Summer Stage

NOW ON STAGE

Dogfight. Set in 1963, the show centers on three young Marines setting out for a night of debauchery on the eve of their deployment to Vietnam, through Sun., May 20 (Stage 62).

A Flea in Her Ear. Laura Chandler believes her husband Victor is having an affair with another woman and tricks him into meeting her at a motel to catch him in the act, through Sat., May 26 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

The Great Gatsby. In this classic, a young newcomer to Long Island is drawn into a world of obsession, greed and danger, through Sun., May 20 (Heritage Players).

Hamlet. A young man encounters the ghost of his slain father in this epic drama., through Sun., May 20 (Pittsburgh Public Theater).

HIR. The classic dysfunctional family drama has just crashed into a wholly original place, through May 26 (barebones productions).

King Hedley II. Peddling stolen refrigerators in the feeble hope of making enough money to open a video store, King Hedley, is scraping in the dirt of an urban backyard trying to plant seeds where nothing will grow, through Sun., June 3 (Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Co.).

The Nerd. Set in late 1979, the show centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect who is visited by a fellow ex-GI he has never met but who saved has life after being seriously wounded in Vietnam, through Sun., May 20 (McKeesport Little Theatre).

Nomad Motel. Alix bounces between motel rooms, taking care of her twin brothers for her mostly MIA mother, through Sun., June 3 (City Theatre).

Sea Turtle in Space. Turtle is lost in Space and has to make a tough decision. Octopus teaches us about the journey to self-love and how to release the ego, through Sun., May 20 (The Glitter Box Theater).

Social Security. This Broadway comedy focuses on a married couple who are art dealers, through Sat., May 26 (Apple Hill Playhouse).

Perfect Wedding. Bill is hours away from his wedding to Rachel when he wakes up with another woman in his bed, unsure how she got there. Through Aug. 12 (CLO Cabaret)

May

A New Brain. This musical from Tony Award-winning composer William Finn is a semi-autobiographical creation about a composer who copes with a life-threatening disease the only way he knows how, through music. May 18-27 (Front Porch Theatricals at New Hazlett Theater)

Cinderella. A contemporary take on the classic tale including some of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most beloved songs: “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” May 22-27 (PNC Broadway).

Pigeon. This play by Jeremy Lesifko-Bremer, takes the characters of Chekhov’s tragi-comedy The Seagull to the contemporary big city, May 24-26 (Steel City Improv).

The Cemetery Club. Three widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands' graves, May 24 to June 9 (South Park Theatre Co.).

Building the Wall. Rick finds himself caught up as the frontman of the Trump administration’s edicts and loses his humanity, May 24 to June 10 (Twelve Peers).

Escape Velocity. This interactive play about a soul trapped in limbo is controlled by the audience randomly pulling tarot cards. No two performances of this show are ever the same. May 31 (CSA Performance Series, New Hazlett Theater)

Momentum Festival: New Plays at Different Stages. Playwrights from around the country will visit for a weekend of workshops, readings and artist panels, May 31 to June 3 (City Theatre).

Arcadia. Set in both 1809 and the present day, Tom Stoppard playfully zigs and zags through many realms, including mathematics, poetry, sex and gardening, May 31 to June 16 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play. The Bard’s most famous characters, greatest lines, and magnificent speeches are lampooned in a comic smorgasbord, May 31 to July 1 (Pittsburgh Public Theater). 

June

Sassy Mamas. Three women find themselves single and developing a new strategy to find love — pursuing younger men. June 1-17 (New Horizon Theater)

On Your Feet. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop-music world, June 12-17 (Pittsburgh CLO).

Hay Fever. Novelist David Bliss and his wife Judith, a retired actress, are hoping for a quiet weekend in the country with their guests, June 21 to July 7 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

Broadway Divas. Performances of hits from Les Misérables, Dreamgirls, My Fair Lady, Funny Girl, Mame, Cabaret, Chicago, Wicked and many more, June 22-24 (Heinz Hall). 

Ubu Roi. King Ubu and his family have a variety of ideas on the best ways to be greedy, corrupt and stupid while running the country, June 22-30 (Throughline Theater Co. at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre).

Titanic. In the final hour of April 14, 1912 the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, collided with an iceberg, and tragic history was made, June 22 to July 1 (Pittsburgh CLO). 

