Author Archives
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An Interview with The Becoming Art’s Collective Founder Darrin Friedman: Cool People Doing Really Cool Work in Community Theater
By JESSICA NEU This past January, playwright Darrin Friedman and director Art DeConciliis debuted Friedman’s original play Three Blind Mice. After achieving commercial and critical success, Friedman recognized untapped potential in Pittsburgh’s community theater scene. He sat down with his wife, Heather Friedman, and the pair… Read More ›
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Oh Baby! Front Porch Theatricals’ ‘Baby’ Delivers Joy, Humor and Emotional Challenges
By JESSICA NEU Pregnancy is a strange thing. Every woman’s journey to finding out they are expecting differs. Sometimes, it is expected; sometimes, it is a complete shock. Not to mention the myriad symptoms, side effects, cravings, emotions, and reactions…. Read More ›
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Review: They Played Paradise: PSO’s ‘Clouds in my Coffee: Music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King & Carly Simon’ at Heinz Hall
By JESSICA NEU Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Clouds in My Coffee is a Perfect Tribute to Mitchell, King, and Simon. Conductor Ted Sperling leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Clouds in My Coffee: The Trailblazing Music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Carly Simon, the latest… Read More ›
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Review: Order Up! PMT’s ‘Waitress’ is a Musical Baked to Perfection
By JESSICA NEU Sugar. Butter. Flour. At first glance, they seem like simple ingredients—Staples of any household. However, for Jenna (Zanny Laird), these are the ingredients to life. Making its regional debut, Pittsburgh Musical Theater serves up a heaping helping of… Read More ›
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Review: ‘Come From Away’ Soars as a Theatrical Experience About the Power of Community and Love
By JESSICA NEU Where were you on 9/11? If you are currently older than 30 years old, you likely have some memory of that day. I was in 3rd-period geometry class when the first plane hit. I became aware of… Read More ›
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Review: Riverfront Theater Company’s ‘The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?’ is a Challenging, Must-See Tragicomedy
By JESSICA NEU Edward Albee’s 2002 play, The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? is an edgy, heavily-debated tragicomedy that pushes theatrical plot boundaries. Director Caitlin Dobronz and Assistant Director Reed Callan, bring this controversial, but highly lauded play to open Riverfront Theater Company‘s 65th season. 50-year-old Martin (Stefan Lingenfelter) is… Read More ›
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Review: ‘Dragonfly Dawn’ is an Ethereal Dance Journey That Battles Good vs. Evil
By JESSICA NEU I listened to a podcast hosted by Meghan McCain a couple of weeks ago. She and her guest were discussing the idea of work-life balance. McCain mentioned that she does not like the word “balance” used in this context… Read More ›
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Twyla Tharp’s ‘Diamond Jubilee’ Proves Technique is Timeless and Dance Should Be Fun
By JESSICA NEU In celebration of her company’s 60th anniversary, renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp presents a Diamond Jubilee of two iconic, career-spanning productions. The first, Diabelli, is Tharp’s work from 1998 that daringly tackles all 33 of Beethoven’s complex Variations on a Waltz by Beethoven’s… Read More ›
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Preview: World Premiere Staging of J.S. Bach’s ‘Marcus Passion’, April 11th at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland
By JESSICA NEU Chatham Baroque and Concert Theatre Works are presenting the world premiere staging of J.S. Bach’s long-lost Markus Passion in Pittsburgh on April 11, 2025, at Carnegie Music Hall. This semi-staged performance, directed by visionary Bill Barclay, brings to life Malcolm Bruno’s groundbreaking reconstruction… Read More ›
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PSO’s A Boy Band Symphony Proves That We Still ‘Want it That Way’
By JESSICA NEU It’s April 7, 2000. You have a pager, a fresh new outfit from either Pac Sun, Delia’s, or Charlotte Russe, and you are ready to watch MTV’s Total Request Live. 98 Degrees, O-Town, Britney Spears, and Backstreet Boys all… Read More ›
