With news about: Tributes to Dr. Nancy D. Washington; ‘Fishy Woo Woo, Part 2’ at PPTC‘, ‘ City Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival & ‘in Clay’ on Home Screens, Casting at Stage 62, Quantum Theatre, & Midnight Radio; Wynton Marsalis & Lincoln Center Orchestra at the Byham
🎭 ICYMI:
- Review: Hollywood, Theater, and Politics Collide in ‘Ulster American,’ a Crass Culture Clash Dripping With Savage Humor
- Review: Just Wow – Pilobolus’ ‘Trips’ at the Byham
- Review: Class Struggles Are at the Heart of PICT’s Powerful ‘Refugee Rhapsody‘
- Review: Vivacious Mandy Gonzalez Joins PSO for Celebration of Lin-Manuel Miranda Songs
RIP DR. NANCY D. WASHINGTON, CO-FOUNDER OF THE AUGUST WILSON CENTER
We were saddened to hear of the death of Nancy D. Washington, Ph.D, who, along with a group of committed, dedicated community leaders, founded the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. In a social medai post, the Center’s statement said:
“Her passing is a shock and tremendous loss to the community and cultural landscape of the city, and the country. Her reach was national, and her influence crossed oceans. Her dream of a place where Black art and culture were heralded in Pittsburgh came to fruition with her time, talent and resources. We are forever grateful to her, her late husband Milton A. Washington, and their commitment to making the city of Pittsburgh a vibrant, equitable place for everyone for generations to come. The Nancy & Milton Washington Plaza, the Washington Family Orchestra at the Center are examples of their dedication for all to enjoy. We honored her on September 17, 2026, with the reveal of Phase I of the lighting installation on the Nancy & Milton Washington Plaza. We are so grateful for the opportunity to spend time together with her and her daughter Lara at the celebration.”
A post from the Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP noted, “Her generosity was matched only by her kindness. She made people feel welcome and valued, and she never sought the spotlight for herself. Her fingerprints are on so much of what this Branch has accomplished.” Among many awards for her dedication to the region’s arts, culture, and vitality, Dr. Washington was the recipient of the History Makers Award in the field of community service, given by the Senator John Heinz History Center for contributions to the history of Western Pennsylvania. For more information on Dr. Washington’s life and impact, visit https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/nancy-washington.”
‘FISHY WOO WOO, PART 2’: FRIENDS, HALLOWEEN & SCANDAL!
In the theater, sequels are rarer than french fries on the side at Primanti’s. Enter Fishy Woo Woo, Part 2, a second chance to spend time with “the lovable, slightly chaotic crew of elder millennial friends who proved that no matter how messy life gets, the bond is mighty real.” When Part 1 debuted in 2024, the onStage Pittsburgh review headline read: ‘Fishy Woo Woo’ Possesses Sitcom-Ready Laughs, With Lots of Heart. Part 2 is set two years later, when “the gang has settled into a quiet Delaware life, or at least they try to. But when Halloween rolls around, what starts as a night of laughs, costumes, and cocktails quickly turns into a scandalous showdown.” Once again directed by Lovell McFadden, Fishy Woo Woo for 2026 features the return of Cheryl Bates-White and Mil James, alongside Ethan Davis Butler, Emanuel Elliot Key, David Minniefield, and Manny Walker. The Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company production is October 16-October 31, 2026, at Carter Woodson Redwood Theater, Madison Arts and Entertainment Center.
🎟️ TICKETS AND DETAILS: https://www.pghplaywrights.org/season-info/fishy-2/
CLASS OF ’26 YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL AT CITY THEATRE
City Theatre’s 27th annual Young Playwrights Festival, a launchpad for local talent including award-winning playwright a.k. payne, is October 17 and 18, 2026he direction of Kelly Trumbull. Six original plays were selected from nearly 300 middle and high school submissions, to be professionally produced in City’s Lillie Theatre. New this season, visit the PLAY GROUND in between performances for additional programming and activities, including staged readings of honorable mention scripts, drop-in creative experiences, food trucks, and youth-led activities.
THE 2026 YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS LINEUP
Find descriptions on the City Theatre website by clicking here.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- Opening Night with a Twist by Ayla Roden, 8th grade, PPS CAPA 6-12
- The Not So Epic Epic of Kyle and Thaddeus by Suprem Chauhan and Sanyog Pokhrel, 8th grade, Belle Vernon Middle School
- The Weight of Nothing by Riley Kellar, 7th grade, Keystone Oaks Middle School
HIGH SCHOOL
- The Prince and the Poet by Jack Longstreth, 11th grade, Fort Cherry High School
- P1: Downtown by Justus Payne, 9th Grade, PPS CAPA 6-12
- My Own Sonnet 18 by Elroy Jung, 10th grade, North Allegheny High School
🎟️ TICKETS AND DETAILS: https://citytheatrecompany.org/production/107632/young-playwrights-festival-2026
CITY THEATRE’S ‘IN CLAY’ COMES TO IN-HOME SCREENS
(Image: Kristi Jan Hoover)
City Theatre will contribute to the inaugural offerings of Watch Wilma, a new digital theater platform from Philadelphia’s Wilma Theater that brings productions from Pennsylvania stages to audiences beyond the limits of in-person performance schedules. From October 20 to November 8, Watch Wilma will present City Theatre’s production of Rebecca Simmonds and Jack Miles’ solo musical In Clay, starring Alex Finke. With support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator Program, Watch Wilma extends the theater’s commitment to professionally filming their own live productions and presenting works by Pittsburgh’s City Theatre and Philadelphia’s Azuka Theatre. Upcoming fall digital presentations include the Wilma and Soho Rep’s premiere co-production of Horsegirl & Cowdaddy, City’ Theatre’s In Clay, and Azuka’s #Charlottesville.
🧑🏽💻 Links for viewing digital productions can be purchased at the Watch Wilma website.
HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE
- Social media post of the week: “LOOK OUT, WORLD. Here comes Rose!” So says Becki Toth, who will take on one of musical theater’s best-known roles in the Stage 62 production of Gypsy, November 5-15, 2026, at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie. Tickets and details: https://www.stage62.org/.
- More CastingNews, Part 1: Helena Ruoti has replaced Anne J. McEvoy in the role of Paula, in Quantum Theatre’s premiere production of radio island, at Rockwell Park. McEvoy was unable to continue due to an injury that occurred at home. Tickets and details: https://www.quantumtheatre.com/,
- More Casting News, Part 2: Midnight Radio: Night of the Livng Dead N’at will feature Tami Dixon, Sam Lothard, Sheila McKenna, Jason McCune, and Sam Turich, with music director Deana Muro and musical guest Cello Fury. Tickets and details: https://citytheatrecompany.org//night-of-the-living-dead-nat.
- Jazz legend Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Orchestra perform at the Byham Theater for one night only, Saturday, October 17, 2026. Tickets and details: https://trustarts.org/pct_home/events/series/trust-presents .
🎟️ 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.
👉 Don’t forget — you can always explore the next two months of performances, organized by date or company, at onStage Pittsburgh.
👉 Did we miss your show? Send us your updates at info@onstagepittsburgh.com so we can share them in Listings and a future Call Board.
Categories: Arts and Ideas, CALL BOARD, Our Posts, Preview, Reviews
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