Pittsburgh organizations plan performing arts for the year.
As performing arts organizations cautiously roll out their calendars for 2021, Pittsburgh creators continue to offer a wide variety of plays, musicals, opera and classical music for those looking for an escape from the doldrums of 2020.
Here’s just a few of the events coming to a screen — or even a theater — near you.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra continues its virtual series “Front Row” with a two-part episode, “For the People.” The episode presents music from five American female composers: Jennifer Higdon, Libby Larsen, Jessie Montgomery, Florence Price and Joan Tower. The musicians aren’t just in Heinz Hall, however. Led by Conductor Andrés Franco and Guest Concertmaster Alexi Kenney, the PSO also performs in the Washington Penn Plastics Hangar at the Washington County Airport in South Franklin. Part one of “For the People” airs at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 22 and part two airs at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 29 at pittsburghsymphony.org.
Beechview-based Prime Stage Theatre Company continues to make literature come alive with Richard LaMonte Pierce’s “Sojourner,” a one-woman portrayal of the fervent abolitionist, memoirist, and civil and women’s rights advocate Sojourner Truth. Performed by teaching artist Delana Flowers, “Sojourner” will be available for online streaming Feb. 12-19 for a donation of $5 or more at primestage.com.
The PSO’s 125th Anniversary Celebration represents a major milestone for the acclaimed organization, and the show will go on. The virtual event will showcase the organization’s storied history in the Steel City and feature 49 musicians in creative chamber combinations and solos, including Astor Piazzolla’s version of “The Four Seasons.” Funds raised will support the PSO’s learning and community engagement programs that impact over 80,000 children and adults each year. The event streams at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27. Link access to the celebration starts at $25 and can be found at pittsburghsymphony.org.
The New Hazlett Theatre’s Community Supported Art Series returns for another year, highlighting a variety of performing arts talent in Allegheny Center. The series’ next musical, “Local Singles,’’ focuses on the “last surviving support group in Pittsburgh for lonely people” and an abandoned pregnant woman’s search for answers. Pine playwright, musician and filmmaker Nick Navari presents the pop-fueled musical digitally with a full-cast and band for the first time. Navari made headlines in 2020 after putting together an encouraging music video full of footage of city landmarks titled “Dear Pittsburgh.” “Local Singles’’ is available to stream at 8 p.m. March 25 and 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., March 26 at newhazletttheater.org.
Pittsburgh Public Theater’s virtual series “Classics N’at” continues to give modern spins on centuries-old tales. In April, the series reinvents “Cyrano de Bergerac” with the Public Playtime adaptation, “The Bergerac Simulation” by playwright and Carnegie Mellon professor Mora V. Harris. Harris is no stranger to reimagining classics. She wrote the play “Mircalla,” a new take on the enduring vampire story “Carmilla.” “The Bergerac Simulation” will be available to stream at 7 p.m. April 15 through 10 p.m., April 18.
Tickets for “Classics N’at” start at a $10 donation at ppt.org.
Legendary jazz saxophonist and musical innovator Charlie Parker has died. Thus begins the opera “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird,” coming to Pittsburgh Opera in April. Directed by accomplished theater veteran Tomé Cousin, the opera focuses on Parker’s ghost as he returns to the famed Birdland jazz club in New York City. There he attempts to complete his final masterpiece while revisiting the highs, lows and relationships that impacted his enduring contributions to jazz music. Martin Bakari returns to Pittsburgh in the title role, having previously performed in Pittsburgh Opera’s “The Summer King” in 2017. “Charlie Parker’s Yardbird” is set for socially distanced, in-person performances April 10, 13, 16, 18, 20, 22. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at pittsburghopera.org.
With Pittsburgh Opera’s history dating back to 1939, it seems improbable it would still have a classic work left to premiere. Nevertheless, Handel’s Baroque musical piece “Semele” is a first for the company. The opera (or is it an oratorio?) explores the title character’s vanity and her relationship with the god Jupiter. His wife, Juno, is none too pleased, but shouldn’t she be used to such behavior? Pittsburgh Opera resident artist Véronique Filloux, who was hilarious in her turn as Despina the cleaning lady in the recent “Cosi Fan Tutti,” plays Semele. The opera runs May 8, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20 in person, socially distanced, at the company’s Strip District headquarters. To purchase tickets, visit pittsburghopera.org.
Tony winners librettist Lynn Ahrens, Pittsburgh native composer Stephen Flaherty and the late playwright Terrence McNally were regular collaborators on musicals “Ragtime” and “Anastasia.” They also collaborated on the musical adaptation of the 1994 Albert Finney film “A Man of No Importance.” Front Porch Theatricals brings “No Importance” to the New Hazlett Theater May 21-30. Broadway vet Allan Snyder plays Alfie Byrne, the director of an amateur theater troupe who comes into conflict with church authorities when they want to stage Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” there. Tickets can be purchased at frontporchpgh.com.
Pittsburgh CLO skipped its entire 2020 season, a painful decision that forced many scheduled shows down the calendar for its 75th anniversary. Funny, frothy musical “The Drowsy Chaperone” gives the CLO yet another chance to flex its casting muscles with pop star Clay Aiken in the main role of “Man in Chair.” The self-described “musical within a comedy” skewers several laughable tropes of 1920s Broadway while also showing the importance of those who keep the zany fun of such shows alive. “The Drowsy Chaperone” lights up the Benedum Center stage July 6-11. Tickets can be purchased at pittsburghclo.org.
PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh also had to take a break during the pandemic. But the series will be back full force with “Hadestown,” a reinvention of the Greek myth of Orpheus descending to the underworld to rescue his beloved Eurydice. The musical showcases the book, lyrics and score by acclaimed folk singer/songwriter Anaïs Mitchell. The Broadway show was nominated for 14 Tony Awards in 2019, winning eight, including best musical and best original score. “Hadestown” comes to the Benedum Sept. 7-12. Tickets can be purchased at trustarts.org.
The schedule for City Theatre’s 2021 shows has yet to be fully settled, but one announced play hoped for this year is “Vietgone” by Qui Nguyen. A show about Vietnam War refugees resettling in Arkansas in 1975, “Vietgone” challenges preconceptions about what a romantic comedy can be. Mr. Nguyen wrote the play directly from stories from his parents’ lives, and after premiering in 2015, the show was produced in cities across the country. For more information on performance dates and tickets, check citytheatrecompany.org.