After nearly three decades of raising the dearly departed for one last encore, Pittsburgh’s long-running mock-rock musical comedy, Night of the Singing Dead, is finally ready to rest in peace.
Subtitled The Final Nail in the Coffin, the show brings its signature blend of musical mayhem, outrageous parody, and Pittsburgh personalities to City Winery in the Strip District for two farewell performances on October 28 and 29. The venue’s location in the historic Terminal Building seems a fitting final resting place for a show that has made a career of bringing rock legends back from the dead.
Hosted by KDKA Radio personality Larry Richert and former WDVE morning show favorite Steve Hansen, the farewell production features a cast of ten backed by an eight-piece band, with special appearances by Pittsburgh legends Rick Sebak and Johnny Angel.
This year’s lineup promises to raise the spirits of the recently departed, with musical tributes to Dolly Parton, Brian Wilson, Lou Christie, and even the dearly departed penny. As always, familiar songs will return from the great beyond with cleverly rewritten lyrics, unexpected twists, and a healthy disregard for musical mortality.
Over its colorful history, Night of the Singing Dead has haunted some of Pittsburgh’s best-known entertainment venues, including Graffiti, Rosebud, The Rex Theatre, Rivers Casino, and Jergel’s. Along the way, the production has featured a who’s who of local performers and media personalities, among them Rob Rogers, Jon Burnett, Brenda Waters, Sally Kalson, Carol Lee Espy, and Pete Hewlett.
Part rock concert, part musical spoof, and entirely Pittsburgh, the show has built a devoted following by imagining what happens when music’s greatest stars get one final stop on their earthly tour before ascending the stairway to heaven.
Now, as Night of the Singing Dead joins rock ‘n’ roll’s infamous 27 Club, the curtain is coming down on a Halloween tradition that has proven even death can’t keep a good performer offstage. Tickets at citywinery.com.
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Show Previews
Thanks for mentioning this