The Shaker Archives - Page 66 of 77

May 6, 2014

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top 5 To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (5/8 – 5/11)

Every week we pick the Top Five Fun Things to do in and around Pittsburgh. Here’s the list for May 8 – 11.

Doubtful

A Bronx school principal and nun takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young priest of improper relations with a male student in “Doubt.” It’s a modern day parable or perhaps it’s a modern day “Crucible.”

You can find “Doubt” at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie. Call 412-429-6262 or click www.carnegiecarnegie.org

Spirited Away

It’s the mysterious return of Elvira (Giddy up, oom poppa, omm poppa, mow mow)! Following a séance, Charles Condomine finds his late wife is back for an extended visit in “Blithe Spirit.” It’s kinda hacking off Condomine’s current wife.

You can catch “Blithe Spirit” at the Charity Randall Theatre, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information, go to: http://picttheatre.org/

Under Where?

A young bride is met with instant celebrity after her bloomers drop to her ankles at a parade for the king. It’s not exactly the Britney Spears story, but it is adapted from Carl Sterheim’s farce by standup comedian, actor and playwright Steve Martin.

You can find “The Underpants” at the Little Lake Theater, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA. Please wear your own to the show.

For more information, call 724-745-6300 or visit www.littlelake.org/on_stage.htm

You can’t have a what?

Over at the Grey Box (there’s a joke in here somewhere) three women each visit their therapist on a typical Tuesday evening in “You can’t have an orgasm with me.” It’s a provocative, hilarious and touching look at the healing power of vulnerability.

For more information, go to their Facebook Events page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1402806613328748/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Noodling Around

Standup Comedian Krish Mohan brings his online video “Fork Full of Noodles” to a live audience at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival. See some of Pittsburgh’s best standup comedians and improvisers noodling around on the Pittsburgh Fringe stage. See comedians Derek Minto, Ray Zawondni, Zach Funk and improvisers like Justin Vetter, Brett Goodnack and more…

May 10: 2pm-3pm
May 10: 8:50p-9:50pm
May 11: 7:20pm-8:20pmShow times are May 10 2:00 – 3:00 pm, 8:50 – 9:50 pm, and 7:20-8:20 on May 11.

For tickets and more information go to http://pghfringe.org/

April 29, 2014

Gay For Good brings international Harvey Milk Day to Pittsburgh again

Pittsburgh, May, 2014 – On Saturday, May 17, 100+ Gay For Good volunteers will descend on to Downtown Pittsburgh in the hope of doing good in their community and to participate in the international Harvey Milk Day. Working with two different nonprofits, The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Gay and Lesbian Community Center. With the PDP, the majority of volunteers will be split up into smaller groups and be painting, trash and litter removal, weeding, etc. Simultaneously, a group will help with spring cleaning at the GLCC’s Downtown office.

Last year was the first time Gay For Good brought the Harvey Milk Day of Service to Pittsburgh; joining a host of cities around the world in celebrating the life and work of LGBT pioneer Harvey Milk. Last year, Gay For Good had nearly 100 volunteers participate in projects in three different Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Working with Lawrenceville United, WQED and Tree Pittsburgh.

“Gay For Good’s main mission is to get the LGBT community out of our bubble and work to create a better community for everyone in general. Politics aside, we want to make a difference.” says Jared Pascoe, co-founder of Gay For Good: Pittsburgh.

About Gay For Good: The Pittsburgh chapter of Gay For Good was founded in 2011. G4G is a national community service group that volunteers with a different nonprofit each month. Since its inception, G4G Pittsburgh has worked with over 25 area nonprofits, donating nearly 4,500 volunteer hours. There are ten G4G chapters across the country.

About Harvey Milk Day: The Harvey Milk Foundation marks every May 22 as a day to honor what Harvey stood for and asks people “to celebrate Harvey Milk’s life story, message and legacy in celebrating globally on his birthday to give hope and inspire disenfranchised communities.” Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California until he was assassinated in 1978.

April 28, 2014

Pittsburgh Playwrights “Comfort Zone” about violence & redemption

The Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company is presenting “Comfort Zone” – a searing production about violence and redemption May 2–24 at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater, 937 Liberty Avenue, 3^rd floor downtown.

Directed by Mark Whitehead and written by Marlon Erik Youngblood as a one act play – “Comfort Zone” won rave reviews during the 2012 Black and White Festival.

Youngblood has now expanded his work into a gripping full length play.

