Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Stages OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET, Starting Tonight

Point Park University's Conservatory Theatre Company continues its 2015-2016 season with a production of the dark, and often stunning, comedy, OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET.

Directed by Steven Wilson, OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET runs tonight, Dec. 4-13 in the Rauh 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 $24, students and seniors are $10 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or visiting www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

Stephen Guirgis' OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET offers a comically dark portrayal of a high school class reunited to mourn the loss of a beloved teacher. As the characters come to terms with their grief and checkered pasts, this show overflows with funny dialogue, urban eccentricity and a can't-miss hilarious opening scene.

"In a scorching and dark new comedy, OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET, Mr. Guirgis presents a whole network of tempers, smoldering and prone to startling eruption," writes Bruce Weber, in a review for the New York Times. "But Mr. Guirgis, who has one of the finest imaginations for dialogue to come along in years, has made sure each and every screamer is a distinctly drawn and sympathetic character whose human foibles are touching."

The Conservatory Theatre Company production features scenic design by Michael Thomas Essad, costumes by Sierra Hughes, lighting by Joshua Ice, and sound by Josh Maywood. Autumn Abernathy is stage manager and Kim Martin is director of production.

Wilson, a Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, is a freelance director, actor and educator from Chicago where he recently directed Green Day's 'American Idiot.' Steven's directing work has been seen across the city of Chicago and regionally, when he directed The 15th Annual Young Playwright's Festival at City Theatre, along with several other Pittsburgh shows. He has worked as a dramaturge for the Arkansas New Play Festival and developed new plays for various theaters in Austin, Texas.