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,… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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,… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »

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… Read more »