By SHARON EBERSON There’s a moment when the face of Ernesto Mario Sanchez, the actor portraying Steelers legend Mike Webster, is bathed in a soft red glow. By his expression, it is clear his internal light is fading. Throughout 12:52… Read More ›
Wali Jamal
‘Beyond the Red Door: A Theatrical Event Series’ Returns to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
The series inspired by August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape returns with programming for all ages The series, conceived and curated by the center’s theater curator, Stephanie Rolland, expands the reach of the permanent exhibition August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape. For Create and Sip,… Read More ›
5 Questions with Wali Jamal
Pittsburgh’s Accomplished Wilsonian Actor Makes His CLO and Benedum Debut in ‘Kinky Boots’ By Sharon Eberson What Wali Jamal lacks in enthusiasm, he makes up for in … forget it. When it comes to enthusiasm, Jamal is not lacking. Nor… Read More ›
‘Kinky Boots’ cast set to kick up their heels for Pittsburgh CLO
Pittsburgh CLO has announced the full cast that will high step into next week with its first production of Kinky Boots. Previously announced Darius Harper as drag queen Lola, the role that garnered Billy Porter a Tony Award, and Brian… Read More ›
Review: ‘Two Trains Running’ by August Wilson at the Pittsburgh Public Theater
By Bob Hoover After The Piano Lesson, the 1986 play that earned August Wilson his second Pulitzer Prize, he was ready to move on to the next chapter in his Pittsburgh cycle. The inspiration would be this line: “Then I… Read More ›
Emeka Learned What He Learned from August Wilson, on His Way to ‘Two Trains Running’ at Pittsburgh Public
By Sharon Eberson Justin Emeka had the determination to do things his way, along with the insight to seek advice from a giant of American theater. So it was natural that the fledgling director would seize every opportunity to speak… Read More ›
City Theater’s ‘Paradise Blue’ Finds the Right Note
Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Raymond, PhD In writing about the theatre, 19th-century critic William Hazlitt noted, “it is the source of the greatest enjoyment at the time.” While Hazlitt penned those words two centuries ago, they immediately sprung to mind… Read More ›
My Pittsburgh Theater Weekend: From City Theatre to Heinz Hall to Pittsburgh Playhouse
March 18th to 20th, 2022 By Sharon Eberson My theater card is full these days, and that’s such a welcome feeling. I am getting back into the habit of chronicling my weekend’s entertainment. Masked et al., it has felt like… Read More ›
Preview: Jazz artist Theron Brown composes music for City Theatre’s ‘Paradise Blue’
By Sharon Eberson In his latest musical venture in Pittsburgh, Theron Brown sees himself as a link in the jazz chain that stretches from Detroit to Pittsburgh. A circa-1949 jazz club in the Motor City is the setting for the… Read More ›
“Yinzer Scrooged”: A Pittsburghian Dickens Delight
I think it’s fair to say that Pittsburgh punches above its weight in terms of its artistic offerings, and its holiday smorgasbord is no exception: it seems that every theater, restaurant, museum, and gallery in the city has welcomed the… Read More ›