ETTA COX – Jazz Vocalist

For 8 consecutive years she has been voted Pittsburgh’s best Jazz vocalist, she has worked as an actress on stage and on film, she has spent many years as a music educator, and tonight, Etta Cox and host Brian Edward enjoy a cocktail in the glorious Presidential suite of downtown Pittsburgh’s Omni William Penn Hotel, one of Ms. Cox’s frequent performance venues (AND where she received a big “thumbs-up” from Johnny Mathis!).  Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete interview in audio podcast to hear more on Etta’s musical journey, outlooks on Pittsburgh, and where to find the best ribs in town! Continue reading “ETTA COX – Jazz Vocalist”

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ETTA COX - Jazz Vocalist
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PHILIP PELUSI – Stylist, Product Artist

With over 45 years in the business, Philip Pelusi has turned an independent salon (which he opened at the age of 20) into an internationally recognized brand.  Host Brian Edward chats with Pittsburgh’s own hair guru about what sets Philip Pelusi Salons “a cut above the rest,” and the importance of organics in product development – while sampling some along the way!  Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete unedited interview in audio podcast to learn about the Pittsburgh roots of Philip Pelusi Salons, the inside info from Philip himself on what’s trending in hairstyle, and what radical haircut Brian Edward may be adopting next! Continue reading “PHILIP PELUSI – Stylist, Product Artist”

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PHILIP PELUSI - Stylist, Product Artist
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COLLEEN PETRUCCI – General Manager & Conservatory Director, Pittsburgh Musical Theater

Pittsburgh Musical Theater opens 2014 with SHREK THE MUSICAL this weekend at The Byham!  So what better time to get acquainted with PMT’s General Manager and Conservatory Director, Colleen Petrucci!  Learn what brought this musical maven to her post at PMT, get a peek at the company’s season line-up, and an inside look at PMT’s Conservatory program.  Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete unedited interview in audio podcast to learn about Colleen and host Brian Edward’s most and least favorite musicals, and just who are the “Tap Cats”?? Continue reading “COLLEEN PETRUCCI – General Manager & Conservatory Director, Pittsburgh Musical Theater”

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COLLEEN PETRUCCI - General Manager & Conservatory Director, Pittsburgh Musical Theater
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JOHN SHEPARD, Director, Actor, Professor – Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse

This week on ‘Burgh Vivant we’re talking HEADS with director John Shepard!  HEADS opens Jan 31st and plays through Feb 16th, produced by The REP at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse. John also discusses his career in Pittsburgh and approach to teaching directing.  Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete, unedited interview in audio podcast for more insight on the show, John’s perspectives on acting and directing, and stories from the college days of Brian Edward.  HEADS production photos by Jeff Swensen.   Continue reading “JOHN SHEPARD, Director, Actor, Professor – Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse”

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JOHN SHEPARD, Director, Actor, Professor - Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse
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RANDY KOVITZ – Actor, Fight Choreographer, Writer, Director

To simply state that this week’s guest Randy Kovitz is an actor doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of this dynamic artist.  I addition to being a writer, director, and fight choreographer, he’s performed in numerous stage works on Broadway and beyond, film and television in Los Angeles, yet he may just love Pittsburgh best!  And Pittsburgh has a unique opportunity to see Randy in action Feb. 5th through 26th at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre in the one-man-show UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL, directed by Cameron Knight and produced by 12 Peers Theater.  Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete unedited interview in audio podcast to get more of Mr. Kovitz’s perspectives on Pittsburgh, what he likes to see in a good fight, how to act in a soap opera, – and what’s with the “evil stare”???  Underneath the Lintel photo credit: Craig Thompson. Continue reading “RANDY KOVITZ – Actor, Fight Choreographer, Writer, Director”

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RANDY KOVITZ - Actor, Fight Choreographer, Writer, Director
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HEATHER HENSON – Founder, Artistic Director, Ibex Puppetry

