tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43270148243030414552024-03-14T00:05:58.276-07:00RovingPittsburgherHometown Tourists in Pittsburgh! Everyday Pittsburghers reviewing events as they see them. Reviews on Pittsburgh Cultural Events, Dining, Night Life, Arts and Business Events.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-44673988925200840752017-03-28T04:05:00.001-07:002017-03-28T04:05:36.104-07:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, 2017-2018 PNC Broadway Pittsburgh Season Line Up of Musicals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">2017-2018 PNC Broadway Pittsburgh<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">Season Line Up of Musicals<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The PNC
Foundation joined the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust o<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>n
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: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">School of Rock</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> – 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 <i>Dewey Finn a wannabe
rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A</i>
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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Color of Purple</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">– 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Love Never Dies</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> – 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Bodyguard</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> –
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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Waitress</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">– 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rent</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> – 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 20<sup>th</sup> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Aladdin </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">– 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Season Specials<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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:
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Motown - The Musical</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> (</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Songs.
The Sound. The Story.) – Playing November 21-26, 2017 at Benedum Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole
Christmas! – The Musical </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">– Playing December 19-24, 2017 at Heinz Hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wicked – The Musical</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> (Returns to Pittsburgh, with a
special show for the Autism Audience) – Playing January 24-February 11, 2018 at
the Benedum Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
“Cinderella” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">–
Playing May 22-27, 2018; Heinz Hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Coming in the 2018-2019 Season<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hamilton – An American Musical</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> – 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For more
information, contact the Pittsburgh Trust for Cultural Resources, Benedum
Center, 719 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; </span><a href="http://www.trustarts.org/broadway"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.trustarts.org/broadway</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Submitted by
Randi Koenig, Roving Pittsburgher Reporter; March 21, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">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: <a href="http://www.positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com/calendar.php" target="_blank">PPLMag Calendar</a>. She is an independent marketing and sales professional who specializes in working with non-profits and is an excellent net worker and promoter of <a href="http://www.positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com/" target="_blank">http://www.positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com </a>. She is also an excellent marketing and promotional writer as you can see from this Roving Pittsburgher Report</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">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.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-14002990312306459422017-01-23T07:36:00.001-08:002017-01-23T07:36:40.567-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Steelers Lost but Pittsburghers Partied On!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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130 people Multi-meetup Steeler Game Party @ Corner Market & Ale!</h1>
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Updated <abbr class="timestamp" data-utime="1485142326" style="border-bottom: none;" title="Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 10:32pm">11 hours ago</abbr></div>
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<span class="fbPhotoCaptionText"><a data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=636980761&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/don.sr.9" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Don Rohsner</a> and <a data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=524765843&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/computerncottoncandy" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Frank Halling</a> invited 11 meetup groups and setup some Facebook </span>Events to watch the Steelers Playoff Game vs the Patriots. We were at the NEW Bar Restaurant Corner Market and Ale in </div>
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<span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">Greentree. Had 130+ people overall and had a decent time.<br />with DJ & Dancing! 5-</span>Thanks to Corner Market and Ale for having us! We look </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hope to see you at the Next Large Meetup Events coming up</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">PLEASE RSVP, it helps convince others to go to the events!9pm</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><a href="https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236552848/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.meetup.com/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>pittsburgh-free/events/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block;"></span>236552848/</a><br />
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<span class="fbPhotoCaptionText">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. </span><br />
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<strong>Here are some of the Better Events coming up! (20-100 meetup people showing)</strong></div>
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<strong>MULTI-MEETUP HAPPY HOUR AT SOUTHSIDE STEEL CACTUS <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437706485" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thurs Jan 26th</span></span></strong><br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Events-Social-Meetup/events/236977097/&source=gmail&ust=1485270601797000&usg=AFQjCNG_ckMppQMFMTpXaQCyS0YAoDxjgw" href="https://www.meetup.com/Pittsburgh-Events-Social-Meetup/events/236977097/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.meetup.com/<wbr></wbr>Pittsburgh-Events-Social-<wbr></wbr>Meetup/events/236977097/</a><br />Cross-Posted on 9 meetups n 2 Facebook events should have 40-70 people which is good for a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437706486" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">thursday</span></span>.<br /><br /><strong>FREE ADMISSION to the WARHOL MUSEUM for the Good <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437706487" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday's</span></span> Party at the Warhol!</strong><br /><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437706488" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday, Jan 27th</span></span></strong><br />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! <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236905611/&source=gmail&ust=1485270601797000&usg=AFQjCNEojhRNudr2dadhsxhok4FPyDBJNQ" href="https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236905611/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.meetup.com/<wbr></wbr>pittsburgh-free/events/<wbr></wbr>236905611/</a><br /><br /><strong>Multi-Meetup Happy Hour for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437706489" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday February 3rd</span></span> at Dorthy 6 in Homestead w DJ and Dancing </strong><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236552848/&source=gmail&ust=1485270601797000&usg=AFQjCNF4Cp0X5kWtiRSMMFOAz3q9Bn_B8A" href="https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236552848/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.meetup.com/<wbr></wbr>pittsburgh-free/events/<wbr></wbr>236552848/</a><br />Cross-Posted on 11 meetups n 2 Facebook events should have 80-120 people which is normal for a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437706490" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">friday</span></span> meetup happy hour w DJ & Dancing.</div>
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<strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437706491" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday February 7th</span></span> Free Comedy Night at Buckhead Saloon plus one dollar tacos! <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236552848/&source=gmail&ust=1485270601797000&usg=AFQjCNF4Cp0X5kWtiRSMMFOAz3q9Bn_B8A" href="https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/236552848/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.meetup.com/<wbr></wbr>pittsburgh-free/events/<wbr></wbr>236552848/</a> Good Comedy 4-5 comedians for FREE. We normally get 20-40 meetup people to show up to this event.</strong><br /><br /><strong>MEDICAL MARJIUANA CONVENTION at David L. Lawrence Convention Center Pittsburgh. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_437706492" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">April 21st-22nd</span></span> </strong><br />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.<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.meetup.com/Medical-Marijuana-Compassionate-Certification-Centers/events/235275842/&source=gmail&ust=1485270601797000&usg=AFQjCNFrl_sz96F6ZLucl8HjYDfw-RkIwA" href="https://www.meetup.com/Medical-Marijuana-Compassionate-Certification-Centers/events/235275842/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.meetup.com/<wbr></wbr>Medical-Marijuana-<wbr></wbr>Compassionate-Certification-<wbr></wbr>Centers/events/235275842/</a></div>
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This Meetup is for EVENTS that have a ticket/cover of $5 or LESS or even FREE! </div>
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5-10% of the Events here on FREE & Almost FREE are SOCIAL</div>
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90-95% of the Events here are just informing you about cheap/cool/awesome stuff happening in the burgh region. </div>
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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! </div>
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<span style="animation-delay: 0.1s; animation-duration: 0.1s; animation-iteration-count: 1; animation-name: fontfix; animation-timing-function: linear;"> 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 <span style="animation-delay: 0.1s; animation-duration: 0.1s; animation-iteration-count: 1; animation-name: fontfix; animation-timing-function: linear; line-height: normal !important;">(at most $5)</span> compared to the fun that can be had.</span></div>
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<span style="animation-delay: 0.1s; animation-duration: 0.1s; animation-iteration-count: 1; animation-name: fontfix; animation-timing-function: linear;"> We're always looking for more ideas. <span style="animation-delay: 0.1s; animation-duration: 0.1s; animation-iteration-count: 1; animation-name: fontfix; animation-timing-function: linear; line-height: normal !important;">YOU CAN POST YOUR OWN EVENTS HERE.</span> If you have one, <span style="animation-delay: 0.1s; animation-duration: 0.1s; animation-iteration-count: 1; animation-name: fontfix; animation-timing-function: linear; line-height: normal !important;">please click "+Schedule a New Meetup"</span> 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.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-6064978511242291942016-12-12T05:11:00.001-08:002016-12-12T05:11:48.814-08:00Roving Pittsburgher, Review of Homemade Food and Hometown Hospitality at PapaGallo's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/Rv-u-N04EyEqzjER1JmgnM03PAxjnLIUACPcB/s1600/banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/Rv-u-N04EyEqzjER1JmgnM03PAxjnLIUACPcB/s320/banner3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Review of Homemade Food and Hometown Hospitality at PapaGallo's</h2>
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by</h4>
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Good News Reviewer Joanne Quinn-Smith aka TechnoGranny</h3>
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<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">When
Chef Len Spampinato decided to open PapaGallo in July 2010, he realized that,
in order to make PapaGallo a breakfast and lunch restaurant that would truly
stand out, he could use only the freshest ingredients. To make a breakfast that
really rises and shines means that he has to offer more than just the classics.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 10.7pt; outline: none;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">The
experience has a sweetness all of its own, with its irresistible food and
friendly atmosphere, it is quickly becoming a favorite spot among locals and
visitors to the area. As a child, Chef Len’s grandfather used to sing a song
about roosters to him and his 7 siblings. This fond memory has made its place
in the PapaGallo name and rooster-themed decor. Located in Collier Town Square
(1597 Washington Pike in Bridgeville), it is a ray of sophisticated sunshine in
the middle of many fast-food establishments. With its rooster-themed
decorations, PapaGallo is sure to become one of your favorite breakfast
and/or lunch destinations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">The
above paragraphs are straight from the PapaGallo website but we couldn't have
said it better. Len seems to live by the
Will Rodgers motto: "A stranger is
just a friend I haven't met yet."
Once you come back you are greeted with a handshake or a hug from this
smiling chef who will come back from behind his open space chef area. Yes you
can watch Len cook your food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">It's
not just the rooster themed decorations that will send you into admiration but
the celebrity autographed pictures on the walls also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Some
unique things you will find to let you know you are welcome: strawberry candies in the spotless ladies
room along with a notebook to leave a note about your visit. I "borrowed" it from the ladies
room on one visit and all the comments are lovely and positive. In case you
missed it, on the way out the front door is a side table with another notebook
that you can leave comments on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Here are some of my favorites from Len's breakfast menu:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">The Phil Henry Omelette* – $10.95</span></strong><b><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";"><br style="outline: none;" />
</span></b><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Julienne
vegetables fire-seared, w/asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms,
tomatoes & spinach. Served with your choice of toast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Crisp
Bacon, Italian or Turkey Sausage, Grilled Ham – $3.50<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Chorizo & Eggs* – $11.95</span></strong><b><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";"><br style="outline: none;" />
</span></b><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Grilled peppers, onions and tomatoes w/melted Jack cheese
w/warm tortillas, with a side of home fries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N3OyR8O89a0/WE6OSgFkfMI/AAAAAAAAUFg/PeH5u7jWnjIwnVpFCtCKSYKGl5_O3gC0wCLcB/s1600/papagallo%2Bsoup%2Bto%2Bgo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N3OyR8O89a0/WE6OSgFkfMI/AAAAAAAAUFg/PeH5u7jWnjIwnVpFCtCKSYKGl5_O3gC0wCLcB/s1600/papagallo%2Bsoup%2Bto%2Bgo.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PapaGallo Soup to Go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Len also has a Gluten Free Menu and takes requests so
substitutions are given joyfully and if you ate a special there on a visit
before and it's not on the specials menu and Len has the ingredients he will
make it up special for you. Of course made
to order means you must have some time to wait for it but it's always worth the
wait. So bring along a friend with whom
you can have some great covnersation but if you can't get a lunch date then
bring your tablet or Ipad and enjoy his free Wi-Fi.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently the soup of the day was Butternut Squash Soup and since
both my guest and I had early dinner plans we just had that, yummy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And one of his special gourment oatmeal
chocolate chip cookies with cranberries and nuts and other healthy stuff. Yes, I said healthy, that's how I determine
that it's okay to eat something so decadent but since I am off sugar I only
reward myself with half a one occasionally.
They are rich enough to share with a friend but if you know you are
going order them in advance as he runs out early. Did I mention that all of his
delectable soups are available to go?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new"; line-height: 115%;">Some of my
lunchtime favorites.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Vine-ripe Vegetable Panini – $9.95</span></strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br style="outline: none;" />
Balsamic grilled vegetables with fresh mozzarella.
Served with freshly-made salad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Crab Cakes – $12.95</span></strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br style="outline: none;" />
Jumbo Crabcake sandwich with tartar or cocktail
sauce and fresh lemon. Can also be served as a salad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Soup to Go has picture on website<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pesto Chicken Panini – $9.95</span></strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br style="outline: none;" />
Grilled chicken with basil pesto, sun-dried
tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Golden Fish Tacos – $11.95</span></strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br style="outline: none;" />
Fresh fish with Asian cilantro vinagrette and
chili lime cream served with creamy coleslaw, and crisp fries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freshly Baked Gourmet Cookies – $1.00<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></strong>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Stxe69cx-88/WE6OkP9nGbI/AAAAAAAAUFk/67BXxBWa7A4n7kaZp4_iabFG3g1NgHH5gCLcB/s1600/PappaGallo%2Broasted%2Bveggies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Stxe69cx-88/WE6OkP9nGbI/AAAAAAAAUFk/67BXxBWa7A4n7kaZp4_iabFG3g1NgHH5gCLcB/s320/PappaGallo%2Broasted%2Bveggies.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PapaGallo Roasted Vegetable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; line-height: 115%;"><b>Breads and Muffins</b></span><span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br style="outline: none;" />
Cranberry Bread – $1.95<br style="outline: none;" />
Fruited Muffins and Cinnamon Rolls – $2.10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #442e2a; font-family: "courier new";"><b>Interactive Gourmet
Culinary Class with Chef Len</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Savor the idea of selecting your favorite culinary delicacies
from a menu or hors d’oeuvres, entrée and dessert. Imagine savory aromas
wafting throughout the warmth of your home or PapaGallo’s Cucína. Hear music,
friends’ laughter and the sounds of corks popping as you celebrate creativity.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbrF0SBbp6c/WE6eGJ7y7eI/AAAAAAAAUF0/WNHXGeoYMPM5j-hCsWtrtbeZj_4oBKlmwCLcB/s1600/papagallo%2Bmushroom%2Bproscuito%2Basiago.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbrF0SBbp6c/WE6eGJ7y7eI/AAAAAAAAUF0/WNHXGeoYMPM5j-hCsWtrtbeZj_4oBKlmwCLcB/s320/papagallo%2Bmushroom%2Bproscuito%2Basiago.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PapaGallo Mushroom Prosciuto Asiago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #442e2a; font-family: "courier new";"><span style="font-size: small;">Len’s Custom
Gourmet Catering</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 10.7pt; outline: none;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">PapaGallo
has always been known for gourmet breakfast and lunch and that quality
continues with our gourmet catering. Whether it is a corporate event, birthday
party, first communion or a bar/bat mitzvah, you can depend on Chef Len’s
custom gourmet catering to make a lasting impression on your guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Oh
by the way, if you are expecting dinner, you will not get it at PappaGallo's as
Len closes at 2:30PM thru the week and 1:30 on Saturdays. He reserves the rest of the time for family and
of course his amazing private catering.