The Bridges of Madison County. Carnivale Theatrics will stage the Pittsburgh premiere of this Tony Award-winning play about love, choices and what ifs? June 29 to July 7 (New Hazlett Theater)

July

The Full Monty. Six unemployed steel workers from Buffalo decide to go buff to pay their bills and get much more than they bargained for, July 6-15 (Pittsburgh CLO). 

La Boheme Warhola. This version of Puccini’s La Boheme isn’t set in 19^th-century Paris, but rather the loft of Pittsburgh’s own Andy Warhol in the 1960s. July 6, 8, 12, 14, 19 (Pittsburgh Festival Opera)

Kaiju Big Battel: Multiple Choice Beasts. In this live monster-fighting spectacle, Planet Earth is under threat. July 7 (Multiple Choice Events)

A Streetcar Named Desire. Fading southern belle Blanche DuBois arrives unexpectedly on her sister's doorstep, searching for an escape from the realities of her life, July 12-28 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

Why Do Fools Fall in Love. At her impromptu bachelorette party, Millie and her best friend dive into age-old questions about love, marriage and dating, July 12-28 (South Park Theatre Co.).

Rhinegold. Wagner’s opera about one ring to rule them all was written more than 20 years before J.R.R. Tolkien was even born and is the first installment of his own ring series. July 13, 15, 21 (Pittsburgh Festival Opera)

The Complete Works of Shakespeare. All 37 of Shakespeare's plays performed in a single evening by only three actors, July 15-21 (The Glitter Box Theater).

Brigadoon. When New Yorkers Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas lose their way during a vacation to the Scottish Highlands, they stumble into the mythical village of Brigadoon on the one day it appears every hundred years, July 17-22 (Pittsburgh CLO).

Fight for the Right. The latest work in Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s “Music that Matters” series asked female composer and librettist teams to create original music dramas inspired by themes of women and girls around the world improving their lives through education. July 18 (Pittsburgh Festival Opera)

Arabella. This is the Pittsburgh premiere of Richard Strauss’ opera about an aging count’s attempt to launch one of his two daughters into society while forcing the other to act like his son to save money. July 20, 22 (Pittsburgh Festival Opera)

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Two con men enter into a challenge to see who can seduce and then fleece a wealthy target to prove who is the biggest scoundrel in town. July 19-22 and 26-29 (Stage 62)

Stupid Fucking Bird. An aspiring but cynical young playwright rampages against the art created by his mother's generation, July 26 to Aug. 12 (Twelve Peers).

Beauty and the Beast. Step into the enchanted world of Broadway's modern classic, based on the treasured Disney film, July 27 to Aug. 5 (Pittsburgh CLO).

August

Steel Magnolias. Anyone who is anybody comes to Truvy’s salon to have their hair done, Aug. 2-18 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

Catch Me if You Can. An advertising man who has brought his bride to the boss’ mountain lodge for a honeymoon calls in the local police to investigate her disappearance, Aug. 2-18 (South Park Theatre Co.).

Twelfth Night. The Urban Impact Performing Arts Program offers a modern twist to Shakespeare’s classic comedy about mistaken identity. Aug. 3-12 (New Hazlett Theater)

Thoroughly Modern Millie. Flapper Millie Dillmount is on the hunt for a rich husband but falls for a penniless paperclip salesman instead, Aug. 7-12 (Pittsburgh CLO).

Footloose the Musical. No Kevin Bacon, but it’s the same great story of the new kid in town who helps reopen the minds and heal the hearts of a small town. Aug. 10-12, 16-18 (Keystone State Music Theater)

The Inspector General. A corrupt town expecting a visit from a government official is turned on its head when they try to bribe the wrong man, Aug. 10-19 (Throughline Theater Co. at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre).

Pittsburgh New Works Festival. This annual program fosters the work of playwrights via the creation of original one-act plays presented over six weeks. Aug. 19 to Sept. 23 (Carnegie Stage)

Disney’s Aladdin. All your favorite songs from the film as well as new music written by Tony- and Academy-Award winner Alan Menken, Aug. 21 to Sept. 9 (PNC Broadway).

Funny Money. When Harry mistakenly picks up the wrong briefcase, one filled with cash, he decides to keep it, Aug. 23 to Sept. 8 (South Park Theatre Co.).

