February 13 - February 22 Dialogue and Reception Following Opening Night Performance. Thursday - Saturday 7:30PM Saturday & Sunday Matinees at 3PM (No Matinee on February 22)
Falk School Auditorium University of Pittsburgh 4060 Allequippa Street (Oakland) Pittsburgh, Pa 15261
Tickets: $15, $20 For tickets call (412) 431-0773, visit Dorsey’s Records or Stedeford’s or newhorizontheater@yahoo.com For more information visit newhorizontheater.org
Fascinating and dramatically compelling, this eloquent play depicts the supposed meeting of two of the most important men of modern times: Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Differing in their philosophies, but alike in their mutual respect, the two men debate their varying approaches to the same grave social problems, both prepared to die for their beliefs. This production is funded in part by grants from Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh Program, a partnership of The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments, Allegheny Regional Asset District, Chris Moore Communications, Inc., The Heinz Endowments, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts/Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.
{PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF SWENSEN}
ONE MAN + THREE STEWARDESSES = ENDLESS LAUGHS!
Laura Lee Brautigam and Drew Palajsa in Prussia: 1866, at the REP
[PLAY REVIEWS]
WILL TO CHORTLE {BY MICHELLE PILECKI}
Tony Award® Winner
NOW - April 26 By -!2# #!-/,%44) s Translated by "%6%2,%9 #2/33 &2!.#)3 %6!.3 s Directed by VAN KAPLAN
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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 02.11/02.18.2015
PRUSSIA: 1866 is definitely for grown-ups only. I refer not to the bit of full-frontal nudity and sexual byplay in locally based playwright Gab Cody’s new comedy, but to the wealth of philosophical, political and literary ideas mixed with a French-style farce. The REP’s lively production, spritely directed by Kim Martin, is worth a second, even third visit to absorb and enjoy such intelligent humor.
PRUSSIA: 1866 continues through Feb. 22. Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave., Oakland. $24-27. 412-392-8000 or www.pittsburghplayhouse.com
The premise posits a young, Byronesque Friedrich Nietzsche in an early-pondering mode regarding aesthetics, ethics, morality, etc. — while shtupping his elderly mentor’s young wife. Yes, Nietzsche (“Fritz” in the play) really did live in Prussia in 1866, when he was 22, the playwright assures us. While I would bet that at least some of the dialogue is truly Nietzschean (it’s been a while since I slogged through Thus Spake Zarathustra), the rest is delightfully heady fiction. The fast-paced plot matters far less than the distinctively zany characters delivering crisp dialogue in preposterous situations. The cast hasn’t any weak spots. Drew Palajsa portrays a puppy-ish Fritz whose appetites for sex, poetry and philosophy war with each other yet remain
unsated. As his paramour Mariska, Laura Lee Brautigam draws on native ingenuity, physical agility and the attitude of a “great beauty” of the era. As both playwright and actor, Cody echoes The Importance of Being Earnest in shaping Mariska’s relationship with Rosemary (Cody), the pipe-smoking women’srights champion who’s employed as an assistant to Heinrich Von Klamp. The pomposity of that military hero, cuckolded husband and popular writer is well captured by Philip Winters. In smaller but key roles, Sam Turich (also fight director) brings elegant confusion to “the American delegate,” and Mary Rawson conjures the image of the flagship of a marauding armada as — let’s not spoil the surprise. The production is gorgeous. The clever doors punctuate the multi-leveled and beautifully furnished set designed by Stephanie Mayer-Staley. Cathleen CrockerPerry’s costumes not only look good but also define their characters. (Note Rosemary’s culottes and Mariska’s perfect period look, especially the hair.) Given my definition of perfect escapism — “well-dressed, well-spoken people misbehaving” — Prussia: 1866 is not to be missed. I N F O@ P G H C I T Y PA P E R. C OM
WAR STORY {BY TED HOOVER} WHEN PITTSBURGHER Sam Hazo writes anything, it’s important we all listen up. Stepping away from his comfort zone — poetry — the venerable man of letters has written the play Tell It to the Marines,