Public’s new artistic director steps up
— but not for long.
“Oh, yes, musicals will be in the Public’s future,” Ms. Kaminski said. “Even next season, you will see that there is not a traditional musical, but several plays with music and original scores, so I think we will see that intersection of music and storytelling.”
Among this season’s offerings, she noted that “Indecent,” a play about performing a controversial play — 1923’s “God of Vengeance” — includes a live klezmer band.
The artistic director had been thinking about bringing to Pittsburgh one musical among the three she has been working on in Seattle, but logistics weren’t on her side, at least not for next season. There are other ideas swirling, including the possibility of creating partnerships with other like-minded theaters.
Even as she prepares to say goodbye to the Northwest and find a new home in Pittsburgh, she’s already thinking about the 2019-20 season, she said.
Pittsburgh Public Theater 2018-19 season
Sept. 27-Oct. 28: “Pride and Prejudice” by Kate Hamill; directed by Desdemona Chiang — An updated version of the Jane Austen classic. New York Times reviewer Alexis Soloski wrote, “The ever-ingenious Ms. Hamill has given us something completely and delightfully different.”
Nov. 8-Dec. 9: “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage; directed by Justin Emeka. Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for drama. In a drama that unfolds from 2000 to 2008, the folks at Olstead’s Steel Tubing in Reading work, drink and dream together, until layoffs and lockouts begin to drive them apart.
Jan. 24-Feb. 24, 2019: “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Marya Sea Kaminski. A premiere production told from a female perspective with an original score.
March 7-April 7, 2019: “A Doll’s House, Part 2” by Lucas Hnath, directed by Ted Pappas. Remember when Nora slammed the door on her family in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”? Well, it’s 15 years later, and Nora is back to demand an official divorce as she navigates negotiations with her husband, their daughter and nanny Anne Marie.
April 18-May 19, 2019: “Indecent” by Paula Vogel, directed by Risa Brainin. Based on true events, this story of a Jewish playwright and his resilient acting troupe unfolds to the melodies of a live klezmer band.
May 30-June 30, 2019: “Marjorie Prime” by Jordan Harrison, directed by Marya Sea Kaminski. In the near future, “primes” are programmed to look, sound and smile like our dearly departed. (In partnership with Choitek, Ascender Start/ Build Hub, and the Thrival Innovation+ Music Festival.)