Pittsburgh Public Theater's 2016-17 to Feature THE FANTASTICKS, DADDY LONG LEGS & More
By: Tyler Peterson Feb. 23, 2016
Producing Artistic Director Ted Pappas today announced five of the six plays in Pittsburgh Public Theater's 2016-2017 subscription series plus one very special event. "Most great American plays are about home and family," Mr. Pappas said, "and The Public's upcoming season explores these themes with humor and heartbreak. Two modern classics, the musical The Fantasticks and Arthur Miller's masterpiece Death of a Salesman, along with 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner Between Riverside and Crazy, show us the interaction between fathers and their children from multiple points of view. Love is in the air as well with Shakespeare's exuberant Twelfth Night and the new musical Daddy Long Legs. Sometimes home and romance aren't enough. That's where heroes come into the picture. In The Play, starring Rocky Bleier, the beloved football legend will tell his own incredible story, onstage for 14 special performances."
Pittsburgh Public Theater's home is the O'Reilly Theater in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. Six-play packages ($144 to $337.50) are now available by calling 412.316.1600, online at ppt.org/subscribe, or at the Box Office. Single tickets will go on sale later in the year.
2016-2017 at Pittsburgh Public Theater
September 29 - October 30, 2016
The Fantasticks
Book and Lyrics by Tom Jones. Music by Harvey Schmidt. Directed by Ted Pappas.
The Fantasticks has the distinction of being the longest-running musical in the world. It opened in 1960, played for 42 years, and was quickly revived. With imaginatively simple staging, it tells the story of two fathers, next-door neighbors, and their elaborate scheme to bring their son and daughter together. Its iconic songs include "Try to Remember" and "Soon It's Gonna Rain." Director Ted Pappas will bring his special touch with great musicals to this stage phenomenon.
November 10 - December 11, 2016
Winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize
Between Riverside and Crazy
By Stephen Adly Guirgis. Directed by Pamela Berlin.
Walter is a retired police officer who lives in a disorderly but very desirable rent-controlled apartment. He shares his chaotic home with son Junior, the foxy Lulu, and a convicted felon. Oh, and the dog. Things get even trickier when an ambitious couple from the NYPD and a surprising Church Lady barge in. But at the play's heart is the attitude that, no matter what, life is full of possibilities. Those who loved Pamela Berlin's direction of The Diary of Anne Frank last season won't want to miss her staging of this dark and entertaining comedy. Starring as Walter is Eugene Lee (How I Learned What I Learned at The Public).
January 26 - February 26, 2017
Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare. Directed by Ted Pappas.
This theatrical valentine, written for a gala given by Queen Elizabeth I, is aglow with spirited females and romantic fun. After a shipwreck, outspoken Viola washes ashore and disguises herself as a boy. Believing the masquerade, beautiful Olivia falls head over heels in love. Meanwhile Duke Orsino passionately pursues Olivia and Viola falls for him! All of Illyria is mad with merry mix-ups and not even the pompous Malvolio can stop the party in Shakespeare's great comedy. Starring Gretchen Egolf (Candida and As You Like It at The Public) as Olivia.
March 9 - April 9, 2017
Daddy Long Legs
Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon. Book by John Caird. Based on the Novel by Jean Webster.
This two-actor musical has a potent pedigree. The cherished 1912 novel became a popular movie starring Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron, and it went on to be the first Off-Broadway show ever to be live-streamed. Set in the early 20th century, Jerusha is an orphan whose college tuition is paid for by a mysterious young benefactor. His only condition is that she write him letters, a stirring exercise which awakens her to literature and love. With its beguiling contemporary score, theater and popular music fans will be thrilled to discover this new charmer.
April 20 - May 21, 2017
Death of a Salesman
By Arthur Miller. Directed by Mary B. Robinson.
Willy Loman is the most famous traveling salesman in history. In this Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play from 1949, when Willy is downsized by his young boss, he caves under the strain of not being able to make ends meet. Lyrical and intense, the action shifts between memories of Willy's glory days and his crumbling relationship with sons Biff and Happy. Staged by Mary B. Robinson, the director of Freud's Last Session at The Public, Arthur Miller's masterpiece about aging, economics, and the American Dream has retained all its relevance and power. Starring Andrew Polk (Talley's Folly and The Odd Couple at The Public) as Willy Loman.
June 1 - July 2, 2017
TO BE ANNOUNCED
We are currently considering several extraordinary choices for the perfect play to produce in Spring 2017. You'll be the first to know when the selection is finalized.
SPECIAL EVENT
December 20, 2016 - January 7, 2017
Rocky Bleier in The Play
By Gene Collier. Directed by Scott Wise.
Rocky Bleier's incredible journey took him from the football field to the battlefield and back. In this one-man show, starring Rocky himself, he shares his story: how he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968, then drafted one year later by the Army and deployed to Vietnam. Severely wounded, he thought he'd never walk again. But he did more than walk. He ran, and helped the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories. Now a family man and activist, his story is sure to leave fans cheering. Only 2016-2017 subscribers can buy tickets now!
For more information visit ppt.org.
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