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

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

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

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

On Saturday March 5^th, Pittsburgh’s best and brightest gathered at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture for the 11^th annual B.U.S. (Bricolage Urban Scrawl), a fundraiser for the Bricolage. The event was hosted by Jeffrey Carpenter, Artistic Director, and Tami Dixon, Producing Artistic Director of the aforementioned theater.

The B.U.S. is the culmination of a 24 hour project wherein playwrights ride a bus, and use the experience as a jumping off point to create art, six 10 minute plays. After all, a bricolage is a creation from a diverse range of available things. Think MacGyver but with theater.

The first piece, “Not So Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” by Kim El was the “bussiest” of bus stories. The story took place on 71A (or somewhere thereabouts). Cheryl El-Walker and Kelly Trumbull played too very different dancers, a stripper from the Strip (Cheerleaders) and a Point Park ballerina. The story reflected the Tale of the Two Cities (More K-Mos than Dickens), the black and white Pittsburgh, and those who are trapped in the crosshairs of gentrification. It was funny, compelling and one of the best of the evening, typifying an essential Pittsburgh bus story.

Ray Werner’s “Poster Boy,” was a tale wrought with foreboding. In it a young boy contacts an organization he reads about on a poster on the bus. Sundiata Rice, who plays the young boy, was particularly engaging “Poster Boy,” the youngest performer on stage all evening.

Leviticus Jelks’ short play “Doc’s New Idea” relied on the strength of its madcap leading lady, Ayne Terceira with strong performances by Jonathan Visser, Siovhan Christensen and Parag S. Gohel as the last surviving members of a famed group of miners. Heigh Ho! Hijinks ensued.

Mark Clayton Southers’ “Dog Shit” was ripped from today’s headlines. It was a story of a black man murdered on a bus after killing a dog that was attacking him, expertly directed by Bria Walker. It included lovely turns by Erika Cuenca, Sara Williams, Michael McBurney and Lissa Brennan.

 

Gayle Pazerski’s “If They Could See Me Now” seemed to have very little to do with Pittsburgh, Port Authority or any sort of buses, but it was a laugh riot. Linda Haston directed the piece with verve. Improv comedian John Feightner would have chewed the scenery, if there was any. There was even a special appearance by local drag diva, Bunny Bixler (Gloria Upson and Muriel Puce could not be reached for comment).

 

Gab Cody’s “Wrong Place, Wrong Time” capped off the evening with a hilarious ditty about strangers meeting. The cast included Brett Goodnack, Jason McCune, TaeAjah Cannon, Hazel Leroy with special appearances by Jeffrey Carpenter and Tami Dixon. You could call their appearance a ‘walk-on” but they did more “rolling on the floor”than walking. Lisa Ann Goldsmith directed.

Kudos to all the playwrights and performers, mounting ten minute plays in twenty four hours is a spectacular feat. Obviously, a few things could have been improved, but given the time and effort, it seems hypercritical to point at any flaws.

Comedy was king at the B.U.S., but the show had a delightful mix of genres, both serious and comedic. Plus, just like the mode of transportation from which it’s derived, if you didn’t get one, there was another one along a few minutes later.

Next year, you might want to hop on. It’s a wild ride.

(The Bricolage, 937 Liberty Avenue, First Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information on the theater, click here.

 

– MB

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

 

Lady sings the Blues

Lizz Wright will be singing of a mix of traditional blues, folk and contemporary pop on Saturday, March 12. With peculiar focus, she seamlessly weaves through the genres of gospel, jazz, folk, pop and blues. Wright will be at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, 980 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

 

Modern Major General

You might not be able to write a washing bill in Babylonic cuneiform or tell you every detail of a Caractucus’s uniform, but a very modern Major General Stanley can and he’ll sing about it in Pittsburgh Savoyard’s production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, “The Pirates of Penzance.” It’s at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, click here.

 

Against all Odds

On November 13, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence; that request came from his wife. Deep down, he knew she was right, but her also knew that someday he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his friend, Oscar Madison. Several years earlier, Madison’s wife had thrown HIM out, requesting that he never return. Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy? We’ll find out in “The Odd Couple,” at the Grand Theater, 207 Second Ave., Elizabeth, PA. For more information, click here.

 

A Dangerous Liaison

A dangerous attraction between a landowner’s daughter & his top servant takes on new shades when the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre presents, “Miss Julie, Clarissa & John.”  It’s at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre 937 Liberty Ave, 3rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

 

Home and the range

It’s not too late to go to the 35^th Annual Duquesne Light Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show.  There are over 1700 exhibits. See Pittsburgh’s master gardener Doug Oster. Visit the Cooking Stage and see local chefs cook up something delicious. Find out all the latest in new gadgets and home appliances. Meet Pittsburgh Dad, Curt Wooten. It’s all at the Pittsburgh Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

 

And now a sixth thing…

Hey Lady!

Pittsburgh comedian Gab Bonesso will be performing her family-friendly comedy show “Child Lady” on Friday, March 11. There’s a special appearance by Josh Verbanets of The Josh and Gab Show and the music group Meeting of Important People. Mike Buzzelli (oh, hey) will also be performing. Join the fun at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

 

– MB

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

 

A Stitch in Time

Friday, March 4th at 7PM and Saturday March 5^th at & pm Rin Park and Naomi Edmark, two queer women of color, are having their first Pittsburgh art exhibition, short film screening, and spoken word performance titled, “Debris-Stitch-tide.” Hear their stories at  Black Forge Coffee House, 1206 Arlington Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15210. For more information, click here.

