By JESSICA NEU 

The second in a series by onStage’s writers looking back on the past year’s performances.

In 2024, Russell Wilson became a Steeler, and we were ‘totally eclipsed,’ and Pittsburgh experienced its warmest year on record. Whether you enjoyed taking to Downtown Pittsburgh’s streets during a mild winter or beating the record-breaking heat in the summer, theaters across the Western PA region offered shows and performances ranging from “demure” to “brat.” 

In a year when an emphasis was placed on evoking emotions through meaningful experiences, I had the enormous pleasure of experiencing moving, hilarious, poignant performances throughout our wonderful region. January began with A Girl from the North Country as the first PNC Broadway Series show of 2024. Delighting Bob Dylan fans young and old, this show was undoubtedly remarkable foreshadowing as Timothee Chalamet is currently igniting movie screens across the country as Dylan in A Complete Unknown. 

Early February marked such a unique moment for the Greer Cabaret Theater as they welcomed the world premiere of the rom-com musical of the future, The Perfect Mate, which explored dating and relationships in the year 2063.

February also saw the return of The Book of Mormon to the Benedum Center. The satirical musical about universal acceptance regardless of personal belief, cultural misunderstanding, American identity, and the longing for a better life contained a message that grew more powerful, timely, and pivotal by the day. 

In March, I traveled to Aspinwall’s Riverfront Theater for their daring and dynamic production of If/Then. I also had the privilege of enjoying renowned vocalist Catherine Russell at the Cabaret Theater. Russell proudly talked about her father’s immigration from Panama to New Orleans on a banana boat, and he grew his musicianship to play with the likes of Louis Armstrong in the early jazz heyday. As I type this just 48 hours after the unthinkable terrorist attack on the city of New Orleans, these small glimpses into another’s life through artistic expression weigh heavily on us at the least expected moments.

April was “one for the money, and two for the show” as Million Dollar Quartet soared at Pittsburgh Music Theater. The quartet was just hailed as PMT’s show of the year for good reason. I look forward to the energy and professionalism PMT is sure to deliver in 2025. 

There was some May magic in the air as Liberty Magic‘s Spotlight on the Burgh highlighted three local magicians who were as entertaining as they were mystifying.  

The summer months were filled with delightfully nostalgic shows from the Pittsburgh CLO, including West Side Storyand Seussical. Mary Poppins also ‘stepped in time’ at the Old Schoolhouse Players. Maria Caruso’s Bodiography was a triumphant recital in poise, technique, and modern ballet. 

However, August would not have been complete without the original green girl herself, Idina Menzel, warming up our vocal cords just a few months before Wicked flew over the silver screen. 

As the PNC Broadway series geared up for its 2024-25 season in September, I had the privilege of interviewing Hamiltonstars Marja Harmon and Lauren Mariasoosay. Their love of the show effervesced through the phone as we spoke andtheir words sung true during the electrifying performance. Harmon was making her third appearance in Hamilton on this national tour, and we discussed how her time performing during the Trump administration often felt like an act of protest. We reconnected again in early November, proving the powerful bond that theater can create. 

In October, Iron Horse Theater Company brought awareness and inclusion to the forefront of discussion with their gripping production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, and Miguel Munoz made us all self-reflect during his Liberty Magic residency, What Does Magic Mean to You? Pittsburgh Ballet Theater also opened their season with a soaring performance of the classic Peter Pan, which proved to be a darling treat for ballet-goers of all ages. 

Composer Jason Robert Brown brought his uncanny wit, humor, and talent to the Cabaret. His performance of his original song, “Hope,” and his comment on needing to call your cardiologist after eating at Primantis have become personal core memories.

Jamaal Fields-Green moonwalked his way through a two-week run of MJ The Musical in a truly spectacular display of talent. And finally, Riverfront Theater Company concluded its season with the challenging and memorable Constellations. 

The year concluded with a myriad of holiday shows to punctuate the Christmas season. Pittsburgh Public Theaterperformed their joyous rendition of the beloved A Christmas Story. PBT continued their tradition of The Nutcracker, Highmark Holiday Pops returned to Heinz Hall, the PSO’s Holiday Brass Band delighted audiences, and the symphony brought “Christmas All Around” with their production of Love Actually in concert. The British rom-com led by an all-star cast featuring Hugh Grant provided the laugh-out-loud moment we all needed right before the holidays. 

In May, Point Park University Conservatory Theater Company invited audiences to experience Jonathan Larson‘s classic 90s rock opera, Rent. At the start of Act 2, the ensemble stands downstage as the iconic chords of “Seasons of Love” ring through the theater (ironically enough, my daughter asked Idina Menzel about the first time they all lined up, and the order was happenstance – not based on vocal arrangement) As the song begins, the ensemble reminds us that there are “525,600 Minutes” in a year and challenges us to define how we measure each moment. 

This past year in theater can be measured in talent, technical dancing, magic, community, relationships, sadness, and joy. We can measure a year in shared experiences, memories made, and lessons learned in the theater. As the curtain rises on 2025, may your stage lights glow bright in the next 525,600 minutes. 

Categories: Arts and Ideas