Author Archives
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Whether Shit-Faced or Sober, You are Sure to Enjoy “Shit-Faced Shakespeare: Hamlet”
By JESSICA NEU Five empty cans of Lagunitas IPA, a partially empty fifth of Jack Daniels, sexual innuendo, a dance break complete with a kick line, uproarious laughter, and constantly breaking the 4th wall to interact with the audience. Upon… Read More ›
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“Come On Feel The Noise:” The Strand’s ‘Rock Of Ages’ Succeeds in its Desire to Rock
By JESSICA NEU Theater is sacred for a myriad reasons. One of the primary reasons is that it, of course, provides an escape from reality. For several hours, you can sit immersed in a dark theater and be transported to… Read More ›
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The Pittsburgh New Works Festival Continues With Edgy and Entertaining Original Work
By JESSICA NEU With only two programs left, the Pittsburgh New Works Festival continues to showcase some of the best and most creative national and local playwrights. The Pittsburgh New Works Film Festival marches forward, featuring Program C from September 4th… Read More ›
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REVIEW: The Pittsburgh New Works Festival Opens With Four One-Act Plays That Are Equally Relatable and Entertaining
By JESSICA NEU The Pittsburgh New Works Festival offers a platform for new one-act plays to come to life. The festival runs August 21st – September 14th and is divided into programs A – D. Program A runs August 21st… Read More ›
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“For the First Time in Forever,” Pittsburgh’s CLO Welcomes ‘Disney’s Frozen: the Broadway Musical’
By JESSICA NEU The windows are open, and so are the doors, as the Benedum Center welcomes Disney’s Frozen: the Broadway Musical, based on the Disney film that shifted the cultural zeitgeist, and concludes Pittsburgh CLO‘s 2025 summer season. Yesterday evening, dozens… Read More ›
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Review: The Prom Is A Triumphant Dance Full of Heart and Inclusivity
By JESSICA NEU I went to the prom my junior and senior year of High School. My date and I gleefully danced amongst all of our friends to “Get Low” and “Hollaback Girl.” Were they the best nights of my… Read More ›
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Review: Jazz Aficionado Diana Krall Turns Heinz Hall Into a 1930’s Jazz Club
By JESSICA NEU Heinz Hall’s iconic red stage curtain remained closed last night. It gracefully draped the stage, but hung back toward mid-stage to frame the space for a piano, upright bass, and percussion kit. Several spotlights illuminated the stage,… Read More ›
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Review: Pittsburgh Public Theater’s ‘Twelfth Night’ is a Triumph of Community, Diversity, Joy, and Love
onStage Pittsburgh dispatched Sharon Eberson and Jessica Neu to review Marya Sea Kaminski’s final production at the Public. You can read Sharon’s review here. By JESSICA NEU Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, Twelfth Night, tells the story of twins Viola (Chelsea Zeno) and… Read More ›
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REVIEW: The Strand Theater’s ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ Lives Up To Its Name
By JESSICA NEU After a successful tribute performance to the incomparable Carole King, Ron Carter, President & Executive Director of the Strand Theater decided that Beautiful: The Carole King Musical would be an excellent choice for the company’s 2024-25 season. Beautiful tells the… Read More ›
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REVIEW: “Double, Double, Toil, and Trouble:” Vigilance Theater Group’s ‘Mac Beth’ Is Equal Parts Shakespeare and Brat Summer
BY JESSICA NEU (Updated with more images from the production.) Shakespeare’s Macbeth tells the tragic story of Macbeth, a general who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will be the King of Scotland one day. Persuaded heavily by his wife,… Read More ›
