SEE IT LIVE
Pittsburghers like to debate whether the cultural scene is cool enough, edgy enough and so on, but there’s no arguing that there’s a ton of options for those who like live entertainment and music.
There are so many options to hear live music in 2023. Famed cellist Yo Yo Ma will perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall on Feb. 15, country singer and “The Voice” coach Blake Shelton comes March 24 to PPG Paints Arena and fans of vocal gymnastics can get their jazz/swing/pop/ acapella groove on with Manhattan Transfer at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg on March 26. Or how about Neko Case at the Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks on Jan. 28? If you don’t know the name, the Canadian singer-songwriter has been described as contemporary folk but she’s versatile. Tickets range between $39 and $65.
The PNC Broadway series has been bringing amazing shows to Pittsburghers for years. Depending on your loved one’s tastes, shows scheduled for winter and spring 2023 include the bopping “Hairspray,” in which a teen with big dreams strikes a blow for racial equality, and the not-yet-seen-in-Pittsburgh show “Jagged Little Pill,” based on Alanis Morissette’s angsty mid-1990s album that had everyone putting one hand in their pockets. Tickets range from $35-$110 for PNC Broadway shows at trustarts.org.
Now, for those who love someone who favors really loud concerts, we’ve got Loop Experience Ear Plugs. They’re $29.95 and got some some pretty good customer ratings on Amazon.
We’re going to call out the show “American Menu,” which is scheduled Feb. 3-19 at New Horizon Theater. Written by Don Wilson Glenn, the play brings the audience to May 1968 as seen through the lives of several Black restaurant workers in the kitchen of a “whites only” Texas diner. Check out other upcoming shows at City Theatre, Prime Stage Theater, Stage 62, Attack Theatre and more (not to mention venues connected to Point Park and Carnegie Mellon universities).
Magic doesn’t just belong to Disney, of course. On the calendar for 2023, Liberty Magic on Liberty Avenue has Eric Jones’ “Immaculate Deception.” The show, which takes its name from one of Steelers fans’ favorite football plays of all time, draws “inspiration from our city’s history of miraculous moments,” according to the Liberty Magic website. Running from June 14 to July 2, the show’s tickets will cost $40-$65. Check out the rest of the season’s shows at trustarts.org.