Rocky Returns to Pittsburgh Public Theater

Pittsburgh Public Theater is thrilled to welcome back former Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier to perform his one-man show, The Play, live on the O'Reilly Theater stage. Based on Rocky's life story, The Play was written by Gene Collier, a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports journalist and co-author (with Rob Zellers) of The Chief, The Public's hit play about Steelers founder Art Rooney, Sr.

Directed by Scott C. Wise, The Play will run for nine performances only, December 28, 2017 - January 6, 2018 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600, go to ppt.org, or visit the O'Reilly Box Office. UPMC is the Production Sponsor and Play It Forward Pittsburgh is the Promotional Partner.

In The Play, Rocky recalls being selected in the 16th round of the 1968 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to be drafted one year later by the Army and sent to Vietnam. Severely injured, he was not expected to ever play football again. But with personal determination and the encouragement of Mr. Rooney and team members, Rocky was back at training camp in 1970. He went on to became part of the Steelers dynasty, whose Super Bowl victories include 1975, 1976, 1979 and, 1980.

Rocky first performed The Play at The O'Reilly during the last holiday season. City Paper said: "It's difficult to imagine a more engaging, comfortable presence than Bleier's." According to the Post-Gazette: "It was an all-age audience, with fathers and sons, some reliving memories, others getting a history lesson." The Beaver County Times called The Play "a hugely entertaining piece of theater."

The design team for The Play is Anne Mundell (Scenic), Ted Pappas (Costumes) Andrew Ostrowski (Lighting) and Steve Shapiro (Sound). Maria G. Scheller is the Production Stage Manager.

Performance Schedule: Thurs. Dec. 28 and Fri. Dec. 29 at 7 pm. Sat. Dec. 30 at 1 and 7 pm, Tues. Jan. 2 through Fri. Jan. 5 at 7 pm. Sat. Jan. 6 at 1 pm. Ticket prices: $60 & $80. Tickets for students and age 26 and younger: $15.75. Discounts for groups of 10+ are available by contacting Casey Helm at 412.316.8200 ext. 704 or chelm@ppt.org. Ticket prices are subject to change.

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