Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse Announces 2017-18 Season

Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse 2017-2018 season celebrates the diversity of the theatrical experience with professional and student productions, Pittsburgh premieres, Tony Award-winning musicals, edgy new works and fresh takes on classic stories. The season opens with the Pittsburgh premiere of The Scottsboro Boys and includes Tony Award-winning musicals, Kiss Me, Kate and 42nd Street, a modern twist on 19th century literature in You on the Moors Now, and a dark comedy in David Lindsay-Abaire's A Devil Inside among others in this diverse and provocative season.

"As we move boldly into the future with a new facility on the horizon, this season celebrates all the things we love about theatre: the experiences that take us out of our comfort zone, the launching of thousands of talented student performers' careers, and honoring every facet of the craft," said Ronald Allan-Lindblom, Artistic Director, Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse. "It's a season not to be missed."

Point Park University's Pittsburgh Playhouse's 2017-2018 season includes:

The REP Professional Theatre Company:

The Scottsboro Boys

Music and Lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb

Book by David Thompson

Original Direction and Choreography by Susan Stroman

Directed by Tomé Cousin

Sept. 8-24, 2017; preview Sept. 7

Rauh Theatre

Talk Back: Sept. 21

Freud on Forbes: Sept. 23 following the 8:00 p.m. performance

Audio Descriptive Performance: Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2:00 p.m.

Based on true events, Tomé Cousin directs this musical that takes audiences on a journey to "make friends with the truth" as the nine Scottsboro Boys grow up in court rooms and jail cells while doing the time for the alleged crime. The humor, music and dance bring a light twist to a dark drama that is an extremely timely piece. Nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 2010, The Scottsboro Boys will leave a lasting impression on audiences long after the curtains close.

A Devil Inside

By David Lindsay-Abaire

Directed by Kim Martin

Feb. 2-18, 2018; preview Feb. 1

Studio Theatre

Talk Back: Feb. 15

Freud on Forbes: Feb. 17 following the 8:00 p.m. performance

It is Gene's 21st birthday, and he is greeted with a birthday banner and his mother demanding that he avenge the murder of his father whom he thought had died in a car accident several years ago. Gene is preoccupied with his crush, Caitlin, who just so happens to be distracted with her crush on their Russian literature professor, who is consumed by thoughts of murdering the dull fix-it shop owner, Brad. This dark comedy directed by Kim Martin is bound to take audiences on a wild ride with stops at obsession, humor, revenge, love and murder along the way.

The Conservatory Theatre Company:

Kiss Me, Kate

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter

Book by Sam and Bella Spewack

Directed by Zeva Barzell

Oct. 20-29, 2017; preview Oct. 19

Rockwell Theatre

Freud on Forbes: Oct. 21 following the 8:00 p.m. performance

This classic by Cole Porter that won the first Tony Award for Best Musical in 1949 explores the love affair between the vein producer and actor FrEd Graham and his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi on and off stage. The duo star in Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew: The Musical in this show within in a show concept. When ex-lovers get involved with current lovers, gangsters, egos, Shakespeare and show business, things are bound to get interesting. Point Park University faculty member, Zeva Barzell directs and choreographs this show bringing favorite numbers like Too Darn Hot to life on the Rockwell stage with the talented students of the Conservatory.

You on the Moors Now

By Jaclyn Backhaus

Directed by Sheila McKenna

Nov. 10- Dec. 3, 2017; preview Nov. 9

Studio Theatre

Sheila McKenna takes on award-winning Jaclyn Backhaus's You on the Moors Now. In this modern twist on the story of the beloved 19th century literary heroines, Jane Eyre, Lizzy Bennet, Cathy Earnshaw and Jo March, they decide to escape their suitors on a journey to self-discovery and sisterhood when they flee to the Moors. This empowering story is as inspiring as it is hilarious as it challenges 19th century gender norms while using The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars and other modern concepts as points of argument. You on the Moors Now is another timely addition to the season as it will leave audiences thinking about how the themes of the show pertain to today.

