Tag: Theatre

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Duquesne University Red Masquers Perform The Foreigner, the First Show of the 2018-2019 Season, written by Larry Shue and directed by Jill Jeffrey at the Genesius Theater 

PITTSBURGH, PA September 19,2018 The Foreigner hits the stage at Duquesne University! Ms. Jeffrey, an adjunct theater professor at Duquesne University and Penn State University Greater Allegheny Campus, has previously directed Orphie & the Book of Heroes with The Red Masquers and played Detective in Clue: The Musical with The Summer Company.  She currently serves as the Executive Director at Gemini Children’s Theater.

The Foreigner takes place in a fishing lodge in rural Tilghman County,Georgia where two Englishmen, Froggy and Charlie, arrive as guests. Locals have mixed feelings about “foreigners” from overly-welcoming, to calling on a local “clan” to take care of Charlie. Wrought with hilarity and silliness, this play also explores the reality that, even in today’s world, hate is all around.

The Foreigner runs October 4 through October 14. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 8 PM, Sunday matinees begin at 2PM. All shows will be performed at the Genesius Theater at Duquesne University, adjacent to the Mary Pappert School of Music. Ticket prices on line are$16.50 for general admission, $11.50 for senior citizens, and$6.50 for students. The production is free for those with a Duquesne ID. Group rates are also available. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.duqredmasquers.com

Press may request tickets by contacting Erin Fulton here.

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

When Charles Wychwood (Tony Bingham), a struggling poet and author, exchanges a pack of old books for a painting in a bizarre, little curio shop, a mystery is afoot in “Chatterton.”

Way back in the late 1700s, the poet Thomas Chatteron published poems under the nom de plume Thomas Rowley at the age of eleven, but committed suicide at a seventeen. Wychwood’s painting depicts a much older Chatterton, leaving Charles and his friend Philip (Martin Giles) to speculate that the poet faked his death and lived on for years afterward, possibly forging the works of William Cowper, William Blake and others.

Just as the mystery deepens, an aging novelist, Harriet Scrope (Helena Ruoti), contacts Wychwood and asks him to help her writer her memoirs. Scrope, however, is drowning in her own guilt for plagiarizing the plots of lesser known authors.

Wychwood meets with Scrope and a variety of oddballs on his path to learning the truth about the painting much to the consternation of his wife, Vivien (Gayle Pazerski) and young son, Edward (Eamonn McElfresh or Charlie Russell, rotating the role), but the specter of Chatterton (Jonathan Visser) looms large.

Meanwhile, in the 19^th Century, the painter Henry Wallis (Martin Giles) asks George Meredith (Tim McGeever) to pose as Chatterton for his painting, “The Death of Chatterton.”

The two disparate timelines connect and converge repeatedly like a DNA double helix.

The play is adapted from Sir Peter Ackroyd’s book, “Chatterton” by artistic director Karla Boos with help from Martin Giles (as a contributor and dramaturg). Boos created and directed the event for Pittsburgh’s International Festival of Firsts, which is featuring 30 international companies and artists from 20 countries, including representation from Pittsburgh’s own arts community with never-before-seen theater, dance, music, visual arts and immersive experiences.

“Chatterton” is one of those aforementioned immersive events. At the beginning of the evening you are handed a small square of paper with a symbol on it, such as a quill, a typewriter or a paintbrush. A guide (Niko Bernstein, Kaitlin Kerr or Zev Woskoff) takes you on a journey throughout the space, sometimes intersecting with the other groups. Apparently, there is a third track that takes place in the 18^th Century that intertwines into the story (from double helix to friendship bracelet), but different audience members get different experiences.

Quantum Theatre’s tagline “Theater that moves you” has never been truer as you sprint through the halls of the Trinity Cathedral trying to catch up with the action. If you get stuck behind slow moving patrons, you will miss some of the dialogue (Arrgh! Sloths!).

At intermission, a meal is served (each week a different chef from a local restaurant or caterer).

“Chatterton” has some fantastic characters played by fantastic actors, particularly Tammy Tsai’s looney Mrs. Leno (with mannequin parts to substitute for an arm and a leg); Ken Bolden’s bitchy British queen, Pat; Alan Stanford’s greedy gallery owner, Cumberland; and McGeever’s cuckolded Meredith (shining equally well as flirty painter Stewart Merk).

Bingham does a great job as the obsessed author, Wychwood, especially in a churchyard scene with Bolden that could have been too comic and over the top, a few wry looks were enough to get the audience tittering.

