Virtual ‘Off the Record’ features Lange, Martino, Wiggin

Pittsburgh’s 21st annual Off the Record may be a virtual-only affair this year, but it makes a real difference in helping the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to feed people in need.

And it’s all through the power of laughter.

“This year everything is new, not a single clip from a previous year,” said producer Sharon Eberson, former theater critic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, explaining that last year’s 20th anniversary production was a clip show.

“This year we have more broadcasters from across the dial involved than ever before,” she said.

Off the Record, which is produced by the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh and SAG-AFTRA unions, satirizes local events and people with songs and skits and cameos from high-profile Pittsburghers. This year’s production debuts at 8 p.m. Thursday on YouTube on the Off the Record Pittsburgh channel. Getting vaccinated is this year’s theme.

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has programmed a laugh track for his bit, and outgoing Mayor Bill Peduto will appear one last time. Also performing this year are former KDKA-TV reporter and anchor Paul Martino, Penguins announcer Mike Lange making his Off the Record debut, and former WTAE-TV news anchor Sally Wiggin paying tribute to the late Joanne Rogers, a longtime patron of Off the Record.

This year’s installment, “We’re 21 — Let’s Do Shots,” was filmed at three locations: Con Alma jazz club and Allegheny Overlook, both in Downtown; and Gargaro Theater in the West End. Local actor Chris Laitta is the director.

Over the course of its history, Off the Record has raised more than $600,000 for the food bank. Last year, during the pandemic, the show raised $33,000. According to the food

bank, $1 buys up to five meals.

Eberson, who acted as coproducer last year alongside fellow PG theater critic Christopher Rawson, said that this year’s program is well on its way to earning similar proceeds for the food bank.

“It’s amazing that people want to be part of this even in these tough times,” she said. “We’re very grateful.”

Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette Hope Anthony, left, Laurie Klatsche and Zanna Fredland belt out the finale during rehearsal Sept. 2 for the 21st annual Off the Record show at Allegheny Overlook Park in Downtown.