The Gift of the Magi

Adapted by Jon Jory

From the story by O. Henry

Directed by Penelope Lindblom

Dec. 8-17, 2017; preview Dec. 7

Rauh Theatre

American Sign Language performance: Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season with your family and O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi. Newlyweds, Della and Jim Young, are going through difficult times and are doing everything that they can to secretly purchase nice gifts for each other despite their financial woes. Through a turn of events, the young couple discover that the greatest gift of all may not be the one that you buy at the store. Share this beautiful story with your loved ones and learn how to give the gift that really matters this holiday season.

The House of Bernarda Alba

By Frederico Garcia Lorca

Translated by Michael Dewell and Carmen Zapata

Directed by Monica Payne

Feb. 23-March 11, 2018; preview Feb. 22

Rauh Theatre

Tucked away in a Spanish village in their mother's house, all five of Bernarda Alba's daughters are romantics that want more than a life of sitting within the four white walls of their mother's home. There is quite a stir amongst the sisters when the most handsome man in town, Pepe el Romano visits the window of the oldest sister, Angustias. Jealousy and passion take over the house when Pepe unexpectedly asks for Angustias' hand in marriage. Spanish dramatist, Frederico Garcia Lorca examines the complex relationships between women and the ideals that they project on their relationships with men.

42nd Street

Music by Harry Warren Lyrics by Al Dubin

Book by Michael Stewart & Mark Bramble

Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes

Original Direction and Choreography by Gower Champion

Directed by Eileen Grace

March 16-25, 2018; preview March 15

Rockwell Theatre

Dorothy Brock is a famous Broadway star that is about to be the lead in acclaimed director Julian Marsh's new show, Pretty Ladies. Peggy from Allentown, PA not only has stars in her eyes for her big Broadway break, but she has the talent to back it up which wows the producer even though she only mustered the courage to audition after the auditions concluded. Dorothy does not take to Peggy very well, especially after Peggy bumps into her during a rehearsal and breaks her ankle. This Tony Award-winning musical is full of lively tap numbers and classic musical theatre standards that will leave audiences looking to the "sunny side of every situation."

Uncle Vanya

By Anton Chekhov

Translated by Elisaveta Fen

Directed by Philip Winters

April 6-15, 2018; preview April 5

Rauh Theatre

Freud of Forbes: April 7 following the 8:00 p.m. performance

First published in 1897, Russian playwright Anton Chekhov tells the drama of the inhabitants of Professor Serebryakov's estate. It is a story of unrequited love, missed opportunities and soliloquies filled with melancholy. Elisaveta Fen beautifully translates Chekhov's work into a masterpiece. Philip Winters will direct the Conservatory students in bringing this challenging tragicomedy to the Rauh Stage.

The season runs Sept. 8, 2017 through April 15, 2018, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave., in Oakland.

Season tickets for the REP, Point Park's professional theatre company and the Conservatory Theatre Company are now on sale. Season subscribers will receive priority seating at the new Playhouse downtown next season, and get a free subscription with the purchase of three. Season subscriptions can be purchased by calling 412-392-8000 or in person at the Playhouse box office.

Individual tickets to the REP 2017-2018 season will go on sale on Monday, Aug. 7, at 10:00 a.m. Individual tickets to the Conservatory will be available on Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 10:00 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online at pittsburghplayhouse.com, over the phone by calling 412-392-8000 or in person at the Playhouse box office.

Ticket prices for the REP are $24 - $29 for individual tickets and $32 - $36 for a season subscription. A limited number of preview subscriptions are available at $24.

Ticket prices for the Conservatory Theatre Company are $20 - $24 for individual tickets and $72 - $84 for a season subscription. A limited number of preview subscriptions are available at $60.

Student tickets are $10.

New this year is a special lecture series, Freud on Forbes. Following four preselected plays - The Scottsboro Boys (Sept. 23), Kiss Me, Kate (Oct. 21), A Devil Inside (Feb. 17) and Uncle Vanya (April 7) - members of the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center will analyze the script in order to help the audience get inside the mind of the playwright. A four show subscription to Freud on Forbes is just $64. Season subscribers to this package will receive priority seating at the new Playhouse downtown next season.

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