With news on City Theatre / Second City, Kelley Strayhorn’s Fresh Works, Attack Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and the 2026 Golden Quills,
🎭 ICYMI from oSP:
We’re Off to See ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Costumes at Little Lake
Review: ‘Water for Elephants’ Soars With the Thrills of Circus and Puppet Artistry
‘Borealis’ Concert at Frick Shines New Light on Contemporary and Classical Music Fusion
CITY THEATRE PRESENTS THE SECOND CITY: LAUGH HARDER, NOT SMARTER
City Theatre Company welcomes The Second City back to Pittsburgh for a limited run of Laugh Harder, Not Smarter, April 9–18 on the South Side. Celebrating the company’s 65th anniversary, the revue blends classic sketches, new material, and the signature improv that has defined The Second City for decades. The touring production features a cast of Zoe Agapinan, Grace Goze, Phylicia McLeod, Kevin Noonan, Dominic Rescigno, and Cat Savage, under the direction of Jeff Griggs with music direction by Adam O’Dell.
Known for launching the careers of performers including Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Keegan-Michael Key, The Second City brings its fast-paced, interactive style back to Pittsburgh for the first time since 2021. Performances run April 9–18 with a mix of evening and matinee shows.
🎟️ TICKETS:Tickets and full schedule: CityTheatreCompany.org.
KELLY STRAYHORN THEATER PRESENTS FRESHWORKS SHOWINGS
Kelly Strayhorn Theater welcomes artists Lucy Chen and LaTrea Derome as part of its Freshworks residency program, with performances in progress at Alloy Studios. Chen’s Dressed in Red (April 3–4) explores femininity, identity, and societal expectation through a blend of Classical Chinese dance and contemporary movement, while Derome’s A Conversation. (May 1–2) uses dance theater to center the often-overlooked experiences of Black bisexual men. Both performances run 7:30–9:00 p.m. and include post-show discussions.
Launched in 2013, Freshworks supports emerging Pittsburgh-based artists in developing interdisciplinary work across dance, theater, music, and multimedia. The program emphasizes exploration and relevance, encouraging projects that respond to contemporary questions while inviting audiences into complex, evolving ideas. Chen and Derome’s works reflect that mission, offering distinct, personal perspectives that resonate within a broader cultural landscape.
🎟️ TICKETS: Performances are at KST’s Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Ave. Tickets are Pay What Moves You, $15 – $30 per attendee, and can be reserved here.
ATTACK THEATRE PRESENTS 212 STORIES
Attack Theatre premieres 212 Stories, a new multidisciplinary work inspired by the century-long history of its Lawrenceville home at 212 45th Street. Blending live music, dance, and immersive visuals, the performance explores the dialogue between past and present, drawing on oral histories from generations of neighborhood residents. Collaborator Parag S. Gohel helps shape a piece that asks what the building itself might remember—tracing its evolution from a 1912 YMCA to a Boys’ Club, charter school, apartments, and now a creative hub for performance and community connection.
Featuring Attack Theatre’s ensemble alongside musicians from MCG Jazz under musical director Marty J. Ashby, 212 Stories transforms memory into movement and sound. The work is further informed by Lawrenceville United’s Wisdom Keepers Project, preserving voices of longtime residents. With just 85 seats per performance, this limited run offers an intimate reflection on place, history, and community.
🎟️ TICKETS: www.attacktheatre.com/212-stories.
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER UNVEILS BOOK LAUNCH
After the opening night of Primary Trust, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s 51st season finale, there was a post-show reveal: As a reminder of the Public’s past and its next chapter, Aja Jones, the company’s Chief of External Affairs and a steadfast presence for her work with Pittsburgh CLO and the Public for the past 25 years, came to the O’Reilly Theater stage to officially introduce the history book Turning the Page: 50 Years of Pittsburgh Public Theater. The book launch and fundraiser will take place at the O’Reilly Theater on May 7, “celebrating five decades of artistic excellence and community impact.” The VIP Package is $1,250, including two event tickets, the 50th anniversary commemorative book, and a VIP reception; individual tickets are $250.
🎟️ TICKETS: https://ppt.org/event/31321-2026/turning-the-page-50-years-of-pittsburgh-public-theater
2026 GOLDEN QUILL FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
onStage Pittsburgh’s Sharon Eberson is among the finalists for the 2026 Golden Quills, in the Division 3 category of Criticism. Congratulations to all the local journalists who were named finalists in the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania competition. Winners will be announced on May 18, 2026. Read more here.
🎟️ Reminder: The discount ticket initiative Go See a Show! is ongoing, with 18 performing arts companies and Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama participating. Find tickets at https://www.goseeashowpgh.com/ and read all about via onStage Pittsburgh.
👉 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.
Categories: Arts and Ideas
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