The Shaker Archives - Page 75 of 109

April 18, 2016August 12, 2019

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To Do’s THIS WEEKEND (4/21 – 4/24)

Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Get Ratched

It’s Conformity vs. Non-Conformity in a winner-take-all battle in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Ken Kesey’s novel that became an Academy Award winning film about life in a psychiatric hospital comes to life on stage. It’s at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.

A Starry, Starry Night

In 1904, people gathered in cafes to discuss art and literature (and there weren’t even any Starbucks). Comedian and playwright Steve Martin takes us to a mythic meeting between Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” It’s playing at Hambones, 4207 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, click here.

Smash! Pow!

The ToonSeum wants you to play dress up Saturday, April 23. They’re inviting everyone with a cape to “Ka-Blam! Cause-Play.” Join Klingons, Stormtroopers, Ghostbusters, and Jedi Masters for this colorful costume party (costumes are not required, they’re just fun). It’s at the Teamsters Temple Banquet Hall, 4701 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, click here.

Second Chance

On April 23, the cast of “First Date” would like to ask you out for a “Second Date.” Join them for the world’s earliest late night cabaret (from 9 pm to 11 pm) as the cast sings songs about dating, love and more. It’s your second chance to see the First Date crew. Find them at the Cabaret at Theater Square. 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Wily Capote

Truman Capote comes back to life in “Tru.” Broadway actor Eddie Korbich will play the famous author and bon vivant (oh, that’s where that comes from!). It’s at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

A sixth thing…

Rabbit, Rabbit

You have a few more chances to catch “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit.” Each night with a different actor. See the show every Pittsburgh actor is talking about. This final week you can see Bricolage’s Jeffrey Carpenter, Diana Ifft, ‘Burgh Vivant’s own Brian Edward and more. It’s at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue, 3^rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

– MB

April 17, 2016August 12, 2019

Mixed Doubles – A review of City Theatre’s “The Last Match”

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

At the US Open semifinals two tennis players, American superstar Tim Porter (Danny Binstock) and up-and-coming Russian player Sergei Sergeyev (JD Taylor), face off for the top spot in Anna Ziegler’s “The Last Match.” Both men struggle to win the championship while dealing with personal internal conflicts. Sergei is the young hotshot ready to take the title away from his idol. Tim is the long time champion who fears younger players getting the drop shot on him.

Porter and his wife, Mallory (Daina Michelle Griffith), have been desperately trying to have a baby, while Sergei proposes to his long-time girlfriend, Galina (Robin Abramson).

The story unfolds, volleying back and forth from Tim’s point-of-view to Sergei’s perspective. We watch the first meeting between Tim and Mallory. Then, we pivot back to Sergei’s first date with Galina. Their lives don’t necessarily intertwine, but each man has similar desires. Each man strives ever forward to be the best, while constantly asking themselves, “At what cost?”

After recently seeing Ibsen’s “The Master Builder,” it’s easy to see a parallel between Halvard Solness, the titular Master Builder, and Tim Porter. They both have the same fear. Younger men will assume their titles, just as they have both usurped their elders.

Meanwhile, Sergei’s motivations are a bit more straightforward. He wants to win. He believes, deep in his heart, that it is his time.

Porter and Sergeyev are filled with so much desire, deep wells of want. They are in a constant state of wanting, and it may prove to be their undoing.

Director Tracy Brigden wins the first point. She picked four phenomenal actors to play on her court.

Taylor charms as Sergei. He is charismatic, and filled with youthful exuberance. The character exudes positive energy, and Taylor serves it up perfectly. He needs to radiate good vibes to counteract his girlfriend Galina’s negative ones.

When we first meet Galina, she is a stone, cold shrew, but we fall in love anyway, for a few good reasons. Mostly we love her because Sergei loves her. We start seeing her through his eyes. Sergei sees underneath her brittle outer layer and uncovers a vulnerable girl hiding inside. Galina is a matryoshka doll, a beautiful, loving girl nesting inside the bigger, brasher exterior. She is brilliantly portrayed by Abramson.