You could get him to cook dinner at your house for family and
friends! Just saying! If you invite me
that wouldn't make me mad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Great
parking:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">Collier
Town Square</span><br />
1597 Washington Pike<br />
Bridgeville, PA 15017<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3 style="margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #442e2a; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Hours of Operation</span></h3>
<div style="line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: 10.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; outline: none;">
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";">
Mon – Fri: 7 AM to 2:30 PM<br style="outline: none;" />
Sat: 8 AM to 1:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #5c4c48; font-family: "courier new";"><a href="http://www.papagallo.us/" target="_blank">http://www.papagallo.us/</a></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-70754924172828588352016-12-10T04:46:00.000-08:002016-12-10T04:46:12.278-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Review, "Salome", Not Just About "The Dance of the Seven Veils."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/Rv-u-N04EyEqzjER1JmgnM03PAxjnLIUACPcB/s1600/banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/Rv-u-N04EyEqzjER1JmgnM03PAxjnLIUACPcB/s320/banner3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Reviewed by Good News Reviewer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Clarine Lizana</div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">As the curtain goes up on the Pittsburgh
Opera's 2016 presentation of Strauss's " Salome" the audience was
immediately drawn in by the exquisite set design of Boyd Ostroff. Creating the
illusion of fluidity and change in a one-act Opera is not easy, but between the
beautiful bas-relief of the set design and the ever-changing mood reflected in
the moon, the stage becomes a vibrant part of the production</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background: white;">Based on the play by Oscar Wilde,<span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><strong>Salome</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> reimagines the biblical story of King
Herod, his stepdaughter Salome and John the Baptist - Jochanaan.<span class="apple-converted-space"> "</span></span><strong>Salome"</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> provides one interpretation of why
exactly Salome forced Herod to give her John the Baptist’s severed head on a
silver platter.</span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">Salome</span></i></b><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">, Op. 54, is an<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opera" title="Opera"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">opera</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">in one act by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Strauss" title="Richard Strauss"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">Richard
Strauss</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">to a German<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libretto" title="Libretto"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">libretto</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">by the composer,
based on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedwig_Lachmann" title="Hedwig Lachmann"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">Hedwig Lachmann</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">'s German translation of the French play<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salome_(play)" title="Salome (play)"><span style="color: #0b0080;">Salomé</span></a></i><span class="apple-converted-space"> by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde" title="Oscar Wilde"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">Oscar Wilde</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">. Strauss dedicated the opera to his friend<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Speyer" title="Edgar Speyer"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080;">Sir
Edgar Speyer</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">.</span><sup id="cite_ref-dedication_1-0" style="unicode-bidi: isolate;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salome_(opera)#cite_note-dedication-1"><span style="color: #0b0080;">[1]</span></a></span></sup><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">Salome is not an opera that
needs much help holding the audience's attention, however, steeped as it is in
some of the vilest characteristics of the human race lust, incest, and
necrophilia. It is truly amazing that the opera was not banned in major cities
when originally released because of the notorious dance of the seven veils.
Nudity pales in comparison to the desires of the main characters of Herod,
Herodias and Salome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">Patricia Racitte's Salome was outstanding,
not only for her musical ability, but also for the physicality she brought to
the role. When she is on stage she rules the stage and she holds the audience's
attention throughout her performance. Her actions seem neither forced nor stilted,
but create a moving montage of lust, anger and desire. This was her Pittsburgh
debut so we hope to see her again.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kP0Dw1TrQ9Y/WEv36VSmCqI/AAAAAAAAUDY/2vKnBdam71UWvpBCauqwlD1aneQoladyACLcB/s1600/salome2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kP0Dw1TrQ9Y/WEv36VSmCqI/AAAAAAAAUDY/2vKnBdam71UWvpBCauqwlD1aneQoladyACLcB/s320/salome2016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "courier new";">“Dance of the Seven Veils” could have been
long and painful but was so expertly choreographed by Michele de la Reza of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://www.attacktheatre.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white;">Attack Theatre</span></a><span style="background: white;"> that it held the audience spellbound. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";"> Jonathan Boyd as Narraboth and </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "courier new";">Two-time Grammy winner</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #848994; font-family: "courier new";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="http://www.nmonford.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #40aef0;">Nmon Ford</span></a> as Jochanaan both gave excellent performances. Boyd's voice
and diction were exceptionally clear and even off stage Ford's voice was
commanding. <a href="http://www.robertbrubaker.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #40aef0;">Robert Brubaker</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #848994;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">as King Herod <span class="apple-converted-space">had some comical moments despite the tragic them </span>and</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #848994;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.cami.com/?webid=1957" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #40aef0;">Michaela Martens</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #848994;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">is absolutely
imperious as Herodias.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext;">Pittsburgh Opera had not performed<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><strong>Salome</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> since 2001, and is performed a
different production than the previous. The production is ‘traditional’- meaning that
the sets and costumes make it look like the biblical era in which it takes
place.</span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";"> Although the story is extremely tragic,
the actions and reactions of the characters were often comedic. Overall it was
an interesting and pleasurable opera. It
would be a shame to wait another fifteen years to bring it back. <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i>Clarine Lizana is a retired electrical engineer who is a former native of Republic, Pa and returned to Pennsylvania after retirement. She was formerly a training director at Crater Lake Electrical. She now lives in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and spends her retirement crafting, visiting family, golfing and travelling, having just returned from a trip to Italy where "La Trviata" of course was</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-2514675535463933032016-12-09T13:15:00.000-08:002016-12-09T13:15:06.570-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Krampus Krawl, Alternative Christmas Experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">If
you were in Market Square at the Holiday Market on </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new";">December 5, 2016 from 6:00 pm
to 10:00 pm, you may have wondered if you were in a time warp that took you
back to Halloween. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new";">Unsuspecting<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"><span style="border-color: transparent transparent rgb(0, 153, 0); border-image: initial; outline: 0px;"><span class="vm-hook"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #009900; font-family: "courier new"; padding: 0in;">visitors</span></span><span style="display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";">to the Market Square Christmas Village were treated to a new kind
of holiday experience. Interspersed
among the merry making shoppers and visitors were, creatures that appear to be
the antithesis of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"><span style="border-color: transparent transparent rgb(0, 153, 0); border-image: initial; outline: 0px;"><span class="vm-hook"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #009900; font-family: "courier new"; padding: 0in;">Christmas</span></span><span style="display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"></span></span>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "courier new";">The Krampus Krawl participants who dress as Krampi
wear anything from a mask and set of horns to a full blown goat-man costume.
Some of the ladies come as «fauns». The wild creatures make quite an impression
as they visit each of the taverns on the often improvised route.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "courier new";"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xb-vcwHwf2c/WEsZL8VXOcI/AAAAAAAAUC0/Nirs24QEGdEdHZdu67XntdXIz3eAOeggwCLcB/s1600/Krampus%2Bscare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xb-vcwHwf2c/WEsZL8VXOcI/AAAAAAAAUC0/Nirs24QEGdEdHZdu67XntdXIz3eAOeggwCLcB/s320/Krampus%2Bscare.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new";">This was the start of the Third Annual Krampus
Crawl in Pittsburgh. Some horror story
enthusiasts may remember the movie "</span><b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">Krampus" released </span></i></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">December 4, 2015, by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Studios" title="Universal Studios"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Universal Pictures</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">.<sup id="cite_ref-DreadCentral_3-0" style="unicode-bidi: isolate;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus_(film)#cite_note-DreadCentral-3"><span style="color: #0b0080;">[3]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus_(film)#cite_note-Hollywood_Reporter-4"><span style="color: #0b0080;">[4]</span></a></sup></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"> It's </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";">an</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525; font-family: "courier new";"> American<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_film" title="Christmas film"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Christmas</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedy_horror" title="Comedy horror"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">comedy horror</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">film based upon the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus" title="Krampus"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">eponymous
character</span></a> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">from
Germanic folklore, directed by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Dougherty" title="Michael Dougherty"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Michael Dougherty</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">and written by Dougherty, Todd Casey and Zach Shields. The film stars<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Scott_(actor)" title="Adam Scott (actor)"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Adam Scott</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Collette" title="Toni Collette"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Toni Collette</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koechner" title="David Koechner"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">David Koechner</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allison_Tolman" title="Allison Tolman"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Allison Tolman</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conchata_Ferrell" title="Conchata Ferrell"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Conchata Ferrell</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emjay_Anthony" title="Emjay Anthony"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Emjay Anthony</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefania_LaVie_Owen" title="Stefania LaVie Owen"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0b0080;">Stefania LaVie
Owen</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">and Krista Stadler. <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525;">In the movie, a boy who has a bad Christmas ends up accidentally summoning a festive demon to his family home. </span></span></span> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: "courier new";">When his dysfunctional family clashes over the holidays, young Max is
disillusioned and turns his back on Christmas. Little does he know this lack of
festive spirit has unleashed the wrath of Krampus: a demonic force of ancient
evil intent on punishing non-believers. All hell breaks loose as beloved
holiday icons take on a monstrous life of their own, laying siege to the
fractured family's home and forcing them to fight for each other if they hope
to survive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">Krampusnacht, a European tradition that honors <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/krampus-could-come-you-holiday-season-180957438/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #007baa;">Krampus</span></b></a>, a horned
"half-goat, half-demon" who is said to punish misbehaved children
during the Christmas season, took place in Market Square on December 5.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "courier new";">What
is Krampus?</span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">In German-speaking Alpine folklore, Krampus is a
horned, anthropomorphic figure. According to traditional narratives around the
figure, Krampus punishes children during the Christmas season who have
misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards well-behaved ones with
gifts.</span></span></div>
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Revelers dressed up as Krampus and posed for photos before embarking on the
Krampus Krawl, a bar crawl following the old European tradition called
"Krampuslauf." According to the event's Facebook page, "the
procession often takes on the appearance of a parade, with the hairy beasts
performing for onlookers." There was also a balloon artist and the band
The Cheer'ly Men performed for onlookers.<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">Some 100 people showed up for the
miscreant revelry for in many cases, was their first glimpse of Krampus, the
horned anthropomorphic figure known in Germanic folklore at St. Nicholas’
counterpart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">“Krampus is a hundred year old
European<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"><span style="border-color: transparent transparent rgb(0, 153, 0); border-image: initial; outline: 0px;"><span class="vm-hook"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #009900; font-family: "courier new"; padding: 0in;">holiday</span></span><span style="display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";">that Mark Menhold brought to Pittsburgh. Mark wore an elaborate Krampus costume at
‘Krampusnacht,’ Pittsburgh’s first-ever Krampus celebration. Mark is also known
for his creative work with Pittsburgh’s popular Zombie Fest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new";">“It’s
a little Halloween, a little bit of Christmas. Santa Claus rewards the
good<span class="apple-converted-space"> <span style="color: #009900;">children</span></span></span><span style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">and Krampus
punishes the naughty ones. ” Mark was heard to tell onlookers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXZ6OnRlByQ/WEsY7U_iZLI/AAAAAAAAUCw/AgOLAVccNOIX-Ei8xaEfGEnsR_hRdTImACLcB/s1600/Krampus%2Bduo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXZ6OnRlByQ/WEsY7U_iZLI/AAAAAAAAUCw/AgOLAVccNOIX-Ei8xaEfGEnsR_hRdTImACLcB/s320/Krampus%2Bduo.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new";">Krampusnacht is traditionally
celebrated in many European<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"><span style="border-color: transparent transparent rgb(0, 153, 0); border-image: initial; outline: 0px;"><span class="vm-hook"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: #009900; font-family: "courier new"; padding: 0in;">countries</span></span><span style="display: inline-block; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";"></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new";">on the Eve of St. Nicholas. This goat like creature is the exact opposite
of Santa Claus and Krampusnacht was followed not by milk and cookies but by a
“Krampus Crawl,” a pub crawl that made its way to several downtown bars and
taverns where patrons were expected to buy Krampus schnapps for the Krampus
impersonators. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDo8_KbTehY/WEsZnh8DbfI/AAAAAAAAUC8/A-hKZfPvCrEarRIsOoRYjNLCscErieYpgCLcB/s1600/Krampus%2BBuddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDo8_KbTehY/WEsZnh8DbfI/AAAAAAAAUC8/A-hKZfPvCrEarRIsOoRYjNLCscErieYpgCLcB/s320/Krampus%2BBuddy.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reviewer Buddy Smith dressed as Krumpus<br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new"; line-height: 115%;">Krampusnacht in Market Square was for the naught and the nice to
celebrate the holidays in a unique way and for some children to discover that
there is a sidekick of Santa Claus who would not just withhold gifts but would
also punish them for bad behavior. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VmSIDFLKhLI/Ul1b6ib1XpI/AAAAAAAAN4Q/BbqZ5LxusJQ/s1600/Buddy+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VmSIDFLKhLI/Ul1b6ib1XpI/AAAAAAAAN4Q/BbqZ5LxusJQ/s1600/Buddy+headshot.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 18.6667px; font-style: italic;">Joseph Budd Smith III is a Retention Specialist for American Income Life Insurance Company.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 18.6667px; font-style: italic;"> </span><i style="color: #333333; font-size: 18.6667px;">American Income Life</i><span class="st" style="color: #333333; font-size: 18.6667px; font-style: italic;">provides life insurance and supplemental health benefits to working families in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland. Budd is also an adult gaming enthusiast and a Shakespeare fan.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-54953063252850842902016-12-09T06:41:00.000-08:002016-12-09T06:41:11.329-08:00Roving Pittsburgher, Review of Christmas's Favorite Nostalgia Show, " A Christmas Story, the Musical"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Reviewed by Pittsburgh Good News Reviewer Angel Quinn</div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #303030; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 15.5pt; line-height: 115%;">A Christmas Story, The Musical
chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward
the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot
Range Model Air Rifle (“You’ll shoot your eye out kid!”). An infamous leg lamp,
outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a
double-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions
that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Chock-full of delightful
songs and splashy production numbers, A Christmas Story, The Musical has
proudly taken its place as a perennial holiday classic for the whole family.
The New York Times writes “I was dazzled. You’d have to have a Grinch-sized
heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face.” A Christmas Story, The
Musical premiered on Broadway in 2012 and was nominated for three Tony Awards®
including Best New Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This hysterical musical presents
that he will do whatever it takes to make it known that he really wants
one. From writing a story about it in school, leaving notes around the house
for his parents to even asking Santa-who thinks it's a horrible idea. Thus, the
"You'll shoot your eye out kid!" comment. He'll have to wait until
Christmas morning to see if he gets what he wants. This
comical rendition of A Christmas story is for all ages and will definitely
put you in the Christmas spirit.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> It's
no wonder that the TV movie version has traditionally amused and entertained
families down through generations for years.</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">In a pre-war 1940 in
small-town Indiana, Christmastime turns 9-year-old Ralphie (Austin Molinaro</span><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new";">) into an almost maniacal, bespectacled, obsessed child fiend
because of his rampant wish </span><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">that Santa leave an official Red Ryder, carbine action,
two-hundred shot BB gun on Christmas Eve.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 115%;">“A Christmas Story, the Musical,” has been adapted from
the ever popular nostalgic Christmas movie of the same never. Ever popular with baby boomers, the desire to
see this movie has been passed on from grandparents to grandchildren and even
great grandchildren. Like the movie the
musical takes us back to a time when stay-at-home moms were cooks and dressed
like Donna Reed. Pardon the baby boomer
mention, for us millennial, look it up.