The main character Checkers, played by acclaimed actor Kevin Brown, is a very loyal and simplistic man.

Playwrights’ founder, Mark Clayton Southers, also stars in this dramatic production along with a dynamic cast.

Checkers life and others around him are thrown into turmoil after a shooting in his neighborhood “mom and pop” store.

There will be a special fundraiser on opening night, Friday May 2^nd. Each ticket includes a post-show discussion with the playwright Marlon Erik Youngblood, activist Brandi Fisher, CEO/President of the Alliance for Police Accountability, as well as the legendary Cyril Wecht, the former Allegheny County coroner. The discussion will be moderated by veteran broadcaster Tené Croom.

Following the discussion there will be a wine and cheese reception with the cast, director, managing director, artistic director and board members.

Complete listing of dates and times of “Comfort Zone”:

Friday, May 2 (opening night) – 8 pm
Saturday, May 3 – 8 pm
Sunday, May 4 – 3 pm
Thursday, May 8 – 8 pm
Friday, May 9 – 8 pm
Saturday, May 10 – 8 pm
Sunday, May 11 – 3 pm
Thursday, May 15 – 8 pm
Friday, May 16 – 8 pm
Saturday, May 17 – 8 pm
Sunday, May 18 – 3 pm
Thursday, May 22 – 8 pm
Friday, May 23 – 8 pm
Saturday, May 24 – 3 pm & 8 pm

Tickets are $20 for Thursdays and weekend matinees, $25 for Friday and Saturday evening shows. Tickets are $5 more at the door except for students with valid ID and theatre artists. All tickets for opening night on Friday May 2nd are $35. Seating is general admission.

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company (http://www.pghplaywrights.com/) was founded by Mark Clayton Southers in 2003. The Playwrights is committed to developing and showcasing the works of local playwrights; from accomplished masters like August Wilson and George S. Kaufman to promising new talents. We seek to nurture a racially and culturally diverse community of playwrights, directors, actors and technical specialists to hone their craft and to network creative opportunities.

April 28, 2014April 28, 2014

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (5/1 – 5/4)

There’s always something going on in Pittsburgh. Every week we pick the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh. Here’s the list for May 1 to May 4. May the Fourth be with you.

Silky Smooth

It’s not too late to catch a bunch of screenings at the 9^th Annual Silk Screen Film Festival. The festival runs all week long but check out the various events and various locations.

www.silkscreenfestival.org/events

Green Eggs and Singing!

Only a Grinch wouldn’t buy tickets to “Seussical the Musical.” He’d sneak in through the chimney! Come out and see a Cat in a Hat, or a Horton hearing a Who. See Tim Hartman in a hat almost as tall as he is! Who knows what else in “Seussical the Musical.”

“Seussical the Musical” is at the Byham Theater, 101 6^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information, go to www.pittsburghmusicals.com

Laugh-a-thon!

Join the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival at the Arcade Comedy Theater on Thursday May 1, and help raise money for the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival 2014. The party will feature some of Pittsburgh’s best improvisers, stand up comedians and special guests. For twenty bucks you get into the fundraiser, two drink tickets and a chance to win prizes!

Arrive any time! There will be performances and activities all evening.

Pittsburgh Comedy Festival Launch will be at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh PA, 15222

For more information, go to www.pittsburghcomedyfestival.org/event/launch-party-2014-05-01/

Money Changes Everything

There’s a lot of confusion when an earnest aerobics instructor unknowingly acquires a suitcase full of cash in “Bottoms Up.”

“Bottoms Up!” is at the South Park Theatre, Corrigan Road at Brownsville Road, Bethel Park, PA.

Call 412-831-8552 or click http://www.southparktheatre.com/

Hope Floats

Sandra Bullock was in a movie called “Hope Floats.” She was also in a movie called “Gravity. “ The show at the City Theater has nothing to do with either of those things. “Hope and Gravity” is a non-linear comedy about fate, just as this paragraph is a non-sequitur apropos of nothing.

Float over to “Hope and Gravity” at the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, South Side, Pittsburgh.

For more information, go to www.citytheatrecompany.org

And now a sixth thing….

Girls Gone Mild!

Goody Plenty and the Amlets are back, baby! You can catch “Amish Burlesque; Featuring Goody Plenty and the Amlets” at the McKeesport Little Theater. The Plenty and her Amlets lampoon Broadway show tunes with an Amish flare, or lack of flare. It’s the cleanest dirty show in town. ‘Burgh Vivant contributor Andy Coleman plays Jebadiah, the Emcee, in a show directed by the vivantiest ‘Burgh Vivant himself, Brian Edward.

