Author Archives

  • Young Frankenstein

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    Like a lot of young men who went to college less than ten years ago, I am a fan of Mel Brooks. I can quote Spaceballs and Blazing Saddles for hours. I think The Producers is an excellent musical, and… Read More ›

  • Ghosts

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    When Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts premiered in 1882 it was deemed incredibly controversial and disgusting for what it portrayed on stage. These days it takes a bit more to shock an audience, and Ghosts can be appreciated for the realism and… Read More ›

  • The Boyfriend

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    Sometimes when watching an old TV show or movie you may ask, “Did people ever really talk and act like that?” Shows like The Brady Bunch were so squeaky-clean and optimistic you have to wonder how anyone ever swallowed it…. Read More ›

  • The Wiz

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    A packed house filled the Philip Chosky Theater on Friday night preceding Dorothy (Annie Yokom), Aunt Em (Johari Mackey), and Uncle Henry’s (Ethan Crystal) appearance on stage. While I had never seen the original 1978 version of “The Wiz,” my… Read More ›

  • For the Tree to Drop

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    PICT previewed its world premiere of For the Tree to Drop, written by Lissa Brennen and directed by Alan Stanford, last week. This show is a snapshot of life on a plantation in the 1860s and is a story about… Read More ›

  • Wolves

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    Once upon a time; in the deepest and darkest part of the forest there is a murder. A murder complete with screaming, lots of screaming, and blood, lots of blood. To hear the story of this dark and edgy modern… Read More ›

  • Boeing, Boeing

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    You can do a lot of things for Valentine’s Day. You can go to a super crowded restaurant with your significant other and gaze desperately into their eyes, questioning whether your love is strong enough to last. You can stay… Read More ›

  • Existence and the Single Girl

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    Existence and the Single Girl, by Pittsburgh playwright Matt Henderson and produced by 12 Peers Theater, opened last week at The Maker Theater in Shadyside. This world premier production doesn’t lack energy or ideas (or pink), but could use some… Read More ›

  • Prussia: 1866

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    Prussia: 1866 is very much a classic comedy of manners; a high speed, high energy fiasco featuring politics, deception and a number of love affairs. I find myself reminded of the 1939 film Rules of the Game, substitute the seven… Read More ›

  • Brahman/i

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    I will say this for Quantum Theatre: they know how to spoil their audience in terms of location and dining. To match the stand-up comedy theme of Brahman/i, Quantum has set up shop at “The Temple of Comedy” in Garfield…. Read More ›

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