My mother in law had to tell me this one. Mothers of the time, wiped
noses, scolded, ran up to the school which was close enough to do then when the
children got into trouble and dispensed sage advice about bullies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">The songwriters, Benj
Pasek and Justin Paul and book writer Joseph Robinette sentimentally stayed
close to the movie that runs endlessly on TV during the holidays. But they
added their own individuality to with big production numbers by choreographer
Warren Carlyle and a dozen singing, dancing kids. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">The most fun thing</span><span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> about
this musical was the kids. Often the two
Ralphies are onstage together singing about disasters and triumphs and being an
older brother and bullies and the general would be malaise of childhood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">“You’ll shoot your eye
out,” is an oft-repeated phrase and the title of a big second-act dance
number for Miss Shields. Ralphie fantasizes that Miss Shields is a sexy flapper
and his schoolmates do a Gene Kelly type tap with an impressive tap solo by
Lucas Marinetto. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Just like the movie there
are allusions to the horrendously gauche leg lamp that emits “the soft glow of
electric sex,” as Ralphie puts it; his pal Flick getting his tongue stuck on a
flagpole, the ridiculously fru-fru pink bunny suit sent to Ralphie by a
well-meaning aunt and the Old Man’s mumbled curses. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">What a musical funfest
for the entire family, young and old. It
was a bit edgy and your mind could wonder to adult unsaid content if you let it
and there is of course the hysterical slide scene with the bad Santa in the
department store but overall it's a funny story narrated by the adult Ralphie
which recounts his hysterically amusing childhood which wasn't so hysterical to
him. And then there were the kids and I
wonder if they will be as nostalgic about their performances as fans are about
the movie and the musical. Another great
feather in the cap of Pittsburgh as it brings grand theater and musicals to
Pittsburgh.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSAuvddLf5g/WErAjG2tw7I/AAAAAAAAUCI/NvmfR-s4uTwePwRrWxZN0C-PCC5vF541gCLcB/s1600/Angel%2BFacebook%2Bphot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QSAuvddLf5g/WErAjG2tw7I/AAAAAAAAUCI/NvmfR-s4uTwePwRrWxZN0C-PCC5vF541gCLcB/s200/Angel%2BFacebook%2Bphot.JPG" width="175" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #272727; font-family: "courier new"; font-size: 13.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> Angel Quinn is a graduate pharmacy technician and business student at Carlow University, a wife, mother and sometimes Wonderwoman and also Hometown Tourist Reviewer for Roving Pittsburgher Report and <a href="http://pplmag.com/">pplmag.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LjqAadXc8I/WErBm2-OT2I/AAAAAAAAUCM/aKjQSY9Cue0BWlvac987js8E0sjYxS5YwCLcB/s1600/pplmag%2Broving%2Bpittsburgher%2Bvideo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--LjqAadXc8I/WErBm2-OT2I/AAAAAAAAUCM/aKjQSY9Cue0BWlvac987js8E0sjYxS5YwCLcB/s1600/pplmag%2Broving%2Bpittsburgher%2Bvideo.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">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.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-80115788880240860382016-10-14T23:40:00.000-07:002016-10-14T23:40:44.812-07:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Fallen Woman Theme Inspires Once Again in "La Triviata."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/Rv-u-N04EyEqzjER1JmgnM03PAxjnLIUACPcB/s1600/banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/Rv-u-N04EyEqzjER1JmgnM03PAxjnLIUACPcB/s320/banner3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Fallen Woman Theme Inspires Once Again in "La Triviata."</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
by Hometown Tourist, Clarine Lizana</h3>
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The story of a fallen woman with a noble heart has inspired
theater and opera goers for centuries. The Pittsburgh Opera opened their
2016-2017 season this month with Verdi’s “La Traviata”, as did the Florentine
Opera. “La Traviata” translates as “The Fallen Woman”, a subject that may seem
a little trite and sexist in this day and age. The heart of the story, however,
deals with the life choices made by young people of every age, the decision to
lead a life of hedonistic pleasure, or a life of true devotion. Whether to
another person, a cause or an ideal, this sublimation brings the fullness of
life and joy. Sadly for Violetta, this realization comes too late in life.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBthPjeYsQQ/WAHOJqeIlyI/AAAAAAAAT4Q/K7dMdR6FG3cDn_qZDau5lV825u6mSEWnwCLcB/s1600/La%2BTriviata.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EBthPjeYsQQ/WAHOJqeIlyI/AAAAAAAAT4Q/K7dMdR6FG3cDn_qZDau5lV825u6mSEWnwCLcB/s320/La%2BTriviata.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The performances of the cast and orchestra were excellent. Danielle
Pastin as Violetta sets the bar for any who would follow her on the Pittsburgh
stage. Her voice is not only strong and precise, but has a certain melodic
quality that makes one wish that she were available to lullaby them to sleep at
night. Every note that issued from her throat mesmerized me. The pairing of the
two lovers, <span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.daniellepastin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #40aef0; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Danielle Pastin</span></a></span>
as Violetta and <span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.tenorcodyaustin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #40aef0; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Cody Austin</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #848994; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span></span> as Alfredo Germont was
powerful and touching but could not compare to that of Sebastian Catana as
Giorgio Germont. I look forward to
hearing more from him in the future. </div>
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The minimalistic set design created a stark contrast to the
ornate costumes of the era. A large framed painting, present during the first
and third act, made to resemble a fresco created an excellent backdrop to the
story. It gave an old world feel to the opera setting. My only complaint was
with some of the staging, which allowed performers to be turned from the
audience or blocked by other performers.
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Sung in Italian with English subtitles, this two hour and
twelve minute opera with two intermissions left you wanting more instead of
wondering when it would end.</div>
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For late comers, you can still see “La Traviata” on Sunday
at October 16 at 2PM. Well worth the
trip.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>As an opera enthusiast, my greatest
joy of the night was the size of the crowd. For a Tuesday night, the theater
was quite full. Even more exciting was the fact that a good portion of those in
attendance appeared to be 30 years and younger. Perhaps the millennials will
bring a revival in the arts.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8kSN9VoEEA/WAHM-FChEBI/AAAAAAAAT4I/NWk8f6cvq0gA-y3QXfSd-q9zNJ9e85kGQCLcB/s1600/ClarineLizana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8kSN9VoEEA/WAHM-FChEBI/AAAAAAAAT4I/NWk8f6cvq0gA-y3QXfSd-q9zNJ9e85kGQCLcB/s200/ClarineLizana.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>Clarine Lizana is a retired electrical engineer who is a former native of
Republic, Pa and returned to Pennsylvania after retirement. She was formerly a
training director at Crater Lake Electrical. She now lives in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and spends her retirement crafting, visiting family, golfing and travelling, having just returned from a trip to Italy where "La Trviata" of course was playing.</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-56773019774531729732016-10-14T04:44:00.001-07:002016-10-14T04:44:59.672-07:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Back to the Future, A Retro Blast to the Past!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/Rv-u-N04EyEqzjER1JmgnM03PAxjnLIUACPcB/s1600/banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/Rv-u-N04EyEqzjER1JmgnM03PAxjnLIUACPcB/s320/banner3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "goudy stout" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Back to the Future<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "algerian"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">A Retro Blast to the Past! <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "arial rounded mt bold" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Film with Orchestra<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "arial rounded mt bold" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Performed by the
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;"> “</span></strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Summer with the Symphony Series”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Heinz
Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Reviewer:
JoAnn R. Forrester, Empress of Biz, Listen, Learn, Prosper<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkHT4WOQMbw/WADBeXRaQNI/AAAAAAAAT2Q/IyuGvfNpiQgdrTv6CQqQyM57rwCdNZVKACLcB/s1600/Back%2Btothe%2BFuture%2Bscreen%2Bwith%2Bsymphony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkHT4WOQMbw/WADBeXRaQNI/AAAAAAAAT2Q/IyuGvfNpiQgdrTv6CQqQyM57rwCdNZVKACLcB/s320/Back%2Btothe%2BFuture%2Bscreen%2Bwith%2Bsymphony.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Whoa…wait
a minute here. Wasn’t it only a few years ago that the hit movie </span><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">BACK TO THE FUTURE was
released? </span></i></strong><strong><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">And now in 2016 it is being proclaimed a classic! And it being shown as one in a series of
shows in the “Summer with the Symphony Series” performed by the Pittsburgh
Symphony. What happened? Have I somehow been transported to the future?<o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngVD9melcAU/WADBlHMBs9I/AAAAAAAAT2U/Tb1LSJhLiukp9LSpx-9g4alOJ9rTcJZ0wCLcB/s1600/Back%2Bto%2Bfuture%2Bprofessor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ngVD9melcAU/WADBlHMBs9I/AAAAAAAAT2U/Tb1LSJhLiukp9LSpx-9g4alOJ9rTcJZ0wCLcB/s320/Back%2Bto%2Bfuture%2Bprofessor.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHlNKf518Z8/WADCkJwmNpI/AAAAAAAAT2k/KIZGUKscrooCbiGpT0f8INkLQ2VcaDefwCLcB/s1600/back%2Bto%2Bfuture%2Bcapacitor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHlNKf518Z8/WADCkJwmNpI/AAAAAAAAT2k/KIZGUKscrooCbiGpT0f8INkLQ2VcaDefwCLcB/s320/back%2Bto%2Bfuture%2Bcapacitor.jpg" width="180" /></a><strong><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></i></strong><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Nope! It is just
something that happens along the way when one is raising a family, starting and
running a business and just living life.
Ok, now that I am somewhat over 30 years that has come and gone in a
blink of an eyelash let’s focus on the review.</span></strong><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Back
to the Future<i> is </i>celebrating a 30
year anniversary<i>. It was a mega hit when it debut in 1986. To celebrate its 30<sup>th</sup> anniversary the
Pittsburgh Symphony in its “Summer with the Symphony” has come up with a fun
and captivating way to present it. </i>The
movie was shown<i> </i>on a big hi-def
screen with a full symphony orchestra performing Emmy and Grammy Award composer
Alan Silvestri’s dazzling musical score in synch with the movie. As a special treat Silvestri composed an additional
15 minutes of music to enhance a live performance with an orchestra. <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT0Fre1D_XI/WADBto5QoXI/AAAAAAAAT2Y/JH8sXHrOc_IB5aiO6ifEQdOOHdbzfMCsQCLcB/s1600/backtothefuturelivecharacters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZT0Fre1D_XI/WADBto5QoXI/AAAAAAAAT2Y/JH8sXHrOc_IB5aiO6ifEQdOOHdbzfMCsQCLcB/s320/backtothefuturelivecharacters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">live characters opening show</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXVb0W8KRoE/WADDBjcK4oI/AAAAAAAAT2o/uysStw7tvF0lsW0j1xSgIsQ_oGsM7C_igCLcB/s1600/back%2Bto%2Bfuture%2Bprofessor2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iXVb0W8KRoE/WADDBjcK4oI/AAAAAAAAT2o/uysStw7tvF0lsW0j1xSgIsQ_oGsM7C_igCLcB/s320/back%2Bto%2Bfuture%2Bprofessor2.jpg" width="180" /></a><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">It
was fun to go </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Back to the <i>Future </i></span></strong><strong><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">and watch another
grand escapism adventure by Steven Spielberg.
It was very enjoyable to relive the performance of the exceptional cast, Michael J.Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover as they deal with various twists and turns and quirks of time travel. The movie hods well and does not appear out of date..it fits admirably into our gadget loving crazed era. Young and old in the audience were enthralled, calpped and cheered periodcially and gave a rousing ovation at the end. </span></i></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">As
usual the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, led by </span></strong></div>
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<strong><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHlNKf518Z8/WADCkJwmNpI/AAAAAAAAT2s/q7s7TwQRpAss0KksZG5ZYzjb4fXTeey9wCEw/s1600/back%2Bto%2Bfuture%2Bcapacitor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHlNKf518Z8/WADCkJwmNpI/AAAAAAAAT2s/q7s7TwQRpAss0KksZG5ZYzjb4fXTeey9wCEw/s320/back%2Bto%2Bfuture%2Bcapacitor.jpg" width="180" /></a></strong></div>
<strong>Francesco Lecce-Chang performed
superbly. And it was fun watching a few
members posing as the main characters with a real DeLorean for photo opps. The “Summer with the Symphony” series is a hit. It is a great way for people to come downtown
and become familiar with our excellent Pittsburgh Symphony. <o:p></o:p></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">The most amazing thing about the show was being able to see the symphony play right below the screen and feeling disappointed for them that they had to concentrate on the music and not enjoy the show. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Now
if I could just find those 30 years that flew bye…where is my flux capacitor? </span></strong></div>
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Written By: JoAnn R. Forrester</div>
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Host of Empress of Biz</div>
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Anchor Internet Radio Show on PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com</div>
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JoAnn R. Forrester is co-host of the Empress of Biz Talkcast and co-founder, president and partner in S. I. Business Associates, Small Business Solutions, LLC and Celebrate and Share. She is an entrepreneur, writer, business growth specialist, teacher, columnist and award winning writer. JoAnn specializes in helping small businesses grow and prosper. She is the co-developer of the PRICE IT PERFECT™ cost management system for small business, and has secured over 40 million dollars in loans and investment for her clients.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-79078849639910036062016-06-01T03:45:00.000-07:002016-06-01T03:45:31.312-07:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, "39 Steps" is Non-Stop Hilarity!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
"39 Steps is Non-Stop Hilarity."</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
by Good News Reporter, Joanne Quinn-Smith</h3>
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If you want side splitting laugh a
minute entertainment then see Tony Award Winning Hit Comedy thriller, "39
Steps" at the Cabaret Theater. What
an uproarious experience in minimalistic stage effects with maximum hilarity.
Four players take you through the twists and turns of a comedic plot using
1940's or Mel Brooks type music spots to hi-light the intense
"drama." Sorry, no drama just
madcap hysteria. </div>
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<a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/Cabaret/39_Steps/SideBySide_288x144_39Steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/Cabaret/39_Steps/SideBySide_288x144_39Steps.jpg" /></a></div>
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It's interesting to note that
everything old is new again as the original globe theater had no curtain to
rise and fall between scenes and 39 Steps was not much different. The Cabaret Curtain fell possibly once during
intermission. In Shakespeare's time a
wall and a door were used to signify comings and goings, in this slapstick
comedy there was no wall, just a door. For comings and goings and quick changes
of characters costumes and being able to actually see some of that going on,
added to the comedic impact of the actors.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/Cabaret/39_Steps/photos/DSC_8699-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/Cabaret/39_Steps/photos/DSC_8699-web.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allan Snyder and Luke Halferty, photo: Matt Polk</td></tr>
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There is no lack of talent either
on the part of the actors, Quinn Patrick Shannon and Allan Snyder are the
perfect clowning partners reminiscent of old time comedy such as the Keystone
cops and Abbot and Costello playing multiple parts of spies, law enforcement
and husband and wife (yes wife) villains and innkeepers. Please don't discount the element of
outrageous drag in this play. Did I say
39 Steps has something for everyone? And it' s hard to believe that with all
this hilarity the show could be G rated, not even PG.</div>
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The femme fatale of the play, Megan
Pickrell also moves easily between three parts from the manipulative spy to the
farmer's wife and the aloof career woman. On the other hand Richard. Luke Halferty as Richard Hannay only plays one
part through multiple assumed identities that allows for everything from comedy
to drama and slow motion silent film effects.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/Cabaret/39_Steps/photos/DSC_2001-RETOUCH-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/Cabaret/39_Steps/photos/DSC_2001-RETOUCH-web.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke Halferty and Quinn Patrick Shannon, photo by Archie Carpenter</td></tr>
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The Director Guy Stroman deserves
huge commendation for a great work of comedic art. This is also the one time that I must mention
the technical side of the show and all deserve equal kudos. Scenic Desinger Tony Ferrieri, loved
"the car and its lights."