Get in your buggy and drive over to “Amish Burlesque” at the McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin Street, McKeesport, PA.

For more information, call 412-673-1100 or visit www.mckeesportlittletheater.com

April 21, 2014

Oh, CANDIDA: “perfectly pleasant in every way” at Pittsburgh Public Theater

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

Oh, Candida

Even in Edwardian England when many men considered women little more than property, women knew a deeper secret. They were the center of the universe for many a man. Such is the case for “Candida” Pittsburgh Public Theater’s take on the George Bernard Shaw classic play.

Reverend James Mavor Morell (David Whalen), a pious man with more than a streak of socialism is vexed by his materialistic father-in-law Mr. Burgess (John O’Creagh) adored by his secretary, Miss Proserpine Garnett (Meghan Mae O’Neill), and deeply in love with his wife, Candida (Gretchen Egolf).

When Candida (pronounced Can-Did-Da not Can-dee-dah) brings home a stray in the form of a young nobleman and poet, Eugene Marchbanks (Jared McGuire), the status quo erupts, albeit briefly.

Had television been invented when this play was written, it would have been part of a Thursday night line-up. It had a few familiar tropes; the handsome yet repressed hero, his befuddled and lazy sidekick, Lexy Mill (Matthew Minor), and the aforementioned disagreeable father-in-law. It even had the beautiful wife whose name is the title of the show. At one point, the secretary, Miss Garnett calls Morell’s father-in-law a “fathead.” Just like a 60s sitcom, all the toys are put back in the toy box for the status quo is only briefly interrupted.

In the hands of a lesser director, Shaw’s “Candida” would deteriorate into a sitcom, but Ted Pappas saves the show from being a mildly entertaining evening out, into an event; thanks to the talented list of actors in his employ.

The actors elevated the play beyond its stature. For many people, Benedict Cumberbatch or Johnny B. Miller will be Sherlock Holmes. David Whalen will always be Pittsburgh’s Sherlock. He’s played the part deftly in several productions at PICT (Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theatre). Now, Whalen not only embodies the role of the Reverend, he enlivens it.

O’Creagh’s Burgess is a brilliant buffoon. He plays him as a money-grubbing cretin, but you sort of root for him. He spouts off the best lines in the play. He is also the most contemporary of all the characters. Unfortunately, greedy capitalists never go out of style.

Jared McGuire is delightful as the passionate poet, a lunatic for love. In the first act, the timid creature first bares his teeth. In the second act, he bounds around on the furniture like a wild animal. In the third…[spoilers redacted]. It’s a star turn for McGuire.

Egolf is amazing as the eponymous Candida, witty, well-traveled and well-heeled (her costumes perfectly punctuate her character). She is also beautiful, and it’s easy to see why men would fight so vigorously to be in her company.

Minor and O’Neill complete the cast. Another minor (pun not intended) gripe; they’re such fun characters and so well-played, you’re hoping to see more of them.

The set looks as if set designer James Noone time-traveled back to Edwardian England in a battered, blue police box, and plucked it out of the north-east suburbs of London. The set is exquisitely detailed.

There are a lot of ideas Christian Socialism, poetry and materialism laced throughout “Candida,” but luckily you don’t have to know any of that to enjoy the show.

Note; the show has two intermissions, which unnecessarily lengthen the evening.

Shaw wrote the play under an umbrella he dubbed “Plays Pleasant,” a series of comedies he wrote. “Candida” is perfectly pleasant in every way.

– MB.

April 21, 2014

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli – Pittsburgh’s Top 5 To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (4/24 – 4/27)

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

Ink-a-Dink-A Doo

A love-starved Manhattanite husband and wife struggle to satisfy their childlike desire to “Have it all” during the 80s. They hire Inky, a young Slavic Nanny who is obsessed with Muhammad Ali. Complications ensue

Have a spot of “Inky” at the Off the Wall Theater, 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie, PA opening this weekend.

www.insideoffthewall.com

Slowly, I turned

Quickly head to “Slowly” it’s the last weekend to see the Howard Barker play about four women waiting for the arrival of conquering in their besieged city.

The 45 minute play is from the Alarum Theatre stars Jenny Malarkey, Amanda Montoya, Cynthia Sulemana and Lauryn Thomas. The event takes place outside but rain dates will be announced if necessary.

