Jeremy Reynolds on classical music
The classical music world was rocked in July by a damning Washington Post story that alleged sexual misconduct by several world-class conductors, musicians and arts administrators.
The field is collectively shaking its head and saying, “I’m not surprised.” I certainly wasn’t.
Private lessons and coaching sessions coupled with star power and issues of career advancement opportunities make the profession rife for compromising situations with significant power imbalances, where refusal to submit to abuse of any kind can mean blacklisting. And what’s the recourse? Many of the allegations in the article stem from years, if not decades, ago.
Is it likely that this sort of misconduct has magically dissipated in recent years? Of course not.
Bravo, bravo to those who spoke out. I hope others will feel encouraged to come forward, to peers, to authorities, to journalists. We want to help.
Sharon Eberson on theater
It’s a Pittsburgh theater superfecta: Sept. 14 is opening night for four Pittsburgh theaters, featuring two local premieres, a world premiere and an August Wilson play:
• Lauren Gunderson, America’s most produced playwright last year, gets her Pittsburgh introduction with “The Revolutionists” at City Theatre on the South Side. She shines her feminist POV on playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle and Marie Antoinette as they hang out in this Reign of Terror comedy. Through Sept. 30; CityTheatreCompany.org. • Quantum Theatre unveils “Chatterton,” a new work that keeps the audience on the move. Like “The Revolutionists,” “Chatterton” explores the lives of real people, based on Peter Ackroyd’s novel and directed by Karla Boos. Through Oct. 28 at Trinity Cathedral, Downtown; quantumtheatre.com.
• Kinetic Theatre’s Andrew Paul returns to Pittsburgh to direct “The Father,” by Parisian playwright Florian Zeller. The award-winning play views the world through the eyes of a dementia patient. Through Sept. 23 at New Hazlett Theater, North Side; kinetictheatre.org.
• Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company brings back August Wilson’s first play and the one not set in Pittsburgh — “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — with multidiscipline artist Vanessa German in the title role. Through Oct. 1 at 937 Liberty Ave., Downtown; pghplaywrights.org.
Sara Bauknecht on dance
With Labor Day right around the corner, there’s just enough time to squeeze in some more fun into the last gasp of summer.
May I recommend checking out a dance class? Some are even free.
Brush up on your dance skills with a free class from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in Downtown’s Market Square, courtesy of USA Dance Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. No partner required.
If you’re on the South Side, stop in at Millennium Dance Complex (mdcpgh. for one of its dropin classes for beginners of all ages, including ballet, hiphop and even burlesque. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School (Strip District) and the Kelly Strayhorn Theater’s Alloy School (Friendship) offer other options for community friendly classes for novices.
But if you prefer leaving the fancy footwork to the pros, hang tight. Come September, several Pittsburgh companies will return to the stage for a fresh season of dance.