Lighting Designer, Andrew David Ostrowski, were you responsible for the
dancing stick puppets? Costume Designer
Stephanie Shaw, what genius in designing quick changes for comedic transition
of characters! Sound Designer Bob
Bollman's precision with sounds at the mention of "39 Steps" and the
scenes behind the opening and closing of doors! And not to be left out Production Stage
Manager Tim Brady! All I can say is,
"wow." </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/Cabaret/39_Steps/photos/DSC_2334-RETOUCH-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/Cabaret/39_Steps/photos/DSC_2334-RETOUCH-web.jpg" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cast, photo by Archie Carpenter</td></tr>
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Enough! Enough, I could write for
hours about this play. This reviewer
personally thinks it is the best play that the CLO has done at the
Cabaret. Just go see it, it runs thru
August 14, 2016. And bring the out of
town visiting relatives, they will love it too.</div>
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<a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/shows/the-39-steps?gclid=CKe63NHsgc0CFclkhgodNxQHdg" target="_blank"> Additional info and tickets here!</a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-br5vyajcE_Y/UPyStj78kgI/AAAAAAAAIZM/K8Csg_-tclg-BE7rnNRc6IuvahWEniOGACKgB/s1600/jqs%2Bexecutive%2Bshot30by300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-br5vyajcE_Y/UPyStj78kgI/AAAAAAAAIZM/K8Csg_-tclg-BE7rnNRc6IuvahWEniOGACKgB/s200/jqs%2Bexecutive%2Bshot30by300.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #330033; font-family: Courier New;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><i>Joanne Quinn-Smith, Award winning podcaster, blogger, author and internet </i></span></span><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">radio and TV network editor and publisher. Joanne is the owner and CEO, Creative Energy Officer, of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, a successful Pittsburgh-based marketing company. Joanne is internationally known as the “Get Your Google On” Gal. But better known as Techno Granny™ to over one million accumulated online listeners worldwide. Joanne has created a revolutionary online NEW MEDIA platform in Internet broadcasting, blogging and other social media participation. JQS is the online publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com, an online community magazine to disseminate the Positive News for Positive Pittsburghers. PPL Mag is Pittsburgh’s First Internet radio and TV network with syndicated channels and online radio and TV capabilities. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-660782932873008182016-05-12T14:42:00.000-07:002016-05-12T14:42:35.053-07:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Cirque de la Symphonie a Big Win in a Sports Town<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/NERVY_qiTfkDEofnWcUVXKpwDb2aVgAqwCKgB/s1600/banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/NERVY_qiTfkDEofnWcUVXKpwDb2aVgAqwCKgB/s400/banner3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Cirque de la Symphonie<br />PNC Pops 2015-2016</h2>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
reviewed by Good News Reporter, Joanne Quinn-Smith</h4>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzOx70s45uQ/VzT3lGR8fwI/AAAAAAAATks/m1DzSoWpzOoQdH_oBU3qnHogB_WuDH9NACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160512_172142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzOx70s45uQ/VzT3lGR8fwI/AAAAAAAATks/m1DzSoWpzOoQdH_oBU3qnHogB_WuDH9NACLcB/s320/IMG_20160512_172142.jpg" width="320" /></a>Cirque de La Symphonie which performed with the Pittsburgh
Symphony orchestra April 29 thru May 1, 2016 is a breathtaking bucket list
addition if you have not seen it. It is
quite simply a marriage of exciting movement and music with unique elements of
danger and comedy when the aerial hoop and aerial silk artists swing out over
the symphony crowd.</div>
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The sound track other than the music were gasps, chuckles
and sighs of relief just when you thought an aerial movement would not make
it. This performance had something for
everyone both the casual circus crowd and the elegantly dressed regular
symphony devotees. </div>
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Every time I attend I think "oh my granddaughter would
love this but I am always so excited to attend myself that I do forget to see if
she can come out on a school night.
Sorry Anaiyah. Next year, </div>
remind
me.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KajlEu8Y1UA/VzT3xd9sRtI/AAAAAAAATkw/Wa_2le0zTukDwf0QLrjF8l0gjd6O1YG-gCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160512_172320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KajlEu8Y1UA/VzT3xd9sRtI/AAAAAAAATkw/Wa_2le0zTukDwf0QLrjF8l0gjd6O1YG-gCLcB/s320/IMG_20160512_172320.jpg" width="320" /></a>Many of the performers perform double acts as Ms. Gavre and Mr.
Binayamin. Talk about role reversals, in
their performance to "Por Una Cabeza," in an acrobatic tango. Ms. Gavre lifts Mr. Binayamin proving that a
petite woman can actually balance a muscle bound man.</div>
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Mr. Tsarkov is quite resplendent in the most colorful and
comedic sequined jester's outfit as he performs to "Devil's Dance,"
juggling like you have never seen it before.</div>
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If you studied geometry in high school or college you might
wonder how Mr. Streltsov managed to twirl large cubes on the palm of his hand to
the upbeat tempo of "Les Toreadors."</div>
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Ms Gavre again proves her strength and dexterity with the
spinning hoops dangling high above the stage and the audience. Not to be
outdone Ms Tsarkove does a ballet on the uneven pedestals with spinning
acrobatics and poses. The audience is
</div>
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sure she would have no trouble getting a date as she poses very sensually to
"Bacchanale" from "Samson and Delilah" She is also the quick change artist, donning
six different outfits right on stage.<br />
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But the PSO is not to be outdone by all of this "big
top" excitement and performs stupendously on their own with "Espana."
and later "A Comedy Tonight" from "A Funny thing Happened on the
Way to the Forum."</div>
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Mr. Steltsov and Ms Van Loo are spectacular on the aerial
silks performing dreamily to the Waltz from Swan Lake and also sprach
Zarathustra, Opus 30.</div>
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The big moment though as you can see from the pictures was
the big top finale of Jarek and Darek acrobatics, what feats of strength and synchronicity
and seemingly impossible acrobatic poses.
Some will remember Jarek and Darek from "America's Got Talent."</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-tpt7PSkRY/VzT4A9XjfbI/AAAAAAAATk4/CSdw0Fg3wPUAZ2wguZxRx66fSt8m4Xm3ACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160512_171905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-tpt7PSkRY/VzT4A9XjfbI/AAAAAAAATk4/CSdw0Fg3wPUAZ2wguZxRx66fSt8m4Xm3ACLcB/s320/IMG_20160512_171905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For those who stayed for the post symphony talk, the
conversation from performers and conductor Jack Everly was both humorous and
informative. Conductor Everly's banter
in between numbers during the performance kept the audience enthralled with not
only his symphonic ability but his glib sense of humor.</div>
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In a town where sports is king and the symphony is like the
regal Queen of England, both symphony audiences and sports fans cheered so
loudly it could have been over one of our hometown teams having a big win. This was definitely a big win for the
Pittsburgh Symphony and La Cirque.</div>
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<o:p><span style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><i>Joanne Quinn-Smith, Award winning internet radio broadcaster, </i></span></span><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">blogger, author and internet radio and TV network editor and publisher. Joanne is the owner and CEO, Creative Energy Officer, of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, a successful </i><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">Pittsburgh-based marketing company. Joanne is internationally known as the “Get Your Google On” Gal. But better known as Techno Granny™ to over one million accumulated online listeners worldwide. Joanne has created a revolutionary online NEW MEDIA platform in Internet broadcasting, blogging and other social media participation. JQS is the online publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com, an online community magazine to disseminate the Positive News for Positive Pittsburghers. PPL Mag is Pittsburgh’s First Internet radio and TV network with syndicated channels and online radio and TV capabilities. </i></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-31500008542500989322016-05-12T12:28:00.000-07:002016-05-12T12:28:25.651-07:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Le Corsaire A Pirate Saga with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Orchestra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Le Corsaire<br />A Pirate Saga with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Orchestra<br />April 15, 2016</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h4>
by Roving Pittsburgher Reporter, Joshua Kurnot </h4>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
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My
love affair with ballet begins with Le Corsaire. Friday April 15, 2016 was my second,
live, full-scale, professional ballet theater experience. I was quickly seduced
with its dynamic and explosive character, movement, and scenery. In contrast, I
did not fall in love with ballet during my first experience during the
Pittsburgh Ballet Theater’s season opening performances showcasing William
Forsythe’s work. That stuff was way over my head, too modern and stark for my
understanding as a novice ballet spectator. Le Corsairse’s classic themes made
it easy to sympathize with. </div>
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The
stunning sets for this performance were made in Germany and brought from
Uruguay after only their first use there. Most striking was the grotto where
the pirates hid out after stealing their prize girl and looting the village.
The rippling rocks of the cave walls sparkled with gem stones and the allure of
its hidden treasures within while the captain of pirates, his bare chested
slave, and his newly stolen beauty danced to entertain the troops, but mutiny
quickly ensued.</div>
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<a href="http://www.pbt.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/photos/Ruslan%20Mukhambelkaliyev.%20Photo%20by%20Aimee%20DiAndrea.jpg?itok=FvvDFNBi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbt.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/photos/Ruslan%20Mukhambelkaliyev.%20Photo%20by%20Aimee%20DiAndrea.jpg?itok=FvvDFNBi" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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The
obvious crowd favorite that night was the bare-chested slave to the pirate
captain being </div>
danced by Ruslan Mukhambetkaliyev. This guy was the muscle behind
stealing the prized beauty for the pirates and also stealing the entire show
that night. It was a shame that the ladies didn’t even have the chance to
really captivate the audience, but that’s because the ballet wasn’t created to
showcase the female dynamic. This Russian style ballet showed off the power and
strength of the male dancers. Ruslan’s training at the Almaty Ballet Academy in
Kazakhstan and later performances as a soloist with the Moscow City Ballet and
principle with the Russian National Ballet made him perfect for his role. His
jumps were the highest, his lines were the strongest, and his endurance was
obvious as he effortlessly performed big trick after big trick while being
fueled by the excitement and cheers from the audience. The coolest part of
having a live orchestra in the pit was that when Ruslan or any other dancer got
on a role breaking out the really impressive moves, the maestro could sense the
excitement from the audience and direct impromptu repetitions in the musical
arrangements to accommodate and accentuate their performances. The synergy
between the dancers, musicians, and audience was totally and completely
electrifying. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pbt.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/photos/DSC_1039-1.jpg?itok=q3FcZiAK" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbt.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/photos/DSC_1039-1.jpg?itok=q3FcZiAK" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Anna-Marie Holmes
was the night’s guest of honor. In some way she owns Le Corsaire legally, but
artistically she is the absolute authority on its creative subtleties.
Talk-back discussions after the performance revealed her humble dedication to
the original ideals of the ballet, but also highlighted her passion to perfect
it. Many questions were about the originality of the sets, music scores, and
choreography. Anna-Marie’s eloquent response to these prying questions was honest
statements that exemplified how many of the world’s greatest artistic
performances were conglomerations of artistic collaboration through many
decades of dedication and hard work.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-19/s150x150/12905185_476084202576985_883593758_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-19/s150x150/12905185_476084202576985_883593758_a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Joshua Kurnot is a West Virginia University Graduate of the School of Engineering. He was also part of the student team of West Virginia University engineering students who won the 2014 24-hour innovation competition held by Ecole de Technologies Superieure in Montreal Canada. Joshua now makes his home in Pittsburgh and hopes to do his small part to reduce the brain drain in the Pittsburgh area by securing a job as a mechanical engineer. </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.006px; line-height: 15.0075px;"><a href="mailto:jakurno2@gmail.com" target="_blank">Contact Joshua</a></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-55803243917524262442016-03-25T08:40:00.000-07:002016-03-25T08:40:33.388-07:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, A MODERN OPERA … GERTRUDE STEIN AND ALICE TOBIAS THE “TALK” OF PARIS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/EEJbDgThT_AGWwijE3WgEER4RAvyaYFmg/s1600/banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/EEJbDgThT_AGWwijE3WgEER4RAvyaYFmg/s400/banner3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><strong><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">“27”</span></i></strong><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;">A modern Opera …<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;">Gertrude Stein and Alice Tobias<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;">The “Talk” of Paris<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;">Music by Ricky Ian Gordon, Libertto by Royce
Varvrek<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">2425 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh,
PA 15222<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> “</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Presented by the Pittsburgh Opera” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Pittsburgh
Opera Headquarters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Reviewer:
JoAnn R. Forrester, Empress of Biz, <span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pittsburgh has many jewels in its cultural crown.
One of the brightest jewels is the Pittsburgh Opera. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://assets.culturaldistrict.org/culturaldistrict/system/assets/10851/original/main_44087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://assets.culturaldistrict.org/culturaldistrict/system/assets/10851/original/main_44087.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The 77<sup>th</sup> season
began with the Pittsburgh premiere of </span><a href="http://www.pittsburghopera.org/27" target="_blank"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Ricky
Ian Gordon’s 27</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">. Spotlighting larger
than life novelist, poet, playwright, and Pittsburgh native </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Stein" target="_blank"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Gertrude Stein</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"> and her partner </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_B._Toklas" target="_blank"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Alice B. Toklas</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">, </span><a href="http://www.pittsburghopera.org/27" target="_blank"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">27</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"> will delight you
with Ricky Ian Gordon's "tuneful score" and Royce Vavrek's
"quick-witted libretto." </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The production of 27 was held at the
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, located at 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip
District. This is an amazing well
designed renovated space that is the ‘”training ground” for the next generation
of Opera Stars. The building and the
resident artist program alone deserves its own review. What a sparkling jewel in our cultural scene
crown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was mesmerized by
the production of “27”, the life and times of Gertrude Stein and Alice Tobias
and their influence on the development of 20<sup>th</sup> century arts. I thoroughly enjoyed score of Mr. Gordon, evoking jazz, foxtrot and musical
theater. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The opera “27” is in five acts and portrays
the life of Gertrude Stein and Tobias from 1910 to 1946. It demonstrates their influence and impact on
the world of art through their stimulating art challenging Parisian saloon. It was fascinating to watch Gertrude and
Alice living in pre War World I Paris
creating a saloon that hosted the emerging 20<sup>th</sup> century painters, Picasso
and Henri Matisse . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gertrude and Alice created
their own world excluding those who did not accept them including Gertrude Stein brother, Leo Stein. Who left 27 rue de Fluerus, when Alice Tobias
became a permanent part of the household.
Gertrude and Leo never spoke again. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">World War I comes
and goes with all its hardships and sacrifices.
After World War I Gertrude and Alice host emerging writers of the “Lost
Generation” such as Hemingway, Fitzgerald and the photographer Man Ray. This period sandwiched in between two World
Wars is lived at a frenetic pace with all are trying to make up for the
upheaval and destruction of the past war.
Meantime the Great Depression is on horizon and the drums of war start
to beat softly and then louder and louder until they thunder and burst on the world
stage and War II erupts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pittsburghopera.org/uploads/0299_27_807x360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghopera.org/uploads/0299_27_807x360.jpg" height="177" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> World War II brought a drastic change to
Gertrude Stein. Her goal for her and
Alice to be safe causes her to do what is “necessary” to be “safe” and survive
occupied France. After the war the end
come quickly for guilt consumed Gertrude Stein.
The last act features Alice Tobias and Picasso as they say goodbye, pack
and send Picasso’s picture of Gertrude Stein to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
in New York. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">I thoroughly enjoyed
the resident artists as they delivered this Pittsburgh premiere of “27” I was
impressed with Laurel Seerdjian (mezzo-soprano) portrayal of Gertrude Stein and
Adelaide Boedecker (soprano) as Alice.
Their duets together conveyed great warmth, affection and devotion to
one another. The men, Adam Bonanni, (tenor)
Matthew Sciollin (bass baritone) and Brian Tobias (baritone) were versatile and
in good voice in their many faceted roles.
The Pittsburgh Opera’s Residence artist program is a boon to Pittsburgh
and to Opera. All those in this production
of “27” are on the path to artistic success.