“Slowly” is at Scheneley Park’s Flagstaff Hill. For more information, go here: alarumtheatre@gmail.com.

Orpheus Descends into Pittsburgh

Philip Glass is putting an operatic twist on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in “Orphee.” This new twist on a myth is presented by the Pittsburgh Opera. Say “Twist on a myth” three times fast, I double-dog dare you.

You can see and hear “Orphee” in all of its melodic beauty at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Avenue.

For more information, go to www.pittsburghopera.org

Math is Hard

The Prime Stage Theater will perform select scenes from “The Devil’s Arithmetic,” an adaptation based on the book by Jane Yolen.

Subtract yourself from the couch and add yourself to the audience of “The Devil’s Arithmetic” on Saturday night at the Carnegie Library, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh.

For more information, call 412-622-3151 or www.carnegielibrary.org

Serious music

German born clarinetist Susanne Ortner is an internationally acclaimed in klezmer music. Over seven years ago, Susanne left her home country to collaborate with Holocaust Survivors in Pittsburgh and delve deeper into their music. Ortner will be telling her story through music, with the accompaniment of Walt Mahovlich, an accomplished accordionist.

Ortner will play Saturday April 24 at the Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information, contact the Andy Warhol at www.warhol.org

– MB.

April 14, 2014

Review – PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, Pittsburgh Playhouse Conservatory Theatre Company

The Playboy of the Western World is a riot!

by Michael Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant contributor

In 1907, when it was first performed, “The Playboy of the Western World” evoked a riot. Sinn Fein leader Arthur Griffith said, “A vile and inhuman story told in the foulest language we have ever listened to from a public platform!” Luckily, when Kim Martin directs this version of John Millington Synge’s classic play it only induced a riot…of laughter.

Ashton Guthrie, Jenny Lester, Kyle Coughlin, and Nick McDonough. Photo by Jeff Swensen.

A young strapping lad, Christy Mahon (Nik Duggan) swaggers into town with a ghastly tale. He claims to have murdered his own father. Do the locals hoist him from his own petard? No. They embrace him as a hero. Clearly, County Mayo, in Ireland’s lonesome west, is full of oddballs. Michael James Flaherty (Drew Palajsa) calls him, “A daring fellow is the jewel of the world,” and puts the alleged murderer in his daughter’s charge.

Margaret “Pegeen Mike” Flaherty (Amanda Lee Hawkins) is enamored of the mysterious stranger. Unfortunately, every woman in the County from the borders of Sligo to Galway takes a shine to the Christy.

Pegeen’s biggest rival for Christy’s affections is the Widow Quinn (Jenny Lester), who has agreed to snatch Christy out of Pegeen’s arms, as a favor for the mousy and meek Shawn Keogh (Corwin Stoddard), who has his own plans of matrimony for Pegeen.

Christy learns of the women vying for his affection and says, “It’s great luck and company I’ve won me in the end of time — two fine women fighting for the likes of me — till I’m thinking this night – wasn’t I a foolish fellow not to kill my father in the years gone by.”

Laughter ensues. Actually, things get riotous on stage, especially when the alleged corpse Old Mahon (Ashton Guthrie) comes to town with a giant bump on his noggin. Apparently the reports of his death his death were greatly exaggerated.

It took superb acting skills and a deftly directed cast to pull off the humor from the nearly two-hundred year old play. Martin makes it work. Duggan is charismatic in the role of Christy. Aye, Hawkins is a comely lass; with excellent acting chops. Lester simultaneously villainous and affable, it’s a rare feat.

The dialogue is spoken in an Irish brogue as thick as Mulligan Stew, but the cast pulls it off effortlessly. Mind, it was a bit too much for some audience members, who fled before intermission. Philistines! The language might be difficult, but it’s worth it. We haven’t abandoned Shakespeare because he was challenging, why should we not afford an Irishman the same courtesy we afford an Englishman?

It’s an amazing cast in a spectacular production. One quibble; “The Playboy of the Western World,” has a truncated run thanks to the Easter holiday.

The play is funny, then dark, then funny again. If there were any more complaints about the show, it would be the ending, but this is a spoiler free zone! When the run is over, come back and discuss in the comments section below.

In the words of Sara Tansey (Sophia Grosso), “Drink a health to the wonders of the western world, the pirates, preachers, poteen-makers, with the jobbing jockies; parching peelers, and the juries fill their stomachs selling judgments of the English law.”

