Author Archives
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Review: Tales of Bravery, Heroism and Humanism in ‘Behind the Lines: A 9/11 Story’
By JESSICA NEU When I was a child, I can recall adults always discussing their whereabouts for two specific incidents: President Kennedy’s assassination and the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. Whether you can remember where you put your car keys or… Read More ›
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Review: Innovation, Movement, Culture, and Love: ‘The Lion King’ Still Celebrates the Beauty of the Circle of Life
By JESSICA NEU We first heard the opening lyrics to “The Circle of Life” in 1994. Immediately immortalized in the cultural zeitgeist, the a cappella opening chant, sung in Zulu, became a battle cry recognizable around the world. Three years… Read More ›
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Caitlin Dobronz on the Evolution of Riverfront Theatre Company
Spring Awakening and the RTC ‘s 2027 season move to the Peirce Theater in the Cultural District. By JESSICA NEU Founded in 1965, the Riverfront Theater Company has become a staple in the Pittsburgh community theater environment. As many of Pittsburgh’s community… Read More ›
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An Interview with Zama Magudulela, Who Plays Rafiki in Disney’s ‘The Lion King’
By JESSICA NEU From the iconic opening lines of “Circle of Life” to the timeless story of Simba’s triumphant ascent to the leader of Pride Rock, Disney’s The Lion King has embedded its way into history since it originally premiered as an animated… Read More ›
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Review: Pittsburgh Ballet Theater’s “Ballet Under the Stars” is the Perfect End-of-Summer Family Event
By JESSICA NEU Although Taylor Swift declared that August “slips away like a bottle of wine,” the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater proved that there is still much enjoyment to be had before the sun sets on another summer season. The Pittsburgh… Read More ›
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Review: This is No Elementary Play: ‘Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B’ Keeps Audiences Laughing and Guessing Till the Very End
By JESSICA NEU When maybe-a-doctor, but definitely not a Mrs. Joan Watson (Erin Berger), arrives at 221B Baker Street to inquire about an open room, she quickly realizes that she will be sharing a space with an eccentric, sometimes erratic, Russian symphony-loving… Read More ›
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Review: ‘SUFFS’ Marches Into the Benedum with Strength, Fortitude and Conviction
By JESSICA NEU Beginning with a 2022 run at the New York Public Theater, SUFFS, like Six and Hamilton, features fictionalized versions of historical figures. However, instead of Henry VIII’s ex-wives or the Founding Fathers, Suffs takes us to early 1900s America to explore the political drama surrounding… Read More ›
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Review: “Life is Company” and Connection with Stage 62’s Production of ‘Company’
By JESSICA NEU Debuting on Broadway in 1970, Stephen Sondheim’s Company, is one of several musicals that underwent a reimagined revival in the 2010s & 20s. The 2021 reimagining brought a new audience and perspective, most notably by gender-swapping the lead role from… Read More ›
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The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Has Announced its 2026–2027 Season
By JESSICA NEU The 2026–2027 Mendelssohn Choir season is a combination of riveting and deeply personal pieces, the three-show season features the classic talent and entertainment of the famous Choir, while upholding the organization’s commitment to community engagement. Before the beginning… Read More ›
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Review: Little Lake Theatre Company Handles Truth with Intensity, Valor, and Suspense in ‘A Few Good Men’
By JESSICA NEU Despite its reference to an old United States Marine Corps slogan, “A Few Good Men” ranks among the more recognizable monikers in the entertainment industry, even as a stand-alone title. Whether you are a die-hard fan of… Read More ›
