A Picasso at the City Theatre

1. I have two Picassos. Of course they are reproductions, and small ones at that, little prints in beat-up frames. My grad school roommate Sharon gave them to me — she found them in an antique shop. They depict two harlequins, one on a horse and one with a black mask in hand. The one …

City Theatre special event: “Stage Directions”

Unique discussion TONIGHT (Monday 11/13) at City Theatre: "Stage Directions," a discussion by the Artistic Director Tracy Brigden and Artistic Associate Kellee Van Aken. From the e-newsletter: [They] will lead a talk about casting and directing plays that have never been done before. Free and open to the public, the discussion takes place at City …

Man Is Man at the Sage Building

Something to do tonight or tomorrow night (if you need a break from PodCampPittsburgh): A new adaptation of "Man Is Man," the anti-war comedy by Bertolt Brecht, with live music, performed in an abandoned children’s clothing store. MAN IS MAN by Bertolt Brecht November 8-11, 2006 at 8 pm The Sage Building 1029 Fifth Avenue …

Everybody knows about those cheese balls

I’m going to be in a play, and you should come see it. The Butler Little Theatre’s next production is “The Book of Liz,” written by Amy Sedaris and David Sedaris. The story centers on Sister Elizabeth Donderstock, a member of a Squeamish community. She makes cheese balls (traditional and smoky) that sustain the existence …

Time for a House Party

Melanie Miller, founder and choreographer of Pittsburgh’s Junction Dance Theatre, is looking for stories set in rooms of houses, to use a raw material for a upcoming work. Here’s her call for ideas: I would like to invite you to help direct the creation of House Party, Junction Dance Theatre

There are only small actors

A public service message for people who audition for community theater productions: If you should receive a call from the producer of a production, offering you a role different from that for which you had wished, please remember these points: 1. The producer is not enjoying this task. She (let’s say it’s a she) wishes …

Drink of the week: Vampire

Tonight I’ll attend the Butler Little Theatre’s production of Dracula, and afterwards I’ll bring friends back to my piano lounge for cocktails. I expect we’ll need something strong (dare I say ‘biting’?) to recover from the show. Here’s what I’ll serve: Vampire 1 part Raspberry Liqueur 1 part Vodka 1 part Cranberry Juice 1 part …

Wrap it up, I’ll take it

Today’s lesson, regarding The History of Paper and Papermaking: Corrugated Paper Products In 1856, Englishmen, Healey and Allen, received a patent for the first corrugated or pleated paper. The paper was used to line tall men’s hats. However, this was not the corrugated cardboard we know today. On December 20, 1871, Albert Jones of New …