Raise your glass! Then, get yourself down to the Pittsburgh Playhouse’s Conservatory Theatre’s Rauh Theatre, 222 Craft Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. For more information go to: www.Pittsburghplayhouse.com

April 14, 2014April 14, 2014

Young playwright / theatre artist premiers “Darling” work at Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

The Darling Core, a new original piece by Scranton based theatre artist Conor A. O’Brien will premiere at The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival. The Darling Core is a dark comedy which strives to capture the magic and mystery of the early 20th century vaudeville stage – with great modern conventions and liberties taken. The piece reveals the inner tensions and tragedies of Adam (portrayed by playwright Conor O’Brien) and Lilith (portrayed by Simone Daniel), a strange remnant of a long gone era of theatre as they try to remain interesting to the world and tolerable to each other. It delves into the twisted and often cynical lives of performers and focuses upon the two things they so desperately crave – a loud voice and a quiet audience.

Conor O’Brien and Simone Daniel in The Darling Core.

Conor O’Brien has served as the performing arts director for The Vintage, an award winning visual/performing arts space in downtown Scranton, PA for over five years. Conor co-founded The Vintage in January 2009 at the age of seventeen and has been so (undeservedly) fortunate to work with countless artists and performers on both the local and national scale since the organizations inception. An actor and arts administrator by trade Conor O’Brien has served as an assistant within Manhattan under the historic Living Theatre as well as production intern for The Debate Society’s Blood Play (Under The Radar Festival 2013, The Public Theatre).

The Darling Core will premier May 10th in conduction with The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival. All performances of The Darling Core will be held at:

Boys & Girls Club Upper Theatre, 6 Brownell Street
May 10th at 4:00 pm, Sunday May 11th at 2:10 pm and 7:30 pm.

For tickets and information on other fringe events please go to: http://pghfringe.org/

April 14, 2014April 17, 2014

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli – Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (4/17 – 4/20)

Here’s the list of Five Fun Things to do this weekend in Pittsburgh, April 17 – 20. Hop to it, it’s Easter weekend!

Oh Candida!

A romantic tug of war ensues between a practical husband and a passionate poet in “Candida.” Ted Pappas directs this classic George Bernard Shaw work at the Pittsburgh Public Theater April 17 through May 18

The Pittsburgh Public Theater, 521 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh

For more information call 412-316-1600 or click www.PPT.org

Eggs and the birds that lay them

Here’s an eggscellent idea for Easter! Go to the National Aviary’s Eggstravaganza this weekend. You can get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny and there’s an egg hunt included in the price of admission. Can you think of a better place to hunt for eggs than in a sanctuary filled with birds that lay them?

The National Aviary, 700 Arch Street, North Side, Pittsburgh.

Call 412-323-7235 or click www.aviary.org

Dancing Shoes

April 17 19 you can see the Point Park dance students in the Conservatory Dance Company will be performing dances from Martha Graham, George Balanchine, David Parsons and Dwight Rhoden at the Byham, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh

For more information, go to www.pittsburghplayhouse.com

Wine Walk

Stroll along the avenues of downtown, see the architecture and taste the wine. It’s the Architecture Walk and Wine Tasting on Saturday April 19 from 2-5.

After the walk, enjoy a wine tasting paired with appetizers at the Capital Grille. Reservations are required.

For more information, click on www.ventureoutdoors.org

Cabaret!

Saturday, April 19 you have a chance to see the sexy and daring firewall dance troupe, two talented vocalists, Rebecca Covert and Alison Cahill, and the always hilarious Burgh Vivant himself, Brian Edward at the Cabaret at Off the Wall Theater.

You can come to the Cabaret at the Off the Wall Theater, 25 West Main Street, Carnegie.

For more information click on www.Insideoffthewall.com

(Special thanks go out to my theater wife, Lonnie the Theater Lady, for the assist in compiling this week’s list)

-MB.

April 14, 2014April 14, 2014

‘Burgh Vivant host Brian Edward guest interviews on WRITING ON THE FLOOR

This week, ‘Burgh Vivant Host and Executive Producer Brian Edward guest interviewed on WRITING ON THE FLOOR, hosted by Zach Simons. Both hosts get amusingly off topic, veering into classic film, animation, Batman, and Brian Edward’s upcoming production of AMISH BURLESQUE FEATURING GOODY PLENTY & THE AMLETS.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE.

And… see both Writing on the Floor and ‘Burgh Vivant featured in NEXT PITTSBURGH.