Dinah: A Musical Revue at Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company

Dinah: A Musical Revue opens 2024 season of Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (March 23, 2024) Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company opens its 21st season with Dinah: A Musical Revue by Ernest McCarty at the Madison Arts Center in the Schenley Heights neighborhood of the historic Hill District April 5-28, 2024.

This production marks the second time Dinah: A Musical Revue has been presented by PPTCO; the first time was in 2015 (directed by the playwright, Ernest McCarty). Set in New York City during the last year of the short life of the remarkable woman called the Queen of the Blues, Dinah: A Musical Revue includes a riveting array of over 20 musical numbers and biographical vignettes. This show provides a powerful insight into the tragic and often controversial life of one of the most popular African-American singers of the 1950s.

“Although I have never performed with the beautiful and legendary Dinah Washington, I love her distinctive voice and sultry style. Some people called Dinah ‘Queen of the Jukebox,’ said McCarty, also a musician. “She called herself ‘The Queen of The Blues.’ To me, she's an outstanding jazz artist who sings an interesting story. I hope you like it.”

This musical revue requires a first-call quartet of talent featuring Dwayne Fulton on piano, Tony Campbell on saxophone, Dwayne Dolphin on upright bass, and the incomparable Roger Humphries on drums.

Actor/singer Delana Flowers returns to the role of Dinah Washington after a critically acclaimed run in the original production. Also returning are Cheryl El-Walker and Les Howard. Rounding out the cast are Katy Cotten, Royce Jones, Sam Lothard, and Chris Olshefski.

The Madison Arts Center will be a reunion venue as Tony Campbell, Dwayne Dolphin, and director Mark Clayton Southers all attended what was then Madison Elementary School.

“This play takes place in 1961; coincidentally it's the same year I was born,” shares Mark Clayton Southers, founder and artistic producing director of PPTCO. “It's been a blast preparing for this play/musical revue by Ernest McCarty based on the final days of the great Jazz and Blues singer Dinah Washington. We always hear talk about Pittsburgh's yesteryear of great music venues and the stars that passed through our city. We hope to take you back to that time as we created a special show just for our Pittsburgh Playwrights audiences.”

Enjoy an evening of fine music and engaging storytelling. You’ll want to attend the first play of the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company's 21st season! Tickets for the preview on April 7th are $30, then tickets are $35 to $50. Seniors 65+ pay $10 less. Students and artists pay $15 less at the door only. Playwrights, artists, designers, crew & tech who have worked for Pittsburgh Playwrights in the past are admitted FREE through April 14th. We use open seating; all seats are cabaret style with tables. BYOB. https://www.pghplaywrights.org/season-info/dinah-2024/

All performances occur in the Carter Woodson Redwood Theater of the Madison Arts Center, 3401 Milwaukee Street. Madison Arts Center is fully accessible to wheelchair users and has accessible restrooms. Unmetered street parking is plentiful, please respect our neighbors in the residential communities where we perform, and avoid parking in spots marked with No Parking cones or signs.

Support for Dinah: A Musical Revue is provided by Hillman Foundation, Allegheny Regional Asset District, The Heinz Endowments: Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh, Opportunity Fund, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Eden Hall Foundation.

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