Dec 9, 2021 14 min read

theater/film/literature

“1940s Christmas Eve Radio Show,” a musical, will be performed in the Fellowship Hall at Third Presbyterian Church, 425 Union St., Uniontown on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. The 90-minute show includes Christmas classics from the 40s, like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

“A Christmas Carol” will be presented at Lyell B. Clay Theatre in the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center in Morgantown Dec. 16-18 and Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 and 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $14 to $25 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com.

“Jingle This,” a West Virginia Public Theatre production, features songs and stories as told by five performers from all around the country. Hear new arrangements of holiday classics and some old favorites, too. The dinner show runs Dec. 5-9, and Dec. 12-16 at Oglebay, 465 Lodge Drive, Wheeling, West Virginia. Tickets are $49 for adults and $39 for children 12 and under. Visit oglebay.com for more information.

“Daniel Tiger Live on Stage” will be presented at the Byham Theatre in Pittsburgh at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 5. The show takes audiences on an interactive and exciting adventure to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, sharing stories of friendship, helping others, and celebrating new experiences. Tickets are available at trustarts.org.

“That Golden Girls Show,” a puppet parody, will be presented at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh Jan. 12-13 at 8 p.m. The show parodies classic moments of its namesake TV show. Tickets are available at trustarts.org.

St. Vincent Summer Theatre will host “Celebrate the Season: A Christmas Show” on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 12, at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on the St. Vincent College campus in Latrobe. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and younger. For tickets, visit www.stvincent.edu/summertheatre or call (724) 805-2177.

“Pretty Woman The Musical” will run from Tuesday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb. 6 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. The play is based on the romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Tickets are available through trustarts.org.

“The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” a holiday mash-up for the whole family, will be performed at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30. Tickets are available at trustarts.org or by calling the box office at 412-456-6666.

Shen Yun, China Before Communism, returns to the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh Jan. 21-23. To purchase tickets for the performance, visit trustarts.org or call 412-456-6666.

“RENT” the musical will be performed at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center on Friday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $13 for students. Ticket prices are $2 additional at the door. Tickets are available at thepalacetheatre.org.

“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” is a holiday mystery extravaganza scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center. The holiday comedy is described as “CSI: Bethlehem.” Tickets are $45 and available for purchase at thepalacetheatre.org.

“Elf the Musical,” presented by Actors and Artists of Fayette County, will be performed at Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale Dec. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 2:30 p.m. The show follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. Tickets are available at geyerpac.com. GPAC is also holding an Elf Fun Run/Walk on Dec. 18 at 10 a.m. After the race, Santa will be at the theater’s education center with hot cocoa, candy canes and cookies. Registration for the fundraiser is $25. Call the theater at 724-887-0887 for more information.

“The Second City, It’s a Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Life” is a comedic holiday review of the most wonderful time of the year. The show will be performed at the O’Reilly Theater in Pittsburgh Wednesday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 12. For tickets, visit trustarts.org.

“Sixty-Seven Keys,” a storytelling and magic show by Siegfried Tieber, will be presented at Liberty Magic, 811 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh from Wednesday, Dec. 1. through Sunday, Jan. 2. Ticket information is available at trustarts.org or by calling 412-456-6666.

“The Nutcracker Ballet” will return to the State Theatre Center for the Arts, 37. E. Main St., Uniontown for four performances in December. The show features local dancers of all ages. Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17-18; at 2 p.m. on Dec. 18-19. Reserved tickets are $15 and are available at statetheatre.info.

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has announced its upcoming 2021-22 season. The schedule includes: “Oklahoma!,” Jan. 4-9, 2022; “Pretty Woman,” Feb. 1-6, 2022; “Hamilton,” Feb. 22-March 13, 2022; “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical,” March 18-20, 2022; “To Kill a Mockingbird,” April 19-24, 2022; “Ain’t Too Proud,” May 17-22, 2022. For information, go online to TrustArts.org/Broadway, or call 412-456-6666.

art/exhibits

“Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden,” featuring new displays, returns to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ glasshouse after a hiatus in 2020. All tickets must be reserved in advance. Tickets and additional information are available at phipps.conservatory.org/Tickets.

