With News about Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, Kelley Strayhorn Theater, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Symphony and Pittsburgh Concert Chorale
Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company doubles down on the holidays with two 2025 offerings, including the return of the sketch comedy troupe Mr. Goodbird USA, presenting The Chuck Dickens Annual Christmas and/or Holiday Spectacular! “Once a monthly staple at PPTCO’s original Penn Avenue Theater space in Garfield, [the troupe is] dusting off its wigs and donning their finest Christmas sweaters to bring you a holiday-themed evening of sketches, characters, comedians, music, variety, and guests.” PPTCO regulars and newcomers included Eric Donaldson, Sean Donaldson, Brett Goodnack, Matt Henderson, Wali Jamal, Jenny Malarkey, Adam Richardson, Corey Rieger, and Alex Stypula, and “boasting the long-awaited directorial return” of Don DiGiulio of No Name Players. At the Carter Woodson Redwood Theater, Madison Arts and Entertainment Center, four nights only, December 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2025, with an 8:30pm start; 18+ only. General admission seats are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Follow Mr. Goodbird on Instagram @mrgoodbirdusa.
Pittsburgh Playwrights also brings back Delana Flowers as Dinah Washington, but in a new holiday-themed show: A Dinah Washington Christmas At Pittsburgh’s Crawford Grill by Ernest McCarty, directed by Ashley Southers and Mark Clayton Southers. At Madison’s Carter Woodson Redwood Theater, December 11-22, 2025.
🎟️ Tickets: https://www.pghplaywrights.org/.
KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER’S SUITE LIFE 2025
Suite Life, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater’s annual family holiday tradition, celebrates legendary Pittsburgh artists Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly. This year’s show honors their legacy with musical director Hugo Cruz incorporating Latin percussion to reimagine their works. Distinguished guests “whose family legacies are woven into the fabric of jazz history at KST” include be Mrs. Thelma Lovette Morris, representing the Strayhorn family and providing reflections during the concert. Paul Ellington, grandson of Duke Ellington, will share personal stories and insights during the VIP reception.
Suite Life is at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty, on Saturday, November 29, 2025. VIP Soundcheck Reception is 6-7 p.m.; showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets for both are $100-$200; concert only, $35-$65.
🎟️ Tickets: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/suite-life-2025/.Text
CITY THEATRE EXTENDS ‘LITTLE WOMEN’ AHEAD OF OPENING
Days ahead of opening night, City Theatre has extended the stay of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. The rolling world premiere play by Lauren Gunderson, directed by Kaja Dunn, will be extended through December 13, 2025. Learn more about the production by checking out the onStage Pittsburgh preview.
🎟️ Tickets: https://citytheatrecompany.org/production/100834/louisa-may-alcotts-little-women.
PSO REPORTS RECORD TICKET SALES AND HEALTHY 2024-25 SEASON FINANCIALS RESULTS
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) announced healthy preliminary financial results for the 2024–2025 fiscal year, marking a year of artistic excellence, community connection, and financial stability. PSO President & CEO Melia Tourangeau and Board Chair Anthony Bucci reported a $34.6 million operating budget with a surplus of $2.3 million, continuing the Symphony’s track record of responsible stewardship and sustainable growth.
With earned revenues reaching their highest level since before the pandemic, the PSO season demonstrated the Pittsburgh community’s dedication to the enduring vitality of live orchestral music. Strategic one-time fundraising initiatives, stronger-than-expected special concert revenue, and savings from unfilled staff and orchestra positions drove the budget surplus.
“The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-2025 season was defined by the superb joy of sharing incredible music and the strength of a community that makes it possible,” said Tourangeau. “I’m heartened by our resilient and steadfast Pittsburgh audience: in the past year, the PSO has reached over 37,000 households at Heinz Hall, and welcomed some of the greatest artists in the world to our stage.”
“These results are more than financial metrics — they represent people reconnecting with live performance,” said Bucci. We are grateful to our Music Director Manfred Honeck, Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling, and all of the incredible PSO musicians for their amazing artistry throughout the season.
Total paid admissions to orchestra concerts totaled just over 165,000. An increase of 8,000 seats (a 5% increase), and the PSO welcomed 15,351 new households — the most in a decade.
The 24/25 season marked the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s 129th season since its founding in 1896, and the 18th season of its acclaimed partnership with Music Director Manfred Honeck. Tex
2025 BRAVERY IN ACTION AWARD PRESENTED TO DR. SUSAN MEDLEY OF PITTSBURGH CONCERT CHORALE
The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale (PCC) announced that Music Director Dr. Susan Medley has been awarded the 2025 Bravery in Action Award, the highest annual honor bestowed by the Brave Women Project at the 3rd Annual Pillar Awards ceremony. This prestigious award recognizes one extraordinary woman from the Pittsburgh region who best reflects the organization’s mission of leading with courage and creating meaningful, positive change in her community.
She was selected for her exceptional leadership in choral music, her commitment to educational access, and her lasting impact on community and campus singers throughout her distinguished career.
As Music Director of the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale and Director of Choral Activities at Washington and Jefferson College, Dr. Medley has shaped generations of singers through teaching, performance, and artistic mentorship. Her work is defined by innovation, inclusion, and a deep belief in the power of collective music-making.
“I was completely blown away by this honor. The room was filled with so many bright, powerful, and inspirational women, and I was grateful just to be included among them. To then receive the Bravery in Action Award was beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Dr. Medley.
“Dr. Medley is more than an exceptional educator. She is a builder of futures. Through creativity, generosity, and courage, she unlocks potential, transforms lives, and ensures that music, and learning, remain accessible to all. Her dedication exemplifies what it means to take brave action every day, and we are honored to recognize her with the 2025 Bravery in Action Award.” — Brave Women Project
👉 Don’t forget—you can always explore the next two months of performances, organized by date or company, anytime at onStage Pittsburgh.
👉Did we miss your show? Send us your updates at info@onstagepittsburgh.com so we can share them in a future Call Board.
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