<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">It's a good bet for your money to support and enjoy the Pittsburgh opera. If you have never attended the opera, you might start with The Barber of Seville, opening on April 2. <a href="http://www.pittsburghopera.org/show/the-barber-of-seville" target="_blank"> </a></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghopera.org/show/the-barber-of-seville" target="_blank">Additional information and tickets here. </a></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.286px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3oVTxlHniU/UPPq-hBw0dI/AAAAAAAAH0I/Rjti9Wf8OS8/s1600/JRFMBKphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #993322; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3oVTxlHniU/UPPq-hBw0dI/AAAAAAAAH0I/Rjti9Wf8OS8/s1600/JRFMBKphoto.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="153" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20.286px;">Written By: JoAnn R. Forrester<br />Host of Empress of Biz<br />Anchor Internet Radio Show on PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com<br />JoAnn R. Forrester is co-host of the Empress of Biz Talkcast and co-founder, president and partner in S. I. Business Associates, Small Business Solutions, LLC and Celebrate and Share. She is an entrepreneur, writer, business growth specialist, teacher, columnist and award winning writer. JoAnn specializes in helping small businesses grow and prosper. She is the co-developer of the PRICE IT PERFECT™ cost management system for small business, and has secured over 40 million dollars in loans and investment for her clients.</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-80085400575501189202016-03-09T07:36:00.000-08:002016-03-09T07:36:59.513-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Bridges of Madison County Harlequin Romance or Arthur and Guinevere?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/EEJbDgThT_A/s1600/banner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K5zf1UGNutc/T4xJ7pFafjI/AAAAAAAAR0k/EEJbDgThT_A/s320/banner3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bridges of Madison County </h2>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Harlequin Romance or Arthur and Guinevere?</h2>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;">The Bridges of Madison
County that opened at the Benedum in Pittsburgh last night has the steaminess
of a Harlequin Romance Novel touched with tragic illusions that date back to stories
like Lancelot and Guinevere and serenendipitous lovers trapped by a chance
meeting between passion, reality and honor.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;">From a slow background
start the musical wends its way through the audience's emotions like a rollercoaster
between comedy, lust, broken dreams and soulful duets.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;">Stripped to their private thoughts, even the
men in the audience would have to admit that the show tugged at their hearts
and returned them to a chance encounter, a furtive one night stand or a glimpse
into "what might have been."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://assets.culturaldistrict.org/culturaldistrict/system/assets/13890/original/alt_43971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://assets.culturaldistrict.org/culturaldistrict/system/assets/13890/original/alt_43971.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;">This two time Tony Award®-winning
Broadway musical by composer Robert James Waller has evolved from a bestselling
book by Pulitzer Prize Winner Marsha Norman<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>
to a movie <span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;">starring Meryl Streep<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Clint
Eastwood to a Broadway musical is the stuff of housewives fantasies and romantic
tragedies with local color, historic flashbacks and comic relief episodes. </span><span style="background: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Daily News hails as
“one of Broadway’s best scores in the last decade.” It's easy to see why. Although there are no "Oklahoma"
catchy tunes that stick in your head they certainly will rap you in their magic
while you are there. There is one show
stopper at the end though and both I and my theater partner wished we could
have given him a standing ovation for it. With his rendition of "When I'm
Gone" Charlie (David Hess) goes from mealy mouthed comic episodes to
leading man status and that is one song that you wish was just a bit longer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #303030; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The performance of
Francesca ( Elizabeth Stanley) was of course stellar even though as a
granddaughter of immigrant Italians on both sides of the family I found her
Italian accent a bit wanting, but her voice could transport you to the outer
limits of heaven. The real star of the
show though is Robert (Andrew Samonsky).
His "The World Inside a Frame" truly creates a picture. Also the chemistry between he and Francesca did
not need shirtless scenes to be steamy and electric even from row P in the
orchestra.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;">Norman also has created a
pair of comical neighbors, Marge and Charlie (Mary Callanan and David Hess).
Marge spies on Francesca and her “hippie” Photographer guest through binoculars
and tries to engage her passive husband Charlie jealous speculation; their banter
is humorous and finally the results are homespun and touching. Marge also has a huge musical moment along
with the Radio Singers in "Get Closer." While part of the stage is "filled"
with Francesca and Robert dancing Marge has her own vicarious experience. For
the chick flick or chick theater followers Robert with his superior height to
Francesca has an enticing way of wrapping his tall body around Francesca.</span><span style="background: white; color: #303030; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #303030; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The great thing about this
show is that fantasies and reality both are all part of life and the
interjections of all types of music from country to almost operatic and blues
with athletic dancing and movement of scenery really made this show come to
life in the theater. From housewife to
construction worker, business women, traveler or handyman everyone can relate
to that one moment that "might have been."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't let this be
a "might have done" in your life but DO SEE "The Bridges of Madison County playing
at the Benedum on 7th St in Pittsburgh through Sunday March 13, 2016. Tickets start at $26.00. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://culturaldistrict.org/production/43971/the-bridges-of-madison-county" target="_blank">Additional Info and Tickets here</a></span></span></h2>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 13.8pt; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ph0sNId61_o/UoD3dRKzREI/AAAAAAAAOdU/Z_ff5cEsOcY/s1600/jqs%2Bexecutive%2Bshot30by300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #993322; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ph0sNId61_o/UoD3dRKzREI/AAAAAAAAOdU/Z_ff5cEsOcY/s200/jqs%2Bexecutive%2Bshot30by300.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a><span style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><i>Joanne Quinn-Smith, Award winning internet radio broadcaster, </i></span></span><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">blogger, author and internet radio and TV network editor and publisher. Joanne is the owner and CEO, Creative Energy Officer, of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, a successful </i><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">Pittsburgh-based marketing company. Joanne is internationally known as the “Get Your Google On” Gal. But better known as Techno Granny™ to over one million accumulated online listeners worldwide. Joanne has created a revolutionary online NEW MEDIA platform in Internet broadcasting, blogging and other social media participation. JQS is the online publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com, an online community magazine to disseminate the Positive News for Positive Pittsburghers. PPL Mag is Pittsburgh’s First Internet radio and TV network with syndicated channels and online radio and TV capabilities. </i></div>
</div>
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<i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><br /></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-5462024559159915682016-02-11T09:04:00.000-08:002016-02-11T09:04:26.972-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Guys & Dolls, A Showcase of Talent at PPT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Guys & Dolls: A Showcase of Talent at PPT <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">By Good News Reporter, Megan Grabowski<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When Pittsburgh Public Theater
(PPT) produces a musical you are sure to be wowed. This season, the American classic, Guys &
Dolls will not disappoint. An audience
pleaser all around, Guys & Dolls is entertaining for both the musical maven
as well as any theater novice. Producing
artistic director, the esteemed Ted Pappas, has covered all the bases to assure
this performance is nothing less than stellar. Guys & Dolls is a must see.</div>
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One of America's most beloved
musicals, Guys & Dolls takes place in mid-century bustling New York
City. Small time gambler Nathan Detroit
(Joel Hurt Jones) is scrambling to find
a location for the next floating crap game, while dodging Lt. Brannigan (Tony
Bingham) and Miss Adelaide, (Kirsten
Wyatt) leading performer at the Hot Box night club and his fiancée of fourteen
years. With help from fellow hoodlums
Nicely, Nicely Johnson (Quinn Patrick Shannon), Rusty Charlie (Joe Jackson) and
Benny Southstreet (Gavan Pamer), Detroit attempts to arrange the game at the
Biltmore Garage. Owner Joey Biltmore
(Daniel Krell) wants a $1000.00 deposit before he agrees and Detroit is
broke. He decides to earn the $1000.00
by making a wager with Sky Masterson (Charlie Brady) a man who will bet on
anything. Detroit bets Masterson that he can't convince the beautiful and
pious, Sarah Brown, Sergeant of Save- a- Soul Mission, to take a trip with him
to Havana, Cuba. Masterson, accepts the
challenge. What follows is a quest for love and redemption depicted through an
award winning score and clever choreography.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ngOhS_mGiI/Vry8n08pPCI/AAAAAAAATdg/D8UPbeVy9gU/s1600/Guys%2Band%2BDolls%252C%2BCharlie%2BBrady%2Band%2BDoreen%2BBurns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ngOhS_mGiI/Vry8n08pPCI/AAAAAAAATdg/D8UPbeVy9gU/s320/Guys%2Band%2BDolls%252C%2BCharlie%2BBrady%2Band%2BDoreen%2BBurns.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie Brady and Doreen Burns</td></tr>
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The four leading roles, Nathan
Detroit, Sky Masterson, Sarah Brown and Miss Adelaide boast notable credits
ranging from live theater, film and
television, national as well as local theater.
The leading ladies are exactly what you would expect from a PPT
production, refined and skilled in their craft.
Burn's operatic vocal range is resounding and at times nearly drowns out
her male counterparts. Kudos to Wyatt
whose New York accent is on spot. She manages to maintain it throughout the
entire performance, something I have witnessed many talented men and women
struggle with on stage. Masterson, a ladies'
man, can schmooze a woman and roll a set of dice, sing and dance too. His rendition of “Luck Be a Lady” was a
highlight of the show but my heart melted listening to Miss Adelaide and Nathan
Detroit sing the duet, “Sue Me”, it was sweet and harmonic. </div>
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Although there isn't one single
cast member who disappoints, the supporting cast and ensemble are especially brilliant.
The beautiful Hot Box girls, as Farmerettes, in “A Bushel and a Peck”, are just
the right amount of risqué. Sarah's
grandfather, Arvide Abernathy (Larry John Meyers) sings “More I Cannot Wish
You”, a sentimental tune that warms the heart and Nicely, Nicely Johnson and
the ensemble receive a roar of applause after “Sit Down, Your Rockin' the
Boat”. </div>
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The O'Reilly Theater has a
mid-sized stage and the choreography is tailored to the space. Personally, when I see a strong male cast I
look forward to powerful leaps and turns.
The dancing in Guys and Dolls doesn't lack these attributes but there
were moments when I expected
larger. The dancing was most
engaging during “Havana” and “The Crapshooters Dance”. </div>
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Guys & Dolls boasts bright and
cheery costumes, an uplifting musical score, energetic dancing and engaging
acting. The show runs through February
28 at The O'Reilly Theater in Pittsburgh's Cultural District. </div>
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For more information or to purchase tickets
visit <span class="InternetLink"><a href="http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/44232/guys-and-dolls">http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/44232/guys-and-dolls</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45ykk6jZnpg/Vry-keGeQjI/AAAAAAAATds/RYgOBIfJ30o/s1600/Megan2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-45ykk6jZnpg/Vry-keGeQjI/AAAAAAAATds/RYgOBIfJ30o/s1600/Megan2015.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><i>Reviewed by Megan Grabowski</i></span></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><i>Income Maintance Caseworker at State of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services</i></span></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="line-height: 32px;"><i>Positively Pittsburgh Good News Reviewer, Professional writer, Social-Media Junkie, Community Fundraiser and Pittsburgh Enthusiast. </i></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-24407025560094879202016-02-11T05:11:00.000-08:002016-02-11T05:11:08.957-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Wilkommen to "CABARET" AT THE BENEDUM CENTER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #363636; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Wilkommen to "CABARET" AT THE
BENEDUM CENTER</span></span></h2>
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<span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">An unbiased
review by Mr. and Mrs. Cardiology</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Good News Review by Dr. Santosh and Mrs. Sunita Pandit</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The air was
electric as we waited for the show to begin!
This was the first time in our simple career of attending shows in the
Cultural District that we really noticed the audience’s feel of anticipation
and awe of what was to come. My husband,</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Dr. Santosh Pandit or</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Mr. Cardiology, as</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGvXPUNGFag/VryIJ6D0_DI/AAAAAAAATdI/raahm1CdShs/s1600/cabaret%2Bpandit%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zGvXPUNGFag/VryIJ6D0_DI/AAAAAAAATdI/raahm1CdShs/s320/cabaret%2Bpandit%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
he has been dubbed, got busy right away using the opera
glasses to watch the unusual activity on the stage. There were actors limbering
up and actually doing cartwheels and splits! I can understand his curiosity
because the gals on stage looked from our seats in row Q as though they were
wearing nothing!<span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They were all wearing
skimpy clothing in flesh colors… I noticed the stage had a second story where
it was filled from end to end with musicians… or were they the actors… ohhhh
they were doing both!</span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The swell of
the audience’s energy climaxed as the lights dimmed. The lead, Emcee – Randy Harrison came out
from behind a door and started to sing.
Oh but I could not understand his words. I wanted to adjust the
acoustics so that I could lower the music and hear him clearly. It was worse for my husband as he does not
understand French! But to my delight,
the loud music became a minor detraction as the actors outdid themselves in
producing their heart felt performances.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Pittsburgh is
in for a real treat with this rendition of Cabaret. For those like Mr. Cardiology who did not
grow up in America… do a little reading so you can follow the story better and
that way you can concentrate on appreciating the performances. Well worth more than the price of the
tickets… My favorite was Fraulein<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> Schneider – Shannon
Cochran… singing ‘So What’… with Sally – Andrea Goss singing ‘Don’t Tell Mama’
a close second! Randy Harrison as the
Emcee was actually like a band leader in his ability to keep the energy level
at peak for the entire performance… made me think everyone else was making sure
they kept up! BRAVO!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #363636; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">To all the
cast and crew my Hats Off to YOU! Congratulations and Thank You for coming to
Pittsburgh and allowing us to ‘Get Away’ from our daily routine…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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– Sunita S. Pandit</span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Sunita Pandit, host of Mrs. Cardiology which is an anchor podcast at http://pplmag.com is also the practice manager for her husband Santosh Pandit's private cardiology practice in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, she is also the Health Director on the Board of NAWBO Greater Pittsburgh. Dr. Santosh Pandit is a private practice cardiologist in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-81954723737253113502016-01-30T10:21:00.001-08:002016-01-30T10:21:37.591-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, The Nutcracker, A Holiday Tradition That's New Every Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Nutcracker, A Holiday Tradition That's New Every Year</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
by Pittsburgh Good News Reporter, Joanne Quinn-Smith</h3>
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<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>nutcracker</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is a tool designed to open nuts by
cracking their shells. But truly in the theater at the family holiday tradition
of "The Nutcracker" presented by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, no
one cares with the presentation of The Nutcracker during the holiday season of
2015, the Pittsburgh Ballet definitely cracked the code of entertainment for
young and old and sheer delight for all ages.</span></div>
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From the beautifully lit
backdrops to the exotic flavor of the international dance numbers, the snow
flower dance with the bees and the Chinese dragon, the audience can never tire
of the enchantment of the <span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Choreographer, Terrence S. Orr's <span style="background: white; color: #252525;"> interpretation of Tchaikovsky's suite from the
original ballet derived from the Story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It seems as though every year that one attends, there is always something new and exciting that wasn't there last year in the performance or that you just notice this year.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And the set designer has made the
scenery indigenous to Pittsburgh. The
Showdrop showcases a Pittsburgh home that once existed on Fifth Avenue in
Shadyside. Who can miss that the
proscenium clock that was inspired by the famous, "Kaufman's
Clock." The Nutcracker at Christmas
is not the only Pittsburgh tradition showcased in this presentation. What
Pittsburgher would forget someone saying to them, "I'll meet you under
Kaufmann's clock?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pbt.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/photos/DSC_2527-1.jpg?itok=isZKWlSt" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbt.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/public/photos/DSC_2527-1.jpg?itok=isZKWlSt" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The historic Pittsburgh flavor
continues in the naming of the guests as you peruse the program, Mrs. Kaufman,
Mr. and Mrs. Heinz and Mr. and Mrs.
