May 6, 2010
The REP Presents World Premiere A Confluence of Dreaming
The REP, Point Park University’s professional theatre company, closes its 2009-2010 season with a world premiere, A Confluence of Dreaming, written by Tammy Ryan and directed by John Amplas, from May 28 – June 13, 2010 in the Studio Theatre in the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
A Confluence of Dreaming is a story for the digital age. The play tells the story of Carol, an underappreciated and seemingly invisible suburban homemaker who finds herself wondering what’s happened to her life. She rediscovers long-lost thrill and passion in the secret, sexy world of cyberspace. Taking place in Pittsburgh during the summer of 2001, Carol solicits a face-to-face meeting with her online lover in New York City. When fantasy collides with reality in his studio apartment, Carol confronts the choices she’s made against the desires she has suppressed in the quest for self-fulfillment.
The cast of four includes Bridget Connors as Carol, Robert Turano as Peter/Restaurant Owner, Sam Turich as Ted, and Connie Castanzo as Morgan/Waitress. Scenic design is by Stephanie Mayer-Staley; costume design is by Michael Montgomery; lighting design is by Andrew David Ostrowski; sound design is by Steve Shapiro; and video design is by Jessi Sedon.
Tammy Ryan’s plays have been produced and developed across the country. A member of the Dramatists Guild, the playwright has received the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Creative Achievement Award, The Heinz Endowment’s Creative Heights Grant and fellowships from the Pa. Council on the Arts and the Sewanee Writers Conference. A Confluence of Dreaming was originally commissioned by City Theater Company.
The production previews Thursday, May 27 and runs Friday, May 28 through Sunday, June 13, 2010. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. The cast will be available for a talkback on Saturday, May 29 following the 2:00 PM performance.
Tickets to the preview are $15. Regular performances range in price from $24 to $27 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-621-4445 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
April 21, 2010
Playhouse Jr. Presents Two Shows in May
Point Park University’s Playhouse Jr. presents the world premiere of The Dark Side of Zylo’s Moon and the beloved children’s musical Seussical at the Pittsburgh Playhouse May 7-9, 15-16 and 22-23. The Dark Side of Zylo’s Moon is a science fiction tale written and directed by local playwright Yoli; Seussical features music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens; Taavon Gamble directs.
The Dark Side of Zylo’s Moon is the story of Dr. Recyclable, a Zylonian who recognizes the damaging effects of waste and pollution, and Lili Mini Boots Model #10, a robot who is thrown away because she is a girl. With the help of Dr. Recyclable and his greatest creation, a robot made from recycled materials called Steel Boy Robot, Lili travels through a black hole to save nature by recycling. An out of this world science fiction adventure, The Dark Side of Zylo’s Moon shows how those who really care can make a difference.
Yoli has written and directed several plays and adaptations for Playhouse Jr., including Arlecchino and the Italian Clowns and last season’s Five Children and It. She is also an author of children’s novels, and recently won Mayhaven’s Award for Children’s Fiction for her novel Cruisin’ Sarah.
Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza that brings to life all beloved Dr. Seuss friends. Bursting with frivolity and imagination, the colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. When Horton the Elephant finds himself faced with a real challenge, he must protect his tiny friend Jojo (and all the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must guard an abandoned egg left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces incredible obstacles, the valiant Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community emerge triumphant in this beloved story for kids of all ages.
The Pittsburgh Playhouse is offering a special ticket deal for both productions during Mother’s Day weekend; one free ticket will be given to each mom who is accompanied by a paid admission.
The Dark Side of Zylo’s Moon and Seussical open with special performances on Friday, May 7 at 7 p.m. and run through Sunday, May 23, 2010. Performances will be held Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-621-4445 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
Fieldtrips can be booked by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-621-4445. Fieldtrip performances for The Dark Side of Zylo’s Moon run May 6 – May 28 and for Seussical May 5 - 28. Fieldtrip shows are performed Tuesdays through Fridays at 10 a.m. Additional performances are held Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:30 p.m. These performances are open to school and community groups only; advanced reservations are required.
March 31, 2010
Conservatory Dance Company closes season with exhilarating faculty concert
Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company presents Dance with Me April 9 through 11 at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse in Oakland. The program features the work of Conservatory faculty members Doug Bentz, Judith Leifer, Peter Merz, Nicolas Petrov and Ron Tassone.
