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  Rocio Molino doing the unbelievable Credit: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust     I’d be committing a sin of omission if I didn’t write something about the artist, Rocio Molina, who opened the Pittsburgh Dance Council’s 2023-24 season on September 23. Molina started off slow, practically standing still, then slowly moved her body into a series of sculptural shapes. Dressed in a pure white dress with a long whip like flange, she fell to the floor, then began slowly crawling over the stage, flipping on her back, then her side and front torso, somehow keeping the white tail of her dress under control.     The dancer bases her choreography on traditional flamenco but reinvents it with avant-garde elements. Accompanying her in the evening performance of “Caida del Cielo” or Fallen from Heaven were a guitarist, singer and electric bass player, hand clapping percussionist and an additional percussionist.     While the first 20 minutes or so of her perform...

  Let the Show Begin Credit: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust     When Christian (Christian Douglas) leaves home in Ohio looking for adventure and romance in Paris, he doesn’t know what he’s in for. Soon after arriving in the City of Light, he’s chumming around with the artists and bohemians on Montmartre who frequent the infamous Moulin Rouge.     As the club’s impresario, Harold Zidler (Robert Petkoff) likes to say, and I paraphrase, Moulin Rouge is not a place but rather a state of mind. It’s the notorious hangout where starving artists, ne’er-do-wells, prostitutes, and sodomites rub elbows with aristocrats, titled royals and the crème de la crème of Parisian society in a sybaritic free-for-all.     Even before the show starts, the audience is treated to a brilliant red and white light set that looks like some gigantic box of Valentine’s candy on steroids. It’s the first taste of scenic designer, Derek McLane’s teamwork with lighting d...

The Family-friendly Event Features Two of Pittsburgh’s Most Cherished Holiday Traditions Phipps   Conservatory and Botanical Garden s  will partner with  Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre  (PBT School) to present  Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes , a shortened version of PBT’s beloved  The Nutcracker . This stunning, annual event combines the enchantment of  The Nutcracker  with Phipps’ gorgeous  Winter Flower Show  on Monday, November 20, 2023.  Attendees will enjoy classic dances from Terrence S. Orr's  The Nutcracker , including the "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy" and “Waltz of the Flowers,” performed by talented pre-professional dancers from PBT School. After the show, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a  meet-and-greet session and photo event with the dancers before exploring the Conservatory for a preview of some of the colorful poinsettias, glowing evergreens and festive displays of Phipps’  Winter Flowe...

Fall and Halloween Family Fun on Tap at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park  in Mansfield, Pennsylvania Haunted Trail Open to Day Visitors   Save money with late-season promotions  Cooler weather and fall colors will provide the perfect setting for dozens of special family events at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort PA Wilds in Mansfield.  From scary to not-so-scary, kids and grown-ups alike will celebrate the season with trick-or-treating, fall crafts, up-close fun with the Yogi Bear characters and much more. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort PA Wilds, owned by Four Points RV Resorts, will be open until Sunday, October 29, with special events and activities scheduled on weekends. This year’s fun features a haunted trail with ghosts, ghouls and goblins who are especially frightening after dark. Younger guests, as well as older ones who scare easily, can enter the trail during the day for a less terrifying visit. Other activities include: ...

  The Dazzling Set Piece by Jason Sherwood for Billy Strayhorn  Credit all Photos: Michael Henninger     When it comes to jazz musicians, Pittsburgh has a long list of greats who’ve called the Steel City home.     Billy Ekstine, Earl “Fatha” Hines, Mary Lou Williams, Lena Horne, Erroll Garner, Ahmad Jamal - all lived in town sometime during their life and/or career.     Now getting a biographical look in a musical by Pittsburgh playwright, Rob Zellers, is composer, pianist and, some say, musical genius, Billy Strayhorn. Want to find out more about the life of this decades long Duke Ellington collaborator, pop into the Pittsburgh Public Theater now through October 11 where “Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For” is causing quite a buzz.     Not only will you be treated to nearly 30 Strayhorn compositions like “Satin Doll“ and  “Sophisticated Lady,” wrapped conveniently around highlights of his life, you’l...

  Ethan Riordan as Jonathan in His Apartment Credit: kgtunney Photography     Time is running out for soon-to-turn-30 Jonathan, a wannabee musical theater composer. Struggling to finish a musical he’s been working on for years titled Superbia, he’s beginning to question that his theatrical career choice may have been a bad decision.     With no prospects for production of the musical on the horizon, he’s beginning to think his near poverty level existence is a failed sacrifice on his hoped-for road to success. Regrets, he has a few, along with angst and tortuous doubts. Ethan Riordan as Jonathan and Sarah Bishop as Susan Credit: kgtunney Photography     Not only does he have to watch as his long-time, best friend and former aspiring actor, Michael, displays new found wealth in an alternate career in marketing in the form of an enviable Upper East Side apartment and a new BMW, loaded to the teeth with accessories like heated seats, he ha...

  Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company Our City. Our Voices. PITTSBURGH PLAYWRIGHTS THEATRE COMPANY   invites you to the dedication of the   CARTER WOODSON REDWOOD THEATRE 3401 Milwaukee Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Saturday, October 7, 2023 3:00-4:00 pm. | Reception and Naming Ceremony 4:10-5:00 pm. | Please join Duquesne University and President Ken Gormley for a conversation with...   CARTER REDWOOD Star of CBS hit "FBI: International" MAURICE REDWOOD Acclaimed Pittsburgh actor and filmmaker   Hear stories from these Pittsburgh artists | Ask them questions | Enjoy refreshments Carter Redwood and Maurice Redwood are the 2023 Duquesne University August Wilson House Fellows. This prestigious fellowship is made possible by the generous support of the Nancy Jones Beard Foundation. RSVP by September 26 to Savannah Renner at 412-396-6046 or  renners@duq.edu                      World Premiere Opens in Two...