If it can be said that there exists a “Dynasty of Puppetry,” then Heather Henson unquestionably hails from one if its most recent generations. Daughter of legendary Muppet creator Jim Henson, Heather brings her own unique expressions to the stage through her Orlando-based company, Ibex Puppetry – with its most recent production, FLIGHT: A CRANE’S STORY premiering in Pittsburgh this weekend at the Charity Randall Theatre! Heather discusses the show, her inspirations, and her favorite Muppets – but not without a nod to her favorite Oakland eateries, The Porch and Conflict Kitchen! Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete interview in audio podcast to hear more of Heather’s philosophy on puppetry – past, present, and future, and what the other four Henson siblings are up to these days. Continue reading “HEATHER HENSON – Founder, Artistic Director, Ibex Puppetry”

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HEATHER HENSON - Founder, Artistic Director, Ibex Puppetry
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KURT SHAW – President, Shaw Galleries

Tonight’s guest is Kurt Shaw, President of Shaw Galleries, downtown Pittsburgh, and Art Critic for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.  Kurt’s Liberty Avenue gallery is a treasure trove of history, etched in maps and antique documents.   Many valuable remnants of Pittsburgh’s past can be discovered here including, among other things, the deed to what is now, essentially, the South Side Works – and you’ll never believe what it sold for!  Get “The Full Martini” – the complete interview in audio podcast to learn what exactly makes that painting in your attic worth something, how an artist can create a market for their work, and Pittsburgh’s unique connection to maps of…the moon? Continue reading “KURT SHAW – President, Shaw Galleries”

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KURT SHAW - President, Shaw Galleries
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LANCE SKAPURA – Artistic Director, Thoreau, NM

Filmed before a live audience at Arcade Comedy Theatre in beautiful downtown Pittsburgh, host Brian Edward laughs it up with Thoreau, NM Executive Director Lance Eric Skapura.  Through the course of a dry martini, Lance discusses the origins of Thoreau, its unusual name, and the company’s long-standing involvement in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.  Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete unedited interview in audio podcast to hear Lance’s insight on Thoreau, NM’s encore production of HOTLINE (which performed at Arcade immediately following this interview), absurd telephone trivia, and just who is Emma Nutt? Continue reading “LANCE SKAPURA – Artistic Director, Thoreau, NM”

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LANCE SKAPURA - Artistic Director, Thoreau, NM
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ROGER ZAHAB – Composer, Conductor, Violinist

He’s a composer, a conductor, a violinist, the senior lecturer and director of the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra  – he’s Roger Zahab, and he’s tonight’s guest on ‘Burgh Vivant!  Roger talks about how he performed what host Brian Edward describes as a “Mr. Holland’s Opus” in transforming Pitt’s Symphony Orchestra, his music-making with Entelechron (PS – the lovely underscoring you hear is from their album!), and his time working with the famed and much debated American composer John Cage.  Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete interview in audio podcast to hear more on the philosophies of Cage, how he measures up to a particular Pgh pop artist, and Roger’s favorite restaurants in the ‘Burgh!  Hint:  Bacon.  Lots and lots of bacon. Continue reading “ROGER ZAHAB – Composer, Conductor, Violinist”

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ROGER ZAHAB - Composer, Conductor, Violinist
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DONNA BAILEY – Jazz Artist, Vocalist

Feliz Navidad, Pittsburgh!  Bells are ringing, children are singing – and Donna Bailey has a new Christmas album!  The Pittsburgh-based Jazz vocalist and gives a special preview of her unique rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and talks about her inspirations, influences, and, incomparable collaborators.  Listen to “The Full Martini” – the complete unedited interview in audio podcast to hear what Donna has on the horizon, what to do when Etta Cox pulls you up on stage, and what’s in a Donna Bailey Martini! Continue reading “DONNA BAILEY – Jazz Artist, Vocalist”

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DONNA BAILEY - Jazz Artist, Vocalist
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