Petrov is presenting the ballet version of Carmen, the beautifully dramatic story of the striking gypsy with a fiery temper. Free with her love, she pursues the corporal Don Jose, an inexperienced soldier. Their relationship leads to the rejection of his former love, Micaela, mutiny against his superior and an alliance with a gang of smugglers. His jealousy drives him to murder when Carmen turns from him to Escamillo, the bullfighter. Carmen features music by Rodion Shchedrin and Georges Bizet.
Tassone is presenting a new work, Dance with Me. A jazz-inspired swing extravaganza, the piece is set to classics from the Great American Songbook including musical legends Porter, Berlin, Gershwin and Goldenberg.
Bentz is premiering his sixty-first original work, Allegro Gypsioso. A cast of 13 dancers will be performing to live music performed by the Gipsy Stringz, a local gypsy quartet. The piece is inspired by gypsy culture and history and incorporates elements of gypsy dance such as arm and hand movements from Indian traditional dance and the flamenco.
Leifer is premiering an adventurous new modern work, 9min, to music by Dariush Dolat-Shahi. It is an exploration in creating and performing movement to literal measured time; the dancers will not hear the music until opening night.
Merz is presenting a restaging of his work, Fuga, to music by Astor Piazolla. Fuga is a sensual, slinky work that fuses classical ballet technique with authentic tango steps to bring an electric, sultry piece to life on the stage.
Dance with Me runs April 9 through 11 at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 -$20 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-621-4445 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
February 1, 2010
Conservatory Dance Company to Perform at the Byham
Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company will perform their annual concert at the Byham Theater in the Cultural District Feb. 11-13. The concert will feature signature works choreographed by dance masters Gerald Arpino, Doug Varone, David Parsons and Daniel Ezralow.
Gerald Arpino’s Light Rain, a company ballet piece originally choreographed for The Joffrey Ballet’s Silver Anniversary in 1981, is set by Maia Wilkins. When describing the piece, Arpino said, “It is my gift to these talented youngsters who are the artists of the Eighties. I am inspired by their modes and rituals, their passions.” The piece is choreographed to an original “East-West fusion” score by Douglas Adamz and Russ Gauthier. Point Park is one of the first universities to have the permission to perform one of Arpino’s works.
The Constant Shift of Pulse, choreographed by Doug Varone and set by Daniel Charon, is a modern work created on Julliard students in 2006. It is an extremely athletic piece requiring great stamina for the large ensemble cast. This masterwork is set to John Adams’s “Hallelujia Junction.”
David Parsons’s Nascimento, set by Jason McDole, is a tribute to the Brazilian composer Milton Nascimento who wrote the score for the piece after seeing Parsons Dance Company perform. An exciting modern work with a Latin feel, Nascimento is a colorful and exuberant piece set to seductive samba rhythms.
SUPER STRAIGHT is coming down, choreographed by Daniel Ezralow and set by Cheryl Mann, is a contemporary jazz piece for a small cast. This dynamic piece focuses on character interaction and the portrayal of personalities through dance. Mann previously performed the work with Hubbard Street Dance Company.
Conservatory Dance Company at the Byham runs February 11-13 on Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 - $20 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-621-4445 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
January 20, 2009
Conservatory of Performing Arts and Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse Receive Numerous Awards
2009 was another spectacular year for the Conservatory of Performing Arts and Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse. Not only did the companies create great theatre and work with numerous stars of the industry, the productions and performers also received several awards from the Pittsburgh community in recognition of their art.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Honors
-Performer of the Year: Robin Abramson, Point Park University alumna. In winning this illustrious award, she joins numerous other Conservatory family members including: John Shepard, chair, department of theatre (2008); David Whalen, alumnus (2007); Sheila McKenna, assistant professor (2005); Robin Walsh, alumna and head of M.F.A. in acting (1998); Doug Mertz, alumnus (1995-1996); Maria Becoates-Bay, alumna (1994-1995); David Butler (1993-1994).
-Best Plays of 2009: The REP's A Moon to Dance By took first place, with Mojo coming in eighth and Conservatory Theatre Company's Carousel receiving an honorable mention.
