Local companies are producing world premieres of one-act plays during week three of the five-week-long Festival.

 Sex after surgery, mother-daughter relations, and lost luggage are among the themes of three world premieres, as the Pittsburgh New Works Festival partners with local theater companies to present Program C during the third weekend of its 33rd season, Sept. 5-8, in the Genesius Theater at Duquesne University.

Program C opens with Hip Replacement by Stephen LaRoque of Bethesda, Md. A couple faces a tough decision when their daughter asks them to be in an educational video about sex positions after hip replacement surgery.   Produced by Prime Stage Theatre Company and directed by Linda Haston, the cast features Hannah Brizzi, Andy M. Davis, and Jocelyn Hillen.

In Past Tense, by Robert Moulthrop of New York City, a busy middle-aged daughter questions her mother about a new family revelation. Jennifer Luta directs for the South Hills Players. The cast includes Megan May and Teri Davis.

Finally, Nora and Derek have to figure out what to do when the airline finally delivers Nora’s lost luggage – but also an expensive, unlocked, designer suitcase. Susan Cain McQuilkin of Moorestown, N.J., wrote Unexpected Baggage. The production is directed by Danette Pemberton for Iron Horse Theatre Company, with a cast of Elizabeth Glyptis, Arabelle Pollick, and Eric Rummel. 

This year’s New Works Festival season runs on weekends through September 22. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., and matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Three new one-act plays are presented in each of the five-weekend programs.

The plays were selected from more than 300 submitted anonymously earlier this year. Each submitted play was evaluated, and the 15 to be produced were chosen by the participating theater companies from among the highest scorers. The playwrights of the plays being presented are from states coast to coast, and one is from a playwright in Mexico. 

Tickets for each performance cost $17 in advance, $20 at the door, and student tickets $15, reflecting the Festival’s mission to make theater accessible to diverse audiences.

For details and to purchase tickets, visit https://pittsburghnewworks.org/

Categories: Arts and Ideas, Show Previews

Tags: Andy M. Davis, Arabelle Pollick, Danette Pemberton, Elizabeth Glyptis, Eric Rummel, Genesius Theater at Duquesne University, Hanna Brizzi, Hip Replacement, Iron Horse Theatre Company, Jocelyn Hellen, Linda Haston, Megan May, Past Tense, Pittsburgh New Works Festival, Prime Stage Theatre, Robert Moulhtrop, South Hills Players, Stephen LaRoque, Susan Cain McQuilkin, Teri Davis