09/26/09
PITTSBURGH NEW WORKS FESTIVAL ENDS SEASON WITH AWARDS GALA
Christopher Rawson to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
PITTSBURGH - Sept. 23, 2009 — The Pittsburgh New Works Festival closes its 19th season on Sunday, Oct. 11, with
its annual awards Gala. This year’s Gala will be aboard the Gateway Clipper’s Princess, at the dock at Station Square.
You may not have made it to the Tonys or the Oscars, but everyone is invited to attend the New Works Gala,
hailed as Pittsburgh’s largest theatre party.
“Donna Awards,” named for New Works founder Donna Rae, will be presented in seven categories: outstanding
supporting actor and actress, lead actor and actress, director, playwright and production. The outstanding
playwright award carries a $500 prize.
Also at the Gala, the Pittsburgh New Works Festival will present its 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award to Christopher Rawson.
Christopher Rawson became a Post-Gazette theater critic in 1983, graduating quickly to become chief critic and
theater editor. For the next 25 years he reviewed up to 170 plays annually, mainly in Pittsburgh but also New York,
London and Canada. Through the support his reviews gave to the works of numerous small theatre companies,
he helped foster a larger, livelier theater scene in which the experimental, the off-the-wall, the innovative, and
the decidedly traditional could all have a chance to find their audience. Chris produces the annual "Off the Record,"
a musical spoof of Pittsburgh news and newsmakers that features professional performers and raises
thousands of dollars for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
The New Works Gala gets under way on the Princess with socializing beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by
dinner and the “Donna” presentations. Tickets are just $35. Reservations are required; no tickets will be available
at the door. Visit the web site at www.pittsburghnewworks.org and click on “Get your Gala
reservation form here.” Print the form and mail it, with a check payable to Pittsburgh New Works Festival, to PNWF,
127 Birmingham Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15210. Reservations must be received by Oct. 4.
Now in its 19th season, the Pittsburgh New Works Festival is dedicated to encouraging the development of new plays.
The 2009 Festival runs from Sept. 10 through Oct. 4 and concludes with presentation of the Donna Awards for Festival
achievement during the Gala on October 11. The Pittsburgh New Works Festival would like to thank its 2009 media
sponsor, WYEP. For more information, visit the New Works website at www.pittsburghnewworks.org.
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09/26/09
Midnight Radio Episode #4 - The SMACKDOWN
Friday October 2nd and Saturday October 3rd
9:30PM Happy Half Hour. Before the show enjoy the Midnight Radio Studio Audience Lounge with drink specials
and booty shakin tunes.
10PM Showtime!
Join us for the FINAL episode in our super awesome and successful series!
Midnight Radio – a monthly episodic “live” radio series, set after hours, complete with honey-voiced announcers,
commercial breaks, vintage vinyl sound effects and a myriad of “Foley” props.
Each Midnight Radio episode featured the unique talents of Pittsburgh writers, musicians, actors, comics, and
“city celebrities." Think Prairie Home Companion on Red Bull.
As a special feature the audience by secret ballot chose which serials continued on to the finale “smackdown.”
These writers are competing for cash prizes and the opportunity to air their serial on 91.3 WYEP.
Episode #4 The SMACKDOWN features winning radio serials:
Monongahela by Lissa Brennan
On a Wing and a Prayer by FJ Hartland
Tracks by Wali Jamal
Featuring the vocal stylings of: Tony Bingham, Sharon Brady, Lisa Ann Goldsmith, Joshua Elijah Reese,
Alexi Morressey and Angela M. Vesco.
Music Mastermind: Sam McUmber
Special Musical Guest: Barrett Black - myspace.com/thehailandfarewellband
Barrett Black has been a cellist for over 32 years, blending radical classical, and folk hop music over his four strings.
He performs original music designed to meld melodic vocals with harmonic tones for his instrument to make
a presentation that is second to none. The music is current, sharp, and unique; you will not forget who played
the cello for you that evening.
Foley Artists: Jeffrey Carpenter, and Tami Dixon
Directed by Jeffrey Carpenter
Special segments like The Mad Lib Radio Minute, Super Secret Decoder Message Moment, Haiku Corner, and a Special P.S.A.
Tickets: $15
CALL 412-381-6999
VISIT http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/69374 or www.webbricolage.org
For more information contact Tami Dixon at tami@webbricolage.org
Bricolage is located in the heart of the cultural district at 937 Liberty Avenue 1st floor
Midnight Radio is sponsored in part by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, A Seed Award from The Sprout Fund,
WYEP 93.1FM, City Paper and Friends Of The Riverfront.
All Midnight Radio Podcasts are now available at www.webbricolage.org
We here at Bricolage are moving into the the tech savvy age.
Now on Facebook and Twitter, we're taking it two steps further with Blogging and Podcasting, oh my!
Visit our website and you can hear the all 3 episodes of Midnight Radio Episode. Get an insiders view into
what the artistic directors of Bricolage think via their Blogs.
We can't wait to get your responses, so please tell us what you think!
www.webbricolage.org
Check out these Cultural District events - Women ROCK! at the August Wilson Center
Women ROCK! benefits Dress for Success (DFS) who since 2005 has helped nearly 3,000 Pittsburgh women to
obtain professional clothing, prepare for job interviews, and support to meaningful new careers -- ultimately
achieving economic independence for themselves and their families.
Friday October 2nd (stop by here and then come over for Midnight Radio!!) Reception at 6PM, Program at 7PM,
After Party at 9PM! Tickets $75, VIP $125, After Party $15
WPXI Channel 11 is the media sponsor and will send Peggy Finnegan and Vince Sims to emcee the event, which
will feature a showcase of rock, jazz, theatre, poetry, and dance performances along with visual artists.
For more information visit the following:
ProArts Listing for Women ROCK! October 2
http://www.proartstickets.org/events/view/396
Dress for Success Pittsburgh
http://www.dressforsuccesspgh.org/
August Wilson Center
http://www.augustwilsoncenter.org/
Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Presents Trying by Joanna McClelland Glass
Inspired by the playwright's personal experiences as secretary to American lawyer, and former Attorney General,
Judge Francis Biddle, Trying is a witty and bittersweet account of the strained relationship between the
young Canadian secretary and the aging judge. PPT Artistic Director Mark Southers and Associate Artistic Director
Mark Whitehead took in this show this past spring in Wheeling, and thought it would be a great show for Pittsburgh
Audiences to see. The cast, featuring former Town Gate Theater Artistic Director and all around great theatre person
Hal O'Leary, has graciously offered to do three performances as a fundraiser for the Pittsburgh Playwrights to
assist with the start of our new season.
The show is FREE. PPT asks that you consider a donation before, at intermission, or after the show.
Trying runs this Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Monday is a special Theatre Night. Seating is limited so make
your reservations today.
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09/26/09
Gemini Theater Presents:
Aladdin
Through October 11
Saturdays and Sundays
1:00 and 3:00 pm
412-243-5201 for tickets
Gemini Theater Company
7501 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
www.geminitheater.org
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