Grandview, named for Pittsburgh's internationally known scenic Grandview
Avenue. And the topography continues in the turn of the twentieth century
rendering of the Snowy Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Also the Magical Land of Enchantment
backdrop's string of lights that swirls like and old-fashioned rollercoaster was
inspired by </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">visions of Pennsylvania's many amusement parks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From the human sized rats to the trees laden with
sweets and the palace, everything Clara and the audience see is for all intents
and purposes made of sugar. My
granddaughter's favorite was the </span><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dance
of the Sugar Plum Fairy and also the Arabian dance and the Chinese Dragon
Dance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
personally have always loved the grand festival portion with its Celebration of
Dances. My favorites are the Dance of
the Dolls and the waltz of the flowers with the baby bumble bees. It's so wonderful how the Pittsburgh Ballet
Theater includes its community of talented dancers and youngsters from the
Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, truly making the event a community supported and
populated tradition for the Pittsburgh area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ph0sNId61_o/UoD3dRKzREI/AAAAAAAAOdU/Z_ff5cEsOcY/s1600/jqs%2Bexecutive%2Bshot30by300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ph0sNId61_o/UoD3dRKzREI/AAAAAAAAOdU/Z_ff5cEsOcY/s200/jqs%2Bexecutive%2Bshot30by300.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /></a><span style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><i>Joanne Quinn-Smith, Award winning internet radio broadcaster, </i></span></span><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">blogger, author and internet radio and TV network editor and publisher. Joanne is the owner and CEO, Creative Energy Officer, of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, a successful </i><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">Pittsburgh-based marketing company. Joanne is internationally known as the “Get Your Google On” Gal. But better known as Techno Granny™ to over one million accumulated online listeners worldwide. Joanne has created a revolutionary online NEW MEDIA platform in Internet broadcasting, blogging and other social media participation. JQS is the online publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com, an online community magazine to disseminate the Positive News for Positive Pittsburghers. PPL Mag is Pittsburgh’s First Internet radio and TV network with syndicated channels and online radio and TV capabilities. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-73966980247702740152015-12-30T17:15:00.000-08:002015-12-30T17:15:51.963-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, 23 Musical, Twirling, Juggling, Ariel & Acrobatic Acts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong><i><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE</span></i></strong><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-style: normal; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;">the Family
Holiday SpectaCular <o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">23 Musical, Twirling, Juggling, </span></strong><strong style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Ariel & Acrobatic Acts to</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">Amaze & Entertain You</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Reviewer: JoAnn R. Forrester, Empress of Biz, <span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<em style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;">TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015</span></em></div>
<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">FEATURING 30 PERFORMERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE</span></strong></div>
</span><br />
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<strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;">“</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Presented by the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pittsburgh Cultural Trust”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Benedum Center<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">, created and directed by Neil Goldberg </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">presents a spectacular family night of holiday </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">entertainment
aimed to amaze, awe and make one wonder </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">out loud</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">“How in the world do they do all the singing, dancing twisting, turning,
leaping, climbing, juggling, acrobatic and aerial feats and still be smiling
and ready to do more?”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">The
international cast of 30 performers from Armenia, Belarus, Canada, China,
Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine and the USA are extraordinary as they whirl, twist
and perform almost impossible feats through 23 acts, and myriad custom changes as
holiday ornaments in a 2 hour plus magical </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;">production.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18pt;"> </span><strong style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; padding: 0in;"> </span></strong></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> The theme, Once upon a dream, time awoke suddenly….he
turned, smiled and gave a wink…and then saw the ornaments no longer asleep…sets
the stage for the performers dressed as holiday ornaments to pull out all stops to perform amazing feats to entertain the audience. The action never stop, one amazing
performance is finished and the next is moving right on stage. You just gotta see it to believe it! All the performers are excellent and many of
the performers have been featured on America’s Got Talent and similar TV
variety shows in other countries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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holiday spectacular. Cirque
Dreams is also currently airing as a made for PBS television special throughout
the country. The<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE
is part of a franchise by directory Neil Goldberg, who created the groundbreaking Broadway hits
CIRQUE DREAMS and JUNGLE FANTASY. CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE is a circus
show, a Broadway musical, a holiday fantasy spectacular and family show all in
one! Look for them to go to NYC & Broadway in 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Great family entertainment! Amazing show with fantastic
skilled performers whose <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">enthusiasm, talent and
boundless energy generates enough holiday cheer to light up downtown Pittsburgh
for a week. Truly a fabulous Holiday performance to
entertain all! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Written By: JoAnn R. Forrester<br />Host of Empress of Biz<br />Anchor Internet Radio Show on PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com<br />JoAnn R. Forrester is co-host of the Empress of Biz Talkcast and co-founder, president and partner in S. I. Business Associates, Small Business Solutions, LLC and Celebrate and Share. She is an entrepreneur, writer, business growth specialist, teacher, columnist and award winning writer. JoAnn specializes in helping small businesses grow and prosper. She is the co-developer of the PRICE IT PERFECT™ cost management system for small business, and has secured over 40 million dollars in loans and investment for her clients.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-90497169385276832562015-12-30T08:11:00.000-08:002015-12-30T08:11:30.272-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Pittsburgh Symphony Holiday Pops, Nothing Short of Tops!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pittsburgh Symphony Holiday Pops, Nothing Short of Tops!</h2>
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JoAnn R. Forrester,<br />Roving Pittsburgher Reporter<br />Host of Empress of Biz #Podcast</h3>
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<a href="https://culturaldistrict-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/culturaldistrict/system/assets/10810/original/main_43997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://culturaldistrict-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/culturaldistrict/system/assets/10810/original/main_43997.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A great family holiday treat was presented to Pittsburgh
“concert goers” by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The
Mendelssohn Choir, Attack Theatre, the Three Rivers Ringers, Chris Jamison and
a very special appearance by Mr. Nicholas Claus at the Holiday Pop
Concert. I wish this performance could
have been broadcasted on television by all our major stations in the burgh to
brighten everyone’s holiday. The whole
performance by all was uplifting, well executed and magical.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Pittsburgh Symphony under conductor Daniel Meyer, well
known to Pittsburgh audiences was superb.
Mr. Meyer has a wonderful touch that brings out the best in the Pittsburgh
Symphony Orchestra in a lighthearted and capable manner. He also worked exceptionally well with the
other Pops presenters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Mendelssohn Choir , the Pittsburgh Symphony orchestra’s
“chorus of choice” directed by Acting Musical directory, Maria Sensi Sellner
was delightful and it was a “grand treat” for the audience to be able to sing
along with three Christmas Carols. </span></div>
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Reza, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">was an exuberant part of the evening and their interaction with Mr. Claus
was perfect. I must say Mr. Claus was
wonderful with the young members of the audience. It made me wish I was a kid again and that I
could have a special talk with Santa. The
reactions of the youngsters on the "Santa Cam" were priceless.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.threeriversringers.org/">http://www.threeriversringers.org/</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My favorite of the whole wonderful Holiday Pops evening was
the Three Rivers Ringers. They are Pittsburgh’s
premier handbell ensemble directed by Nancy R. Lutz. They charmed the audience and it was just
amazing to see them perform…another great treat. The <i>Carol
of the Bells</i> with the Mendelssohn Choir was exceptional…great sound and
fascinating to watch.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVzUv0pbUfA/VoP_okHqnxI/AAAAAAAATWg/ypl0PDvLjHo/s1600/JQS%2Band%2BChris%2BJameson%2Bat%2BHoliday%2BPops%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVzUv0pbUfA/VoP_okHqnxI/AAAAAAAATWg/ypl0PDvLjHo/s320/JQS%2Band%2BChris%2BJameson%2Bat%2BHoliday%2BPops%2B2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Jamison and PositivelyPittsburghLive #podcast host, <br />Joanne Quinn-Smith</td></tr>
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<a href="http://blogs.pittsburghsymphony.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jamison-Chris_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blogs.pittsburghsymphony.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jamison-Chris_web.jpg" height="320" width="280" /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">To add to the wonder of the evening a special appearance by
Chris Jamison, local artist, who appeared as a finalist on The Voice” sang
several songs including the one he did on national television, “Georgia on My
Mind”. His voice caresses the words and
brings to mind to me Mel Torme <span style="background: white; color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999),
nicknamed<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The Velvet Fog,
who was an American musician, best known as a jazz singer. Keep your eyes on our local guy…he has far to
go… and if he keeps on track should have a wonderful career.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Holiday treat with the Pittsburgh</span> Symphony Orchestra,<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #252525; line-height: 115%;"> The Mendelssohn Chor, Attack Theatre, Three
River Ringers, Mr. Claus and Mr. Chris Jamison.
Folks you don’t need to go to New York find world class entertainment…we
got it here in Pittsburgh. I suggest
for your 2016 New Year’s Resolution List make one of them get involved and
support the marvelous artistic and musical scene in Pittsburgh…it is a sure
winner all the time. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still time to get your picture taken in front of Heinz Hall tree.<br /><br /><div style="background-color: #c0a154; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.286px; text-align: left;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">Written By: JoAnn R. Forrester<br />Host of Empress of Biz<br />Anchor Internet Radio Show on PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com<br />JoAnn R. Forrester is co-host of the Empress of Biz Talkcast and co-founder, president and partner in S. I. Business Associates, Small Business Solutions, LLC and Celebrate and Share. She is an entrepreneur, writer, business growth specialist, teacher, columnist and award winning writer. JoAnn specializes in helping small businesses grow and prosper. She is the co-developer of the PRICE IT PERFECT™ cost management system for small business, and has secured over 40 million dollars in loans and investment for her clients.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-90035279702348060822015-12-21T08:52:00.000-08:002015-12-21T08:52:33.286-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Put Holiday Doo Wop on Your Bucket List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Roving Pittsburgher Report, </h2>
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Put Holiday Doo Wop on Your Bucket List</h2>
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by<br />Good News Reviewer, Marlene Reutzel</h3>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white;">If you
haven't been to a Doo Wop show, put it on your bucket list! It's an
evening of pure fun and entertainment. The show at Heinz Hall was just
musical magic. Presented by Richard Nader </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Entertainment on Wednesday December
16th, 2015, the line up was fabulous. The program started with Johnny Angel and
the Halos, a group that started in the corners of the North Side of
Pittsburgh. When the signing started, the need to sing along
began. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Lenny Welch's voice is
still dreamy with his " Since I Fell For You" and " Ebb
Tide. His moves are still as smooth as ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Tommy Mara has an
engaging and powerful voice that immediately pulls you in to that feel
good place as the lead singer of the Crests. Singing along to "Sixteen
Candles" and "Step By Step" takes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">you back to the music that
brings back memories.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ladd Vance is the son of
Kenny Vance from Jay and The Americans. The apple doesn't fall far from the
tree. His voice is wonderfully like his dads'. Singing " Cara Mia"
with the Safaris was a perfect fit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Shirelles with the
original lead singer Shirley Reeves Alston got the audience moving with "
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and "Tonight's the
Night". Singing along was just second nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Everyone was singing
with The Orginal Tymes to " Wonderful Wonderful". Their
black and red jackets made sure your attention was focused on them with classic
line dancing. Truly entertaining!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Supremes had 12
number one hits, Mary Wilson sang quite a few of them. Aside from sounding
great, she looked amazing. Her white and silver beaded form fitting gown,
shows her fabulous figure and that classic look The Supremes always had. Everyone
was singing to "Baby Love" and " Stop, In The Name of Love'
. What a class act!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Each of the entertainers
sang a Christmas song and the tribute to our military was inspiring and
appreciated by the members of the audience who served. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Definitely a wonderful
entertaining, completed by pictures in front of the spectacular <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Christmas Tree in The
Heinz Hall lobby, sponsored by HighMark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Next time there is a Doo
Wop show, throw caution to the wind and go. You won't be sorry.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9M27cOuoFM/VngrZZnnLFI/AAAAAAAATUs/pabma35Hf8Y/s1600/Marlene%2BReutzel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I9M27cOuoFM/VngrZZnnLFI/AAAAAAAATUs/pabma35Hf8Y/s200/Marlene%2BReutzel.jpg" width="171" /></i></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Marlene Reutzel, Sales Executive for Contact One, Founder Junkpreneur.com, Consultant to those who want to turn their trash to cash.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>SpecialiZing in antique furniture reclamation and refurbishing.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Coming website: <a href="http://junkpreneur.com/">http://junkpreneur.com</a></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Contact </span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="mailto:mreutzel1026@gmail.com">mreutzel1026@gmail.com</a></span></i></div>
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<i>412-496-8293</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-52534530978758346682015-12-12T05:56:00.000-08:002015-12-12T05:56:04.410-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, An Irish Christmas at the Symphony<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">An Irish Christmas at the Symphony</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">by</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Pittsburgh Good News Reporter, Joanne Quinn-Smith</span></h3>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There is nothing like the lilt and toe
tapping and sometimes raw emotion of Irish music to ring in the holiday season. And the Pittsburgh Symphony orchestra was
right on target with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing
sensation Celtic Woman as they presented Home for Christmas -- The Symphony
Tour. Featuring music from the all-female music ensemble's second Christmas
album, "Home for Christmas," including holiday favorites "I'll
Be Home for Christmas" and "Silent Night" and accompanied by the
Pittsburgh Symphony. On December 7,
2015, symphony audiences and Celtic
Woman fans alike were treated to wonderful renditions of Drummer Boy, O Tannebaum
and Little Town of Bethlehem along with Irish Classic, Danny Boy and a Celtic
Woman favorite, You Raise Me Up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white; color: #6b6b6b; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a special treat to hear the history of Auld Lang Syne
and hear it sung in the beautiful Gallic language. The Irish sensation who has
made America fall in love with them performed spectacularly and the Christmas
overtures by the symphony orchestra were outstanding. The dynamic voices of </span><span style="background: white; color: #330033; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the of Chloe
Agnew, Lisa Lambe, Susan McFadden, along with the spritely energy of Celtic Violinist Máiréad Nesbitt<strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">filled Heinz Hall with joy and the holiday spirit.</span></strong><strong> </strong></span><span style="background: white; color: #6b6b6b; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="color: #330033;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Celtic Woman performed holiday favorites
underscored by the stirring </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #330033; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">sound of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. This
holiday spectacular presented a truly festive and celestial live music
experience that showcased the dynamic voices of Chloe Agnew, Lisa Lambe, Susan
McFadden, along with the spritely energy and passion of Celtic Violinist
Máiréad Nesbitt</span></span><strong style="color: #330033; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">. </strong><strong style="color: #330033; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The audience left not with
visions of sugar plums but heavenly chords of an old fashioned Celtic Christmas
laced with American classics dancing in their heads.</span></strong></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-64119144642134154682015-12-08T10:53:00.001-08:002015-12-08T10:53:57.888-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Scrooge A Hit on and Off Stage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Roving Pittsburgher Report, Scrooge A Hit on and Off Stage</h2>
