Candy Williams stories, Page 8
‘Charlie Brown’ and his pals spreading the happiness
Beloved cartoonist and creator of the comic strip “Peanuts” Charles M. Schulz has been gone for 19 years, but his wit and wisdom live on in tributes such as Clark Gesner’s classic musical, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” Stage Right Professional Theatre Company will bring his lovable characters –...
Seton Hill’s production of ‘Clybourne Park’ tackles race relations head on
Seton Hill University Theatre will present a contemporary play that won a Pulitzer Prize (2011) and Tony Award for Best Play (2012) with its production of “Clybourne Park” Feb. 22-March 1. Director Denise Pullen, associate professor of theater at Seton Hill University, wants audiences to be aware that while the...
Theatre Factory gets to the heart of ‘Fuddy Meers’
Most typical days in many people’s lives are uneventful and not so noteworthy. That’s not the case with Claire, one of the main characters in “Fuddy Meers,” a play being staged Feb. 22-March 3 at The Theatre Factory in Trafford. Claire has a rare form of psychogenic amnesia that erases...
‘Barefoot Contessa’ to dish on food, TV, love at Heinz Hall showVideo
Only a celebrity chef the caliber of Ina Garten could pack Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall for an evening devoted to cooking — without the promise of whipping up one of her delicious dishes for sampling. There’ll be no food demo, but plenty of culinary conversation from the Food Network’s “Barefoot Contessa”...
‘The Last Five Years’ opens in Stage Right Pittsburgh’s new home
Stage Right Pittsburgh has an idea for Valentine’s Day weekend that will combine seats to a stage show, complimentary bubbly, chocolate strawberries and a rose for that special someone. Does it get any better than that? Or theatergoers can forego the VIP package and just enjoy the first adult performance...
Fresh take on ‘Phantom’ promises to light up Benedum CenterVideo
It’s hard to imagine that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical masterpiece, “The Phantom of the Opera,” could be improved upon after 31 years of brilliant opening nights – yet Cameron Mackintosh’s new production features some changes that are said to be no less than dazzling. “Phantom” lights up the Benedum...
‘A Chorus Line’ dancing across Geyer stage
For Marina Stefano of Bullskin, Fayette County, performing in “A Chorus Line” at Geyer Performing Arts Center is a real test of her stamina. In addition to choreographing the musical, she also plays Diana, whom she describes as “a fun-loving and sarcastic character,” a part that requires her, among other...
Prepare to be amazed when the ‘Masters’ take The Palace Theatre stageVideo
“Masters of Illusion,” the stage version of the CW Network’s hit television series billed as America’s largest touring magic show, encourages audiences to “Believe the Impossible” during its current tour of the U.S. and Canada. Audience members at The Palace Theatre on Feb. 17 will have their own chance to...
South Side Soup Contest guarantees to warm your belly
The popular South Side Soup Contest that brings more than 1,200 participants into the Pittsburgh neighborhood for an afternoon of soup sampling is taking a cue from Disney World with the modification of its VIP ticket to include a FastPass feature. “This year’s VIP FastPass ticket will allow ticket-holders to...
Mayim Bialik visit to offer sympathy, support to Pittsburgh’s Jewish community
Actor Mayim Bialik’s fans know her best from her current role as Amy Farrah Fowler on CBS’s hit comedy series, “The Big Bang Theory,” or her past roles in “Blossom” (1990) and the 1988 movie, “Beaches,” with Bette Midler. Many people may not be aware of her strong commitment to...
Ride along with ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ in latest Split Stage show
Actor Brendan Conaway of Plum says portraying Clyde Barrow in Split Stage Productions’ musical adaptation of “Bonnie and Clyde” is the most challenging role he’s ever played. “It requires so much energy both physically and vocally,” he says. “It’s an emotional roller coaster for me and Victoria (Buchtan) from the...
‘Bubble Show’ is a fantastical, transformative journeyVideo
Enrico Pezzoli says there’s a little bit of “Mr. B” in all of us. The lead character in his “B – The Underwater Bubble Show” is a creature of modern habits who “always feels pressed by a thousand things to do in a world that seems to be moving too...
