City Theatre’s ‘Downstairs’ Relies on Strong Performances to Explore Family Violence Themes

City Theatre is staging Theresa Rebeck’s Downstairs this month. Originally written for actor siblings Tyne and Tim Daly, the plot focuses on adult siblings Irene and Teddy. Teddy has taken up residency in the basement of the house Irene shares with her husband. Teddy pokes at an old computer that Irene claims is broken, they […]

Review: Grist From the Mill Delivers a Good Storytelling Experience

On Friday we were at Carnegie Stage for the debut of Grist From the Mill, the first piece of a storytelling trilogy from local playwright and creator, Lissa Brennan. The trilogy boasted infusing Irish murder ballads with the steel industry. This piece was set in 1902 Pittsburgh. This performance was not what I expected, but […]

Podcast Review: Marie Antoinette and Laura Ingalls Wilder #HistoryChicksBinge

Laura Ingalls Wilder Marie Antoinette

I’ve kicked off my planned podcast binge for 2020 by listening to the first two episodes from The History Chicks, a podcast launched in 2011. Episode One: Marie Antoinette Podcast date: January 30, 2011 Time period of subject’s life: 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793 Length of podcast: 66 minutes The first episode sets […]

Review: ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Brings Modern Feel to 50th Anniversary Tour

Jesus Christ Superstar Pittsburgh review

PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh brings Jesus Christ Superstar to the Benedum through January 5, 2020. Tickets start at $33. This review is part of our series of ‘regular people reviews’ exploring cultural events and performances throughout the region. Ledcat and Sarah crafted this review. ~ Sue   New Year’s Eve, full of tradition and superstition […]

Review: ‘The Illusionists’ is your father’s magic show

The Illusionists Magic Show Pittsburgh

The holidays occasionally put us in proximity to family members & traditions that induce winces, full-fledged eye rolls, and even brawls over old wounds and new politics.  The Illusionists ‘Magic of the Holidays’ show lands neatly into that category – it is very much your father’s and grandfather’s magic show. There’s a lot to appreciate, […]

E! the Dragnificent: ‘Celtic Woman’ performance with PSO stirs feelings of warmth and the meaning of Christmas

Celtic Woman The Best of Christmas Review Pittsburgh

Our youth (and drag) correspondent, E! the Dragnificent recently covered the Celtic Woman holiday concert at Heinz Hall. She and her father attended the performance. ~ Sue   The Celtic Women’s performance was an amazing night of Christmas tunes with a traditional Celtic sound! There were four women on stage in beautiful red sparkly gowns, […]

Highmark Holiday Pops and PSO Return With Holiday Tradition to Remind Us That Music is Vital to Society

Pittsburgh Holiday Pops

Music, beautiful music, is vital to our society. The Highmark Holiday Pops are back for 2019 through December 22 at Heinz Hall. Tickets start at $22. Deck the halls with boughs of holly – and all of your favorite holiday music! Bring the whole family to experience Pittsburgh’s holiday tradition with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, […]

Twinkle! Kids Drag Variety Show Lets Kids Express Themselves

Drag Variety Show kids Pittsburgh

This is a post from contributing drag artist, E! The Dragnificent ~ Sue Twinkle! is an amazing kids drag variety show that lets kids express themselves the way that they thrive in performance. This annual show was founded by my mother, Dré Aliquo-Varela in August of 2014. The first-ever twinkle show was put on at […]

Q&A with Drew Leigh Williams, Currently Starring in ‘Not Medea’ at Carnegie Stage

Drew Leigh Williams

“We often have feelings out of frustration and being overwhelmed and life in general that generate moments of wishing we could be free of our responsibilities, such as toward our kids or family. It doesn’t mean we want to be free of them. It means we are  human. These feelings are universal and stretch back […]

E! The Dragnificent Reviews Werq the World in Pittsburgh VIDEO

E! The Dragnificent

Our drag correspondent, E! The Dragnificent, went to the Werq the World show last night in Pittsburgh and shared her thoughts via Instagram (mama managed.)  You may remember that she was part of our Q&A with Aquaria and also wrote a powerful essay about drag culture. You can follow E (on mama managed accounts) Insta: […]