• Phillip Winter takes the Art J.Rooney role at the Public’s all new production of The Chief   
• Eric Bergen opens the Trust’s Cabaret Season  
• City Theatre gets a makeover

By Sharon Eberson

A Change for The Chief

Lord of the Rings actor John Noble has dropped out of Pittsburgh Public Theater’s upcoming all new production of  The Chief, coming to the O’Reilly Theater Oct. 20-Nov. 7. It was announced on Monday that: “The role of Arthur J. Rooney in The Chief will now be played by Pittsburgh stage veteran Philip Winters. John Noble was previously announced in the role and has departed the production for personal reasons. We wish him well and look forward to welcoming Mr. Winters into this iconic role.”

Rendering of the set design for the all new production of The Chief designed by Britton Wayne Mauk

The solo show by Rob Zellers and Gene Collier is one of the most successful in the Public’s history and originally starred Tom Atkins as Rooney. The upcoming production features a new set by Britton Wayne Mauk, with wrap-around seating. More at https://ppt.org/production/76165/the-chief.

Also, on Monday, the Greer Cabaret Downtown reopened for the first show in the 2021-22 Trust Cabaret Series, with masked patrons enjoying two sold-out performances by Erich Bergen.

The polished and personable stage and screen actor grew up in New York but spent a lot of time in his father, Gary Rosenberg’s hometown of Pittsburgh.

He played Bob Gaudio in Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys film, so you knew some Four Seasons songs were coming. There appeared to be a lot of fans in the audience of his six-season role on CBS’ Madame Secretary.  

Bergen told patrons at the 7 p.m. show that he is returning to the role of Dr. Pomatter in Broadway’s Waitress next week.

He also made note that whenever he is in town singing, the Steelers win. That’s a great way to get invited back, Erich.