In advance of new album, Tesla plays Greensburg’s Palace TheatreVideo
It looks to be another good year for Tesla. There’s just no stopping the original Sacramento hard rock band from the ‘80s that has sold more than 25 million albums and filled concert auditoriums to sold-out crowds in its three decades plus together. Just as Tesla’s Winter 2019 tour starts...
‘American Girl Live’ brings positive message to Byham TheaterVideo
Creators of a new touring musical production are hoping that their young audiences love the stage show as much as the popular dolls on which they are based. “American Girl Live” is an original 90-minute musical that celebrates the power of girls and the strength of friendship, two messages that...
Monster Jam roars into PPG Paints ArenaVideo
Kayla Blood is behind the wheel of a new ride for 2019. The Monster Jam veteran from Lafayette, La., has been recruited for the Soldier Fortune team, the first woman to drive a Monster truck with the prestigious group. She moved to Soldier Fortune on the Triple Threat Series Central,...
Kids cooking up mid-century treats in Heinz History Center
Kids in Mariruth Leftwich’s upcoming “Cooking Up History: Mid-Century Treats” class at Senator John Heinz History Center weren’t born yet when foods like Spam and Swanson’s frozen TV dinners first appeared on supermarket shelves. They missed the heyday of mom’s tuna noodle casserole, the peak of popularity of Strawberry Jello...
Stage Right will attempt to break world record for fastest musical production
Stage Right Artistic Director Tony Marino is about to stretch the limits of that old stage adage that promises “the show must go on.” Marino assures his audience that he and his cast of actors will be ready to roll when the curtain goes up at Greensburg’s The Palace Theatre...
World of Wheels showcases cool rides
Car guys don’t really need a good reason to buy a cool-looking car to restore. Take Sean Ulanowicz of Blawnox, for example, show chairman of the 58th Annual MaxMotive World of Wheels presented by NAPA. He and his family, especially his dad, Bob Ulanowicz, 81, of O’Hara, have been involved...
‘Hamilton’ plays to more than 88K during Pittsburgh run
The cast of “Hamilton” – the megahit musical about Alexander Hamilton that provided an unforgettable experience for an estimated 88,000 theatergoers at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center during January – took its final bows “One Last Time” after 32 performances Jan. 1-27. Fans of the show will be happy to learn there’s...
ABBA MANIA turns everyone into a ‘Dancing Queen’
Fans just can’t get enough of ABBA. Nearly 40 years after the Swedish pop rock group disbanded, their music is still going strong, thanks in part to the success of U.S. hit movies “Mamma Mia!” (2008) and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018) and tribute acts that celebrate their...
‘Run for Your Wife’ is a riotous, adult farce
Veteran actor Mike Crosby of Greensburg says his character in Greensburg Civic Theatre’s production of “Run for Your Wife,” London taxi driver John Smith, prides himself on being incredibly organized. “His entire life is scheduled down to the minute, which is the only way he can be married to two...
Point Park joins talents with New York company on ‘Old Man and the Sea’
It’s an exciting time of “firsts” for Point Park University’s new Pittsburgh Playhouse as it prepares to present its world premiere stage adaptation of “The Old Man and the Sea” Feb. 1-17. The production based on Ernest Hemingway’s classic 1952 Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning novel is adapted for the stage...
Pittsburgh chef, former Steelers player team up for ‘Taste of the NFL’ to benefit food bank
In a way, Scott Walton and Andy Russell have been a part of the same team — only at different times. Russell was a linebacker and part of the “Steel Curtain” defense for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s until he retired from professional football and went into business. Walton...
No Steelers? No problem. Super Bowl Sunday is all about the food
When you’re a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Super Bowl LIII is all about wings — and chips and dips, pizzas and guacamole — but not so much about football, at least not this year. So while New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams fans will be cheering for their teams at...
‘Friends! The Musical Parody’ lovingly roasts iconic ’90s sitcomVideo
Monica, Phoebe, Rachel and their guy pals are SO 1990s – and that’s part of the fun of “Friends! The Musical Parody.” The North American tour of the former off-Broadway musical that closed last July in New York is dropping in on Pittsburgh for one performance Jan. 29 at the...
