Tom Atkins Stars in Pittsburgh Public Theater's THE CHIEF, 1/3-12

Returning for a 10th anniversary celebration is Rob Zellers & Gene Collier's The Chief, starring Tom Atkins and directed by Ted Pappas. The Chief runs for 12 performances, Jan. 3 – 12, 2013 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org. The Chief is presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods.

In this heroic one-man show, Tom Atkins plays Pittsburgh Steelers founder Arthur J. Rooney, Sr. Set in Mr. Rooney's office in Three Rivers Stadium in 1976, the audience will hear stories about how a fledgling football team became an NFL dynasty.

According to director Ted Pappas: "It's also about Pittsburgh and how this great industrial city and its people created a great man, and how this man turned around and produced a great team that is a reflection of the city."

Since its world premiere at The Public in 2003, The Chief has become the best-selling show in the theater's history. It has been produced seven times on The O'Reilly stage and is back for an eighth production as part of The Public's MADE IN AMERICA season, which features plays by American writers and set in cities across the United States.

The Chief by Rob Zellers, who is the Education Director at Pittsburgh Public Theater, and Gene Collier, who is a columnist at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was published in 2008 by the University of Pittsburgh Press. It was also filmed and is available on DVD.

The design team for The Chief is Anne Mundell (Scenic & Costumes), Phil Monat (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Fred Noel is the Production Stage Manager and Adrienne Wells is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Performance Schedule:

Thurs., Jan. 3 & 10 at 8 pm
Fri., Jan 4 & 11 at 8 pm
Sat., Jan. 5 & 12 at 2 & 8 pm
Sun., Jan. 6 at 2 & 7 pm
Tues., Jan. 8 at 7 pm
Wed., Jan. 9 at 8 pm

Ticket Prices: $48 & $65. Students and age 26 and younger $15.75 with valid ID. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org.