By SHARON EBERSON Mark Clayton Southers pauses periodically to instruct son Marcus and nephew Matthew as they work behind the scenes: “Lemme see what you got. Oh, perfect. Get the big ladd…
By SHARON EBERSON The Mercer family is having a party, and they want you as their guest. But beware. A lot more than mingling will be asked of you. The immersive, interactive, haunting exp…
By SHARON EBERSON Naughty can be oh so nice when it’s done with devilish wit, a knowing wink and catchy melodies, and few in my lifetime have mastered that combination as well as Mel Brook…
By SHARON EBERSON The stage adaptation of Young Frankenstein holds a special place in my heart, and not just because the movie version ranks high on my Beloved Films List. The musical led …
By SHARON EBERSON For as long as fans want to hear Let It Go and Defying Gravity, songs that Idina Menzel put on the map of Viral Hits, she will gladly keep singing them. Her concert coming …
By SHARON EBERSON Brace yourself for Oleanna. The David Mamet drama is not a pleasant diversion on a hot summer’s day, nor is it meant to be. The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and pro…
By SHARON EBERSON The comeback of Pittsburgh International Classic Theatre – PICT, in all of its incarnations – hits a new stride, with the announcement of two productions in Carnegie, P…
By SHARON EBERSON The Music Man reminds us of a time when hardworking, small-town folk cherished simple pleasures, a time when women gossiped, men feuded, teens rebelled, and a charming, cun…
Lure of Pittsburgh CLO show proves irresistible to stars By SHARON EBERSON If you see a gent walking around Downtown, carrying a straw hat that seems like something out of the 19-aughts, you…
By SHARON EBERSON Pittsburgh Public Theater has subtracted one show and added another for its 50th season, postponing the debut of SCOTLAND, PA and adding Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf to…
By SHARON EBERSON If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to be sitting beside someone, near enough to touch, and yet be miles apart, meet Sam and his family. They have gathered for six thera…
By SHARON EBERSON The Animal Kingdom by Ruby Thomas comes to its first production outside of London and New York through the grapevine. “I reached out to a friend who was in that [off-of…
By SHARON EBERSON To envision Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches within the intimate confines of Carnegie Stage and bring it to fruition, as Elsewhere Pittsburgh Theatre has don…
Chemistry Between Stars Sabina Collazo and Spencer LaRue Was Evident From the Start By SHARON EBERSON The choices were whittled to three Tony’s and three Maria’s, and director Baayork Le…
By SHARON EBERSON What’s your Pittsburgh summer been like so far? And mine, you ask? I have spent my nights and some days at theaters within the city limits, and I am making a dent – but…
By SHARON EBERSON Let’s get right to it, because I know you’re wondering: What the heck is Fishy Woo Woo? By the time the newly minted, uproarious comedy by Monteze Freeland reveals the …
By SHARON EBERSON So many versions of Jeff Goldblum were onstage Saturday night, it was hard to keep track of which Jeff was which, except when he was making music with The Mildred Snitzer O…
The Powerful Premiere Concludes Pittsburgh Public Theater’s 2023-24 Season on a High Note By SHARON EBERSON The Coffin Maker, a riveting, provocative world-premiere work from Mark Clayton …
By SHARON EBERSON The family drama The Animal Kingdom, which had its United States premiere in February, comes to Braddock for its Pittsburgh debut starting June 14, via Patrick Jordan’s b…
By SHARON EBERSON In theatrical leadership, influence and inspiration, few can match the output and goodwill spread throughout Pittsburgh by Mark Clayton Southers and Monteze Freeland. Thi…
The West Homestead native Is in Concert on June 1 at the Benedum Center By SHARON EBERSON When Jeff Goldblum talks about returning to Pittsburgh, the phrase that comes most readily to mind i…
By SHARON EBERSON Pittsburgh CLO’s 33rd annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater was a night to celebrate arts education, feel school and community pride, exp…
By SHARON EBERSON The New Horizon Theater has a ready-made invitation in the title of the upcoming The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First On…
By SHARON EBERSON In an alcohol-fueled haze of heartbreak and sardonic humor, when it was a struggle to stand on her own two feet, it was music that sustained Billie Holiday. Lady Day at Eme…
By SHARON EBERSON For Gabrielle Lee, who has sung on stages all over the world, starring in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill will be a gateway back to her future. The future is tomorr…