Theater & Arts

On stages across Western Pennsylvania, the drama unfolding isn’t only scripted — it’s real. Five years after covid-19 shuttered theaters and silenced auditoriums, regional arts organizations are still navigating the fallout of the pandemic, shrinking funding streams and an audience base that looks much different than before. National data from...

There’s no “unofficial” about it — Monday will officially see the end of the summer season with the fall equinox. Make the most of the last few days before autumn sets in with these events. Celebrate Africa and African Diaspora Festival With a variety of talks, panel discussions, fashion shows,...

If the “Seussical” musical was a person, it would surely be related to Mallory Grantz’s Monroeville family. “This is the fifth time in our family that one or more of us has been involved in ‘Seussical,’” said Grantz, 39, who will direct a production of the show to kick off...

After a highly successful summer season, Pittsburgh theater is gearing up for a 2025-26 calendar that is jam-packed with blockbuster shows, new additions and nostalgia. From musicals to new plays to dreamy ballets, don’t miss out on the wide array of shows coming to stages around the city. Pittsburgh Cultural...

I guess it’s not bad luck to say the name of “the Scottish play” if it’s not being performed inside a theater. For their annual September Shakespeare production, Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks has selected perhaps the ultimate political thriller, William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” A perfectly spooky, bloody play for the...

StoryZ Theatre will launch its new season with a staged reading of “The Happiest Man On Earth” by Mark St. Germain, inspired by the best-selling memoir of Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku. Jaku recounts his journey as a young Jewish boy in Nazi Germany, his survival at the Auschwitz death camp...

The unofficial end of summer? Psh! The temperatures are still high, the sun is still out and there’s still plenty to do before we call it a day on the most beloved season. Enjoy your long weekend with these events. Acrisure Stadium Kickoff and Rib Festival It’s time for football...

Summer vacation is coming to an end — if it hasn’t already — even if it’s still blazing hot outside. Get some family time in with these events around Pittsburgh this weekend. Pittsburgh Water Lantern Festival This festival is both a fun and a meaningful experience for attendees. Held at...

The Pittsburgh New Works Festival will bring together 14 brand new one-act plays from around the world with local Pittsburgh theater talent, all starting on Aug. 21. This festival season will encompass four weekends, with performances on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Genesius Theater at Duquesne University. A...

A tradition is returning to Hartwood Acres with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “Ballet Under the Stars” program on Aug. 24. With a variety of pieces from PBT classics past and future, this free performance will wow attendees of all ages. “We are pleased to be participating in this community-based tradition, and...

“One, two, you know what to do.” The inaugural production held in Madison Arts Center’s new cabaret space is the third in Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company’s August Wilson’s American Century Cycle Experience, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Before Saturday’s matinee performance, founder and producing artistic/technical director of the company Mark Clayton...

Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to visit the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s an amazing collection that contains artifacts and art from all over the world, both old and new. But one of the most mesmerizing pieces in the whole museum is the massive “A Sunday Afternoon on...

Continuing a winning streak with their August Wilson’s American Century Cycle Experience, Pittsburgh Playwrights’ production of “Two Trains Running” takes the audience on a fantastic ride — and marks a milestone. Playwrights has shown a long-standing dedication to producing Wilson’s work. As of this production, they have now twice completed...

It may still be hot out, but there’s something in the air that’s suggesting a whisper of fall. Maybe it’s all the back-to-school sales or the Halloween decorations all over stores. Or maybe it’s the football. Hold on to summer a little longer with these events this weekend. Little Italy...

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday named country music star George Strait, “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, the rock band Kiss and actor-singer Michael Crawford among the first batch of Kennedy Center Honors nominees under his leadership as the center’s chairman and said he’ll host the awards...

Audiences will have the opportunity to see Shakespeare in a whole new light Thursday through Sunday at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale in the musical “Something Rotten!” With numerous awe-inspiring dance numbers, catchy music and endless laughs, this show is bound to please audiences. “It’s a lot of...

It was a glorious Sunday night in August to see August Wilson’s words performed outdoors. In this case, the play was the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Fences,” the first of three of Wilson’s works being produced this month by Pittsburgh Playwrights as part of its August Wilson’s American Century Cycle Experience. Considering...

All corners of the city will be full of excitement in the next few days, so this August weekend is the best time to venture out and explore. Here are a few events to get you started. Barrel and Flow This acclaimed festival celebrating Black brewers and artists is back...

After a week of sweating from the heat outside, take this weekend to sweat from concerts, monster truck rallies and dance parties instead. Here are a few ways to turn up the heat on your weekend. Lawrenceville Art Crawl Encompassing more than a dozen blocks along Butler Street in Lawrenceville,...

In the midst of the second act of Quantum Theatre’s “Seagull” on Sunday night, I was reminded of the first half of the Langston Hughes poem “Dreams”: “Hold fast to dreams / For if dreams die / Life is a broken-winged bird / That cannot fly.” In the case of...

A play set in Western Pennsylvania will debut in August at Iron Horse Theatre Company in Ambridge. The two-act play “Coach and Mrs. Jagoff” features main characters Jake Sebastian, a successful high school football coach and his wife, Lynn, who live in Fisk, a declining industrial town. “(The Sebastians) employ...

As Pittsburgh CLO executive producer Mark Fleischer looked out over the crowd at the Benedum Center before Friday’s opening night performance of Disney’s “Frozen,” he said, “It’s great to see so many blue dresses on young people. How many people are here seeing your very first live musical?” The response...

No plans for a summer vacation on the horizon? No worries. Take a staycation right here in Pittsburgh this weekend with a whole bunch of fun, active and relaxing events. Vintage Grand Prix A local tradition returns to Schenley Park this weekend. Gawk at — and cheer on — your...

If you’re intimidated by the cucumber-hungry crowds of Picklesburgh and you’re looking for something else to do this weekend, don’t worry! There’s still plenty going on around Pittsburgh (outside of Downtown). At least five things, in fact! Swissvale Edible Garden Tour Right at the height of the growing season, Swissvale...