off the WALL productions at Carnegie Stage A Pittsburgh Theater

By Robyne Parrish - Director I was immediately attracted to The Carols, written by Jennifer Childs and composed by Monica Stephenson. A modern-day Christmas Carol of sorts with a spin, chock full of music that will delight. This musical truly has something for everyone. At the heart of the story we honor family bonds, love, loss, and perhaps most importantly, our military. The men and women who so courageously have given of their time and talents and often their lives throughout history are honored here. The story takes place in a New Jersey VFW in 1944. War is raging on foreign battlefields and the women are left behind. While the community waits for loved ones to return, the annual performance of A Christmas Carol must go on, despite the lack of  men to fill important roles. L-R Kate Toole, Mandie Russak, Moira Quigley Enter our trio of sisters - Moira Quigley as Lilly, Mandie Russack as Rose, and Kate Toole as Sylvia. Next meet their Scrooge-like landlady and friend Miss Bet

By Monica Stephenson - Composer Last night was the first music rehearsal for Carnegie Stage’s Pittsburgh Premiere of The Carols , a musical that I composed with lyrics and script by Jennifer Childs.  On my way to rehearsal I spotted the first of many holiday street lights sparkling along Carnegie’s Main Street. I had two thoughts.  First, I imagined the city hanging these lights the day after Halloween. Holiday decor seems to go out earlier and earlier every year!  Second, audiences will soon pass these lights on their way to Carnegie Stage to see The Carols . The notion of it filled me with hopefulness, immense pride and excitement to meet the talented, new cast.  Monica Stephenson and Jen Childs, interviewed by  WHYY's Peter Crimmins In March of 2016, Jennifer Childs, 1812 Productions’ Artistic Director, asked me if I might be interested in writing a few harmony numbers for a new play she was developing to be produced that December.  The play was to be a comedic take

Interesting news about theater in Europe  The new theatre season in Germany, especially in Berlin, has started with a lot of highlights. But the big news was that a group of about 100 German theatre activists called Staub zu Glitzer (Dust to Glitter) squatted in the Berlin Volksbühne between 22-26 September 2017. 'We take possession of the theatre and declare it the property of all people.'—Staub zu Glitzer    Read more...

Nov 10 & 11 @ 8:00 pm,   Nov 12 @ 7:00 pm  fireWALL  dance theater three encore performances Stroking Its Ego Back by popular demand - A new work, an exploration of female empowerment, driven by honest, unapologetic, and raw musical sounds. Elisa-Marie Alaio Join Elisa-Marie Alaio and her incredible dancers as they take you on a dark, sexy, alluring, influential journey through egos, self awareness, and power.