Broadway World

Point Park University's Playhouse Jr., the second longest running children's theatre company in the country, will be bringing down the curtain at the historic Pittsburgh Playhouse with two unique shows for children of all ages.

By Steve Sucato | Pittsburgh City Paper

Native American mysticism, a nod to “Furry fandom” and a lamentation over the loss of imagination, all play a role in Conservatory Dance Company’s Spring Dance Concert.

By Christopher Rawson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Uncle Vanya” waves the flag for the final lap of a great tradition, not just of Point Park’s actor training, but of the building and its different programs that for much of the 20th century were the mainstays of Pittsburgh theater.

By Mike Buzzelli | Observer-Reporter

A few days ago, I read about the closing of the Pittsburgh Playhouse in Oakland. I don’t normally wax philosophical about a building, but I have some very fond memories of this historic locale.

By Claire DeMarco | Burgh Vivant

Loves declared, angers vetted, frictions agitated… Does anything get resolved? Does everything go back to normal or is life permanently changed for all?

By Bill O'Driscoll | 90.5 WESA

Later this spring, the end of an era in Pittsburgh theater arrives with the shuttering of the Pittsburgh Playhouse in Oakland.

Broadway World

The final piece of the student company to take the Rauh stage is Uncle Vanya, Anton Chekhov's admired and passionate play about love, sacrifice, and the damaging effects of time.

By Sharon Eberson |Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Conservatory Theatre of Point Park has outdone itself for energy and panache... with a musical made for the best hoofers in show biz.

John Clayton (Pittsburgh's Own, Nationally Known NFL Writer / Reporter Now with 710 ESPN Radio Seattle & Commentator on Schooled! W the Professor Podcast) Discusses Football, the Steelers, Replay, and His upcoming Talk Back Series on Media and the NFL at Point Park University.

Broadway World

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents 42nd Street, the timeless and beloved, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that promises to keep you singing and dancing along with the cast
 

By Nick Mitchell | Burgh Vivant

On the way out, another emotionally wrecked theater-goer asked this reviewer on the way out: “Where’s the closest place I can get a vodka martini?”  Lots of interesting questions arise after seeing this play.

By Michelle Pilecki | Pittsburgh City Paper

Women are at the center, and most of the edges, of the Point Park University Conservatory Theatre Co.’s production of The House of Bernarda Alba, a classic portrayal of the psychological laceration of women by women.

By Brian Edward | Burgh Vivant

Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli talks about A DEVIL INSIDE, performing at the Pittsburgh Playhouse through February 18th, 2018.

By Broadway World

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents The House of Bernarda Alba, Federico García Lorca's admired and passionate play about a family's tragedy, love, and oppression.

By Wendy Arons | The Pittsburgh Tatler

That each of us has a ‘devil inside’ is the subject of David Lindsay-Abaire’s frenzied black comedy, which combines the outrageous blood-shedding of a Martin McDonough play (think Lieutenant of Inishmore) with the farcical energy of a Joe Orton comedy.

By Jason Clearfield | Pittsburgh in the Round

Though it’s very likable, almost cute, with how over the top it gets.  It’s exceptional camp, with breakaway performances by the entire ensemble.

By Harry Kloman | Pittsburgh City Paper

It counts on cacophonous performances to succeed, and the intrepid cast doesn’t disappoint

By Christopher Rawson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

What could live up to the occasion? They opted for the whole kit and caboodle, a ramshackle, post-modern mix of comedy and tragedy -- in their extreme forms, farce and melodrama -- plus detective story, Russian angst, some slice-‘em-up and a dollop of the absurd, served up with lots of noir.

By Sharon Eberson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The past is present in every nook and cranny of the Pittsburgh Playhouse, and there are about a million nooks and countless crannies.

By Brian Edward | Burgh Vivant

David Lindsay-Abaire’s A Devil Inside is an outrageous, gruesome, and hilarious story will surely keep you on your toes.

By Broadway World

A Devil Inside is an outrageous, gruesome, and hilarious story will surely keep you on your toes.

