TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR PITTSBURGH CLO'S 80th ANNIVERSARY GALA & CONCERT Celebrating 80 Years In Honor of Carol Hefren Tillotson

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Join Pittsburgh CLO on Friday, June 12 at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center for an unforgettable evening celebrating 80 years of Pittsburgh CLO, in honor of Carol Hefren Tillotson.

This spectacular gala will feature an exclusive cocktail hour, a one-night-only concert starring beloved Pittsburgh CLO favorites, a seated dinner with live entertainment, and post-show Broadway karaoke. This gala celebration serves as a vital fundraiser for Pittsburgh CLO's education and community engagement programs.

"For 80 years, Pittsburgh CLO has brought generations of audiences together through the magic of live musical theater, and this gala is both a celebration of that extraordinary legacy and an investment in its future," said Mark Fleischer, Executive Producer of Pittsburgh CLO. "We are thrilled to honor Carol Hefren Tillotson for her remarkable leadership and lifelong dedication to the arts, while also recognizing hometown talent Stephen Flaherty, whose journey from Pittsburgh CLO music intern to Tony Award-winning composer perfectly reflects the impact and spirit of our organization."

80th ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT

Don’t miss this one-night-only celebration honoring 80 years of Pittsburgh CLO. Journey through eight decades of history with a spectacular evening of music, fond memories, and special tributes celebrating Pittsburgh CLO’s legacy as both a nationally recognized producer, and presenter of world-class musical theater. Featuring selections from The Producers, Catch Me If You Can, Cats, The Addams Family, Spamalot, Curtains, An American in Paris, and The Color Purple, performed by Pittsburgh CLO alumni, Pittsburgh CLO Academy students and Mini Stars, and 2026 Gene Kelly Award nominees.

The evening will also feature inspiring stories and reflections from throughout Pittsburgh CLO’s history, a heartfelt in memoriam tribute honoring members of the CLO family, and special anniversary moments celebrating the shows, artists, and audiences that have shaped 80 remarkable years of musical theater made by, for, and in partnership with Pittsburgh.

STEPHEN FLAHERTY & THE RICHARD RODGERS AWARD

The concert will also include the presentation of the 2026 Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theater to Stephen Flaherty.

Pittsburgh CLO, in conjunction with the families of Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, established this award in 1988. The Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theater recognizes the lifetime contributions of outstanding talents in musical theater.

Pittsburgh CLO has presented the Richard Rodgers Award 12 times to such luminaries as Mary Martin (1988), Dame Julie Andrews (1989), Harold Prince (1991), Sir Cameron Mackintosh (1992), Stephen Sondheim (1993), Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber (1996), Gwen Verdon (2000), Bernadette Peters (2002), Shirley Jones (2007), Kathleen Marshall (2008), Rob Marshall (2008) and Stephen Schwartz (2009).

Stephen Flaherty is a Tony Award-winning composer best known for creating beloved musicals including Ragtime, Anastasia, Seussical, and Once on This Island in collaboration with longtime partner Lynn Ahrens. Their work has earned Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for the animated film Anastasia. Flaherty’s additional credits include composing the score for the dance musical In Your Arms (Old Globe), the musical Loving Repeating (Jefferson Award, Best New Musical) and incidental music for Neil Simon’s Proposals (Broadway.) Film credits include Lucky Stiff, After The Storm, and others. His concert music has premiered at the Hollywood Bowl, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Guggenheim. In 2015, Ahrens and Flaherty were inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Flaherty grew up in Dormont, PA and began his career as a music intern with Pittsburgh CLO.

Richard Rodgers’ contribution to the musical theatre of his day was extraordinary, and his influence on the musical theatre of today and tomorrow is legendary. His career spanned more than six decades, his hits ranging from the silver screens of Hollywood to the bright lights of Broadway, London and beyond. He was the recipient of countless awards, including Pulitzers, Tonys, Oscars, Grammys and Emmys. He wrote more than 900 published songs and forty Broadway musicals.

Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) and Lorenz Hart (1895-1943) wrote their first shows together when both were still students attending Columbia University. Their breakthrough came with the score for a 1925 charity show, The Garrick Gaieties, which introduced the classic valentine to their hometown, "Manhattan."

Over the next five years they wrote fifteen musical comedies for Broadway and London’s West End before relocating to Hollywood in 1930, where they contributed songs and wrote the scores for several movie musicals, most notably Love Me Tonight starring Maurice Chevalier.

In 1935 they returned to New York to write the score for Billy Rose’s circus musical Jumbo, launching a golden era that included On Your Toes, Babes in Arms, I’d Rather Be Right, I Married An Angel, The Boys From Syracuse, Too Many Girls, Higher And Higher, Pal Joey and By Jupiter. In 1943 the partnership disbanded temporarily when Rodgers collaborated with Oscar Hammerstein II on Oklahoma!, but it resumed with a revision of their 1927 hit A Connecticut Yankee, which opened on November 17, 1943 – less than a week before Lorenz Hart’s death.