Mallory spins us in the opposite direction. She starts out as flat-out adorable in a meet-cute scene straight from any top ten rom-com, but she is wracked with guilt, shame and anger. Griffith deftly portrays every heartache with aplomb.

Binstock channels the essence of Agassi, Nastase and McEnroe; vain and petulant bad boys of tennis, who are undeniably gifted athletes.

Scenic designer Narelle Sissons opts for a simple set, elegantly enhanced by Ann G. Wrightson’s lighting design. Special shout out to costume designer Susan Tsu who wrapped Abramson in a curvaceous floral print that also softened her character, and cranked up her sex appeal to eleven.

The play is more about desire than tennis, though the game factors in to the story, and a healthy knowledge of the terms helps, but a casual observer with no knowledge of the game will catch on quickly. “The Last Match” is a winner.

“The Last Match” runs till May 15 at the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For more information, click here.

– MB

April 11, 2016August 12, 2019

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To Do’s THIS WEEKEND (4/14 – 4/17)

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Musical Interlude

April 15 and 16 is “Word Play,” a night of stories and music. The night features storytellers James Kincaid, Shannon Reed, Nathan Rosswog and host Alan Olifson, with DJ Todd Keebs. It’s all at the Bricolage, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

World on Fire

April 16 and 16 is the Burning Bridges Festival. Local comedian John Dick Winters is bringing you a comedy festival filled with rising stars. Geoff Tate (seen on the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson) will headline a slew of performers, both local and touring. It will also premiere of “Open Mike,” a television pilot about a comedian and his struggles. Lots of laughs can be found at Work Hard Pittsburgh, 744 E. Warrington Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. For more information, click here.

Cry me a River

Two nationally renowned bands, River Whyless (Ashville, NC) and Driftwood (from Binghampton, NY) come to the New Hazlett on Saturday, April 16. Rise out of your seat and dance at at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.

Time Keeps on Slipping…

On Sunday, April 17, playwrights, directors and more than 20 actors will gather on one day to create six, one-act plays in 24 hours at the “24 Hour Play Fest.” It sounds exhausting, but it will be a ton of fun. Also, it’s a benefit for the Pittsburgh-made “Dani Girl.” It’s at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, click here.

Match up

Rising Russian star Sergei Sergeyev is pitted against American great Tim Porter in an epic showdown in “The Last Match.” The play follows the two tennis titans through pivotal moments on-and-off the court. Get ready, get set to go to the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For more information, click here.

A sixth thing…

That’s Italian!

Bocce, Bingo and a cookie table? That’s as Italian as you can get. It’s a fundraiser for “The Sisters Sorella” on Monday, April 18. Of course it’s in a church in Bloomfield? It couldn’t get any more Italian. Oh wait! There will be spaghetti. Come down to St. Maria Goretti’s Parish Hall, 300 Edmond Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15224/ For more information, click here.

April 10, 2016August 12, 2019

A Masterful Construction – a review of “The Master Builder”

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Quantum Theater caps off their 2015-2016 season with Henrik Ibsen’s poignant allegory about success and creativity with “The Master Builder.”

An acrophobic architect, Halvard Solness (John Shepard) terrorizes his staff, the father and son duo, Knut (John Reilly) and Ragnar (Thomas Constantine Moore) Brovik, flirts with Ragnar’s fiancé, Kaja Fosli (Kelly Trumbull) and taunts his cold but dutiful wife, Aline Solness (Catherine Moore). Everything is upturned when the young, vivacious Hilda Wangel (Hayley Nielsen) wanders into town.

