2019/2020 at Pittsburgh Public Theater
Of Monsters & Men, Comedy & Cake

Artistic Director Marya Sea Kaminski and Managing Director Lou Castelli today announced the 2019/2020 lineup at Pittsburgh Public Theater. The six-play subscription series features three exciting new voices, two giants of American culture, and one outrageous musical comedy. “For our 45th anniversary season, we want to fill the O’Reilly with laughter, music, and compelling stories that both delight and inspire us,” Ms. Kaminski says. “It’s going to be a dynamic year, with shows that strike a balance between muscle and heart, power and justice, the sweetness and sting of young love. We can’t wait to share it.” In addition, during the holidays The Public will open its doors for a variety of festive programming, including special appearances by WQED’s Rick Sebak. Six-play packages ($169.50 - $369.00) are now available by calling 412.316.1600, online at ppt.org, or at the O’Reilly Theater Box Office. Single tickets will go on sale in August.

September 12 – October 13, 2019
A Few Good Men
By Aaron Sorkin

“You can’t handle the truth!” is the most famous line from this riveting story about military lawyers defending two U.S. Marines accused of killing a fellow Marine at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Set in 1986, this play introduced Aaron Sorkin’s sharp dialogue and irresistible wit to the world before he went on to create TV’s “The West Wing,” the film Steve Jobs, and, most recently, a new adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird for Broadway.

“Powerful, passionate, and purely fascinating.”

Broadway World

November 7 – December 8, 2019
School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play
By Jocelyn Bioh

Playwright Jocelyn Bioh is a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Ghana in Africa. This sparkling comedy was inspired by her mother’s experience in an elite boarding school there in 1986, as students prepare to enter the Miss Ghana pageant and a chance to be Miss Universe. Paulina, queen bee of the in-crowd, assumes she’ll win. But when Ericka enrolls, Paulina’s popularity plummets. The girls find out if beauty really is skin deep in this new, critically acclaimed, and award-winning play that sold-out two runs Off-Broadway last season.

“A gleeful African makeover of an American genre.”
The New York Times

SPECIAL EVENT
December 12 – December 22, 2019
Yinzer Yuletide
Make The Public Your Holiday Hub!

For two weeks in December, the O’Reilly Theater will become a new holiday destination for festive entertainment and unique shopping. From honoring the department store window displays of the past to decking every corner of the building for mingling and jingling, there will be something for everyone. Parents can bring their kids for daytime films and holly jolly mascots, while the cocktail crowd can stop by late-night for frosty beverages and live music. Keep an eye out for special appearances by Rick Sebak and other Pittsburgh celebrities who will help us celebrate the season. More details coming soon, including an Exclusive Subscriber Presale offer!

January 23 – February 23, 2020
Little Shop of Horrors
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman

Music by Alan Menken

At Mushnik’s Florists, clerk Seymour is growing an odd horticultural find. Turns out that water is not enough; it takes warm bodies to keep the bloodthirsty flower fed. This hilariously harrowing musical became a monster hit for Menken & Ashman before they wrote The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast for Disney. A tender love story, along with rock, R&B, and 60s girl group music, complete this carnivorous carnival of fun.

“A milestone in American musical comedy.”

–The Washington Post

March 5 – April 5, 2020
American Son
By Christopher Demos-Brown

Kendra, a black woman and a professor of psychology, and her estranged husband Scott, a white FBI agent, come to a Miami police station at 4 a.m. because their 18-year-old-son, Jamal, is missing. All the rookie cop on duty will tell them is that Jamal has been “identified in an incident.” Hot off of its Broadway run, this highly charged drama takes a brave look at race, gender, power, and the dangerous dynamics at play when a young African-American man intersects with law enforcement.

“A new American play grappling with serious, timely issues in a thoughtful way.”

–The Wrap

April 23 – May 24, 2020
Barefoot in the Park
By Neil Simon

How long can the honeymoon last after a newlywed couple move into their first New York apartment? There are bound to be plenty of ups and downs since they live on the fifth floor! Add to that, bride Corie is an impulsive free-spirit while groom Paul is a buttoned-up lawyer. Barefoot was Neil Simon’s first smash success, premiering on Broadway in 1963 and running for nearly four years. Our revival of this bubbly romantic comedy will prove that young love never goes out of style.

“A charming ode to the magic of love.”

–The San Diego Union-Tribune

June 4 – July 3, 2020
The Cake
By Bekah Brunstetter

Della lives in Winston, North Carolina where her bakery is filled with delicious treats. When Jen returns to her hometown from New York and announces that she’s planning her wedding, Della can’t wait to make the cake. That is until she finds out that Jen is marrying another woman. Gay and straight, Brooklyn and the Bible Belt, sex and shame are just some of the ingredients vigorously stirred into this funny and incisive new play by Bekah Brunstetter, celebrated writer of TV’s “This is Us.”

“Refreshing and heartening.”

–Los Angeles Times

Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home is the O’Reilly Theater in the heart of Downtown’s Cultural District. For more information visit ppt.org.