For the next two decades Richard Rodgers collaborated exclusively with Oscar Hammerstein II on such musicals as Carousel, Allegro, South Pacific, The King And I, Pipe Dream and The Sound of Music. Collectively, their musicals have garnered dozens of awards including: Pulitzer Prizes; Tonys, Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys; and Drama Desk, Drama Critics’ Circle, Outer Critics’ Circle, Laurence Olivier and Evening Standard Awards.

After Hammerstein’s death in 1960, Rodgers continued to write for the musical stage, including No Strings, and collaborations with Martin Charnin, Stephen Sondheim and Sheldon Harnick. His fortieth, and final, Broadway musical, I Remember Mama, opened on Broadway less than eight months before his death on December 30, 1979.

The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway was renamed in his honor, and Rodgers and Hart were each commemorated on a US postage stamp at the end of the last century.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein catalog is owned by Concord.

TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS:

All-Inclusive Gala Tickets include an exclusive pre-show cocktail hour, premium seats to the one-night-only 80th Anniversary Concert, seated dinner with the stars of the show, and post-performance Show Tune Karaoke. Sponsorships, All-Inclusive Gala Tickets, and Concert-Only tickets are on sale now at PITTSBURGHCLO.org. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Tom McGee, Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager: tmcgee@pittsburghclo.org / (412) 281-3973.

 MEET THE CAST:

Tim Brady has appeared as an actor in 11 productions of A Musical Christmas Carol and various Summer Season and CLO Cabaret productions – most recently Xanadu. Other local theaters that Mr. Brady has performed with include The Pittsburgh Pops, Starlight Productions, The New Pittsburgh Jewish Theatre, Stage Right and The Theatre Factory. Mr. Brady was also the managing director of the Conley Inn Dinner Theater in Irwin for 17 years. Tim starred in the Jason Coll television pilot, Munhall.

Ryan Cavanaugh's Pittsburgh CLO credits include Disney's Frozen (Oaken), Camelot (Sir Sagramore), The Music Man (Marcellus), The Perfect Mate (Homebody), Guys & Dolls, Anything Goes, South Pacific, AIDA, Shrek, Damn Yankees, Mary Poppins & Man of La Mancha. Favorite Regional Theatre: Goodspeed Opera House, Asolo Repertory Theatre, as well as a few National Tours. When Ryan is not on stage, he's teaching theatre and voice at CAPA High School or in his own Marvel Music Studio at home. Always thankful for my Mom, Dad, and Jenna for the love and support that keeps me going.

Aaron Galligan-Stierle PCLO: Bob Cratchit in A Musical Christmas Carol (3 years), Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, and Oliver Hix in The Music Man. Broadway: Phantom of the Opera (Monsieur Andre), Ragtime (Henry Ford), and Grinch (Papa Who). Head of BFA Acting and Musical Theatre at Slippery Rock University. Training: BFA Shenandoah University (Musical Theater) MFA Penn State (Acting). @Aarongs1

Lisa Ann Goldsmith has appeared in A Musical Christmas Carol for fifteen years. She is also the Dialect Coach for this production, as well as the recent Pittsburgh CLO productions of the world premiere of Madame Clicquot, and Camelot. Lisa Ann has professional acting credits from across the country, and most recently appeared as Madame de Volanges in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Schoolhouse Theater in New York. She is the co-host of the award-winning podcast The Bardcast: It’s Shakespeare, You Dick! with listeners in six out of the seven world continents. Lisa Ann is also the Theatrical/TV, Commercial, and Co-Ed Business Representative for the SAG-AFTRA Ohio-Pittsburgh local. #unionstrong

Matthew Hydzik was last seen as Eddie/Dr.Scott in Pittsburgh CLO's production of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, as Kristoff in Disney’s Frozen, and in the world premiere of Madame Clicquot at the Byham Theater. On Broadway, Matthew starred as Tony in West Side Story, Gregg Allman in The Cher Show, Buddy in Side Show, Greg in It Shoulda Been You, and Kenickie in Grease. Off-Broadway: John in Tomorrow Morning at the York. He also starred in the national tours of Rent, IF/THEN, Fame, Grease, and the world premiere of Flashdance the Musical. Concerts and special appearances with the LA Philharmonic, Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, MUNY, Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, Annenberg Theater Palm Springs, ACT Connecticut. A proud Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State's Musical Theatre program. All my love to the Hydzik clan; Mom, Dad, Brennen, Adele, Tabby, and the loves-of-my-life Megan and Grace Willow.

Christine Laitta still remembers the thrill of getting that call from Charlie Gray offering her the first role with the CLO. She has performed regularly at the Greer Cabaret as well as the Benedum. Favorite shows: Young Frankenstein, Game On, Book of Merman, A Musical Christmas Carol, On The Town, Sister Act, Singing in the Rain, Legally Blonde, Music Man just to name just a few. Chris wishes to thank everyone at the CLO for a lifetime of memories.