When Hilda enters the scene, suddenly everything changes. She is the inciting incident, a catalyst of crazy. The girl remembers a moment that may or may not have happened a decade ago, and clings to it with ferocity. Ten years ago, the Master Builder came to her tiny hamlet and constructed a church with a towering steeple. Once the church was complete he scaled the ladder and placed a wreath at the top of the church. Then, at a celebratory dinner he may or may not have kissed the then fourteen-year-old Hilda and promised to build her a castle in the sky. Hilda took his fanciful speech in the heat of the passionate embrace for a fact and sought the attention of the married man. She comes to his home seeking fulfilment on his pledge.

Ibsen’s play posits “do we pay a price for success?” Answer: Yes. And the cost is high (that’s also a pun). Ibsen’s play is steeped in symbolism. There is a philosophical/spiritual belief made popular in Rhonda Byrne’s book, “The Secret” about the Law of Attraction, or, more commonly known as the power of prayer. Ibsen loops around it. You’re never sure if he is espousing it or scoffing it. There’s also a whole ‘circle of life’ thing going on, wherein the architect built his empire on the back of his predecessor and now fears his apprentice, the aforementioned Brovik clan. He is afraid of being usurped by the younger man, even though he usurped the man’s father years ago.

The acting in the play is exquisite. Shepard chews through the minimalistic, modern scenery. He seethes with rage like a warrior-despot over a kingdom of blueprints. Nielsen matches him in intensity. Her character is quick-tempered, tempestuous and singularly determined. Hilda is a strange child-woman believing in the kindness of an almost stranger. It’s a triumphant performance for Nielsen, especially considering she is playing opposite to Shepard’s powerful, enigmatic architect.

Catherine Moore’s Aline moves with a clipped precision. Her anguish is buried deep in her sense of duty to her husband. Though she seems cold and unfeeling on the surface, the pain and anger reside closer than you think. It’s conveyed brilliantly by Moore.

Philip Winters plays the congenial Dr. Herdal. The character is brought on mostly for exposition (he is Solness’s sounding board), but Winters plays the jovial doctor with panache.

While Ragnar, Kaja and Knut are peripheral characters, Thomas Constantine Moore, Kelly Trumbull and John Reilly hand in terrific performances, but the evening belongs to Shepard, Nielsen and Catherine Moore. And it’s excellently directed by Martin Giles. Giles is the master builder here carefully composing the pacing of each intricate scene. One word of caution. The play has three acts with two intermissions.

Like all Quantum shows, location is also a character. The play is performed on the ninth floor of Nova Place, the former Allegheny Center. The story plays out in front of a panoramic view of downtown Pittsburgh with a post-modern furnishings provided by Pittsburgh’s own Master Builder, scenic designer Tony Ferrieri accented by turn-of-the-century clothes from costume designer Richard Parsakian.

Quantum’s theme of the year was about relationship and cooperation. They opened on a high note (literally and figuratively) with the lush, spectacle of “A Winter’s Tale.” It was a delightfully whimsical collaboration with Chatham Baroque and Attack Theatre. They are finishing the season strong with a collaboration with the Heinz Architectural Center of the Carnegie Museum of Art. “The Master Builder” is a masterfully constructed play.

The Master Builder runs April 8 to May 1 at Nova Place (formerly Allegheny Center) 100 S. Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.

– MB

April 6, 2016August 12, 2019

Iguanatron goes on Tour

Spreading the Laughs: Local Comedy Duo on Mini Tour

Greg Gillotti and Brian Gray bring their believably odd improvised theater on the road, April 15-24

PITTSBURGH – This Spring, local comedy duo Iguanatron (Greg Gillotti and Brian Gray) will be hitting the road to perform and teach their style of improvisational comedy. Gillotti and Gray–prominent figures in Pittsburgh’s recent comedy renaissance–are eager to evangelize the Pittsburgh comedy scene. They have been performing together as Iguanatron since 2009, a show which features bizarre and outlandish characters who still feel human and sympathetic. Their style represents what the two friends love most about improvisation: playing on the edge of failure. Those moments where no one knows what will happen, and the performers discover it together with the audience in real time.

