All stories by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on BroadwayStars

Monday, January 4, 2021

Despite COVID-19, Pittsburgh dance troupes delivered memorable moments in 2020 by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Here’s a recap of some of the year’s most memorable moments, along with a preview of what’s (hopefully!) to come in 2021.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 03:00PM
Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Minding the Gap aims to lift student dancers' mental health by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Seminars for dance students tackle mental health-related topics along with sessions for faculty.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 07:00AM
Friday, December 18, 2020
Friday, November 20, 2020

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre won't return to theater for 2020-21 season, explores more outdoor options by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This latest round of changes will impact planned performances of “Cinderella,” “Here + Now,” “Modern Masters” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 02:41PM
Friday, November 13, 2020

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre pivots to a virtual 'Fireside Nutcracker' by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Fireside Nutcracker” will stream online for free from Dec. 17 through Dec. 31.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 10:09AM
Wednesday, November 11, 2020

The Pillow Project's '(in person)' brings back live dance by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pearlann Porter and a small cast of dancers will present “(in person)” Thursday through Sunday at The Space Upstairs in Point Breeze.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 07:00AM
Sunday, November 1, 2020

Dancing beekeeper: Caitlyn Mendicino is a PBT ballerina who loves bees by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Corps de ballet member Caitlyn Mendicino tends to more than half a dozen beehives on her parent’s property in New Bethlehem, Pa.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 07:00AM
Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Pittsburgh Dance Council cuts more performances from 51st season by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced that three additional programs in early 2021 will be canceled.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 09:02AM
Monday, October 5, 2020

Actresses trade curtain calls for messy closets with new venture by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Zhuzh it Up! uses tricks of the trade from stage design and wardrobing to make the most use of a home’s space.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 07:00AM
Monday, September 7, 2020

Shana Simmons Dance pivots to film, outdoor spaces in new works by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Constructed Sight” is a dance-for film series that partners dancers with public works of art across Pittsburgh.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 06:30AM
Monday, August 31, 2020

PBT's new artistic director brings big dreams, open mind to dance in a pandemic by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Susan Jaffe has been busy learning how to navigate a ballet company during a pandemic in her first months as PBT’s new artistic director. 

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 06:08AM
Thursday, August 20, 2020

Pittsburgh nonprofits find new ways to hold fundraisers during COVID-19 by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Going to a fundraising gala to support Pittsburgh’s nonprofits looks pretty different these days, thanks to COVID-19.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 08:00AM
Tuesday, August 4, 2020

PBT dancers reunite to film ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ for TV by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PBT is the first ballet company in the American Guild of Musical Artists to perform together since COVID-19 halted live dance.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 08:00AM
Monday, August 3, 2020

No date set for reopening Cultural Trust venues; shows moved to 2021 by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“We cannot in good faith open our doors and welcome you into the district as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on,” says the Cultural Trust.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 05:25PM
Monday, July 20, 2020

Point Park's Pittsburgh Playhouse to 'pause' live theater until 2021 by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The live theater season, slated to open in October, has been delayed until January. Live streaming and digital events are in the works.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 03:22PM
Monday, June 29, 2020

Ahead of retirement, Terrence Orr reflects reflects on accomplished career at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

After more than 23 years at the helm of the company, Terrence Orr, 77, will retire from the role at the end of June.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 07:00AM
Monday, June 22, 2020

Dance studios get creative with recitals, classes in green phase by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For the first time since mid-March, local dance studios are permitted to reopen for recitals, in-person classes and other activities.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 06:20AM
Thursday, June 18, 2020

Pittsburgh Dance Council delays start of season until January by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh Dance Council plans to stay dark this fall and resume in-person programming in January 2021.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 03:30PM
Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Diverse dance legends, emerging artists celebrated in Point Park dancers' 2020-21 season by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Next season also features a resurgence of the residency program with Dancing Wheels and Paul Taylor Dance Co. at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. 

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 01:30PM
Thursday, April 23, 2020

New director navigates Kelly Strayhorn Theater in a pandemic by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Joseph Hall accepted the job in January and started it in early March. A week later, COVID-19 closures and cancelations started to unfold.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 08:00AM
Wednesday, April 22, 2020

PBT announces updated lineup, dancer promotions for 2020-21 season by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PBT has made changes to its next season’s schedule to accommodate programs that were postponed this season due to COVID-19.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 12:00PM
Friday, April 17, 2020

Colleges move dance classes online in response to COVID-19 by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

How do you teach dance students sheltering in place? Local universities get creative with virtual classes.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 08:00AM
Tuesday, April 14, 2020

PBT's new artistic director is former principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Susan Jaffe will succeed Terrence Orr, who announced last year that he’ll retire this summer after 23 years as PBT’s artistic director.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 02:08PM
Friday, March 20, 2020

COVID-19 prompts Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre to cancel NYC shows, postpone season closer by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The news came on the heels of PBT postponing its March production, "Here + Now" at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 07:34PM
Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Pittsburgh native Kyle Abraham earns spot on Dance Magazine's list of top works from last 20 years by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kyle Abraham, a product of Pittsburgh CAPA and Pittsburgh CLO, earned a spot on the list for his 2012 show “Pavement.”

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 02:51PM

Pittsburgh Dance Week plans to go digital in wake of COVID-19 outbreak by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Dance Week plans to swap the stage for computer screens when it returns April 5 to 11. 

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 09:49AM
Monday, March 16, 2020

Black choreographers celebrated in PBT's 'Here + Now' by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The mixed repertory program features works by living luminaries, including two with local ties.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 08:00AM
Friday, March 6, 2020

Pittsburgh startup Minding the Gap on a mission to improve mental health in dance by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The nonprofit will hold its first dancer wellness fair March 8 at Point Park University. 

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 07:30AM
Monday, February 17, 2020

Cuba's Malpaso Dance Co. restages dance work premiered 34 years ago in Pittsburgh by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Malpaso Dance Co. — Cuba’s premier independent contemporary dance company -— will headline its first Pittsburgh Dance Council program.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 08:00AM
Friday, February 14, 2020

PBT plans fan favorites, local premieres for 2020-21 season by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The 51st season, which kicks off in October, is the last one planned by artistic director Terrence Orr.

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 11:45PM
Thursday, February 13, 2020

A beast of a role: Dancers navigate tricky costumes, choreography in PBT's 'Beauty and the Beast' by Sara Bauknecht / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Part of this ballet’s charm is its fantastic costumes, particularly the one worn by the dancers cast as the commanding, grisly beast. 

SOURCE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at 09:00AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards