Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Roving Pittsburgher Report, 2017-2018 PNC Broadway Pittsburgh Season Line Up of Musicals



2017-2018 PNC Broadway Pittsburgh
Season Line Up of Musicals



The PNC Foundation joined the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on Monday, March 20, 2017 at the Byham Theatre to introduce its 2017-2018 season lineup of Broadway musicals that will be performed at various theatres throughout the Pittsburgh Cultural District.  The theme, “Your Wish is Granted” couldn’t be further from the truth, because you just had to be there to witness the roar of the crowd as the following musicals were announced: 


School of Rock – NY Times Critics’ Pick and an “inspiring jolt of energy, joy and mad skillz!” (Entertainment Weekly).  Based on the hit film, this musical follows the adventures of Dewey Finn a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.  The musical includes 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and includes all the original songs from the movie and musical theatre’s first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage.  – Playing October 17-22, 2017 at Benedum Center.



The Color of Purple – Winner of 2016 Tony Awards and Best Musical Revival.  Hailed as “direct hit to the heart” (The Hollywood Reporter), this American classic is directed by Tony winner John Doyle as a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, and is a Pulitzer Prize-winning story about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South.  Martina Sykes belted out an amazing solo performance of theme song “I’m Here.” – Playing November 14-19, 2017 at Benedum Center.



Love Never Dies – If you loved Phantom of the Opera, then you won’t want to miss this musical!  Cited by Chris Boyd in The Australian as “the best thing Lloyd Webber has written in the quarter century since Phantom of the Opera,” this musical takes the audience on a roller-coaster ride of intrigue, obsession, and romance back to 1907, just 10 years after the Phantom disappeared from the Paris Opera House to live among the screaming joyrides and freak shows of Coney Island, NY.  In this new electrically charged world he finds a place for his music to soar but never stops yearning for his one true love and musical protégée, Christine Daae.  Jazmine Gorzline gave a stunning solo performance of the theme song, “Love Never Dies.” – Playing January 4-7, 2018 at Benedum Center.






The Bodyguard –  Based on the smash-hit film, this musical stars Grammy Award-nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox plays Rachel Marron of “Rachel Marron and Company.”  Former secret service agent Frank Farmer is hired as a bodyguard to protect Rachel from an unknown stalker.  Each expects to be in charge but they don’t expect to fall in love.  The musical boasts irresistible classic hits including Queen of the Night; So Emotional; One Moment in Time; Saving All My Love; Run to You; I Have Nothing; I Wanna Dance with Somebody; and I Will Always Love You.  If only Whitney Houston could grace us with her presence today by singing solo for this musical; sure to be a smash hit! – Playing February 27-March 4, 2018 at Benedum Center.


Waitress – This winner of 4 Tony Awards hit musical features original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland).  Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, Waitress portrays the story of Jenna, a waitress and pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage.  Will Jenna be able to muster the strength and courage to rebuild her own life?  Let the audience be the judge!  Charity Dossen gave a joyous solo performance of the hit song, “I Didn’t Plan It.” – Playing March 6-11, 2018 at Benedum Center.



Rent – This 1996 original rock musical, a Pulitzer Prize & Tony Award-winning masterpiece first opened on Broadway by a little-known composer, Jonathan Larson, and will be coming to Pittsburgh next year during its 20th anniversary touring production.  Rent is bound to attract audiences across generations and around the world, as it forever changed the landscape of American theatre.  A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Boheme, Rent tells the story, over a one-year period, in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out.  Rent will deliver an inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, celebrating friendship and creativity that reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that matters most: Love. – Playing March 27-April 1, 2018 at Heinz Hall.



Aladdin – Hailed by USA Today as “Pure Genie-Us,” this hit Broadway musical features all your favorite songs from the film and includes new music written by Tony and Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Newsies) with lyrics by the legendary Howard Ashman (Beauty & the Beast), Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aida), and book writer Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).  Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!), this musical also boasts behind-the-scenes expertise from Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins), Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots), and Natasha Katz (An American in Paris).  Jacob Dickey gave a heart-rendering solo performance of the hit song, “Proud of Your Boy.”  – Playing August 21-September 9, 2018 at Benedum Center.


Season Specials
Season ticket holders can secure the best seats at the best price to the following added attractions before they go on sale to the general public by swapping out of one season show or purchasing the shows separately.  Season ticket holders are permitted to swap tickets from one season show to another, or to one of the specials below: 
(NOTE: Season specials are not part of the season ticket package.)

Motown - The Musical (The Songs. The Sound. The Story.) – Playing November 21-26, 2017 at Benedum Center.


Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – The Musical – Playing December 19-24, 2017 at Heinz Hall.


Wicked – The Musical (Returns to Pittsburgh, with a special show for the Autism Audience) – Playing January 24-February 11, 2018 at the Benedum Center.



Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” – Playing May 22-27, 2018; Heinz Hall.


