by Claire DeMarco, ‘Burgh Vivant N (Elise Dorsey) lost her young, best friend MJ (Ivan Bracy Jr.) in a car accident. They grew up together, sharing dreams, confidences and aspirations. Devastated by his loss, she withdraws from med school and puts her life on hold. N’s parents Papa (Pierre Mballa) and Nene (Mia Sterbini) emigrated… Read more »
The Vivant Vault
Theatre
Welcome to the ‘Burgh Vivant archives. Here you can scroll through years of features and commentary on Pittsburgh arts & culture. Or search by keyword for segments on a particular company, organization, artist, restaurant, event, or performance.
Hail to thee, Blithe Spirit – a review of “Blithe Spirit”
By Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant The Condomines are hosting an unusual dinner party. Charles (Eric Leslie) and Ruth (Stacey Rosleck) have invited the Dr. & Mrs. Bradman (Rick Bryant and Aleta Richmond) and the eccentric Madame Arcati (Ina Block) to hold a séance in Noël Coward’s “Blithe Spirit.” Charles, a skeptic, is researching mediums… Read more »
Don’t Rub Me the Wrong Way – a review of Disney’s “Aladdin Jr”
By Claire DeMarco, ‘Burgh Vivant In the town of Agrabah, Aladdin (Joseph Stater) and his group of pals Babkak (Ben Heavner), Omar (Max Peluso), and Kassim (Joshua Price) verge on the edge of “badness.” Aladdin steals loaf of bread at the local market. Even though he’s hungry and has no money, he gives the loaf… Read more »
ALEC SILBERBLATT – actor, playwright
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Actor and playwright Alec Silberblatt returns to Pittsburgh for cocktail conversation on ‘Burgh Vivant and for his new show THE MON VALLEY MEDIUM, a darkly comedic murder mystery set in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania. THE MON VALLEY MEDIUM will have two performances only, November 8 and 9 at Carnegie Stage. For tickets and more… Read more »
Our House – a review of “Next to Normal”
Tiffany Raymond, ‘Burgh Vivant When you think of musicals, one tends to think of lighter fare. There’s nothing light about the musical “Next to Normal” (book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey). This modern-day “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” unflinchingly delves into the world of mental illness. The most compelling thing about this musical is… Read more »
Fleeced – a review of “Not Medea”
By Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh In 431 B.C., Euripides shocked theater-goers in Athens with a sympathetic portrayal of one of Greece’s great mythological characters, Medea, a woman who decides to enact vengeance after her husband spurns her for another woman. But playwright Allison Gregory revisits this story in a unique and unusual way in “Not… Read more »
Inked in Blood – a review of “Evil Dead: The Musical”
by Tiffany Raymond, ‘Burgh Vivant Pittsburgh Musical Theater brings “Evil Dead: The Musical” to life – or is that to death? “Evil Dead: The Musical” (book and lyrics by George Reinblatt) was first performed in 2003. It’s an amalgamation of the four-film series written and directed by Sam Raimi, which spanned 1978 to 1992. Not… Read more »
Review: CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND, City Theatre
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Lonnie the Theater Lady rocks out to CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND, by Lauren Yee, directed by Marti Lyons, performing at City Theatre through October 6, 2019. For tickets and more information, visit www.citytheatrecompany.org
Semper Fi – a review of “A Few Good Men”
By Claire DeMarco, ‘Burgh Vivant Lance CPL Harold Dawson (Ryan Patrick Kearney) and PFC Louden Downey (Michael Patrick Trimm) are in jail, accused of murdering one of their fellow marines, PFC William Santiago (Ryan Bergman). Santiago dies as a result of a hazing meant to “get him back in line,” not to kill him in… Read more »
Opposites attack – a review of “True West”
By Tiffany Raymond, ‘Burgh Vivant In a city where people are oddly resistant to crossing bridges, it’s easy to wonder if a drive to Braddock for theater is worth your time. Barebones Productions unequivocally affirms the answer is a resounding “Yes!” with their newest production, Sam Shepard’s “True West.” Their Black Box Theater is an… Read more »