Monongahela River, Railroad and Transportation Museum, 412 Church St., Brownsville, will hold a Christmas Open House on Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The open house features a newly restored caboose and the Pittsburgh Garden Railroad Society G scale model railroad display. Admission is free but donations are accepted. The museum is open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, or by appointment. Call 724-880-5960 for more information or to schedule a tour.

Mon Valley Railroad Historical Society, 5000 Green Bag Road, Morgantown, West Virginia, will hold a holiday model railroad open house on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 18 and 19. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Super Science Saturday: Holidays Around the World will be presented at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History Dec. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. The program explores traditions from around the world. Tickets are available at carnegiemnh.org.

Carnegie Science Center will host “Pompeii: The Exhibition” through April 24. The exhibit tells the story of the city hidden from view and forgotten for centuries until its rediscovery more than 250 years ago. The exhibit will include one of the largest collections of body casts ever presented, and 180 artifacts, including gladiator helmets, armor, lamps and more. For more information, visit carnegiesciencecenter.org/pompeii.

Brownsville Free Public Library, 100 Seneca St., has added a free exhibition space for artists. The first exhibitor is cabinet-maker William F. Sabo of Telegraph Road, whose hand-crafted wares are displayed in the window and inside the library. Patrons will receive a ticket to be entered into a drawing for one of several hand-crafted pieces, which were donated by Sabo. The drawing will be held at month’s end. The free exhibition space will be available on a rotating basis.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation are inviting artists and craftspeople to submit applications to exhibit their work in the annual “Art of the State.” The exhibit opened to the public on-site at the State Museum Sept. 26 and will close Jan. 2.

Uniontown Art Club’s Gallery 86, located at 86 W. Main St., Uniontown, is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The art club has online sales Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. on the club’s Facebook page, facebook.com/uniontownartclub. For more information, visit uniontownartclub.org.

Touchstone Center for Crafts, 1049 Wharton Furnace Road, Farmington, has opened registration for its 2021 workshop season. Early registration is encouraged as class sizes will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols. Applications are also being accepted for scholarships, internships, and artist residency opportunities. More information at touchstonecrafts.org.

Creative Connections are virtual learning tools designed by Trust Arts Education Teaching Artists for learners of all ages. Each lesson is only a few minutes long and uses materials that most people already have on hand. Featuring visual arts, movement, music, and more, users can connect with the arts from wherever they are. Visit the website for the video lessons: trustarts.org/pct_home/education/children-teens/creative-connections.

The Frick offers a variety of free virtual exhibitions, including fashion in the Gilded Age, a peek at 11 masterpieces in its collection and a detailed collection of early 20th century objects for refined dining and home entertainment. Check out the offerings online at www.thefrickpittsburgh.org.

music/comedy

Sam Bush, Mike Marshall, Edgar Meyer and George Meyer will perform at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh on Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at trustarts.org

Violinist Lindsey Stirling takes the stage at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh on Monday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at trustarts.org or by calling the box office at 412-456-6666.

Straight No Chaser, an a capalla group, performs at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. Tickets are available at trustarts.org or by calling the box office at 412-456-6666.

Darius Rucker will take the stage at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh for a concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18. The multi-platinum artist and former front man for Hootie & the Blowfish has found success in country music. Tickets for the show are now on sale and can be purchased at trustarts.org.

“The Sounds of Christmas,” featuring the Latshaw Pops Orchestra, is coming to The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin, on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. The 90-minute show is a musical Christmas celebration. Tickets for The Palace performance are $25, $30 or $35, available at thepalacetheatre.org or by calling 724-836-800. The Lamp tickets are $38 and available at thelamptheatre.org or by calling 724-367-4000.