Coming in the 2018-2019 Season
Just when the audience thought this was the end of announcements for the upcoming season of musical Broadway entertainment to be embellished, the PNC Foundation and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced a preview of what’s ahead in 2018-2019:



Hamilton – An American Musical – Season ticket holders from the 2017-2018 season will have first access to Hamilton when they renew their subscription for 2018-2019.  Playing at Benedum Center; Dates to be Announced.
Clearly, Pittsburgh is the prime destination for Broadway entertainment, and the PNC Foundation and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust are delighted to offer multiple venues for these musicals in the upcoming season.  If the roar of the crowd at this preview was any indicator, then what’s in store can only be described as a fulfillment of wishes for the best that Broadway has to offer without even traveling to New York City!


For more information, contact the Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources, Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; www.trustarts.org/broadway.

Submitted by Randi Koenig, Roving Pittsburgher Reporter; March 21, 2017

Randi Koenig is the PPLMag Events Calendar Co-ordinator and a Roving Pittsbugher Reporter. You can check out her very extensive coverage for local events and what's happening in Pittsburgh at:  PPLMag Calendar.  She is an independent marketing and sales professional who specializes in working with non-profits and is an excellent net worker and promoter of  http://www.positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com .  She is also an excellent marketing and promotional writer as  you can see from this Roving Pittsburgher Report


The Roving Pittsburgher Report is one of sixteen good news segments on the PositivelyPittsburghLive podcast and is one of the good news pages on http://pplmag.com, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network and Pittsburgh's Premiere Podcasting Portal.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Roving Pittsburgher Report, Steelers Lost but Pittsburghers Partied On!




130 people Multi-meetup Steeler Game Party @ Corner Market & Ale!

Updated 11 hours ago
Don Rohsner and Frank Halling invited 11 meetup groups and setup some Facebook Events to watch the Steelers Playoff Game vs the Patriots. We were at the NEW Bar Restaurant Corner Market and Ale in 
Greentree. Had 130+ people overall and had a decent time.
with DJ & Dancing! 5-
Thanks to Corner Market and Ale for having us! We look 
Hope to see you at the Next Large Meetup Events coming upPLEASE RSVP, it helps convince others to go to the events!9pm https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236552848/


Pittsburghers will use any excuse to party and even though the Steelers lost to the Patriots, there was still the unique Pittsburgh closeness and friendly environment. 

Here are some of the Better Events coming up! (20-100 meetup people showing)
MULTI-MEETUP HAPPY HOUR AT SOUTHSIDE STEEL CACTUS Thurs Jan 26th
https://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Events-Social-Meetup/events/236977097/
Cross-Posted on 9 meetups n 2 Facebook events should have 40-70 people which is good for a thursday.

FREE ADMISSION to the WARHOL MUSEUM for the Good Friday's Party at the Warhol!
Friday, Jan 27th
Good Fridays Party at the Warhol, has Free Admission (normally they charge) a Bar, DJ and Food and free run of the Warhol Museum!  Non-Hosted Meetup event, just something awesome n fun! https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236905611/

Multi-Meetup Happy Hour for Friday February 3rd at Dorthy 6 in Homestead w DJ and Dancing https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236552848/
Cross-Posted on 11 meetups n 2 Facebook events should have 80-120 people which is normal for a friday meetup happy hour w DJ & Dancing.

Tuesday February 7th Free Comedy Night at Buckhead Saloon plus one dollar tacos! https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236552848/    Good Comedy 4-5 comedians for FREE.   We normally get 20-40 meetup people to show up to this event.

MEDICAL MARJIUANA CONVENTION at David L. Lawrence Convention Center Pittsburgh.  April 21st-22nd 
NFL STAR Ricky Williams will be there and speaking!  For Patients, Caregiver, Doctors, Nurses and others interested in PA's Medical marijuana industry.  Use code Frank20 to save 20 on entry fee.  Pass this on if you know anyone with Chronic Pain, Autism, PTSD, Glaucoma etc.https://www.meetup.com/Medical-Marijuana-Compassionate-Certification-Centers/events/235275842/


This Meetup is for EVENTS that have a ticket/cover of $5 or LESS or even FREE! 
5-10% of the Events here on FREE & Almost FREE are SOCIAL
90-95% of the Events here are just informing you about cheap/cool/awesome stuff happening in the burgh region.  
So when there is a SOCIAL EVENT on this page with a HOST expect a couple extra emails to help make that meetup WORK and have a decent critical mass of people to make it decently fun! 
        There are a lot of activities in Pittsburgh that are free, or almost free - free days at museums, free concerts and films, free outdoors festivals, free cultural events ... . In addition to these (can't beat the price!), we'll post "almost free" ones where the cost is low (at most $5) compared to the fun that can be had.

         We're always looking for more ideas. YOU CAN POST YOUR OWN EVENTS HERE. If you have one, please click "+Schedule a New Meetup" and we will add it to our calendar as a "suggestion" ... and let me know so that I can turn it into a Meetup event.