Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company Presents SWEET CHARITY

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company presents Sweet Charity, a classic American musical based on the Federico Fellini film, The Nights of Cabiria, about finding genuine love in a world of deceit. With big, brassy numbers and Fosse-esque choreography, Sweet Charity is a pivotal show that has defined jazz musicals.

Directed by Michael Rupert, who took home the Tony Award for his performance as Oscar in Sweet Charity in 1986, performances run from March 17-26, 2017, in the Rockwell Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Adult tickets are $20-24, students and seniors are $10, and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or visitingwww.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

A New York City taxi dancer, Charity Hope Valentine, is optimistic and open-hearted but unlucky when it comes to love. After being duped by her last boyfriend, she seeks out to live a fresh, promising life while encountering a variety of colorful characters along the way. When she unexpectedly meets the shy, morally-upright tax accountant, Oscar, she believes her unlucky streak of love has finally broken...Or has it?

"Being at the helm of the classic Broadway musical, Sweet Charity here at Point Park, the students have (brilliantly) shown me their complete passion and commitment in bringing to life the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a girl who just wanted to be loved," said Rupert. "They've made it a true pleasure to be in the rehearsal room and my respect and love for each and every one of these incredibly hard-working actors is absolute."

Sweet Charity features musical direction by Camille Rolla, choreography by Jim Cooney, scenic design by Johnmichael Bach, costume design by Michael Montgomery, lighting design by Calvin Anderson, and sound design by StEve Shapiro.

Rupert returns to Point Park University for the fourth time after previously directing The Crucible, Ragtime, and Parade. As an actor, his New York credits include On The Town, Legally Blonde The Musical (Broadway, as well as the MTV presentation),Ragtime, Falsettos (Tony nomination), City of Angels, Mail, Sweet Charity (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award), Shakespeare's Cabaret, Pippin, The Happy Time (Tony nomination, Theater World Award), Putting It Together, Falsettoland and March of the Falsettos. Regionally, he's been seen in On The Town and Presto Change-O at Barrington Stage Company, Dangerous Beautyat The Pasadena Playhouse, Adrift in Macao and Elegies (Barrymore Award) at The Philadelphia Theater Company, A New Brain (Helen Hayes nomination) at The Studio Theater, Ragtime (Helen Hayes nomination) at The Kennedy Center, The Merchant of Venice at The Hartford Stage, Leonard Bernstein's Mass and Brecht: Sacred and Profane at The Mark Taper Forum and Falsettos at The James A. Doolittle Theater (LA Ovation Award). As a composer: Mail (Los Angeles Drama Critic's nomination) and 3 Guys Naked From the Waist Down (Drama Desk nomination).