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by Good News Reporter, Joanne Quinn-Smith</h3>
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with additions by Anaiyah Thomas</div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Have you ever thought about the story line behind "A Christmas Carol" from a pre or grade-schoolers point of view? While as adults or even adolescents or teens, we think it is an amazing feel good tale of repentance and salvation and find the detestable Scrooge to often be comical. But remember that part of the story is about his partner Marley "haunting him" in chains with eerie noises. Well this year while perusing the resurrected Macy's windows and after trying to get her to watch A Christmas Carol on television, my granddaughter seemed to show some interest, in fact excitement. She was fascinated by the window treatment of the CLO "A Musical Christmas Carol."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/A_Musical_Christmas_Carol/Pressroom/DSC_4773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/A_Musical_Christmas_Carol/Pressroom/DSC_4773.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #753a4c; color: white; font-family: 'open sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start; text-transform: uppercase;">CAST OF PITTSBURGH CLO'S A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">So on Friday, December 5, 2015, her mom got her dressed in an adorable dress and jewelry and off we went to see what has become one of Pittsburgh's Christmas traditions with Tom Atkins as Scrooge. Here's an aside, did you know that not only is he a Pittsburgh native but he made his fame as an actor in the horror genre? Tom is also a Broadway actor but in Pittsburgh he is "Scrooge" at Christmas time and he does the role well and is one of Pittsburgh's most beloved characters during the holiday season, 2015 being his eighth year running to play the role. What a role for an actor as he goes from his Bah! Humbug! attitude to a joyous reveler and philanthropist. There is an opportunity for Atkins to play everything in between and he does it with passion and lets you know he is having fun doing it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/A_Musical_Christmas_Carol/Pressroom/DSC_4613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/A_Musical_Christmas_Carol/Pressroom/DSC_4613.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #753a4c; color: white; font-family: 'open sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start; text-transform: uppercase;">ALLISON CAHILL, TOM ATKINS, LUKE HALFERTY AND ERIKA STRASBURG</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">For those of you who have been hiding under a rock for years and do not know this is the plot line. Scrooge is pretty much the meanest, most loathsome, feared, despised and ridiculed man in town who does not believe in fair treatment of his employees, Christian charity, human kindness or even giving a day off for Christmas to his employees. Eventually convinced he retires to his lonely room to contemplate the ridiculous custom of Christmas with all its trappings including caroling, not giving a thought to his kind employee Bob Cratchet with his barely existing family of five children and the sickly Tiny Tim. The fates descend upon Scrooge in the night with a last ditch effort at redemption starting with visits from his former, equally odious partner, Jacob Marley and running through three ghosts of Christmas. The resulting story telling leads to emotional action and dialogue running from pathos to mirth, but always entertaining<span style="color: #212120; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/A_Musical_Christmas_Carol/Pressroom/DSC_4419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/A_Musical_Christmas_Carol/Pressroom/DSC_4419.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #753a4c; color: white; font-family: 'open sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start; text-transform: uppercase;">TOM ATKINS, DANIEL KRELL AND THE CAST OF PITTSBURGH CLO'S A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There are too many delightful characters to .mention all but in addition to Scrooge of course, my granddaughter and I had a couple of favorites. Terry Wickline plays the dual role of Mrs. Dilber, Scrooge's toddy tipping housekeeper and Mrs. Fezziwig, the bubbly, bounteous wife of the town socialite; good cheer reveler and generous business man. She wisecracks and totters through the role of Mrs. Dilber with a vaudevillian style that will have you laughing out loud. As Mrs. Fezziwig she plays a delightful airhead full of energy and fun and you have no doubt that her party invitations are the most sought after in town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Her husband is played by Tim Hartman who has multiple roles as Charity Worker/Businessman/Mr. Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present). This is his 23rd year in Pittsburgh CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol. His tall stature alone makes him stand out but he rolls through his various characters so distinctively that it leaves you wondering "was that the same guy who played…?" As Mr. Fezziwg he is madcap and merry and a master of slapstick humor. He is imperious and almost Shakespearean as the ghost of Christmas Present, then humble and endearing as a charity worker. My granddaughter Anaiyah thought it was hysterical when he came out of the crowd for one of the final scenes and leaned over to one of the audience to say, "You can wake up now, it's almost over."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/A_Musical_Christmas_Carol/Pressroom/DSC_4584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pittsburghclo.org/uploads/media/A_Musical_Christmas_Carol/Pressroom/DSC_4584.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #753a4c; color: white; font-family: 'open sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; text-align: start; text-transform: uppercase;">TIM HARTMAN AND TERRY WICKLINE</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cinwcfAuyk/Vmci8yvn6BI/AAAAAAAATS8/Vb2To1EjcQs/s1600/Grandma%252C%2BNaiyah%2BChristmas%2BCarol%2B2015-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cinwcfAuyk/Vmci8yvn6BI/AAAAAAAATS8/Vb2To1EjcQs/s320/Grandma%252C%2BNaiyah%2BChristmas%2BCarol%2B2015-1.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">These holiday events are made for memories and one of Anaiyah's best will always be a chance encounter on Sixth St. with Tom Atkins. As he was walking by, he leaned over to say, "Did you like the show?" Of course she was bubbling over with enthusiasm, he then said, "I played Scrooge. Hey how about a hug, sometimes Scrooge needs one because nobody likes him." After she recovered her surprise, she said, "Grandma, you should have taken my picture with Mr. Scrooge." Yes grandma should have but she was equally surprised and she was lagging a bit behind this enthusiastic seven year old. But Anaiyah will always have that memory of a warm and friendly Pittsburgh/Broadway actor who stopped her on the street to bring a warm moment down from the stage. She could of course, not wait to tell her Mom and Dad when they picked us up that she met Scrooge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We did however immortalize our day by having our picture taken complete with hat and scarves on the Christmas red carpet. I suggest both couples and families do the same to preserve this memory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Lots of time left to create this memory with a musical show that has something for everyone. The show runs at the Byham Theater through December 23, 2015.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New';"><span style="font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><i>Joanne Quinn-Smith, Award winning internet radio broadcaster, </i></span></span><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">blogger, author and internet radio and TV network editor and publisher. Joanne is the owner and CEO, Creative Energy Officer, of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, a successful Pittsburgh-based marketing company. Joanne is internationally known as the “Get Your Google On” Gal. But better known as Techno Granny™ to over one million accumulated online listeners worldwide. Joanne has created a revolutionary online NEW MEDIA platform in Internet broadcasting, blogging and other social media participation. JQS is the online publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com, an online community magazine to disseminate the Positive News for Positive Pittsburghers. PPL Mag is Pittsburgh’s First Internet radio and TV network with syndicated channels and online radio and TV capabilities. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-64450750388855434132015-12-01T08:44:00.003-08:002015-12-01T08:44:47.798-08:00Roving Pittsburgh Report. "A Servant" at PBT thru December 6, Feircely Funny<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Roving Pittsburgh Report.<br />"A Servant" at PBT thru December 6, Feircely Funny</h2>
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by Megan Grabowski</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pittsburgh Public Theater (PPT) offers city
theatergoers a fantastic night with the fiercely funny <i>A Servant to Two Masters</i>.
Ted Pappas celebrates his 50<sup>th</sup> directorial performance with
one of his favorite plays and it’s not difficult to see why <i>A Servant</i>, was chosen as a celebratory
performance. The classic Italian comedy
written in 1749 by Carlo<span style="background: white; color: #404040;"> </span><span style="background: white;">Goldoni </span>and adapted by Lee Hall in 1999
maintains the original lively love story with a mingling of modern language, retro
costumes, an updated setting, (Venice 1965) and fun loving Italian folk music. The show comprises a cast of both PPT
returning actors as well as new faces that enliven the stage and keep the audience
in stitches from scene one through final bows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The plays opens with a celebration; Clarice and
Silvio are celebrating their engagement with their <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNAwabjcOLM/Vl3MXm3xATI/AAAAAAAATSQ/7uF2-RAa6iQ/s1600/PPTservant003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uNAwabjcOLM/Vl3MXm3xATI/AAAAAAAATSQ/7uF2-RAa6iQ/s320/PPTservant003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Erin Lindsey Krom and Patrick Cannon.</span></span></td></tr>
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fathers, Pantaloon and Dr.
Lombardi, as well as Smeraldina, Pantaloons’s domestic servant, and the town
inn keeper and chef Brighella. The merriment
is quickly interrupted when Truffaldino arrives with the announcement his
master, Federigo Rasponi, wishes to see them. The mood of the party promptly down spirals as
we learn Clarice was betrothed to Federigo until his death. She and Silvio fell
in love and became engaged thinking no more of her betrothal. Clarice, played by Erin Lindsay Krom, is darling
yet melodramatic as she stomps across the stage in a mod fashioned mini dress, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">wailing
at the announcement of having to marry Federigo.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Silvio, played by the handsome and talented Patrick
Cannon, is desperate to keep Clarice for his own.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He laments to anyone willing to listen to his
plight. He is the epitome of Italian lover; slicked back dark hair, designer shoes,
gold chains and a stylish paisley jacket, he and Clarice are in the midst of
planning a future and like most young lovers are enthralled with each other’s
company. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Their randy behavior, pawing at
one another whenever they are together, could be seen as lewd but their
infatuation is so strong no one will deny them the opportunity to enact their
feelings.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0NrgP4caKs/Vl3M7-VSCSI/AAAAAAAATSY/lEozL3GEvRI/s1600/PPTservant073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0NrgP4caKs/Vl3M7-VSCSI/AAAAAAAATSY/lEozL3GEvRI/s320/PPTservant073.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Daina Michelle Griffith and Jimmy Kieffe</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The story unfolds with a
revelation; Federigo is dead and the person proclaiming to be him is actually Beatrice,
his sister.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">She is impersonating her
deceased brother in hope of securing the dowry Pantaloon agreed to pay for his
daughters hand in marriage and securing these finances would aid her effort in the
search for her true love Florindo.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Included
in the plot with the love triangle is a mess of monkey business carried out by Truffaldino.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jimmy Kieffer as Truffaldino is a servant to
two masters.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Already employed as Beatrice’s
servant, Truffaldino, by chance, meets Florindo at the inn.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Florindo, incognito in leather pants and
shades fears someone in Venice will recognize him as the man who murdered
Rasponi.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Veteran PPT actor David Whalen
cast as Florindo, hires Truffaldino as his servant and what follow is a series
or ironies, hilarious antics and mischievous undertakings by each
character.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The set, unembellished black and white sketches is
mounted on a turn table which rotates for quick and seamless scene changes. The
contrast between the flair of vintage costumes and the black and white is
reminiscent of mod culture. Audience
engagement throughout the show is plentiful and adds to the lighthearted nature
of the story. The music, used as a backdrop
between acts and at other moments an accompaniment to the farce, keeps the
audience connected to the cast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_qgxK0DfOI/Vl3NSx_QWOI/AAAAAAAATSg/cbFSFmNlNOQ/s1600/PPTservant101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_qgxK0DfOI/Vl3NSx_QWOI/AAAAAAAATSg/cbFSFmNlNOQ/s320/PPTservant101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The cast of A Servant To Two Masters</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What makes <i>A
Servant</i> so gratifying are the laughs.
The script is silly, a comedy created from quirkiness, intelligent
witticisms, innuendos and a little slapstick.
There is something for every taste in humor. Still, this wouldn’t matter if not for the
precisely perfect cast. <i>A Servant</i> has no small roles. Each character compliments the next and is essential
to the tightly woven plot. Diana
Michelle Griffith’s lusty disposition as Smeraldina is not too sexy or
uncomfortable but at times mildly inappropriate in a fun way. Truffaldino, performed by Kieffer is a large
man whose stage presence is fulfilling but never overwhelming. Truffaldino is gullible yet loveable and Kieffer
launches his comic timing on spot each and every time. Bill Buell as Pantaloon is the closest the
show comes to a villain. Pantaloon feels
obligated to keep his promise to Rasponi, meanwhile, Scott Robertson playing the
role of Dr. Lombardi is more protective. He is empathetic toward the young lovers, and
the two characters play off one another with little to no effort. A PPT debut performer, Bob Walton, is cast as
an eccentric artist named Brighella.
Brighella has a flair for entertainment and we watch in awe as he
attempts to perfect a four course meal for each of Truffaldino’s masters, in
one of the most notable theatrical dinner scenes of all time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The best part of the show is the final scene. The audience is directed to open the program
to the first page and sing-a-long. With
vim and vigor we sang, swaying slightly, side to side, belting out the lyrics
in harmony with the cast. This uniting
moment remind me<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> of just how good it feels to enjoy an
honest laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A servant to two masters plays at the Pittsburgh Public Theater thru December 6, Additional info and tickets available <a href="http://www.ppt.org/pages/a-servant-to-two-masters" target="_blank">Here</a></span></div>
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<img height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOomIIK4j98/U4mYw4GxUsI/AAAAAAAARMQ/5oqAc1CGVjw/s200/MeganGrabowski.jpg" width="200" />Reviewed by Megan Grabowski</div>
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Positively Pittsburgh Good News Reviewer, Professional writer, Social-Media Junkie, Community Fundraiser and Pittsburgh Enthusiast.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-85673245301459056462015-11-21T08:35:00.000-08:002015-11-21T08:35:15.413-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Review Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Roving Pittsburgher Report, Review </h2>
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Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder</h2>
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by Joanne Quinn-Smith</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Lights, action, camera, well 3-D projection and pure
entertainment! That was <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #515151;">The</span></span><span style="color: #515151;"> Tony® Award winner for Best Musical,"<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #343434;">Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder</span><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #515151; font-style: normal; padding: 0in; text-transform: uppercase;">," </span></em><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #515151; font-style: normal; padding: 0in;"> Benedum through November 22, 2015. From the very first scene where a snapshot is
taken of a group of turn of the century mourners in black to the gay entourage
at the end of the performance, the show is pure musical comedy perfection. "A Warning to the Audience" sets the
pace for the entire musical.
"You're a D'Ysquith by Miss Shingle (Mary Van Ardel) and Monty (Kevin
Massey) is even more compelling by the
fact that the name is so incredibly hard to pronounce.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #515151; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">The plot </span></em><span style="color: #515151; line-height: 115%;">portrays
the hysterical odyssey of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family whose only
impediment to becoming an earl is eight cousins in front of him. Add to that one femme fatale,Sibella Hallward
(Kristen Beth Williams), his fiancé and one ingenue, Phoebe D'Ysquith (Adrienne
Eller), his cousin (no one seems to care) and you have an instant love triangle
amidst the intrigue. Oh and there is the little drawback of possibly getting
caught while he engineers their early demise. And all this is done amidst turn
of the century proprieties and few scene changes thanks to modern technology
that looks somewhere between cartoonish and genius but always delightful and
humorous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #515151; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The
projection designer, Aaron Rhyne adds more than his share of quality to the
production with the simulation of skaters falling through ice, a cleric
climbing up and falling from a church tower and splattering to the ground, complete
with bloody splatter. IN A MUSICAL ON STAGE, the effect is amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #515151; line-height: 115%;">Despite the comedy, the musical element of the
show from the live orchestra to the performers was excellent. Some of the crowd favorite numbers, "</span><span style="background: white; color: #343434; line-height: 115%;">Oh,
why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?</span>" "I've Decide to Marry
You," with the double door scene of Sibella, Phoebe and Monty is a mastery
of vocal excellence and staging. And
"Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" by Lord Aldelbert and Company is
excellently staged and performed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background: white; color: #343434; line-height: 115%;">In addition to John Rapson as the D’Ysquith heirs (all eight of
them) and Massey as Monty Navarro, the cast of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i>A Gentleman's Guide</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> includes Kristen Beth Williams as Sibella
Hallward, Adrienne Eller as Phoebe D’Ysquith and Mary VanArsdel as Miss Shingle.</span>
John Rapson has to be the absolute king of musical comedy and of multi
portrayal rolls. What a hoot. Kevin
Massey as Monty Navarro is not only a great actor but has an exquisite
voice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There are also moments of
grandeur with the chorus. Kristen Beth
Williams is not only sensuous but has moments of comic genius as Sibella. Quite frankly there are too many moments of
brilliance among all of the characters.
