BILLY STRAYHORN: SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR World Premiere Set for Pittsburgh Public Theater 2023-24 Fall Season

Pittsburgh Public Theater follows Something to Live For with the Pittsburgh premiere of Tiny Beautiful Things.

By: Mar. 23, 2023
BILLY STRAYHORN: SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR World Premiere Set for Pittsburgh Public Theater 2023-24 Fall Season

Pittsburgh Public Theater has announced the 2023/2024 season, "Ever Up & Onward," live on Wednesday to a delighted pre-show audience at the O'Reilly Theater. The season opens September 19 with the world premiere of Highmark Presents Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For. "Ever up and onward" is widely known to be the composer, arranger and jazz pianist's maxim. Two additional shows were announced in anticipation of the complete season reveal at the Public's annual gala on April 13 at the Heinz History Center.

Pittsburgh Public Theater's 2023-2024 Season

Highmark Presents Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For opens the 2023/2024 season at Pittsburgh Public Theater and runs September 19 to October 8. This lush new project is the latest passion project of Pittsburgh favorite and long-time member of The Public family Rob Zellers (The Chief) with Kent Gash, who is also directing, and musical direction from internationally renowned jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker. They tell the extraordinary story of jazz songwriter Billy Strayhorn, known for songs including "Lush Life" and "Take the 'A' Train," who faced hatred and heartbreak as a Black queer man even while playing alongside greats including Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. Something to Live For will feature a live jazz band on stage at the O'Reilly Theater, and is produced in association with Swee Pea, LLC.

"We are so excited to bring this Pittsburgh legend to life on the stage," Kaminski said, "and see Strayhorn's motto as the perfect way to define the work of our upcoming season."

Pittsburgh Public Theater follows Something to Live For with the highly anticipated Pittsburgh premiere of Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the acclaimed book by Cheryl Strayed (author of the best-selling Wild) and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos (star of the 2002 blockbuster film My Big Fat Greek Wedding). Strayed, the once-anonymous author of the viral advice column Dear Sugar, tells the story of Sugar and the readers who pour their hearts out to her as she provides guidance and inspiration to them with humor and heart.

Tiny Beautiful Things, a Reese Witherspoon book club pick, will take the O'Reilly Theater stage November 1 - 19, and offers viewers the chance to see the story live on stage - including those following the premiere of Tiny Beautiful Things on Hulu this coming April.

Back by popular demand, Pittsburgh Public Theater announced the return of A Christmas Story: The Play, December 9 - 23 at The O'Reilly. A Christmas Story: The Play brings the classic movie story to life on stage featuring a jubilant cast of children and adults certain to delight audiences of all ages. The Public's inaugural production of the show in 2022 drew packed crowds and evoked nostalgia for those familiar with the tale while introducing the classic to scores of children.

"The Public has outdone itself," Eberson wrote of last year's production, a sentiment sure to resonate with new and returning fans alike at the 2023 production of A Christmas Story: The Play.

The Public, helmed by Managing Director Shaunda McDill and Artistic Director Marya Sea Kaminski, plans to reveal the remaining four titles of its 2023/2024 season at its annual fundraising gala at Heinz History Center on April 13. Tickets to the Spring Fling Gala are now available for purchase at Click Here.





RELATED STORIES - Pittsburgh

1
ARCHITECTS OF AIR: DAEDALUM Arrives In The Backyard At 8th & Penn, July 1 – Sept Photo
ARCHITECTS OF AIR: DAEDALUM Arrives In The Backyard At 8th & Penn, July 1 – September 4

Prepare to be completely immersed in a multi-sensory light, color, and sound experience as Architects of Air: Daedalum takes over Pittsburgh's Cultural District this summer. This monumental, inflatable, walk-in sculpture known as a “luminarium,” half the size of a football field, transports guests into another world. Cavernous domes, enchanting tunnels, and captivating pods beckon guests of all ages to explore this artistic phenomenon.

2
Pittsburghs Own Local Talent To Perform All Summer At The Pittsburgh Playhouse INSIDE/OUTS Photo
Pittsburgh's Own Local Talent To Perform All Summer At The Pittsburgh Playhouse INSIDE/OUTSIDE

The award-winning Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University, a multi-disciplinary arts and entertainment center located in Downtown Pittsburgh, announced the lineup for their Inside/Outside Summer Concert Series every Thursday and Friday from 4:30 – 6:30pm throughout June and July. Inside/Outside is a casual spot for live entertainment in Downtown Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh Playhouse's Highmark Theatre opened onto their outdoor plaza on Forbes Avenue.

3
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Names Raymond Rodriguez As Dean Of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Sch Photo
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Names Raymond Rodriguez As Dean Of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) has named Raymond Rodriguez as the organization's first Dean of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, effective June 5, 2023.

4
Review: THE ANDREWS BROTHERS Blends Farce and Revue at Saint Vincent Summer Theatre Photo
Review: THE ANDREWS BROTHERS Blends Farce and Revue at Saint Vincent Summer Theatre

The summer institution's season opener effortlessly blends the two genres the venue is most famous for.

More Hot Stories For You

Videos


#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show
The Dinner Detective Pittsburgh (6/17-6/17)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Sound Inside
Barebones Black Box (8/11-8/26)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show
The Dinner Detective Pittsburgh (7/08-7/08)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Boxcar Children
New Hazlett Theater (6/16-6/25)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# Frida...A Self Portrait
Pittsburgh Public Theater (6/07-6/25)
#repshow# in #getregions.name[i]# The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show
The Dinner Detective Pittsburgh (7/29-7/29)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You