Mon Valley Fans of Live Theater Get a Sumptuous Taste of Future Possibilities

The Cast of "What Do I Wear, 2,500 Tears of Fashion in Theatre" Credit all Photos: Kelly Tunney

    The Mon Valley YMCA in Monongahela never looked so festive, so blatantly celebratory, as on the evening of April 13 when a troupe of 16 actors arrived with a trailer full of colorful costumes, many of which were quite elaborate.

    The audience barely understood the full depth of the dazzle that awaited them as they took their seats for an event exuberantly titled “What Do I Wear, 2,5000 Years of Fashion in Theatre.”

    The fundraiser for Pittsburgh International Classic Theatre was the brainchild of PICT’s artistic director, Elizabeth Elias Huffman.

Elizabeth Huffman at the Podium

    Huffman conceived of an idea that called for choosing selections from plays that started with the era of the ancient Greeks, marched on through Elizabethan England and Shakespeare, popped in on Restoration England via an American playwright, hopped over to Germany at the time of Schiller, touched on the sentiments of Jane Austin, ventured into Chekhov, segued back to the USA with a snippet from Shenandoah, explored Expressionism with “The Adding Machine, paid homage to Noel Coward (Hay Fever) and Tennessee Williams (Orpheus Descending), went 1960 counter culture with “Hair,” then ended with a play Huffman said she’s dying to direct, “Welcome to Thebes,” a contemporary drama.

Attendee Getting an up-close look at the Ghost Costume from Macbeth

  With each new play came a new actor or set of actors along with some of the most brilliant costumes ever seen in the region. Standing at a podium in the front of the room, Huffman introduced each play, providing just enough background information to set the time period and give interesting information about each selection.

Ithaca Tell in a Dress designed by Ife Orebiyi

    Born and raised in New Eagle and now residing in Monongahela, Huffman assumed the duties of artistic director of PICT Theatre in Pittsburgh February of 2023. Shortly thereafter, she and a committee of residents from Monessen, New Eagle, Belle Vernon, Monongahela and Connellsville organized in an effort to bring live theater to the greater Mon Valley.

L-R: Huffman, Wanda Magone, Lara Magone and Belle Vernon Mayor Gerald W. Jackson II

    In an article I wrote previously for the Observer-Reporter, Huffman said she “sees our area as under served as far as theater goes and that many residents don’t like to drive to Pittsburgh to see live productions.”

    ”However, there is a demand for and an interest in theater in the Valley, judging by the number of people who pack theaters for local high school productions,” she added.

Treats Served at Intermission and After Curtain Call

Huffman’s plan is to bring the PICT plays she produces in Pittsburgh, as many as four a year, to various venues in the Mon Valley. She’s eyeing sites like churches, warehouses and existing theaters such as the Grand in Elizabeth and, perhaps, even the theater at her old alma mater, Ringgold High School. She sees her future repertoire including American classics, plays from international playwrights, comedies, contemporary adaptations of classics and Shakespeare.  

  “I’m interested in telling stories that are relevant to who we are today,” she said in the article in the Observer-Reporter.  “It’s going to be a unique company, and we’re moving forward as best we can. Bringing live theater to the area in which I was born and raised has been an idea I’ve had all my life.”

Checking out the Gift Baskets for the Chinese Auction

    At the April 13th event at the Mon Valley YMCA, the venue was packed with theater enthusiasts. From nearby Belle Vernon, mayor Gerald L. Jackson II said he tries to go to as many of the fine arts events in Pittsburgh as he can and that he’s glad to see that live theater may soon take hold in the Mon Valley.

    Local business gave their support by providing items like restaurant vouchers, wine, personal care items and more for the 20 or so gift baskets assembled for the evening’s Chinese auction. At intermission, the audience headed for an adjacent room where a table lined with crudités and a large array of assorted sweets.

Sarah Putorak Zaugg (left) and Friends

    Originally from Monongahela but now living in Bethel Park, Sarah Pitorak Zaugg, said she’s a lover of live theater who drives to Pittsburgh to catch performances at the Benedum Center. “I think it would be great to have live productions here in the Mon Valley,” she said.

Attendees Emily Vohe and Dmitri Apodiakos

    Also in the audience were two musical theater majors at Seton Hill University, sophomores Dmitri Apodiakos of Belle Bernon and Emily Vohe of Greensburg. Apodiakos said he heard of the PICT fundraiser event from Huffman, who frequently dines at his father’s restaurant, By George, in Monessen. “She invited me saying she thought I’d enjoy it,” he said.

    The 2-½ hour long event ended with a curtain call in which the audience responded with a standing ovation. To end the evening on a high note, the actors, wearing their amazing costumes, stayed and mingled with the audience.

The Party Continues after Curtain Call

    “What Do I Wear, 2,500 Years of Fashion in Theatre,” was a fun-filled evening that gave audience members a chance to rub elbows with some of the stars of today and tomorrow. Due to the success of this year’s debut performance, Huffman hopes the event will become an annual affair that the Mon Valley community can look forward to each year.

        Those wanting to make a donation to further PICT Theatre’s endeavors can do so on website www.picttheatre.org or by writing a check made out and sent to Pittsburgh International Classic Theatre, PO Box 8168, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.