It's easy to see why a Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder is <span style="background: white; color: #302f2f; line-height: 115%;">the most celebrated musical of the 2013-14 Broadway season</span>. <span style="background: white; color: #343434; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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For additional info and tickets: <a href="http://www.trustarts.org/events/series/pnc-broadway-across-america/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #bf561d; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TrustArts.org/Broadway</a><br />
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<span style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New';"><span style="font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;"><i>Joanne Quinn-Smith, Award winning internet radio broadcaster, </i></span></span><i style="color: #330033; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 13.524px; line-height: 20.286px;">blogger, author and internet radio and TV network editor and publisher. Joanne is the owner and CEO, Creative Energy Officer, of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, a successful Pittsburgh-based marketing company. Joanne is internationally known as the “Get Your Google On” Gal. But better known as Techno Granny™ to over one million accumulated online listeners worldwide. Joanne has created a revolutionary online NEW MEDIA platform in Internet broadcasting, blogging and other social media participation. JQS is the online publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com, an online community magazine to disseminate the Positive News for Positive Pittsburghers. PPL Mag is Pittsburgh’s First Internet radio and TV network with syndicated channels and online radio and TV capabilities. </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-55638078011584198282015-11-01T20:36:00.000-08:002015-11-01T20:36:23.503-08:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, Season Opener of PBT, an Eye Opener<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Roving Pittsburgher Report, Season Opener of PBT, an Eye Opener</span></h2>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
BY MEGAN GRABOWSKI</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSQDhQnjGYU/VjbMz-P0Y_I/AAAAAAAATKM/QVfWPMiHBIc/s1600/pbt%2BSifionetta%2Bduet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSQDhQnjGYU/VjbMz-P0Y_I/AAAAAAAATKM/QVfWPMiHBIc/s320/pbt%2BSifionetta%2Bduet.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sinfionetta pas de deux</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thursday evening October 22, 2015 The Benedum Theater was a
buzz with the sound of show. Swarming
the stage were dancers in leotards </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and leggings, the slender frames of dancers
bodies stretching and leaping across the stage with long lean muscles, men and
women practicing Pirouettes and an occasional Grand jete across the stage. The house experimenting with lighting, and
the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater (PBT) orchestra warming up one section at a time
for the PBT 2015-2016 full dress rehearsal was open to a select group of press
and photographers and I was lucky enough to be invited for a glimpse of the
triple bill program which launched Friday October 23, 2015. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTdB-89Q41A/VjblHXlE61I/AAAAAAAATKc/TLxRHF-9f1g/s1600/pbt%2Bsifionetta%2Btwo%2Bcouples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTdB-89Q41A/VjblHXlE61I/AAAAAAAATKc/TLxRHF-9f1g/s320/pbt%2Bsifionetta%2Btwo%2Bcouples.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The guests are seated on the mezzanine level overlooking the
stage and the pit. The orchestra warms
up, one section at a time, including a full brass section. The PBT prepares a performance of high
energy, emotive and innovative artistic aptitude with a flourish of beauty and
grace offering two Pittsburgh premieres <u>Sinfonietta</u> and <u>In the Middle,
Somewhat Elevated </u>as well as <u>Western Symphony</u>. The dancers move across the stage with
elegance. Their bodies twist and bend,
twirl and leap with technical fluidity to the sounds of pure romanticism. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The first number, <u><span style="background: white;">Sinfonietta</span></u><span style="background: white;"> </span>choreographed
by Czech born <span style="background: white;">Jiří Kylián,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtpU_fqB81g/Vjbl2mKFRZI/AAAAAAAATKk/IyPmQb9kWZQ/s1600/pbt%2BSifionetta%2Bgroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtpU_fqB81g/Vjbl2mKFRZI/AAAAAAAATKk/IyPmQb9kWZQ/s320/pbt%2BSifionetta%2Bgroup.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white;">
introduces the Pittsburgh audience to a ballet with precise footwork, powerful
gallops and a sea of green, blue and white dressed dancers who chase each across the stage to the military
music by Czech composer Janáček. <u>Sinfonietta</u>
is recognized as one of the 20<sup>th</sup> century’s most compelling
orchestras and the PBT dancers mimic the movements of horses and birds with
animation, their arms and legs in synchronization with the sound of the brass
ensemble. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCBhj7ev3qo/VjbmcSPJ1aI/AAAAAAAATK0/7vTFJOyQJU8/s1600/PBT%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bmiddle%2Bfour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCBhj7ev3qo/VjbmcSPJ1aI/AAAAAAAATK0/7vTFJOyQJU8/s320/PBT%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bmiddle%2Bfour.jpg" width="276" /></a><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The second
performance on the bill, <u>In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated</u>, is executed
to the sounds of industrial music, and is often referred to as the work which
changed ballet forever. Choreographed by
William Forsythe, a visionary of the dance world, the PBT dancers enter the
stage in green and black leotards to a stark stage, a simple black drop curtain
behind the jolting movements of the dancers’ limbs as they flail in expert
timing to the challenging sound of the looping percussion. The arrangements of the dancers’ bodies to
the nontraditional music is intriguing and emotionally charged offering
audience members an experience teetering on experimental, while maintaining a steady showcase of
professional form and function.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white;">The third and
final piece of the evening, <u>Western Symphony </u>is a lighthearted ballet
featuring cowboys and saloon dancers. Sure
to be a show- stopping number, <u>Western Symphony</u>, created by one of the</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kYCi_Vb7DI/VjbnAQdSJFI/AAAAAAAATLM/-H1jlul9Nqo/s1600/PBT%2Bchorus%252C%2BWestern%2BSymphony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kYCi_Vb7DI/VjbnAQdSJFI/AAAAAAAATLM/-H1jlul9Nqo/s320/PBT%2Bchorus%252C%2BWestern%2BSymphony.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white;">best known names in modern ballet, George Balanchine. This number is</span> energetic and the
dancers are buoyant. The ballet is set in
an old west town, the brightly colored
costumes trimmed in magenta, scarlet, golden yellow and teal add to the jovial
nature of the performance. The music, arranged
by upbeat adds to. The stage comes alive
with dancers, twirling to the sounds of the orchestra, originally arranged by Hershey
Kay simulates classic American Folk music and transports the dancers into the
frontier. The <u>Western Symphony</u> is
the most classical performance of the evening but still manages to integrate
the impression of a typical western themed hoedown, with classical ballet. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iejWxVfwjHw/VjbnMI3_5LI/AAAAAAAATLU/QgVSDS7rvmg/s1600/PBT%2BWestern%2Bsymphony%2Bduets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iejWxVfwjHw/VjbnMI3_5LI/AAAAAAAATLU/QgVSDS7rvmg/s320/PBT%2BWestern%2Bsymphony%2Bduets.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muv2GOz6neE/VjbnZ9QQ9uI/AAAAAAAATLc/DuW4dXe2OKU/s1600/PBT%2BWestern%2Bsymphony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muv2GOz6neE/VjbnZ9QQ9uI/AAAAAAAATLc/DuW4dXe2OKU/s320/PBT%2BWestern%2Bsymphony.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As a prelude to the PBT season, this remarkable show will
not disappoint. The tremendous talent on
stage combined with the eclectic choice of performances is an invitation for
dance enthusiasts to enjoy a program of high artistic quality.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvKj1bOwuII/VjbnubuE9aI/AAAAAAAATLk/P1fDG23I_9g/s1600/PBT%2BMixed%2Brepeetoire%2Bprogram1445636235975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvKj1bOwuII/VjbnubuE9aI/AAAAAAAATLk/P1fDG23I_9g/s320/PBT%2BMixed%2Brepeetoire%2Bprogram1445636235975.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<img height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOomIIK4j98/U4mYw4GxUsI/AAAAAAAARMQ/5oqAc1CGVjw/s200/MeganGrabowski.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.286px; padding: 8px;" width="200" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 32px;">Reviewed b</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 32px;">y Megan Grabowski</span><br style="line-height: 20.286px;" /><br style="line-height: 20.286px;" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">Positively Pittsburgh Good News Reviewer, Professional writer, Social-Media Junkie, Community Fundraiser and Pittsburgh Enthusiast.</span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870062121444231773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327014824303041455.post-20254769798302488402015-10-14T03:07:00.001-07:002015-10-14T03:07:14.122-07:00Roving Pittsburgher Report, PPT Opens 2015-16 Season with A Diary of Anne Frank.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">PPT Opens 2015-16 Season with </span></i></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">A
Diary of Anne Frank. </span></i></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">By Megan
Grabowski</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Pittsburgh
Public Theater’s (PPT) 2015-16 inaugural show; <i>The Diary of Anne Frank</i> is a highly emotive performance. Running approximately three hours, the story
does not need synopsized. Most of us,
young and old, are familiar with the chronicles of Anne Frank. She and her family spent two years in hiding during
the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands during WWII. The play is based on her diary which was
discovered after her death in a Nazi concentration camp. In her diary she confessed her adolescent thoughts,
dreams, fears and desires as well as those pertaining to her persecution because
she was Jewish. Anne’s diary was first
published in Amsterdam in 1947 and soon became so popular that Frances Goodrich
and Albert Hackett recreated the accounts as an expressive tribute to her life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As the audience we are voyeurs watching, with
a strange sense of intuition, the fate of eight people unfold before us. Producing Artistic Director Ted Pappas has
reimagined a time and place from history which allows anyone brave enough to
bear witness an opportunity to examine this moment in history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The play
opens with Otto<span style="color: yellow;"> </span>Frank, played by Randy
Kovitz, wobbling up<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GwTvSN2AB8/Vh4oRRm6WqI/AAAAAAAATGk/mQVB-SQYNXU/s1600/PPTdiary070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GwTvSN2AB8/Vh4oRRm6WqI/AAAAAAAATGk/mQVB-SQYNXU/s320/PPTdiary070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: start;"> Remy Zaken as Anne Frank</span></td></tr>
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the attic stairs, returning to the annex above the
warehouse for a final goodbye. He
meanders throughout the historically designed set gently touching items and
studying the remains of his last home before being captured by the Nazi’s. The
set mimics the actual floorplan of the attic space where he dwelled with his wife
and two daughters, Anne and Margot. The
stage is arranged with antiquated furniture and bedding which add to the sense of
time. He is accompanied by Meip, a young
Dutch woman sensitive to the Jewish cause who assisted the Frank family in
securing a hiding place. Her compassion and kindness is exhibited as she
escorts Mr. Frank to his family’s last residence and gently encourages him to
read the discovered diary. Meip is Kelsey Carthew’s professional stage premiere.
Her supporting role as a connection to the outside world for the household is
essential and soul nourishing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Meip and Ken
Bolden, as Mr. Kraler, each play the part of minor characters yet their
presence is felt on stage despite their physical appearances. These characters
are the cord which connects the diary entries of a 13 year old girl, relaying
everyday life, to the historical events that ultimately generated the
possibility of the play. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvgVcliw4-o/Vh4osJ3nfZI/AAAAAAAATGs/0KH0Brw4CDQ/s1600/PPTdiary093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvgVcliw4-o/Vh4osJ3nfZI/AAAAAAAATGs/0KH0Brw4CDQ/s320/PPTdiary093.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: start;">Randy Kovitz as Otto Frank, Remy Zaken as Anne Frank and Christine Laitta as Edith Frank</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Kovitz
an experienced actor of both stage and television is beautifully animated. His face twists with inconsolable grief as he
recites what is written in his daughter’s diary. As the lone survivor of his family, his pain
is evident and he shakily speaks his daughter’s notes. The story begins with Mr. Frank reading out
loud then the voice of a young girl begins to filter into the theater. The two voices meet and simultaneously
narrate for a moment then only one voice can be heard, that of a young girl. This ethereal moment reminds us of who the author
of the diary really is. So, the splay
continues in Anne’s voice, with her words from her ideas, her impressions, and
her experiences. As spectators, our
imaginations are instantly transported. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Zaken’s
performance as Anne is a poignant personification of a young girl. We witness
the pain and frustrations of Anne as she strives for independence from her
mother, Mrs. Frank, played by Pittsburgh native Christine Laitta and older
sister, Margot played by local performer Erika Cuenca. Despite the living conditions
in the attic or the frequent disapproval she receives from the other household
members, Mr. and Mrs. Van Daan, their son Peter and Mr. Dussel, Anne never
gives up expressing her own personality.
She laid her head on her father’s shoulder when seeking solace and never
stops believing in a better world for all. Zaken’s rendition of a young girl,
sometimes playful, sometime adversarial and sometimes introspective is
profound. She effortlessly conveys the
image of Anne as a child in all her moods while continually maintaining the
innocence of a child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Daniel
Krell cast as Mr. Dussel, an older gentleman who joins the household half way
through their hiding. He brings the
small bit of comic relief a drama of this nature allows. His frustration toward living in captivity
and sharing sleeping quarters with a child are expressed exceptionally
well. His rebukes at Anne’s childish
behavior are just tolerable because we know he tries to mask his fear behind his
intelligence. Mr. Dussel is not a
likable person, but Krell’s portrayal is powerful. Despite his near constant conflicts with
Anne, the humanity of his character cannot be denied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> As Anne grows and matures she starts to bond more
with her sister Margot, with a do-gooder, mother’s helper, quiet and studious personality;
the exact opposite of herself. Cuenca, cast
as Margot, does not have much to say, but her presence as a strong supporting
cast member is made known during the scenes with Anne when she helps her dress
and experiment with hairstyles for a ‘date’ with Peter. David Edward Jackson, cast as Peter, the
awkward and introverted teen who initially spends his time alone with his cat,
eventually becomes an essential confidant to Anne. His depiction of a young man struggling to
make sense of his world is refined and his blossoming interest in Anne as a
young woman is an honest transition. Zaken and Jackson make a dynamic couple,
telling the world, despite all the hate and fear, there can be love and
beauty. Their relationship is the polar
opposite of Peter’s parents’. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpiWNqbcB3Q/Vh4pKe1q8UI/AAAAAAAATG0/lf1BC5w-pwc/s1600/PPTdiary100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpiWNqbcB3Q/Vh4pKe1q8UI/AAAAAAAATG0/lf1BC5w-pwc/s320/PPTdiary100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: start;">Remy Zaken as Anne Frank and David Edward Jackson as Peter Van Daan</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Mr. Van
Daan played by stage and film actor David Wohl and Mrs. Van Daan, played by
veteran Pittsburgh performer Helena Ruoti<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> spend the early
part of the show criticizing Anne for her liveliness and sass. Wohl
depicts a nervous and emotionally detached man who as the performance
progresses spends more time concerned with cigarettes and money than his own
family. Mrs. Van Daan disgusts the
household with her blatant flirtatious acts toward Mr. Frank. Ruoti is a brilliant dramatic actor. Her role as a temperamental and pretentious
woman appears effortless. When Mr. Van
Daan plays tug of war with his wife’s beloved fur with intentions to sell it,
she throws a terrific tantrum, flopping across her bed and wailing. She grips her coat as her husband rips it
from her hands. He hands the coat to Meip
with instructions to sell it, and then coolly requests she buy him
cigarettes. This scene, at first, is humorous. It seems absurd for Mrs. Van Daan to keep the
fur, and her reaction to losing it is melodramatic but no one in the audience
laughed. As bystanders, we begin to
acknowledge life under the tense circumstances.
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Laitta as
Mrs. Frank is the epitome of devoted wife and mother. Her role as peacekeeper and protector of all
is outstanding. Her expressions of
disheartenment by Anne’s obvious favoritism toward her father are candid and
her struggle to maintain her role as a parent even as the opportunities to do
so diminish are conveyed with passion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We know
the story. The ending is apparent, (you
can’t change history). It is the talent
of the cast that truly make this performance worthwhile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The
Diary of Anne Frank plays through October 25, 2015. For tickets please visit : <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://publictheater.culturaldistrict.org/production/44138">http://publictheater.culturaldistrict.org/production/44138</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<img height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOomIIK4j98/U4mYw4GxUsI/AAAAAAAARMQ/5oqAc1CGVjw/s200/MeganGrabowski.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.286px; padding: 8px;" width="200" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 32px;">Reviewed b</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 32px;">y Megan Grabowski</span><br style="line-height: 20.286px;" /><br style="line-height: 20.286px;" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.286px;"><span style="line-height: 32px;">Positively Pittsburgh Good News Reviewer, Professional writer, Social-Media Junkie, Community Fundraiser and Pittsburgh Enthusiast.</span></span></span></div>
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