Little Miss Sunshine. The Hoover family has seen better days, but when the youngest Hoover enters a regional children’s beauty pageant, the family thinks that their luck could change, Aug. 30 to Sept. 15 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

Children’s Theatre

ONGOING

EQT Children’s Theater Festival. Four-day Downtown festival, including hands-on activities and troupes from around the world, through Sun., May 20 (Pittsburgh Cultural Trust).

The Forest of Everywhere. A colossal storm has rearranged the entire globe, causing whole cities to change locations. Swept up from all across the world, our furry and feathered animal friends have found refuge in a beautiful enchanted forest, through Fri., June 8 (Bricolage Theater).  

May

Fancy Nancy. Based on the popular Fancy Nancy book series, the titular character bemoans that her family is too plain, and gives them a master class in poshness, through Sun., May 20 (Pittsburgh Playhouse).

Robin Hood. He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor and this production is based on the classic English folk tale. Through Sun. May 20. (Pittsburgh Playhouse Jr.)

June

The Little Mermaid Jr. In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above, June 13-30 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

Peter Rabbit. Based on the beloved children’s book character, June 25 to July 3 (South Park Theatre Co.).

July

The Jungle Book. A young boy abandoned to the jungle must learn to find his place within the community of animals, July 6-21 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

Goldie B. Locks and the Three Singing Bears. This family-friendly opera is a nice introduction into the genre for little ones and is a retelling of the classic fairytale. July 6,14, 21 (Pittsburgh Festival Opera)

The Little Mermaid. Another adaptation of the tragic tale of a mermaid who wanted to be human, July 9-18 (South Park Theatre Co.).

The Elves and the Shoemaker. The story of a poor shoemaker who receives much-needed help from elves, July 23 to Aug. 1 (South Park Theatre Co.).

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr. Stanley Lambchop is your ordinary, everyday 10-year-old until the bulletin board on the wall above his bed comes loose and falls on top of him, July 25 to Aug. 11 (Little Lake Theatre Co.).

August

The Wizard of Oz Jr. A children’s version of the classic story of Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, Aug. 3-12 (Heritage Players).

Thwacked. Delightful characters attempt to unravel a mystery in a fairytale world, Aug. 6-15 (South Park Theatre Co.).

DANCE

Bodiography Center for Movement. Spring Concert (Bodiography dance students), June 2. Byham Theater

Carnegie Performing Arts Center. Annual student recital, June 2 and 3. 

Intensity Dance Academy. 2018 showcase featuring students from level one to pre-professional level, June 9. Byham Theater

Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival, May 18-19.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. The troupe’s annual Ballet Under the Stars performance at Hartwood Acres, Aug. 19. 

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. The spring dance performance including classical and contemporary works performed by students from both student and pre-professional divisions, May 25 and 26. Byham Theater

Texture Contemporary Ballet. The local company opens its 2018-1019 season with "Unmeasured Rhythm." July 19-22 (New Hazlett Theater)

COMEDY

Arcade Comedy Theater. The Playlist: Music-Inspired Improv, May 17. Improv Pop-Up Night, May 17, June 21, July 19 and Aug. 16. Comedy Royale (short-form improv competition), May 18, June 15 and July 20. Beta Stage (improv), May 19, and May 26. Drinking Partners Present: A Night of EPIC Comedy, May 19. Bonus Stage (improv), May 20, May 24 and May 27. Penny Arcade (kid-friendly comedy), May 26, June 9 and 23. Knights of the Arcade: Epic D&D Comedy, May 25, June 30. 

Byham Theater. DVE Comedy Festival, June 29; Miranda Sings Live, July 25.

Black Forge Coffee House. Alonna And Friends, July 13.

Brillobox. Gab Bonesso's Comedy Showcase, June 12, July 10, Aug. 14. 

Carnegie Library of Homestead Music Hall. Eddie Griffin, June 8; Nick Swardson, June 14; Louie Anderson, July 21; David Cross, July 31.

Club Café. Standup for CF, May 31; The Roast of Harry Potter, June 2; Zach Miller and the Pump Slam Mafia Featuring Karl Prohaska, Terry Jones, Matt Light, and guests, June 8-9.