Reminisce, celebrate and say a proper goodbye at the Pittsburgh Playhouse’s Lights Out Celebration

By Sharon Eberson and Christopher Rawson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Congratulations to Point Park University alum Monteze Freeland on being named performer of the year!

By Tiffany Raymond | Pittsburgh in the Round

The desire to please and delight those we love is as natural as the holiday spirit the play easily conjures.

By Claire DeMarco | Burgh Vivant

What is wealth? Della and Jim realize that it’s not an abundance of physical possessions, but the abundance of the love that’s really important.

By Steve Sucato | Pittsburgh City Paper

The program includes one of the season’s very best productions.

Broadway World

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents The Gift of the Magi, a classic Christmas story about the power of love and unexpected surprises of life. 

By Ted Hoover | Pittsburgh City Paper

The script gives the company an opportunity to, theatrically speaking, go to town.

By Steve Sucato | Pittsburgh City Paper

One thing that hasn’t changed in decades is that Conservatory Dance Company programs consistently showcase some of the finest choreographic talent and works in Pittsburgh.

By Brian Pope | Pittsburgh in the Round

Point Park’s Conservatory Theatre Company presents a surprisingly physical and universally stunning production of Jaclyn Backhaus’s play You on the Moors Now.

By Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli | Burgh Vivant

When heroines from classic literature rise up, and shed their romantic shackles, it’s a battle for the Brontë’s in Jacklyn Backhaus’ irreverent play, “You on the Moors Now.”

By Chris Potter | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Christopher Ruddy, the influential online conservative publisher who sometimes serves as an oracle for the whims of Donald Trump, warned Wednesday that his friend faces difficult days ahead.

By Sid Lingala | The Pitt News

Ruddy’s talk was part of the Point Park University Talk Back Series, which promotes forums of debate across different ideologies and allows people in the audience to “talk back” to presenters.

By Broadway World - Pittsburgh

With a hilarious and reflective script, this story speaks to the characters back then as well as audiences today.

By Ted Hoover | Pittsburgh City Paper

If you’re interested in knowing what theater looks like when it’s done to perfection, I’d suggest Point Park Conservatory’s production of Kiss Me Kate, where director/choreographer Zeva Barzell and a sublime cast and crew are giving a musical-comedy master class.

By George Hoover | Pittsburgh in the Round

The real story here is this production by the Conservatory Theatre of Point Park University. It is practically perfect in every way.

By Broadway World

With a sweeping score and jazzed-out dance numbers, this is a pivotal show that defined the Golden Age of musicals and even won the first-ever Tony Award for Best Musical in 1949.

By Carley Bonk | The Globe

Jasiri X, a Pittsburgh-based hip-hop artist and activist, kicked off the conversation last Tuesday evening in the Rauh Theatre by sharing his experiences fighting for racial equality.

By Patricia Thornweilder | Pittsburgh in the Round

This was an amazing, aggravating, horrifying and explosively powerful show. I just wish it didn’t feel so relevant too.

By Ted Hoover | Pittsburgh City Paper

The Playhouse REP presents the local premiere of this extraordinary musical which, it must be said, is not for the faint-hearted.

By Sharon Eberson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“The Scottsboro Boys” is full of jolts... in which horror and history, music and “merriment” tell a harrowing real-life American tale.

By Mike Vargo | Entertainment Central Pittsburgh

You have a choice. You can see The REP’s production of The Scottsboro Boys (through Sept. 24) at Pittsburgh Playhouse. Or you can smack your head later when people tell you what a great show you missed. I am here to try to help you make the right choice.

By Joanne Klimovich Harrop | Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Point Park University's bachelor of fine arts in dance program has been recognized by OnStage Blog as one of the 10 best in the U.S.

By Brian Pope | Pittsburgh in the Round
Summer may be ending, but things are about to heat up at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in Oakland.

By Sharon Eberson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
How do you take a dark episode in American history and create something both entertaining and horrifying? That’s where the minstrel show that is the framework of “The Scottsboro Boys” comes in.

Tome Cousin gives a sneak peak of The Scottsboro Boys on the Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show. (Segment begins at 1:55)

Tomé Cousin chats with Lynne Hayes-Freeland on KDKA-TV Pittsburgh about the upcoming debut of The Scottsboro Boys.