Iguanatron-Buzz (Kitchen Cool) — Greg Gillotti (left) and Brian Gray (right) are the comedy duo Iguanatron.

“Iguanatron is an audience favorite,” says Kristy Nolen, Creative and Programming Director of Arcade Comedy Theater. “One of Pittsburgh’s favorite two-person groups, [they are] always humorous and creative.”

Gillotti and Gray have over twenty years of combined improv experience, and are both passionate about teaching. The tour includes workshops where new and experienced improvisors alike can learn their approach to the work.

“Brian’s enthusiasm for improv education is enormous, his perspective thoughtful, and his work ethic inspiring,” says Chris Trew, the Creative Director of The New Movement Theater in New Orleans where Gray recently taught. “I’m a fan of what he’s contributed to the art form.”

There are two performances in Pittsburgh: Friday April 15 at 8pm Iguanatron performs at the University of Pittsburgh’s Studio Theater. The show is free for Pitt students and $5 for others. Friday April 29 at 10pm Iguanatron presents Wheel of Bits at Arcade Comedy Theater. $10/$5 student rush. BYOB. Other events include 4/23 in Baltimore, 4/24 in Philadelphia.

For more information, click here.

April 5, 2016August 12, 2019

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To Do’s THIS WEEKEND (4/7 – 4/10)

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Rabbit, Rabbit

It’s the talk of New York and it’s here in Pittsburgh. Nassim Soleimanpour’s “White Rabbit Red Rabbit.” With no director, no set, and a different guest performer each night, this play is performed by distinct local actors reading a script they see for the first time as they step onstage in front of a live audience. The show opens with Matt Henderson, but many local actors will stop by including Richard Keitel, Ingrid Sonnichsen, Hayley Neilsen, John Feightner, David Crawford, PICT’s Alan Stanford, Bricolage’s Jeffrey Carpenter, ‘Burgh Vivant’s Brian Edward and the inimitable Richard Rauh. Hop over to the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, 937 Liberty Avenue, Suite 3, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Build me up

Quantum Theatre in collaboration with the Heinz Architectural Center and the Carnegie Museum of Art bring Henrik Ibsen’s “Master Builder” to life. Enter the mind of Halvard Solness, whose principles drive him past conventional morality and threaten to destroy him. It takes place at the soon-to-be-reimagined Nova Place (the former Allegheny Center), 100 S. Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.

Soul Man

Archbishop Thomas Cranmer is in a pickle. In the morning he faces his execution, but fate offers him an escape. He must choose between life and death as well as between the ghosts of Queens Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon, both of who want his Cranmer’s soul. It’s Timothy Ruppert’s dark historical comedy, “The Consorts.” Find it at the Genesius Theater, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For more information, click here.

Jagging Around

On Friday, April 8, you can jag around n’nat with a night of stand-up, improv and Pittsburgh blogger extraordinaire John Chamberlin, AKA YaJagoff. Come “dahntahn” to the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Spring Flings

Emerge from your wintry hideout April 9th for the new Smokin’ Betties Burlesque Show, “Spring Gets Sprung!” See guest performers Lita D’Vargas, Penny Delapoison, and 2015 Burlypicks winner Mika Romantic! The show is hosted by the lovely Lilith DeVille and it’s at the Club Café, 56 South 12^th Street, (Southside) Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For more information, click here.

– MB

March 28, 2016August 12, 2019

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To Do’s THIS WEEKEND (3/31 – 4/3)

Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘ Burgh Vivant

Fools Rush In

Get ready to celebrate April Fool’s Day with some of your favorite fools. On Friday April 1, Buckhead Saloon has a Comedy Showcase starring Matt Wohlfarth, Andy Picarro, Alex Homyak and Tommy Kupiec. There’s no cover charge and no drink minimum! Come early and celebrate Happy Hour and Drink for a Cause (for a $10 donation to Cystic Fibrosis you get a Free Drink and discounts on drinks and appetizers). It’s all at Buckhead Saloon, 225 W. Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For more information, click here.

