John Shepard

Photos: A CHRISTMAS STORY Takes The Stage At Pittsburgh Public Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 6, 2024

Take a first look at your newest holiday tradition at Pittsburgh Public Theater as A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE PLAY opens at the O'Reilly Theater, on stage through Dec. 22. See the photos!

A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE PLAY Comes to Pittsburgh Public Theater
by Stephi Wild - Nov 14, 2024

Pittsburgh Public Theater announced the full cast and crew of its upcoming production of the family-favorite 'A Christmas Story: The Play,' presented this December at the O'Reilly Theater in Downtown.

BoogieManja To Return To The PIT This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 19, 2024

Return to The Peoples Improv Theater for a brand new show from sketch teams BOTH HANDS and ATTAINABLE CRUSH, as BOOGIEMANJA makes its exciting comeback.

Review: A CHRISTMAS STORY Continues the Marathon at Pittsburgh Public Theater
by Greg Kerestan - Dec 14, 2023

It's back! Just last year I made the prediction that Philip Grecian's A Christmas Story: The Play would become a yearly staple, becoming the Christmas equivalent of Rocky Horror. To my delight, I was correct. Distinct from the more popular but more sentimentalized musical version by Pasek and Paul, Grecian's play version amplifies the farcical qualities and kid-brain surrealism of Jean Shepherd's memoirs into a fast, funny and chaotic offering. It may run two and a half hours, but this one flies by like a ninety minute movie without commercials.

BoogieManja to Return To The PIT With Both Hands And The Right Stuff
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2023

The NYC Sketch Comedy Collective BoogieManja is back with a new show featuring The Right Stuff and Both Hands.

BoogieManja To Return To The PIT With Both Hands And The Right Stuff
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 2, 2023

Get ready for a night of laughter as BoogieManja returns to the Peoples Improv Theater with their fall run. Don't miss Both Hands and The Right Stuff, an hour of original sketch comedy performed by some of the best comedians in New York. Grab your tickets now!

Review: A CHRISTMAS STORY Is A Perfect Salty Cookie at Pittsburgh Public Theater
by Greg Kerestan - Dec 9, 2022

The smartest, stupidest, most beloved Christmas tale of the twentieth century comes to life, and then some, in Michael Berresse's farcical production.

BWW Interview: Ann Talman of THE SHADOW OF HER SMILE at Feinstein's/54 Below
by Stephen Mosher - Mar 30, 2022

The smile in question is that of Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Ann Talman's close friend for (almost) all of her life, and her stage mother in THE LITTLE FOXES, and these are their tales.

BWW Review: DOWNSTAIRS Isn't the Play You'd Expect at City Theatre
by Greg Kerestan - Jan 23, 2020

Something is definitely wrong in Theresa Rebeck's claustrophobic dramedy- but who, or what, is it?

Local Stars Take The Stage In DOWNSTAIRS At City Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 17, 2019

Local stars take the stage as City Theatre continues its 45th season with Downstairs by Theresa Rebeck. This ominous, darkly intriguing new play a?" from Broadway's most produced female playwright a?" confronts family secrets, regrets, and the threat of madness in the search for the good life.

BWW Review: None Too Fragile Has New Home�"High Quality of Productions Still the Same!
by Roy Berko - Aug 18, 2019

AKA Studio Productions and Kierstead Productions Present MULLIGAN
by Kaitlin Milligan - Sep 18, 2018

Executive Producers AKA Studio Productions (“Rules of Cool,” Fullscreen) and Kierstead Productions (Broadway's Pretty Woman, Kinky Boots, Waitress) are pleased to announce the world premiere of the pilot episode for the original drama series Mulligan, an “Official Selection” at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival, one of three pilots in the world chosen to be screened at the prestigious festival.  The screening is set for Tuesday evening, September 26, 2018 at 7:15 p.m. at the Arc Light Theater (9500 Culver Blvd) in Culver City, CA. 

Disney Parody Sketch Show Premieres At Pit Loft
by BWW News Desk - Aug 15, 2018

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Disney! Only something's not quite right...When one story goes off course, the whole familiar universe is suddenly turned towards chaos. Who will survive in this new world order?

Disney Parody Sketch Show Premieres At Pit Loft
by BWW News Desk - Aug 14, 2018

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Disney! Only something's not quite right...When one story goes off course, the whole familiar universe is suddenly turned towards chaos. Who will survive in this new world order?

Disney Parody Sketch Show Premieres At Pit Loft
by Stephi Wild - Jul 31, 2018

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Disney! Only something's not quite right...When one story goes off course, the whole familiar universe is suddenly turned towards chaos. Who will survive in this new world order?

BWW Review: Blasphemy is Fun in AN ACT OF GOD at Pittsburgh Public
by Greg Kerestan - Jun 28, 2017

Marcus Stevens finally finds a role he can truly sink his teeth into, in this fluffy but unexpectedly dark Biblical farce.

God to Pay A Visit to Pittsburgh Public
by A.A. Cristi - May 16, 2017

Pittsburgh Public Theater closes its 42nd season with An Act of God, the hilariously irreverent comedy by David Javerbaum, former writer of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Directed by Ted Pappas, The Public's Producing Artistic Director, An Act of God runs June 1 - July 2, 2017 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org.

The REP Professional Theatre Presents Ann Talman's WOODY'S ORDER!
by BWW News Desk - Feb 3, 2017

Point Park University's The REP Professional Theatre Company will present Woody's Order!, Pittsburgh native, Ann Talman's solo show about life choices and the importance of family and pursuing your dreams.

The REP Professional Theatre Presents Ann Talman's WOODY'S ORDER!
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 17, 2017

Point Park University's The REP Professional Theatre Company will present Woody's Order!, Pittsburgh native, Ann Talman's solo show about life choices and the importance of family and pursuing your dreams.

BWW Review: THE LION IN WINTER at PICT Classic Theatre Provides Entertaining Night Led By Veteran Performer
by Mike Mekus - Dec 19, 2016

Few things are as riveting as watching an actor or actress that demands an audience's attention 100% of the time while they are onstage/onscreen. Immediately, I think of Patti LuPone in Gypsy. Granted, Mama Rose is a role that's designed to be all-consuming, but LuPone was raved about as being mesmerizing, so much so that she inevitably won the Tony Award in 2008. Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese's 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street is another performance that comes to mind when I think of actors that require every ounce of my attention. Though a controversial film, DiCaprio was universally hailed for his brilliant portrayal of the morally questionable Jordan Belfort, so much so that he garnered himself an Oscar nomination.