Alex Manalo is a Pittsburgh-based theater maker and proud CLO alum of over two decades. Beginning at CLO Academy, she grew through programs including Mini Stars, Gallery of Heroes, Education Internship, and Creative Vision. CLO credits include South Pacific, A Musical Christmas Carol, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Guys and Dolls. Mabuhay! @alexmanalo_

Stephanie Maloney is a Pittsburgh CLO frequent flier with over 20 shows and an alum of the CLO academy. Some favorite CLO credits are The Marvelous Wonderettes, Into the Woods, 42nd St (twice), and Mame. National & international companies of Broadway’s Chicago. Off Broadway- Upside Down. Carbonell Nominee- Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at The Wick Theatre. Other favorite regional- Pittsburgh Public, Sacramento Music Circus, Maine State, Fulton, & Pioneer Theatre. Soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Lotte Lenya. Competition semi-finalist. TV: The Marvelous Mrs Maisel. UMich Alum. www.stephaniemaloney.com

Samantha Nelson is an upcoming Senior at Carnegie Mellon University. She will be receiving her BFA in Musical Theater and she is so excited to be back! She was previously a part of 2 PCLO productions in Seussical (Yertle the Turtle) and The Color Purple (female swing), and she is so excited to be back! She is so excited for all of you to be here and see this amazing show. She would like to thank her Mother, Father, Nana, Miles all of her family for their endless love and support. Follow her instagram @samanthanelsonnnn to see what she has next!

J. Alex Noble has appeared in over 25 Pittsburgh CLO Productions. He became a member of Actor's Equity performing in PCLO's 2012 productions of Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, and Sunset Boulevard. Favorite CLO roles include Harry the Horse in Guys and Dolls, Jameson in The Double-Threat Trio, and Topper in A Musical Christmas Carol.

Brady D. Patsy currently serves as the Community Engagement Manager for Pittsburgh CLO. His most notable Pittsburgh CLO credits include Cinderella’s Father in Into the Woods, Tonton Julian in Once on This Island, Angie the Ox in Guys and Dolls, Cantor/Choir Master in A Musical Christmas Carol, Pa/Buster in The Color Purple, and Ewart Dunlop in The Music Man. He can't wait to return to the Benedum this summer as Mr. Duvall in Mean Girls! MWHA&C

Marnie Quick is honored to be participating in this year’s gala celebration with Pittsburgh CLO. Her history with the organization began as a student in the CLO Academy and continued through the Gene Kelly Awards, where she was recognized with the Best Actress award three consecutive years from 2014–2016. She was also selected as a finalist for the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards) in 2015 and 2016, and participated in CLO’s Gallery of Heroes program in 2020. Most notably, Marnie has appeared with Front Porch Theatricals as Julia in Bandstand (2024), Beth in Merrily We Roll Along (2023), and Margo in Bright Star (2019). She is grateful to continue sharing her love of theatre with the Pittsburgh arts community.

Kai Sachon is a proud Pittsburgher and Pittsburgh CLO Academy alum, and is so grateful to be a part of Pittsburgh CLO's 80th Anniversary Gala! Past CLO credits include Disney's Frozen (King Agnarr, Ensemble, Kristoff u/s), Camelot (Ensemble, Mordred u/s), Madame Clicquot (Ensemble), and Seussical (The Grinch, Ensemble). A 2024 Gene Kelly Awards winner for Best Actor, he studies Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. Go Blue! @kai.sachon

Bree Taylor is a BFA Musical Theatre student at Carnegie Mellon and is thrilled to work with the Pittsburgh CLO! Offstage, she loves lifting, sketching, and listening to Sade. She sends love to God, her family, friends, mentors, and especially her mom, her forever role model.

Drew Leigh L. Williams (she/her) made her Pittsburgh CLO debut in Pump Boys and Dinettes in 2017 as Rhett’s Cupp. Other notable CLO performances include: Xanadu (Melpomene), A Musical Christmas Carol (Peg, Caroler), The Double-Threat Trio (Nina), and The Wizard of Oz (Lion/Zeke). Drew Leigh enjoys being the emcee of the Gene Kelly awards year after year and she’s an Audition Techniques guest artist for the CLO Academy. A proud graduate of Roosevelt University with an MFA in Acting, she extends her heartfelt thanks to the Pittsburgh CLO for empowering artists to achieve their goals.

Presenting Sponsor: Joan Clark Davis

Operetta Sponsors: Baird, Delta Air Lines, Highmark, PNC & UPMC Health Plan

Musical Revue Sponsors: Federated Hermes, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services & Specialty Conduit and Manufacturing

80th Anniversary Gala Committee: Linda DiBucci, Karen DiVito, Sharon Gallagher, Laurie Mushinsky, Christina O'Toole & Jill Tillotson