Out of the Cave

The Mattress Factory’s Teen Cooperative is celebrating spring with “Unhibernate.” There will be local bands, the Nox Boys, Chattel Tail and Chase the Monkey. Bring a canned good and support the Northisde Community Pantry. See some fine art and party. It’s at the Mattress Factory, 500 Sampsonia Way (parking on 505 Jacksonia Street), Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.

Math is hard

An incompatible mathematics professor and an English professor are paired together to teach a class that demonstrates how their disciplines overlap in “The Mathematics of Being Human.” It’s at the Henry Heymann Theatre, Stephen Foster Memorial, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. For more information, click here.

Confidentially Speaking

On Friday April 1, a group of performers take to the stage and present a musical. There’s a catch. They have had absolutely no group rehearsal. It’s “The Confidential Musical Theatre Project,” and it’s at the Carnegie Stage, 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, click here.

Dining In

Retro Red Theatre Productions presents Neil Simon’s “The Dinner Party.” Tossed together like a salad, five guests show up at an exclusive restaurant in Paris. Of course things get a little crazy. It’s at the Seton Center, 1900 Pioneer Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15226. For more information, click here.

– MB

March 21, 2016August 12, 2019

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To Do’s THIS WEEKEND (3/24 – 3/27)

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Ace is the Place

Saturday March 26, Reel Q presents “Night of a 1000 Hedwigs.” DJs John Cameron Mitchell (yes, that one), Amber Martin, Paul Dawson and PJ Deboy will spin vinyl at a grand party at the Ace Hotel. Reel Q is hosting several fabulous events over the weekend, including a screening of “Short Bus,” and a big dance party. Costumes are encouraged. Come out to the Ace Hotel 120 S. Whitfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. For more information, click here.

Von Trapped!

The hills are alive with “The Sound of Music” once more. How do you solve a problem like Maria? You stick in a nanny job for an uptight captain and his big brood, add Nazis and voila! Run away with the Von Trapp family for a weekend at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

The Revolution will be televised

Relive your favorite 90s sitcoms in a multi-media format, complete with commercials! It’s “TV Dinners” at the R Act Theatre, 158 Brighton Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074. For more information, click here.

Great Expectations

In North Carolina a heinous act was perpetrated on African American women from 1933 – 1973. Playwright Marilynn Anselmi tells their story in the world premiere play, “You Wouldn’t Expect.” It will be presented by demaskus Theater Collective at the August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Go with God

You can celebrate Easter with two plays about Jesus Christ. Catch “Godspell” at the Comtra Theatre, Route 19 North, Cranberry, PA 16066. For more information, click here. And/or attend “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Strand Theater, 119 North Main Street, Zelienople. For more information, click here.

– MB

March 19, 2016March 19, 2016

Dinner Party Dynamite: A review of DISGRACED

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

The Pittsburgh Public Theater uses the stage to wrangle with important issues facing America in Ayad Akhtar’s “Disgraced.”

A Muslim lawyer, Amir (Fajer Kaisi), and his Caucasian wife, Emily (Lisa Velten Smith), struggle with their identities when issues of race, religion and politics start popping up like dandelions in an untended garden.

As an artist, Emily has embraced the rich cultural heritage of Islamic art. Amir, however, has obfuscated his religion and his ethnicity to further his ambitions in a largely, Jewish law firm. Technically, he doesn’t lie; the region of Pakistan his father hails from was part of India when his dad was born.

Amir’s nephew, Abe (Justin Ahdoot), has embraced the faith. Emily convinces Amir to counsel Abe’s imam who is in a legal entanglement. The religious leader has been imprisoned for allegedly funding a terrorist group. He agrees to meet with the legal team representing the imam, even though he is a corporate lawyer with a specialty in mergers and acquisitions. Amir’s name is mentioned in a story about the case in the New York Times causing the firm to divest itself of a volatile asset, our downtrodden protagonist.