Gemini Theater. Amish Monkeys Improv Comedy, “Tabloid Headlines Show!”, June 9

Hambone’s. Sit Down and Laugh, June 9; Dave Stone, June 25.

Heinz Hall. Bill Maher, July 15; Dan & Phil World Tour 2018, July 22.

Pittsburgh Improv. Bruce Bruce, May 18-20; Ali Siddiq, May 24-27; Pablo Francisco, May 31 to June 3; John Witherspoon, June 7-9; TK Kirkland, June 14-17; Adam Ferrara, June 21-24; Jeff Dye, July 5-8; Guy Torry, July 26-29; Yannis Pappas. Aug. 17-19; Tony Rock, Aug. 23-26; Eddie Ifft, Aug. 30-31.
 
Pittsburgh Improv Jam. Thursdays at Cabaret at Theater Square, Downtown. 

Rex Theater. Neil Hamburger with JP Inc & John Dick Winters, July 20.

Pittsburgh Public Theater. Made in America: Some Assembly Required, Aug. 24-25.

Unplanned Comedy. The Collective Presents, May 19; The Unplanned Comedy Players, May 25; The Great Unwashed, May 26.

LITERARY and TALK

3 Rivers Comicon. Comics convention hosted by New Dimension Comics, May 19 and 20, Century III Mall, West Mifflin. 3riverscomicon.com

Alphabet City. Storytelling with Dovie Thomason, May 19; Free Association Reading Series, May 20, June 10, July 22; Stories That Heal: K. Rose Quayle, May 23; Chuck Kinder, May 31; Cave Canem Poets, June 14; Displacement & Belonging: Ali Asgar and Tuhin Das, June 28; Storytelling with Eshu Bumpus, July 21; Stories That Heal: Abeer Y. Hoque, July 25; Ceinwen King-Smith, Aug. 25.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. 18th Annual Summer Reading Extravaganza (free family activities and entertainment), June 10. Oakland. carnegielibrary.org

Confluence-SFF. Literary conference with a focus on science fiction, fantasy and horrors, July 27-29 (Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport Hotel). parsec-sff.org

Creative Nonfiction. Creative Nonfiction Writers Conference (workshops and discussions), May 24-26. creativenonfiction.org

Hemingway’s Summer Poetry Series. Tuesdays May-July. Hemingway’s Café, Oakland. hemingwayspoetryseries.blogspot.com

Irma Freeman Center. Launch Party: Leaving the Burdened Ground by Ava C. Cipri, featuring Angele Ellis, Jill Khoury, and art by Jessi Cramer of Curiosity Shop Tattoo May 19. irmafreeman.org

The Moth StorySLAM. Themed storytelling night: “Endings,” June 5. Rex Theater, South Side. themoth.org

Mystery Lovers Bookshop. Coffee & Crime: Mary Kay Andrews, May 20. Oakmont. mystery.lovers.com

Nasty Slam. Head-to-head poetry slam, June 6. Spirit, Lawrenceville. nastyslam.com

Because Blackness Like Poetry Means Many Things: Celebrating Cave Canem. Samiya Bashir, Eisa Davis, Ruth Ellen Kocher, and avery r. young. June 16. Kelly-Strayhorn Theater

Penguin Bookshop. Sewickley. Amy Reichert with Nancy Martin, May 23; Kathleen George, June 5; Dale Richard Perelman, June 16; John Fea, July 10; Zoje Stage, July 17; Rob Ruck, July 28. Sewickley, penguinbookshop.com

Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures. Elizabeth Rosner, May 17; Daniel Borzutzky, May 21; Sarah Menkedick, May 24; Tom Peters, May 31; Fredrik Backman, June 7; Pete Souza, June 11; Eliza Griswold, June 21. pittsburghlectures.org

Sen. John Heinz History Center. A Crisis of Criminality and Policing, May 24; Let’s Not Repeat the Past: History Meets Disability Advocacy 2018, May 31; heinzhistorycenter.org

TEDx Pittsburgh. Local speakers and performers tackle technology, entertainment and design issues, June 16. Byham Theater. tedxpittsburgh.org

WordPlay. Quarterly Bricolage Productions series blending true stories with live DJ, hosted by comic Alan Olifson. July 27-28. Downtown. bricolagepgh.org