 

Hard Lessons

Jefferson, an African-American young man, is condemned to death in a small-town Louisiana for a murder he didn’t commit in Prime Stage Theatre Company’s production of “A Lesson Before Dying.” It’s at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.

 

Get on the Bus

Saturday March 5^th is the 11^th Bricolage Urban Scrawl, affectionately known as B.U.S. 11. It’s a 24 hour play festival with an urban theme. Witness the birth of six brand new 10-minute plays. There’s also a fabulous party that is a fundraiser for the Bricolage, one of Pittsburgh’s most innovative theaters. It’s all happening at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, across the street from the Bricolage, at 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.  For more information, click here.

 

Every Prince has his Swan

Saturday March 5^th is SWAN Day! Swan is also an acronym. It stands for Support Women Artists Now. There will be musicians, dancers, theatre artists, filmmakers and visual artists for No Name Players 8^th annual Swan Day. The evening will also include live art, surprise giveaways and more!  It’s all in support of Pittsburgh’s fabulous women artists. It’s going down at the Twentieth Century Club, 4201 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. For more information, click here.

 

Humperdink?

Screw Wednesday, March 4^th & 5^th are the new Hump Days. It’s the Hump Film Festival. Filmmakers and stars show us what they think is hot and sexy, creative and kinky as they explore their turn-ons and craziest fantasies. All colors, body types, ages, sexualities, genders and kinks are represented. Hump’s main mission is to change the way America sees and makes porn. That makes it art. The festival is running at the Ace Hotel, 120 S. Whitfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. For more information, click here (with your parent or guardian’s permission, of course).

 

– MB

 

 

 

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

 

I see dancing people

On Saturday, February 27, you can dance at the Q Ball. The 2016 theme is “Sixth Sense.”  Celebrate Quantum Theatre’s 25^th anniversary in style with dancing, food, drinks, art, music and more. It’s at the Fireman’s Creative Engine House, 7101 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208. For more information, click here.

 

Hail to the chief

Saturday, February 27, things are going to get crazy in Oakmont when John McIntire’s Dangerously Live Comedy/Talk Show presents “Presidential Insanity.”  He will be asking the question, “Why do any of these nutjobs want to be president?” He’ll ponder that question with guests Gab Bonesso, political activist F. Dok Harris (son of Steeler Franco Harris) and former PA house Minority Whip Mike Veon. It’s at the Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Blvd. Oakmont, PA 15139. For more information, click here.

 

Aqua Men

A group of cyan-colored males will perform in Pittsburgh this weekend. These aqua men are better known as the “Blue Man Group.” They will put on a dazzling show of light, music and, of course, color and you don’t have to lose it all at the roulette table before the performance because they’re coming to Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.  For more information, click here.

 

Catch 27

You can catch “27,” at the Pittsburgh Opera. In a flat in Paris, 27 Rue De Fleurs to be exact, Gertrude Stein and her partner Alice B. Toklas shared their lives. They entertained many guests including Picasso, Matisse, Hemmingway and many more.  ” is about the two women and their famous friends in the aforementioned living space. You don’t have to go all the way to Paris, just head to the Pittsburgh Opera, 2425 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

 

Beasts on the streets

Eugene Ionesco gets absurd with “Rhinoceros.” When average citizens transform rhinos, but the play is really about conformity. Follow the herd to “Rhinoceros,” at the Studio Theatre (inside the Cathedral of Learning), 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. For more information, click here.

 

– MB

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

 

Sister Sister

Kimberly Richards returns as Sister Maripat Donovan in the spring edition of her Late Night Catechism show with “Sister’s Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny Go To Heaven?” Strap on your Easter bonnet and head over to the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For more information, click here.

 

Stupid Cupid

The monthly LGBTQIA comedy show Quick and Shameless returns on Thursday nights now. This month’s edition is in honor of Valentine and titles, “You Cupid or Something?” There will be short and long form improv, a stand-up comedian and more. The show is hosted by Frank McDade and bearded drag queen, Qarma Kazee.  Get stupid with cupid at the Blue Moon Bar, 5115 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, click here.

 

Pucked Up

The Red Masquers are putting on a Shakespearean show with a twist. It’s William Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” set in the 60s.  Will Titania be in tie-dye? Will Bottom be wearing bell bottoms? There’s only one way to find out. It’s at the Genesius Theater, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282. For more information, click here.

 

Walk the Dinosaur

It’s time to “Discover the Dinosaurs” at the convention center. Get prehistoric with the Dino Dig, Dino Theater, coloring area, scavenger hunt, mini-golf and more at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesn Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

 

Bet on Black

Comedy Roulette returns with an unusual theme. It’s the “Time Hop,” each comedian will perform a set from a different time period. Join local comedians Bill Crawford, John Evans, Any Picarro, Shannon Norman, Alex Stypula an Annc C. Reily as they figure out how to tell jokes from different eras. Comedy Roulette’s croupier, John Dick Winters, will be hosting the event. It’s at Club Café ,56-58 South 12^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For more information, and tickets, click here.

 

– MB