsburgh’s newest, trendiest columnist, Natalie Bencivenga, Tech Entrepreneur Kit Mueller, Cops Spokesperson Sonya Toler and charming young Councilman Dan Gilman.

They will pit old Pittsburgh against New Pittsburgh. It’s a battle of Yinzers vs. Yuppies. May the best man win, n’nat.

On April 5, you can catch all the excitement of the live show at the Cabaret Theater, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh.

For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/event/3303/the-john-mcintire-dangerously-live-comedy-talk-show

 

Paint the town

Paint the town and your own body at the 4th annual Pittsburgh Holi Festivities and have a huge color party! Plus learn Masala Bhangra dancing, enjoy amazing music, eat some incredible food and have loads of fun!

DJ Pandemic Pete back will take requests if you message him at @pandemicpgh.

Join the fun on April 5 on Flagstaff Hill, Frew Street and Scheneley Drive, across from Phipps .

For more information, email them at crypittsburgh@gmail.com

 

BONUS EVENT

Bingo Night

Pittsburgh icons Barbara Russell and Bingo O’Malley perform a one-night-only staged reading of
“What’ll we do about Sue?”

As Russell herself explained on a recent episode of Burgh Viviant, “I get all the glamour roles. I play a homeless lady.”

It’s a fundraiser for the 24 annual New Works Festival, and its wicked funny. There will be a talk back with Bingo and Barbara after the performance hosted by Burgh Vivant’s Brian Edward.

“What’ll we do about Sue?” is at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Blvd. Carnegie, PA.

For details, check out www.pittsburghnewworks.org

 

JUSTICE prevails: JUDGE JACKIE extended two weeks

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Pittsburgh, PA • March 31, 2014 – Due to popular demand, Judge Jackie Justice – The Trials of Love has been extended at the CLO Cabaret through May 11.  The show was previously scheduled to close on April 27.  Tickets for all added performances will go on sale tomorrow, April 1.

About the Show
It’s Court TV meets SPRINGER!
The musical courtroom of Judge Jackie Justice is now in session at the CLO Cabaret. Behold “real” cases involving zombies, spaceships, furries and more!  TV’s hottest Judge relishes in ruling on the personal affairs of people just like you, but what happens when the tables are turned?  You won’t “object” to this brand new musical comedy with book and music by award-winning songwriters Kooman and Dimond, conceived and directed by Van Kaplan.

WATCH/LISTEN:  ‘Burgh Vivant interview with actress Kara Mikula, JUDGE JACKIE JUSTICE

Performance Schedule

Wednesdays 7:30pm
Thursdays 1:00pm* & 7:30pm
Fridays 7:30pm
Saturdays 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sundays 2:00pm

*With optional buffet at the CLO Cabaret on April 24

Tickets
Tickets range from $34.75-$44.75
and will be available online at CLOCabaret.com, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square.  Groups of 10 or more can call the Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 to learn more about special discounts, priority seating and corporate discounts. Visit pittsburghCLO.org for more information.

Media members may also access photos by visiting the Press Room at pittsburghCLO.orgWhen prompted, simply enter “pressroom” as the username and “pittstadium” as the password.

Point Park’s Conservatory Theatre Company closes 2013-2014 season with classic Irish comedy, ‘The Playboy of the Western World’

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Preview is April 10, show runs April 11-19 in Rauh Theatre

PITTSBURGHPoint Park University’s Conservatory Theatre Company closes its 2013-2014 season with a production of John Millington Synge’s classic Irish comedy, The Playboy of the Western World, April 11-19 in the Rauh Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.

Performances will be at 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Please note, there will be no performance on Easter, April 20. Instead, there will be a performance at 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 16. Tickets range from $18 to $20 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. There will be a preview performance at 8 p.m., Thursday, April 10, with tickets discounted at $12. Patrons can take advantage of the “Pay what you will” performance at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 12, subject to availability.

Directed by Kim Martin, The Playboy of the Western World is set in the early 1900s in a country tavern, where Christy Mahon hilariously enjoys his celebrity amongst townsfolk while, unbeknownst to him, the truth will soon be revealed. When this play first appeared on stage in 1907, it started the Playboy Riots in Dublin and, years later, more controversy in its 1911 New York appearance.

Martin has directed The REP’s productions of Becky’s New Car, The Lonesome West, and Mojo. A graduate of Point Park University, Martin has directed, acted in, and stage-managed more than 150 productions. Some favorites include Glengarry Glen Ross, Guys & Dolls, Drinking in America, Deathtrap, The Dumb Waiter, Annie, La Ronde and Three Sisters. Martin is the Director of Production at the Playhouse, and serves as an adjunct faculty member instructing students pursuing a technical theatre degree.

The Conservatory Theatre Company’s production features scenic design by Gianni Downs, costumes by Joan Markert, lighting by Scott Nelson, and sound by Steve Shapiro.