Kathy Mattea will take the stage at the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center on Jan. 16. Tickets are now on sale at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices, online at ticketmaster.com and by phone at 304-293-SHOW.

Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall has announced several upcoming shows. Included are the following: Tig Notaro: Hello Again (Jan. 11); Kathleen Madigan – Do You Have Any Ranch? Tour (Jan. 15); Brian Fallow and the Howling Weather (Jan. 18); #IMOMSOHARD: The Getaway Tour (Jan. 22); Guster (Jan. 23); Phillip Phillips and Jon Foreman (Jan. 25); Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: Scare Scriptless (Jan. 28); An Evening with Bruce Dickinson (Jan. 29). For cost and times, visit librarymusichall.com.

The Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg has several shows this month. Patrons are urged to “know before you go” and call the theatre or visit www.thepalacetheatre.org to determine what protocols are in place for individual shows.

Shows include: “The Nutcracker,” Saturday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. – tickets range from $24 to $41.; “Marie Osmond’s Magical Symphonic Christmas” with special guests David Osmond and Daniel Emmet, Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. – tickets range from $79 to $150; Travis Tritt, Thursday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. – tickets range from $58.50 to $90; “David Clark’s Songs in the Attic: The Music of Billy Joel,” Friday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. – tickets range from $29 to $49.

John Mayer has announced concerts for his “Sob Rock” Tour 2022, with a show scheduled at PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, on Feb. 25. Tickets are on sale at JohnMayer.com.

misc.

Mystic and author Tricia McCannon is the keynote speaker at Wildfire Women’s Weekend retreat Dec. 10 to 12 at Laurelville Retreat Center in Mount Pleasant. McCannon is a renowned clairvoyant and has read for more than 6,000 people around the world. For more information on the retreat, call 724-953-9733.

A storyteller’s showcase will be held Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. in Village Hall 118 on the campus of Pitt-Greensburg. The event is free and features writers, poets and other storytellers. A question-and-answer session will follow. For more information, contact Jakiela at loj@pitt.edu or 724-836-7481.

Political analyst Dr. John J. Kenney will speak about redistricting in Pennsylvania during a free virtual lecture at the Carnegie Science Center. Held Thursday, Dec. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m., the talk is part of the center’s Society Science Lecture Series. Preregistration is required through carnegiemuseums.org.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh will be held Friday, Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to midnight in the Cultural District. The New Year’s Eve celebration is free and open to the public, featuring four stages of performers, public art installations, gallery exhibitions and select ticketed indoor performances. A full lineup will be announced in early December at firstnightpgh.trustarts.org.

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is holding its annual “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” sweater drive through Dec. 15. Donors can drop off new or gently-used adult and child-sized sweaters in collection bins near the front entrance of the museum every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Children’s Museum is open for visitors Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sweaters will be distributed to nonprofit agencies that work with families and children throughout the region.

Kennywood’s Holiday Lights display is open to the public, and continues every Friday-Sunday through Christmas Eve. Additional dates include Dec. 26-Jan 2. For more information, visit kennywood.com.

The Monongahela River, Rail & Transportation Museum, 412 Church St., Monongahela, is open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon or by appointment. Call 724-880-5960 for more information or appointments.

Nemacolin Castle, 136 Front St., Brownsville, is open for history tours on weekends, starting at 11 a.m. Admission is $15 per person.

The Old Time Fiddlers Jamboree at the Old Time Fiddlers Building, Fayette County Fairgrounds, 120 Pechin Road, Dunbar, will be Dec. 19. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. on all dates. There is no admission charge to attend, but there is a $10 fee for those interested in becoming members of the group. A concession stand will be open during the performances. For additional information, call Lynne Ritenour at 724-277-0352.

Registration is open for summer camps at the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History for children and teens. Additional information is available at camps.artandnaturalhistory.org.

Kentuck Knob, 723 Kentuck Rd., Chalk Hill, is now open for the season. Guided tours and in-depth house tours of the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian design will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Advance tickets are required, and can be purchased at kentuckknob.com.