Ruoti is a force to be reckoned with. She chews up even the most opulent scenery. She has a rant on death and taxidermy that is hilarious (performed with a stuffed kitty).

“Chatterton” has skillful technicians applying creative solutions with light, sound and videography.

The costumes are brilliant. Kudos to Colleen Crivello and Marlene Speranza.

The only problem with “Chatterton” is that it isn’t “Tamara.” It doesn’t have that same energy and verve. The plotlines don’t coalesce as easily.

It’s also not “Dodo” which was a magical, transformative piece of theater. It’s hard not to compare it to the treasured past productions of immersive theater.

It is, however, a fine work by talented actors, expertly utilizing the charms of the cathedral, including its minuscule but venerable cemetery.

– MB

“Chatterton” runs from September 14 to October 28 at the Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Beginning September 1st, 2018, Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks will present Shakespeare’s comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona for the very first time in its 14-season history. Longtime PSIP supporter and artist Charles Beikert will direct the production during the first four weekends of the month. 

The play will perform from September 1 through 23 on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm, moving each weekend through Frick, Highland, and Arsenal Parks.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is believed to be Shakespeare’s first comedy and introduces the theme of heroines pretending to be men, and the foolishness of love, loyalty, and infidelity. 

“There’ll be music…and a dog in the show. I can’t think of a better way for our enthusiastic audience members and PSIP fans to spend an afternoon with us in the parks!” says Artistic Director Jennifer Tober.

Director Charles Beikert previously directed The Comedy of Errors for PSIP, and appeared in the company’s productions of Romeo and Juliet and As You Like It.  He has also appeared on stage with several theatre companies in Pittsburgh including City Theatre and UnSeam’d Shakespeare Co.  Beikert’s approach to the staging of Two Gentlemen will focus on the slapstick and physical humor within the play, drawing upon such inspirational comedic styles of Lucille Ball, the Marx Brothers, Buster Keaton, and Bill Irwin. 

“We’re going to get silly, people! We and the audience are going to put aside the daily grind and the concerns of the contemporary world and rock out to some classic comedy,” says Beikert. “Pittsburgh loves Shakespeare and we’re delighted to bring our hilarious performances into our gorgeous city parks.”

The cast includes Charles David “Stoney” Richards (Antonio, Outlaw et al), a radio personality at CBS (WDSY-FM and KDKA) and an actor who has appeared in many films and tv shows, as well as in theatre Off-Broadway, in L.A., and locally in Pittsburgh, and PSIP Artistic director Jennifer Tober as the comedic servant Launce. 

PSIP favorites Nick Benninger as the protagonist Proteus and Bob Colbert as the hyperactive servant Speed will also entertain, with Liz Farina, Sadie Crow, Christine McGrath, Jahir Christian, and Brett Sullivan Santry, rounding out the cast. 

Longtime PSIP collaborator Lisa Leibering serves as Production and Costume designer (Comedy of Errors, Supernatural Shakespeare, King Lear, As You Like It, Romeo & Juliet). 

PSIP will celebrate the run of The Two Gentlemen of Verona during closing week with a Bantaam Night at Wigle Whiskey’s Barrel House, Wednesday, September 19, from 6 pm to 9 pm. Actors and PSIP team members will cavort and entertain throughout the evening. A portion of proceeds from the evening’s food and beverage purchases will support PSIP’s offering of free Shakespeare performances for all.

PSIP’S TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

The first four Saturdays and Sundays though September – all shows at 2 pm, running approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

Sept. 1-2  – Frick Park, Blue Slide playground, Beechwood Blvd. and Nicholson St, Squirrel Hill. Enter from 2500 block of Beechwood at Nicholson.

Sept. 8-9 – Highland Park, across from the Super Playground, Reservoir Drive.

Sept. 15-16 – Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville, 40th St. between Penn Ave. and Butler St. Enter from Penn or 40th.

Sept. 22-23 – Frick Park, Blue Slide playground, Beechwood Blvd. and Nicholson St., Squirrel Hill

Audience members are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets and a picnic. All shows are family-friendly and admission is FREE.  Donations are encouraged to support free Shakespeare in Pittsburgh city parks. Friendly dogs are also welcome.  Productions are “rain or shine” expect in the event of dangerous storm conditions.

Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks was founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Jennifer Tober and has offered FREE Shakespeare productions to thousands of Pittsburghers since its inception.

For more information, visit www.pittsburghshakespeare.org