Phipps Celebrates Ancient Tradition with Tropical Forest India Ayurveda and Wellness Festival

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Premier Pittsburgh public garden to offer day of wellness activities free with admission.

Pittsburgh, Pa. — As part of its Tropical Forest Conservatory exhibit highlighting India, one of the most botanically rich regions of Earth, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will present a special Ayurveda and Wellness Festival on April 5, 2014 set against a backdrop of lush plants and exotic flowers, cascading waterfalls, and a serene fish pond in one of Pittsburgh’s most spa-like environments.

Free to attend with regular paid admission to Phipps, the Ayurveda and Wellness Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature presentations from local instructors on a variety of wellness-themed topics, family-friendly discovery and activity stations, Indian-inspired food tastings and more.

While visiting for the festival, guests are also encouraged to explore the wonderful and colorful world of the Tropical Forest India exhibit, which includes a spice and tea market display, Ayurvedic healing gardens, a field research station and a gorgeous temple façade. Visitors may also step out onto the terrace and continue their journey into the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, a new addition to the Phipps campus that has emerged as one of the greenest buildings on the planet.

Details on the Ayurveda Wellness Festival are available at phipps.conservatory.org. Phipps admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $11 for children (2 – 18). Members and kids under 2 enter free. Regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. Fridays.

About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pa. is a green leader among public gardens with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Learn more: phipps.conservatory.org.

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli – Pittsburgh’s top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (3/27 – 3/30)

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by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant contributor.  

Here are the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh the weekend of March 27 to 30. This week we go from being “In the Heights” to being “Grounded,” and I’ll fill in all the blanks along the way.

 

Hit the Heights

There’s a lot going on at a Washington Heights bodega and the citizens are willing to sing about it. University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Theatre Arts is producing “In the Heights.” Usnavi will tell you all about it.

Come down to the “Heights” at the Charity Randall Theatre, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Oakland.

For more information, go to http://www.play.pitt.edu/content/heights

 

Bohemian Rhapsody

If the Puerto Ricans from Washington Heights just aren’t downtrodden enough for you, you can see “La Boheme” at the Pittsburgh Opera. It’s the story of two down-and-out artists, Marcello and Rudolpho, having trouble paying the RENT. Puccini beat Jonathan Larson to the story by a century, but it still holds up.

“La Boheme” is at the Pittsburgh Opera, 2425 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh.

Find out more at www.pittsburghopera.org.

 

Let’s Play Ball

Spring is in the air, and its baseball season. See photographs of baseball history from Pittsburgh legend Teenie Harris. The Carnegie Museum of Art has a fairly straight-forward exhibit titled, “Teenie Harris Photographs: Baseball in Pittsburgh.”  See some of the greatest moments in the Negro League, the Major League and good old-fashioned sandlot baseball from behind the lens of a master.

The exhibit runs all season (till September 22) at the Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh.

For more information, check out www.cmoa.org

 

On the Ground

A gutsy fighter pilot’s unexpected pregnancy puts her career on hold. When she gets back in the game, flying has a whole new meaning: operating remote-controlled drones in Afghanistan from an air-conditioned trailer near Las Vegas. Hunting terrorists by day and being a wife and mother by night, the pilot’s struggle to navigate her dual identities is her toughest mission.
“Grounded” opens March 29 at the City Theater, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh.

For more information, go to www.citytheatrecompany.org/play/grounded

 

Game/Set/Match

Remember Gene Rayburn in Match Game? Joe King is bringing it back to Pittsburgh. He is going to fill in all your blanks at Match Gayme (an added Y for fabulous reasons).  His celebrity panelists are drag queens , Mahogany La Piranah, Lola Le Croix, Anna Steezia and Blade Matthews.  He’s also brining a special guest celebrity, real life Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. So get off your blank and get down there.

Match Gayme is at 9:00 pm Sunday March 29, at Cruze Bar, 1600 Smallman Street, in the Strip.

 

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DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE is back by popular demand at CLO Cabaret

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Pittsburgh, PA • March 24, 2014 –Pittsburgh CLO is pleased to announce the return of the off-Broadway sensation, Dixie’s Tupperware Party, to the CLO Cabaret September 4 – October 12, 2014. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 27 and start at $34.75.  Purchase tickets online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square.

About the Show

Not Your Grandmother’s Tupperware Party!
Dixie Longate, the fast-talking Tupperware Lady, packed up her catalogues, left her children in an Alabama trailer park and took Pittsburgh by storm in 2012! Now, join Dixie as she returns to Pittsburgh to throw a good ol’ fashioned Tupperware Party filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, FREE giveaways, audience participation and the most fabulous assortment of Tupperware ever sold on a theater stage. Loaded with the most up-to-date products available for purchase, see for yourself how Ms. Longate became the #1 Tupperware seller in the U.S. & Canada as she educates her guests on the many alternative uses she has discovered for her plastic products!  Recommended for adult audiences.