The multi talented Tomé Cousin stops by to share the intriguing history of Kander and Ebb’s final musical, The Scottsboro Boys.

What does it take to land a Broadway show? Hard work, talent, luck—all backed up by a good education.

Point Park University in September is starting a new speaker series at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in Oakland that will give audience members a chance to interact with a trio of accomplished communicators.

By Sally Quinn | Tribune-Review

Two popular but very different children's books series offer two very different theater adaptations. One is a kid-focused detective story. The other is a musical about a girl in love with all things pink. Both are entertaining, full of laughs and priced right to be able to afford to see both over the next three weeks. And with a run time of about 45 to 60 minutes each, the squirm factor is minimal.

By Amanda Waltz | NEXTpittsburgh

Playhouse Jr.'s Pinkalicious and Nate the Great are amoing the top 10 family events this month in Pittsburgh.

By Sara Bauknecht | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Each spring, the Byham Theater showcase presented by Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company is considered a crowning moment for student dancers. This year’s show -— which opens Thursday and runs through Saturday -— is shaping up to be extra special, and a little bittersweet. Students will pay tribute to Douglas Bentz with a revival of his jazz piece “Let’s Swing,” featuring the Benny Benack Big Band. Works by Antony Tudor, Jose Limon and Stefanie Batten Bland will round out the program.

By Steve Sucato | Pittsburgh City Paper

The Point Park University Conservatory Dance Company’s annual production will be extra-special this year. Along with the usual quality dance works, the production honors dance professor Doug Bentz, who is retiring after 41 years on the faculty.

By Victoria Lemon | The Globe

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” written in 1852, is an anti-slavery story that follows the life of a middle-aged slave, Tom. The adaptation of this novel by Jason Jacobs and Tome Cousin will be presented on the Rauh stage at the Pittsburgh Playhouse to finish out the 2016-17 Conservatory Theatre Company season.

'Burgh Vivant

From New York to Pittsburgh, Jason Jacobs joins the cocktail conversation on ‘Burgh Vivant and discusses his collaboration with Tomé Cousin in adapting Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin for The Conservatory Company of Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse. See UNCLE TOM’S CABIN OR THE MOST POPULAR AMERICAN PLAY YOU’VE NEVER SEEN April 7th through 16th, 2017.

BY BWW News Desk | Broadway World

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company closes its 2016-2017 season with Uncle Tom's Cabin, or The Most Popular American Play You've Never Seen.

By Robert Gerger | The Globe

On March 31, the Pittsburgh Playhouse will host its first rock concert with an artist outside of Point Park, featuring Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties and Drop the Act.
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties is the solo project of Dan “Soupy” Campbell, lead singer of Philadelphia pop punk band, The Wonder Years. 

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Being at the helm of the classic Broadway musical ‘Sweet Charity’ here at Point Park, the students have brilliantly shown me their complete passion and commitment in bringing to life the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a girl who just wanted to be loved,” said Mr. Rupert, who previously directed “The Crucible,” “Ragtime” and “Parade” for Point Park.

By Victoria Lemon | The Globe

The Conservatory Theatre Company is bringing Fosse-style choreography and the aura of the 60s to the Rockwell stage in “Sweet Charity,” directed by Tony-Award winner Michael Rupert.

By BWW News Desk | Broadway World

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents "Sweet Charity," a classic American musical based on the Federico Fellini film, "The Nights of Cabiria," about finding genuine love in a world of deceit. With big, brassy numbers and Fosse-esque choreography, "Sweet Charity" is a pivotal show that has defined jazz musicals.

By Bill O'Driscoll | Pittsburgh City Paper

Point Park University’s dance department has long had a reputation for turning out talented dancers. So when looking at the program, it’s easy to focus on its distinguished performing alumni and overlook the talents of the teaching staff. In the department’s annual Conservatory Dance Company at Point Park University production, the spotlight will turn on five staff members as they showcase their choreographic skills in new works created for student troupe the Conservatory Dance Company.

