The classic musical, Little Orphan Annie opens Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s season this year. This production is special not just because it kicks off “Seize The Stage” but also because it features a cast of students from PMT’s Richard E. Rauh Conservatory along with musical accompaniment by the Pittsburgh CAPA orchestra. Besides fantastic performances, you can expect these kids to bring an incredible level of authenticity to Annie’s New York Cinderella story.
Mitchell directed a film adaptation of the 1998 show in 2001, but Hedwig didn’t truly hit the mainstream until Neil Patrick Harris played the role on Broadway to Tony-winning effect in 2014. It’s a long way for Hedwig from her native Germany to Pittsburgh, but her tough yet warm demeanor will surely allow her to fit right in. Hedwig and the Angry Inch plays at the Gargaro Theater November 9, 10, 16, and 17.
While it tells a much smaller story than that of the 10-dollar founding father, In The Heights is set not too far from much of the action of Hamilton. Washington Heights is its own melting pot where generations of Hispanic-Americans and immigrants call home. As he opens his bodega, our narrator Usnavi introduces us to a colorful cast of characters he calls friends and family dealing with financial woes, questions of identity, and sweltering temperatures. Everything changes for the residents of Washington Heights when it’s revealed that one of them has won $96,000 from the lottery. This show’s red-hot hip-hop/Broadway fusion score (penned by Miranda) is set come just in time to thaw your winter blues. In the Heights plays at the Gargaro Theater from January 24, 2019 to February 3, 2019.
The Mega-Musical Version beefs up the original Nunsense with a host of new characters and a new original song. Tragedy strikes the Little Sisters of Hoboken when a spoiled batch and vichyssoise kills off 52 members of their missionary order. Saddled with the tremendous financial burden of making funeral arrangements for their slain sisters, the remaining nuns decide to—what else?—stage a variety show to raise the money. Songwriter/librettist Dan Goggin’s hit has seemingly been playing somewhere since its 1985 Off-Broadway debut, attracting the likes of Rue McClanahan and Darlene Love to its ranks over the years.
Based on the actual Newsboys Strike of 1899, Newsies humanizes a ragtag group of young men who make a living on the mean streets of New York City. Led by the fearless Jack Kelly, the newsies never imagine they’ll do anything but hand out “papes” until their names and faces are on the front covers of them. They organize a union to protest Pulitzer’s unfair policies all while executing some of the most breathtaking choreography the stage has ever seen. Newsies has it all and plays at the Byham Theater from May 2-12.
As always, there is something for everyone when Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s name is above the title. They prove with this upcoming season that, when it comes to attending the theater, you’re never fully dressed without a smile.
For more information about Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s upcoming season, click here.
Brian Pope is a playwright and pop culture obsessive who has been writing for Pittsburgh in the Round since February of 2017. His plays have been produced by his own theatre company, Non-State Actors, as well as Yinz Like Plays?!, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company. He’s also served as dramaturg for City Theatre’s 2018 Young Playwrights Festival and as both stage manager and actor for Alarum Theatre. When he’s not making or reviewing theatre, he’s actively pursuing his other passions, listening to showtunes and watching television.
Categories: Feature