Group Sales & Special Events

Pittsburgh CLO has designed special group discounts and corporate ticket programs to accommodate any size group.  Interested parties should call Group Sales at 412-325-1582 or email Groups@pittsburghCLO.org to learn more about these fantastic opportunities.

Dixie’s Tupperware Party Performance Schedule

Wednesdays    7:30pm
Thursdays        1:00pm* & 7:30pm * Thursday matinees – 9/25, 10/9
Fridays            7:30pm
Saturdays        2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sundays          2:00pm

Tickets

Tickets start at $34.75 and are available online at CLO Cabaret.com, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 10 or more can call the Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 to learn more about special discounts, priority seating and corporate discounts. Visit CLOCabaret.com for more information.

2014 CLO Cabaret Series

Dixie’s Tupperware Party joins the world premiere of Judge Jackie Justice, Now – April 27 and Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, May 22 – August 17  to complete the 2014 Cabaret Series.  Three-Show Cabaret Series Subscriptions are on sale now and can be purchased for $100 by calling 412-281-2822. 

Media members may also access photos and other show materials by visiting the Press Room at pittsburghCLO.org. When prompted, simply enter “pressroom” as the username and “pittstadium” as the password.

The REP presents Hollywood satire, ‘By the Way, Meet Vera Stark’

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Directed by Tomé Cousin, show previews March 20, runs March 21- April 6 at Pittsburgh Playhouse.  Photo by Jeff Swensen.

PITTSBURGH – The REP, Point Park University’s professional theatre company, continues its compelling 2013-2014 season with Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage’s Hollywood satire, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.

Directed by Tome’ Cousin, the show previews Thursday, March 20, and runs Friday, March 21 – Sunday, April 6, in the Studio Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. Performances are 8 p.m., Thursday – Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets range from $24 to $27; preview tickets are $15. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000, or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. Patrons can take advantage of the “Pay what you will” performance at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 22, subject to availability. New in 2013-2014, The REP’s Talkback series, where the audience is invited to stay after the performance and discuss the show, has been moved to the matinee performance on the second Saturday of every show. For By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, the Talkback session will be held after the 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, March 29.

Vera Stark is a budding actress in an era where the only roles for African-American women are maids. When she is cast in the same Southern epic as her employer, an aging star grasping at her dwindling career, sparks fly. By the Way, Meet Vera Stark is a hilarious satire of race in the glamorous days of Old Hollywood.

The REP’s production of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark features Maria Becoates-Bey as Vera Stark, Kelly Trumbull as Gloria Mitchell, Bria Walker as Lottie/Carmen, Corinne Scott as Anna Mae/Afua Assata Ejobo, Tru Verret-Fleming as Leroy Barksdale/Herb Forrester, Jeff Howell as Fredrick Slasvick/Brad Donovan, and Andy Kirtland as Maxmillian Von Oster/Peter Rhys-Davies. Scenic design by Britton Mauk, lighting by Andrew David Ostrowski, sound design by Steve Shapiro, and costumes by Don DiFonso. Caitlin Roper is the stage manager.

Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined premiered at Manhattan Theatre Club and Goodman Theatre (OBIE, Lucille Lortel, New York Drama Critics’ Circle, Audelco, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play).  She won the 2010 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award, Dramatists Guild Hull-Warriner Award, Horton Foote Prize for Outstanding New American Play (Ruined), and Helen Hayes Award (Ruined). Her other honors include the 2007 MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant, National Black Theatre Festival’s August Wilson Playwriting Award, 2005 Guggenheim Grant for Playwriting, and the 2004 PEN/Laura Pels Award for Drama.

Point Park University graduate Tome’ Cousin is an internationally recognized director, choreographer, educator, performer and creator of musical theater works, ballets, films, new opera, song cycles and art installations, as well as a published author. Cousin has appeared on Broadway in ContactA Free Man of Color, and Dreamgirls, national tours of DreamgirlsMy One and Only, and A Chorus Line, and internationally in Bob Fosse’s Sweet Charity (Switzerland), The Who’s TommyLa Cage aux FollesStarlight Express, and Tabaluga und Lilli (Germany). He serves as the directing supervisor for original director/choreographer Susan Stroman’s Tony Award-winning musical Contact, having staged 12 companies worldwide including premieres in Hungary, Korea and Poland. In 2007-2008, he directed the revival of the Susan Stroman, David Thompson, Harry Connick Jr. musical, Thou Shalt Not, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Last season, he co-directed/co-authored the workshop revival of June Havoc’s Marathon 33 (M33), at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Cousin teaches at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama and has been commissioned by the estate of the famed Harlem Renaissance photographer James VanDerZee to create and direct an original new multimedia opera based on his life and works.

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