Point Park's Playhouse Jr. Opens 65th Season with THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS & HUSH, Begin. 10/25

Point Park University's Playhouse Jr. kicks off its 65th anniversary with productions of a musical take on the much-beloved children's story, The Wind in the Willows and the contemporary tale, Hush: An Interview with America.

Both The Wind in the Willows and Hush: An Interview with America run on weekends, May 10-25 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave. The Wind in the Willows is in the Rockwell Theatre; Hush is in the Studio Theatre.

Public performances will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, and 7 p.m., on Saturday. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000, or at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. Special performances for school field trips begin Wednesday, May 7, and run through Friday, May 30. For more information about field trips, call the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000.

With music and lyrics by Douglas Post, The Wind in the Willows is Kenneth Grahame's classic Victorian tale of friendship and adventure set on the banks of the River Thames in England, featuring Mr. Toad, Badger, Ratty, Mole and other wonderful creatures.

Directed by Penelope Lindblom, the Playhouse Jr. production of The Wind in the Willows features choreography by Ron Tassone, scene design by Rich Preffer, costumes by Joan Markert, lighting by Sydney Carter and sound design by Liz Bailey. Jessica Kate Matthews is the stage manager.

James Still's Hush: An Interview with America is a beautiful and surreal play about Maggie Parks, a pre-teen who can see things that others cannot. When her story becomes national news, she quickly learns about growing up, individuality, and the perils of celebrity.

Directed by Richard Keitel, Hush: An Interview with America features scenic design by Deborah Thomas, costumes by Michael Montgomery, lighting by Kyle Simok, projections by Jessi Sedon-Essad and sound design by Steve Shapiro. Carissa Gilson is the stage manager.

To celebrate the 65th anniversary of Playhouse Jr., there will be a birthday party following the performances of The Wind in the Willows and Hush: An Interview with America on Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m. in the Playhouse lobby. There will be crafts, mingling with the cast, and treats provided by Dunkin' Donuts.

Photo by Jeff Swensen