Things get even more complicated when Amir and Emily invite Isaac (Ryan McCarthy) and Jory (Nafeesa Monroe) into their home. Coincidentally, Isaac is an art dealer who can help Emily, and Jory is an up-and-coming lawyer under the same shingle as Amir. It also so happens that Isaac is Jewish and Jory is African American.

The article in the Times is a stick of dynamite at the dinner party. A few terse words and the fuse ignites.

Akhtar’s play takes on some prickly issues, such as Islamophobia, American greed, faith, and politics, but discusses them ad nauseam. Ironically, the characters fall into stereotypes. The black woman is always late for work, Abe begins wearing a kufi, and Amir has sublimated rage that bursts forth from his Sudanese Barakat cotton shirt.

Anne Mundell has designed the sets for similarly themed rooms at the Public such as “Art” and “God of Carnage,” and her “Disgraced” set is equally dazzling. It is an opulent New York apartment on the Upper West Side filled with artful flourishes. There is art on the wall that is discussed in the play, and the piece Mundell chose perfectly encapsulates every word in the dialogue.

The play won 2013 Pulitizer Prize for Drama and it dives deep into some forbidden topics, though, Akhtar’s script is equally compelling and frustrating. There’s a handy reference guide to Islamic people and places that are mentioned in the script, but the play has dozens of references to art, culture, religion and politics. Just when you think it’s too hard to keep up with the glossary, a “South Park” reference gets tossed in for the groundlings.

The actors are technically efficient, but “Disgraced” lacks a little grace. It seemed a little flat with the exception of some fine performances by McCarthy and Monroe.

Monroe gets some of the best lines, and executes them flawlessly. Though, she accomplished a lot of nuance with body language and small gestures when she wasn’t doling out bon mots. It’s a joy to watch her strutting across the stage.

The ending of the play is like the unseen pork dish at the aforementioned dinner party, undercooked. After an intense act of marital violence is perpetrated, the denouement seemed unsettled. But like any piece of fine art, “Disgraced” will spark some terrific conversations. Not all of those conversations will be comfortable, but they will all be important.

In this particular election cycle, “Disgraced” seems to be more relevant than ever.

(“Disgraced” runs from March 10 to April 10 at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here)

– MB

March 14, 2016August 12, 2019

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To Do’s THIS WEEKEND (3/17 – 3/20)

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Robe/Disrobe

The Carnegie Stage has a daring new production by Mark C. Thompson titled, “Kimono.” It explores the themes of social justice through the experience of victims and the culpability of predators. It’s for mature audiences only, due to subject matter and some nudity. You can slip into “Kimono,” at the Carnegie Stage, 25 W Main Street, Carnegie PA 15106. For more information, click here.

Erascism

Black, White, Muslims and Jewish persons share the same idea of the good life, until ingrained prejudices get the best of them in, “Disgraced.” It’s at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Bedtime/Pastimes

It’s time for “Sex With Strangers.” No judging. It’s the name of the new show at the City Theatre. When Olivia, a talented by unrecognized novelist, gets snowbound at a writer’s retreat with Ethan, a superstar sexcapade blogger, the two get hot and bothered. You can have “Sex with Strangers” at the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, A 15203. For more information, click here.

The Jig Isn’t Up

Still Celebrating St. Pats? Do it with the Chieftains with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. They’ll play all sorts of Irish favorites like “Did you ever go a’Courtin’ Uncle Joe?” and “Shenandoah.” Catch them live at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Habit Forming

Alma! Check your batteries, because “Sister Act” returns to Pittsburgh. When a Reno lounge singer becomes a star witness in a murder investigation, she has to hide out in convent. Hilarity ensues. Get into the habit at the Byham Theater, 101 6^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

– MB