-Best Ensemble: The REP's A Moon to Dance By (Alexander, Cuccioli and Saxe). Also mentioned was the cast of Mojo.
-Best Actor: Robert Cuccioli (A Moon to Dance By); Doug Mertz, alumnus; Joel Ripka, alumnus; and John Wascavage, class of 2010 were all mentioned.
-Best Actress: Jane Alexander (A Moon to Dance By); Amy Landis (The Queens); and Daina Michelle Griffith, alumna.
-Supporting Actress: Sheila McKenna, associate professor, and Robyn Parrish, M.F.A. in acting candidate.
-Supporting Actor: Mark Staley, faculty member and Dave Droxler, alumnus.
Washington Observer-Reporter Honors
-Best Stage Productions from 2000-2009: The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? (The REP). Also mentioned was Reefer Madness (Conservatory Theatre Company).
December 1, 2009
A Moon to Dance By Nominated for American Theatre Critic's Association Award
Thom Thomas's A Moon to Dance By, which premiered in the Rauh Theatre in February, has been nominated for the American Theatre Critic's Association annual ACTA/Steinberg New Play Award which honors new scripts produced outside of New York City. One first place winner and two runners-up are chosen annually, with past citations going to August Wilson, Moises Kaufman, Adam Rapp, Nilo Cruz, Lynn Nottage and Horton Foote. The winners of the award will be announced in late February or March during the visitors' weekend of the Humana Festival in Louisville, Ky.
December 1, 2009
Conservatory Dance Company to Premiere Kiesha Lalama-White's The Bench
Point Park University will premiere Kiesha Lalama-White's The Bench Dec. 11-13 and 18-20 in the Rockwell Theatre of the Pittsburgh Playhouse. The music for the work was composed by David Lalama and the production will feature Grammy Award-winning artist Ralph Lalama. Read more
December 1, 2009
Playhouse Jr. to Celebrate the Holidays with A Child's Christmas in Wales
Playhouse Jr., the children's theatre company of Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts, opens its 2009-2010 season with an adaptation of Dylan Thomas's classic poem A Child's Christmas in Wales. The show runs Dec. 11-13 and 18-20 with a preview performance open to the public on Thursday, Dec. 10. The adaptation was written by director Mark Staley, associate director Joey Scarillo and the ensemble. Read more
November 20, 2009
The REP presents Normand Chaurette’s The Queens
The REP, Point Park University’s professional theatre company, presents Normand Chaurette’s The Queens, translated by Linda Gaboriau, at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse Nov. 20-22 and Dec. 3-13 with a preview performance open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 19; it is directed by Sheila McKenna and co-directed and choreographed by André Koslowski. Read more
November 3, 2009
Conservatory Dance Company Presents Pittsburgh Connections
Point Park University's Conservatory Dance Company presents Pittsburgh Connections Nov. 13-15 and 20-22 in the George Rowland White Performance Studio at the downtown campus. The program features the work of Marissa Balzer, Jeffrey Bullock, Patrick Frantz and Kristofer Storey; all four are seasoned artists with Pittsburgh roots. Read more
October 20, 2009
Conservatory Theatre Company Presents Carousel
Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Carousel at the Pittsburgh Playhouse November 6-15, 2009. A preview performance is open to the public on November 5; the play is directed by Jack Allison with music direction by Tim Marquette and choreography by Mark Esposito. Carousel is sponsored by The Tomayko Group, LLC. Read more
June 9, 2009
The REP Announces 2009 - 2010 Season
The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, has announced four productions, including one world premiere, for its 2009-10 season. The REP will open withThat Championship Season by Jason Miller Sept. 11 and continues with The Queens by Norman Chaurette, Buried Child by Sam Shepard and the premiere of Tammy Ryan'sA Confluence of Dreaming. The season at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Oakland, runs Sept. 11 through June 13, 2010. MORE...
April 21, 2009
The REP Presents Pittsburgh Premiere of Mojo
The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, presents the Pittsburgh premiere of Jez Butterworth's play Mojo at the Pittsburgh Playhouse Friday, May 29 through June 14 with a preview performance on Thursday, May 28; Kim Martin directs. More...
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