By Victoria Lemon | The Globe

The story is about fifty women that are told they must marry their cousins; thus, they flee from Greece to Italy in an attempt to escape the men. This contemporary version of “The Suppliants” focuses on three couples and topics such as gender equality, love and domestic violence.

By BWW News Desk | Broadway World

"Big Love" gives a fresh twist on Aeschylus' "The Suppliant Women," one of the oldest plays in the western world.

By Harry Funk | The Almanac

After such career highlights as playing Elizabeth Taylor’s daughter on Broadway and guest starring on “Seinfeld,” Ann Talman is going solo. The 1975 Upper St. Clair High School graduate – she’s a charter member of the school’s arts hall of fame – is debuting her autobiographical one-woman show, “Woody’s Order!” Performances run Feb. 3-19 in the Studio Theatre at Pittsburgh Playhouse.

By Sharon Eberson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

You could say Ann Talman has been working on her one-woman show, “Woody’s Order!,” since birth. “Or you could say before birth, actually,” said the actress known for roles on “Seinfeld,” “General Hospital” and as Elizabeth Taylor’s daughter in Broadway’s “The Little Foxes.”

By Victoria Lemon | The Globe

The Pittsburgh Playhouse REP Professional Company is starting 2017 off strong with a unique performance of a one-woman show about the struggles an all-American family faces when dealing with special needs. “Woody’s Order!” is a biographical play written and performed by Ann Talman and directed by John Shepard.

Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
Pittsburgh native Ann Talman has a long and impressive list of credits, ranging from Broadway to Seinfeld to films such as Wall Street and Bob Roberts. She has played Elizabeth Taylor’s daughter, had a recurring role on General Hospital, and sung and danced in regional theatres across the country. Her biggest role, though, has been as caregiver for her older brother, Woody, who was born in 1948 with severe cerebral palsy.

By Sally Quinn | Tribune Review

There's that one family down the block in every neighborhood. In this story, it's the Herdmans. The six siblings shoplift, smoke and generally make life miserable for others. But when they hear there are free snacks at church, they sign up for the Christmas pageant.

By Sara Bauknecht | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ballet is often synonymous with tutus, pointe shoes and old master choreographers such as George Balanchine — but it’s so much more than that. In its latest production,“Ballet Off-Center,” Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company will shake up some preconceptions.

By Claire Juozitis | Pittsburgh in the Round
Point Park University’s Conservatory Theatre Company brings you this unconventional Christmas comedy.

Broadway World News Desk
Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, a laugh out loud, funny holiday play that puts the joy in Christmas for all ages. 

By Steve Sucato | Pittsburgh City Paper 

For the annual Contemporary Choreographers program of Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company, Department of Dance chair Rubén Graciani dug a little deeper into the well of talented professional choreographers to select four who are steadily making names for themselves on the national scene.

By Sharon Eberson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Robert Turano’s long association with The Rep and Pittsburgh Playhouse continues with the local premiere of “I’m Gonna Pray for You So Hard,” Halley Feiffer’s drama about navigating father-daughter relationships.

Broadway World News Desk

The REP Professional Theatre Company presents the Pittsburgh Premiere of Halley Feiffer's I'm Gonna Pray For You So Hard, the navigation of the complicated divide of father-daughter relationships, as each struggles in one way or another, to make the other proud.

By Sharon Eberson | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A year before “RuPaul’s Drag Race” splashed the spectacle of a drag queen battle royale onto television screens, “Wig Out!” was onstage to pull back the curtain on the fierce competitors who make drag balls their life. From his perch at The New York Times, critic Ben Brantley gushed over “this gutsy, pulsing portrait of uptown drag queens and the men who love them” when “Wig Out!” debuted off-Broadway in 2008. The play also had a London run that same year, and that was it.

By Eva Phillips | Pittsburgh in the Round
Audacious drag queens, a surreal reimagining of The Tempest, the devastatingly pointed Harriet Beecher Stowe slave narrative, and the indomitable grimy charm of a deaf and blind pinball wizard are only a few of the exhilarating highlights set to tantalize audiences in the fantastic upcoming Fall 2016/Spring 2017 season of Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse.