Commentary
By SHARON EBERSON
It’s 10 days to Game Day No. 24 as I write this, and I’m feeling the pressure and the pride.
I come to you today as producer of Pittsburgh’s 24th musical satire/fundraiser OFF THE RECORD, as well as an arts journalist and critic for onStage Pittsburgh.
The title OTR XXIV title – God, Save the ‘Burgh! – is a hint that this year’s themes relate to “look for the helpers” in times of crisis, and there’s a great flood coming to test Pittsburghers’ resolve and good will.
Yes, a flood.
I am flooded with emotions about the show, on Thursday, October 13, at the Byham Theater, and thinking about our neighbors to the South. So I thought this would be a good time to give you some background about our really big, one-night-only show, as it turns 24 in ’24.
The annual original musical OFF THE RECORD is a satire of local and sometimes national news and newsmakers, raising money for Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. We keep thing in the PG-13+ range, and as our name suggests, we don’t diss and tell.
at the Byham Theater in 2023. (Image courtesy of Off the Record Pittsburgh)
This year, KDKA-TV news anchor Ken Rice returns as OTR emcee extraordinaire, with Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato debuting as what we like to call our “prebuttalist” – she gets to have her say before the satire commences, and we hear that she has some comic chops.
We also will salute Bill Hillgrove, the retiring Voice of the Steelers, still heard with Pitt Panthers football and men’s basketball, and a force in bringing the National Museum of Broadcasting to Pittsburgh.
He fits the bill, so to speak, of our founding creators and sustainers, SAG-AFTRA Ohio-Pittsburgh and the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, along with our more recent and essential union collaborators, the United Steelworkers.
Returning as director/choreographer is one of Pittsburgh’s best-loved theater actresses and educators, Christine Laitta, and longtime stage manager Jessica Haidet Pedatella. Shelby Williams debuts as OTR music director.
The cast of 30+ is filled with Pittsburgh-based stage and screen actors, members of the KDKA news and weather team, amateurs, aspiring professionals and some surprises, with all contributing their time and talent. Performers come from day jobs to rehearse at Pittsburgh Musical Theater in the West End, which donates rehearsal space and more. The performers, OTR family members all, get paid in water and snacks at rehearsals, a well-earned after-party, and knowing they have helped Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank fulfill its mission.
I hope you will applaud loudly, from your seats and in your hearts, for our lead sponsor, UPMC Health Plan, and so many other generous sponsors, donors, performers, creative team, crew, union and steering committee members and volunteers … it takes a Pittsburgh-style village of helpers to get this thing done.
I have been cheering them on for months, before you have the opportunity to support them by buying a ticket, walking through the Byham doors and enjoying the preshow free lobby food, donated to help our fundraising efforts …
Stop, or I am going to make me cry.
Where was !?
Our script for God, Save the ‘Burgh! was finished in August and polished time and again during rehearsal. Sometimes, news such as the devastating hurricanes in the South overtakes us.
I am reminded of the actions of the OG steering committee in Year One, when they voted the show must go on. It did, on October 10, 2001, in the wake of 9/11.
When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, the show’s producer for its first 20 years, theater critic Christopher Rawson, and I went back to the drawing board, and with many, many helpers, we were able to present two online shows, raising $52,000 in those years for our long-time beneficiaries and partners, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
I think it was Chris who first said the show was: Laughter when we need it most. That’s my motto for OFF THE RECORD, now and always.
In a matter of days, the Byham Theater will be abuzz with iconic Pittsburgh figures and places, those persistent, pesky (and life-size) lantern flies, and a few Furries may also be on the scene.
We can guarantee a few cringes, and some may take offense at our attempts at humor. But remember, it’s all in fun, and, as always, it’s off the record.
TICKETS
OFF THE RECORD XXIV: GOD, SAVE THE ’BURGH is Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the Byham Theater, Downtown. $80, $50 and $30 tickets are available at https://trustarts.org/production/97768.
DONATE
1 in 8 children in Southwestern Pennsylvania are living with food insecurities. You can make a difference. To donate to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, text record24 to 50155 or visit https://pittsburghfoodbank.org/event/off-the-record-2024/ or use the QR code at right.
To help victims of Hurricane Helene, find The Pittsburgh Foundation’s list of ways to support relief efforts at https://pittsburghfoundation.org/hurricane-helene.
Categories: Feature Stories, Our Posts, Preview, Show Previews
Leave a Reply Cancel reply